Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

A profoundly backward Jessie James that took a strange, winding path over several days. Initially reduced and giving maybe 10%, with matchstick, damson, sour and mid-season cherry, mineral and very little aromatic expression. The palate was completely discombobulated at first, but the material was obvious: beautiful velvety tannins, tiny-berry fruit intensity, tremendous depth and an extraordinarily long, persistent finish. After about ninety minutes it briefly opened into something spectacular, with deep, voluminous perfume, sweet and sour cherries, mossy minerality and exotic spice, the nose easily operating at a 9.7 level. Then it closed again, the tannins took over and both nose and palate retreated. Two days later it is much more composed, silky and elegant, with pure red fruit, sour cherry and beautifully refined tannins. Very good, serious and clearly built to age, but not at the level of the great 2021 or 2022 Jessie James. — 9 days ago

Emily O'Mara

9.5

An excellent example Cabernet from Rutherford. This is the 2021 vintage and it’s absolutely beautiful. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2015 vintage. Light-medium/medium body. Elegant with just the right mix of primary and secondary characteristics currently. Some earthy tones, some pretty tones. Picked up 3 cases for an affordable ($35 a btl) domestic Cab with a decade of age on it. 2013 effort (not reviewed) had a slightly, off-putting, prunish note on the finish that wouldn’t leave the party so passed on it and went with this instead. 3.11.26. — 5 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.6

Wow. An insane wine.

Nose: sick elegant spice. Almost elegantly oily.

Palate: so dense. Candied pink grapefruit. Mineral. Expansive. Long. Saline. Juicy. Clingy.

Fass selections — 7 months ago

Bobbi Jo Broxson

9.4

Happy Birthday Heather — 8 months ago

with Brian and Heather

Carl Camp

9.0

Wine tasting 2025 — 9 months ago

Mark Mannebach

9.1

Nice Napa Chardonnay with bright fruit and a smooth finish — 7 days ago

KP

9.0

Sweet-and-sour nose. Silky tenants that cook the tongue. Long delicious finish with only a hint of oak at the very end. I would buy again. — 18 days ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Similar notes to last bottle from October 2025, solid redfruits, but the 14.5% ABV is still front and center!! — 4 months ago

with Dave and Jim

Frank Soldano

9.9

Drinking the 2017 in 2026. Love this wine!! Deep rich color. Thick long lasting legs. Nose starts with hints of blackberry and oak, with a smooth toasted oak finish. Very smooth with low tannins. Flavor is rich with dark ripe fruit and oak. Love this wine!! — 6 months ago

romo

9.3

Some poopy bret blew off in 30 mins and revealed a sheer dress of leafy brown spice. Likely peaked at 15 years. — 7 months ago

Ivan Peci

9.1

Marca blanca de rioja alta — 8 months ago

with Pedro and Carlos

Joe DAscoli

9.3

On the older side. Little raisin flavor but overall still good wine. — a year ago

Douglas Braun

9.0

2018- Good time to drink- lemon custard, lemon oil, chalky/ stoniness , med/med plus acidity( maybe a little bit low) neutral oak ? - nice finish at 8 years old- but definitely glad I drank this now — 18 days ago

Edward Nelson

9.4

Good stuff. I don’t recall what I paid but if less than a $100 it was a steak. Nice blueberry note upfront. Then smooth as silk. — 2 months ago

Jack Petras

9.2

Had zero expectations for this wine at a party featuring lost bottles from your cellar. It was like a raspberry preserve that you canned 10 years ago and still has the essence of that years growing season. An unexpected joy. — 4 months ago

Paul Barnaby

9.0

Fruity beginning that opens up to a peppery finish. Very smooth. A bit over priced at $109. Didn’t see the complexity at that price point. — 6 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Deep ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of black fruit, iron and wet soil. Flavors of blackberry, black plum, dark chocolate and baking spices. Noticeable “Rutherford Dust” on the long, earthy and savory finish. Soft tannins. Alcohol and acidity are quite abundant and noticeable. Lower (more Medium) bodied then I expected. Well balanced and quite interesting. — 7 months ago

Scot Walker

9.4

Black cherry & blackberry with dark fruit, soft tannins and dark cherries in the palate. Paired well with a smoked cheese and spicy ham. — 8 months ago

Andy@andyberke.com

9.2

Really spectacular. A lot of personality, especially up front — 10 months ago