Tom Casagrande

9.3

The fruit on this thing is ridiculous. So vibrant and pure. Dark cherry and zingy purple berries (David Crosby!). Crushed granite lurking in the background. So mouthfillingly fruity on the palate. But it’s got really electric, integrated acids. None of the slight disjointedness or astringent/bitter notes I’ve had in other ‘22s. Not super complex but I’m here for the fruit on this one! — 2 days ago

with Rebecca

Jay Kline

9.2

Maurice Vesselle is a récoltant whose small estate of maybe 15 acres, is in Bouzy and Tours sur Marnes. Most of their vineyards, all Grand Cru, are dedicated to Pinot Noir with the balance, Chardonnay. They are a strict no-malo, all INOX producer. One other note, the corks on these bottles are so stubborn. I had one hell of a time getting it extracted in an elegant fashion. We had people over and I was multitasking, making the risotto which, of course, needed my undivided attention. Ultimately, I ended up grabbing the Wüsthof and sabering that mf’er.

So, sabered and poured. The wine is a straw color with medium- viscosity and a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of strawberry, light brioche, lemons, marzipan and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, mineral driven and zippy! This needs a ton of air at this stage but if you allow it, what a treat! Better after 2025 through 2043. The Millésimé is typically 80/20, Pinot Noir/Chardonnay. Dosage 4g/l (and seems it). Disgorged June 2023. — 8 months ago

Sam Friedland

8.9

Balanced, pepperish taste Syrah. Went well with bison hamburgers. — 4 years ago

Brada

9.2

Very smooth. Delightful. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Deep Ruby in colour. Strong earthy stony aromas with deep ripe plum plus red and black fruits. An example of a Hunter Valley wine trying to be like a South Australian Shiraz - too ripe and full bodied. “Clumsy” HH said when it was first released. Thankfully wine makers lately in the Hunter have returned to the old medium weight, savoury, “sweaty saddle “ style. Returning to this 2005, this is more full bodied and rich but the quality of the very old vines planted by Maurice O’Shea pulls it over the line as a high quality wine. The more recent vintages of Maurice O’Shea are of extreme quality (2014 - 99 points), back to what the Hunter does best, and will live for decades. — 3 months ago

John Willison

9.3

Tart cherry, dried cherry, sarsaparilla, dry tannins. Really good. — 9 months ago

Ed Tostanoski

9.6

Wow!!!!! 🤯 🤩 — 3 months ago

Phil Kessling

9.0

This is the Gewurz. Classic Gewurz: Spicy, acidic and so good with smoked turkey. — 8 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

Rich and powerful style of Riesling. Nectarine, wet slate, honeysuckle. — 9 months ago

Rob Iracane

9.5

Lots of lemon and honeysuckle — 3 years ago