A. R.

9.1

Still way too young. Amazing upside, highly extracted. I generally dislike this big style, but man is this well made. Dark fruit and pepper in the nose, lots of unresolved tannins, minerals and dark fruit in the mouth. Long finish. — 2 months ago

Chris A

8.9

Like Sade’s “Smooth Operator” - this Bordeaux blend brings that best of Bordeaux red but toned down a bit on the nose and mouth feel. Not as strong as big red French can be - but a good measure of a good glass of wine that is incredibly smooth. Perfect weekday glass with dinner! — 4 years ago

Anthony Martin

9.0

Big fruit, good acid, full mouth feel - not weak or thin. Fan! — 5 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.3

Lime zest, mint, and a little guava/lychee on the nose. Starts out all flint and grapefruit then broadens into something richer and more mouth-coating. A note of chamomile too. Beautiful, I would love to see how this ages.

Update: Enjoyed this over 4 days. Though there was no big surprise to the evolution, it settled into itself and provided so much joy. For all around enjoyment to the dollar, this is hard to beat. — 6 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.0

That’s rich. 30% apassimento in the blend. Big, beefy, bloody, grapey nose.
It’s extracted yet lithe, some back of mouth tannins to let you know tis ain’t no candy. It has that sense of muddy bogginess that’s wonderful, almost mushroomy. Great w pizza. — 2 years ago

Chris Langstaff

9.2

Big jammy nose. Airy and light mouth feel and flavor. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Tasted blind. Deep, dark amber tinged and tawny color. Hits me immediately as a gravel-influenced Bordeaux and I’m am in Graves with my guess. Notes of tobacco, graphite, ash, earth and gravel stone. Big shoulders, and a little hot. Yet silky in the mouth. I guess 82 La Mish HB. This has plenty of life in front of it, but give it 5+ hrs of air if consuming in the near term as the provider of this wine did. — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Enjoyed at our friend’s on the Big Island for NYE dinner. Dark and opaque. Rich in the mouth. Notes of black fruit, slate stone, some menthol and some five spice. In a good window. — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Wow. Just wow. This nose has unlimited depth. Huge dark cherries. Black. Red. Dark red. Stunning limestone. Blackberry as well. Just huge, dense, but serene. Spice. A new nuance every time I stick my large nose in the glass. Palate is painfully intense and has a kaleidoscopic intensity. Ungodly sweet fruit and a huge limestone mineral wash but in classic Holle fashion this is around 10% of its potential upon opening and the finish is again clipped like the 19 Holle Riesling. The nose has almost a macerated cherry effect. The balance and length are perfect but it’s a donut wine right now with a big gaping hole in the the middle. It will bialyize soon. The nose is at a 9.7 now. I know the palate will catch up. The nose has some of the most stunning fruit ever. Truly wow. The finesse is starting as are the sweet inner mouth aromas and the tannins are sweet and so fine. Really profound length and such a finesse. I can see why Piggott gave this 99. I’m not quite there yet but I might with air. Getting super tangy and even more black cherry fruited. What a finish. Sneakily long. 9.6 to 9.8 with air. Just so elegant and seamless. Mind blowing. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

VTS bottle. Dark purple tawny. Opaque. Fragrant nose. Notes of black cherries, forest floor, walnuts, some pepper and a touch of black licorice. With air some menthol develops. Still big and bold in the mouth. Showed well tonight. — 6 years ago