Marshal White

9.3

Pretty flippin’ serious wine. Rich (for a wine that was probably picked around 20 brix) but not enough for it to be cloying or heavy. Flavors are not particularly fruity; some hazelnut and lemon oil that will probably go to that fermenty hay character with some bottle age. There’s some noticeable tannin too, some of which I think is wood-derived but it gives the wine grip. The weight (alcohol x ph x acid) is perfect. White burgundy was my favorite wine in the world and I’m spending my dollars and cellar space on OR Chardonnay because you’d spend a lot of money to get something this good from Burgundy. — 6 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.7

What a nose, some VA, lipstick like intensity, mid season cherry, keynes vignes from 2016. Wow so spicey and earthy. Wow what a generous palate and meatiness and such lift and very sweet fruits. But wonderful minerals on the finish. So much aromatic nuance with alpine scents, herbals. Wonderful finesse, so delicate and lacey, like a Gevrey Cherbaudes/Goulots, wild mint on the nose, sassafras, what a nose, Wow, energy and complexity. So juicy and deep. Such fine tannin structure. Black tea tannins. Nose is so harmonious and so Koosah. After 8 hours all these wines aromas congeal to such a sense of place. Palate is just so supple and sweet with such decadence. Oh wow. my score is up to a 9.7. Such sweetness backed up by structure. And so much energy and depth. Man the freshness, acid and depth is just unreal. Stunning aromatic depth. Asian spices and perfume. Super pure and decadent with great cut and energy. Awesome acidity and sweetness. Still a 9.7 but developed a lot more overnight. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040. — 7 months ago

Turd Ferguson

9.2

Clean, bright, pure. Tastes like eating a bowl of red berries in a Pacific Northwest pine forest.

— 2 months ago

Jason Keefer

9.3

Fell out of habit of delectable-ing but this terroir driven Willamette Pinot reminded me to keep documenting the yummmz! Clay, herbs, luxardo cherry (without the syrupy sweet). — 3 months ago

with Natasha

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.7

The Chambolle of the portfolio. Red apple fruits, early season cherry, some barely there VA, and stunning lipstick like intensity. Loads of wet earth and red fruits. So elegant and slippery with unreal intensity but remains delicate throughout. Sweet fruit and finesse. So so elegant and long. Just raring to go. Nose has also that funky earth thing going on. Nose keeps opening up. Scary elegant. Ethereal and complete. Now with 8 hours of air the nose is singing. Elegant red cherries and cranberry along with stunning Burgundian funk. Palate is supple sweet fruit and great acids and freshness. Unreal aromas after a day. So floral and lifted. Just stunning. That funk is still there and really adds so much. The palate is so supple and silky. 9.6 to 9.7. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous note from 2 years ago in November 2022 - this covers it all. Dusty plum and black currant, herbaceous and intense - in some respects more SA than WA. An unbelievable Trophy Cabinet from Wine Shows around Australia. I won’t list them all - a few highlights are Best Cabernet and Best Red Wine at Royal Adelaide 2014; Best Cabernet or Bordeaux blend at Royal Melbourne 2014; Best Red Wine Royal Hobart 2014. This is just a cross section. This was the 2nd of 6 purchased. Will cellar through to the early 2030s. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Winner of the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge from 680 entries in 2014. See previous Delectable note. Those modern leesy, flinty, struck match and smoky notes have come together nicely at 11 years of age together with nectarine. Delicious - sadly my last bottle - wish I had a few more. Yet another great producer of top quality Chardonnay from Margaret River. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

1995 vintage. Light-medium body. Opened but not decanted. High neck fill. Solid cork. Relatively light sed. Tasted after one hour. Dusty with velveteen notes up front and a gradual thinning of intensity on the finish. As per the LR style, no explosive characteristics, only a seamless quality evident. This will hold in place for 7-8 years. 8.16.24. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1994 vintage. Incredible color for a nearly three decade, Napa cab offering. Decanted and tasted after 5 mins and 2 hrs. Threw an absolutely ridiculous ton of sed...1963 vintage ports are both envious and jealous. Tight meniscus...looked like a 5 year old wine. Drank with the combined passion of age and youth. Shocking amounts of richness and integrated fruit. That pleasant surprise mated with the anticipated, back door tannins. Acidity still on point. Neck and neck with the 1994 Chateau Montelena estate Napa cab as the best 1994 Napa cab enjoyed this year. This has miles to go before it sleeps. 10.19.23. — a year ago