Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

This Right Bank Bordeaux is bright Ruby red, from a blend of Merlot (80%), rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Fresh red fruit with cedar spice aromas. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with some cacao and licorice notes, adding oak and mineral tones. Fine tannins, medium finish, good balance with fruit, ending with smoky oak character, drink now on the younger side, no real benefit from long-term aging. — 6 days ago

Norman Gennaro

9.0

It’s still too young for me but I wanted to pull one. Medium nose where I get a bit of green-ness. The finish is light and there is a bit of green on the palate as well. Hoping the rest get better with age. — 7 months ago

UWS

9.3

2022.11.15 Rest. Enoclub Alba w/Wakano
Super wine
Euro 65.00 — 2 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

Library from the domaine. Still a baby, let it rest for 5 more. Blackberry, sumac, dried thyme. Delicious but tight. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Medium Ruby red color with aromas of dark berry fruit and earthy spice, blend of 90% Sangiovese with rest Canaiolo. On the palate flavors of black cherry and plum with tobacco, floral and earthy cedar notes. Full-bodied, well balanced soft drying tannins on a smooth medium+ finish. Grab some Italian food and enjoy the great value wine. Consistent quality, a Fav!! — 4 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on April 26, 2024 at Tom’s House with Tom]

Wine is Jasper Freestone single vineyard from Sonoma Coast. Red plum, raspberry and pomegranate fruit, with vanilla, tea and mineral notes. Silky wine. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

First, the Gentaz and now, Verset?! Be still my beating heart! Noël Verset is a freaking legend. His first vintage was during the period of peace between the first and second world war which means, for most of his career, Cornas was a tough place to make a living making wine. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that things began to turn around and by that time, Noël was in his 70’s. Talk about perseverance. By the time he made this 1996 vintage, he had already started selling off some of his vineyards and by 2006, he was done making wine altogether. 

And this 1996? It is lighter in color than the other wines in the Cornas line-up; almost a pale garnet with a transparent core. The nose is just crazy. I just wanted to smell it for the rest of the night. Wild mixed berries, dried purple flowers, garrigue, tobacco, and coffee. This was a Cornas of elegance and thinner on the palate relative to the Allemand and Clape. Long finish. Divine with venison, umami bomb, potato and pearl onion. Drinking very well now and could hold for longer but why? — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice, unmistakable Muga. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), palate shows cherry and currant flavors with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full tannins, lively acidity on a medium+ finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Nice value! Great vintage! — 5 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

It’s early, likely very early, to be messing with the ‘21 Hayne Petite Syrah from Turley. Typically inky, this new vintage has a mineral driven nose that’s crisper than usual. It’s velvety smooth, loaded with plum, lead pencil, and other good dark things. The tannins are firm to steely at this point; the rest are going away for 5-15+ years. — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

A blend of 80% Tempranillo with 15% Garnacha, rest Graciano and Mazuelo, aged 5 years in American oak, deep Ruby with aromas of ripe jammy fruits, spice and tobacco notes, resulting from a warm dry growing season. On the palate flavors of ripe plum, blueberry and ripe cherry with spice, tobacco and cedar notes. Fine big rustic tannins, long finish, savory ending with tobacco and leather notes. Nice! — 9 months ago