Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.7

Germany does Hermitage. This is a stunning wine and can easily compete with the top the Rhone has to offer. Incredible stuff. Syrah has a bright future in Baden as well. Unreal perfume. Red berry fruit, superbly detailed, so mineral, bittersweet cocoa, tobacco, almost cassis and a hint of blackberry. So aromatic. Just amazing. Palate has stunning concentration and also stunning freshness. It is so fine. So nimble, almost Rieslingesque in its nimble fresh character. Wonderful tannins and the level of liveliness on the palate is like nothing else. Amazing hit of mid palate opulence. God this stunning. So textured. Such an amazing expression of place, soil and stunning freshness. Maybe the freshest Syrah I’ve ever had. Amazing velvety tannins. Finish is a mile long. Will age but super accessible today. One of the best wines I’ve ever had from Ziereisen. Just epic.
— 5 days ago

with Matthew

Scott Soren

9.8

Ok. This is my personal favorite wine, no matter the vintage, varietal or the dollar value. If i was granted one wine forever, this is it. As a Rhône warrior it exceeds expectations, and drinks like an amazing burgundy. Still young, no nose upon opening. An hour later this massive floral nose permeates though the rum of the glass. Tannins not fully integrated yet with a pleasant acidity. Time is beyond its friend. Earth tones are present along with expresso and tobacco. Red fruit front and center with a long finish. Wish this could be everyday Allday. — 7 days ago

MaJ CappS

9.2

An excellent wine!

Wafts of deep, a dark luscious fruit leather, tanned and hanging in a tobacco barn.

Tobac, dark fruit, Thai basil, licorice, classical barnyard, all weaving in this cedar lined basket of full flavor, not let you down kind of a wine to end your hard work week. Umami acidity sits mid palette, with a Savory grace. Strong salinity rounds out this one, as it is Long lingering, and introspective, I am absolutely in love with this wine.
Thanks @Carlos Diaz !
Drink more Mexican wines.
— 9 days ago

with Carlos

David Shaw

9.1

Estate Rosé Syrah, Walla Walla Valley. Reddish pink with an orange tinge, excellent clarity. White floral notes in nose. Strawberry and white pepper flavors with a hint of bing cherry, mineral and white pepper finish. Moderate astringency, skin and seed, enough to warrant decanting or patience (at least two hours). Strawberry and white pepper aftertaste with a hint of spearmint. Just enough acidity, but there’s a soft rounded mouthfeel under all those tannins. A serious and challenging but worthy rosé, one I like and that pushes the boundaries of the genre, but not all will like it. — 2 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

A beast as expected but so much freshness and length. Nose is gorgeous. Lovely blackberry, granite and hint of funk. Floral and gamey with some herbal aspects as well. Lovely raspberry. So fresh and pure. Deep and layered. Palate is rich and ripe with serious structure and freshness. Big tannins and a bit backwards now but it’s all there and has insane length and freshness. — 5 days ago

Tom Garland

9.5

Master class...Cayuse and Christopher Baron portfolio...robert parker matter of taste in Napa. Wines: with Chris Baron owner/winemaker.
2015 cayuse grenache God only knows
2016 cayuse syrah bionic frog
2013 cayuse syrah bionic frog
2011 cayuse syrah bionic frog
2014 horsepower vineyard grenache
2016 horsepower vineyard syrah
2015 horsepower vineyard tribe syrah
2011 horsepower vineyard tribe syrah — 8 days ago

with Brenda

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2016 'In The Hills' Syrah is a gorgeous showing in this vintage from Matt Reynvaan. This begins with inviting aromas of blackberries, smoked meat, wet rocks, Umami, bacon fat and blood orange rind on the highly perfumed nose. The palate shows an absolutely incredible mouthfeel with wonderful freshness and streaks of minerality. The combination of richness and tension is hard to resist right now as the stony character and herbaceousness seems to take center stage. Flavors of black tea, wild blackberry, orange zest and a just a touch of milk chocolate continue to build on the palate. While this should cellar well for a decade, it is simply stunning right now. Drink 2019-2028- 94 — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

A little cool coming out of the cellar. Mid cherry in colour with a tawny rim. Light cherry notes and a tarry note but not giving a lot. On the palate barely medium weight. An hour after decanting it had gained weight with plumper red fruits also becoming more gamey and savoury. Fine persistent Tannins. I have always enjoyed Cote Rotie but this was lighter than I am used to. — 2 days ago

Ryan Vento

9.2

BYOB wine night with friends & various industry acquaintances celebrating the recent induction of a couple of them into the ranks of CMS Certified.
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Lovely CR but definitely needed to open up for another multiple hours. Had been opened for approximately 3 hours when it was poured. Fragrant, med+ body, nice depth of fruit. — 2 days ago

with Krystal

Mike Saviage

9.4

Scarlet tawny, similar in color and depth with the 99 Delas Hermitage sitting next to it. With enough air this shows as rich and flamboyant in the nose. Notes of ripe black cherries, rose petals, spice and moist earth. Powerful yet graceful on the mouth. Has great impact. It’s in what is likely a long and rewarding drinking window. — 7 days ago