Kurt Schuster

9.2

Look, I work in agriculture, a farming, family, but damn farmer wine is good. I have not had any farmer or co-op wine in a long time that just meets the threshold of wow for this one. I mean just the color is beautiful clear Ruby and Claret with no obscuring whatsoever. This is not something we’re gonna be like oh a dissect the flavors for 30 minutes. It is good, solid amazing wine with clarity of color, absolute focus of flavor in beautiful concentration of the grape and the expression of the land and the spices, and a perfect balance of the acidity structure they’re in. I wish I would’ve bought more of this.  — 6 months ago

with Frank, Deborah and 1 other

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Beautiful nose. Yeasty, bready, lemony, mineral. Hint of saline. Just lovely. Has that BDB intensity and driving force. Palate is juicy, clean and pure with wonderful lemon fruit and terrific sappiness and lovely treacly texture. Super elegant and intense. Just so good but will be better with air. With air this gets so refined and so elegant and compact. Almost a 9.4. Think it will cross the threshold. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Another go to n/v Rosé Champange because of quality & availability in 375’s. Although, most people think their recent price increases are unwarranted. In large part, I agree. They just haven’t passed my threshold.

Lots of strawberries, black cherries, blood orange, uncooked rhubarb, blackberries, peach, Rainer cherries, loads of white spice w/ heat, sea fossils, dry yeast, some bread dough, weighed, crispy, crunchy minerals, excellent, powdery chalkiness, red flowers & both pink & red rose, lively, crisp acidity, great length and balance with polished, ripe fruits and falling onto pronounced minerality on the long set.

The bottom photos tell you all you need to know as to why the region of Champange is so excellent. Not many places in the world have that kind of chalk & for me, that’s what makes them special. — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.1

This a very sold sparkler that comes in way below my financial pain-threshold. Birthday Boy @Shawn R had one going today. Kudos to you dad, husband 🎈
Back to the wine... crisp and energetic, with a limestone/chalky overtone. This oozes quality, and presents just like champagne. Why spend Whiskey Tango Foxtrot type loot when you get this at a fraction of the price of the real thang? — 6 years ago

with Anne-marie

Scott Cowan

9.0

Just over the 8.9 threshold to stand firmly at 9.0. It has a decent QPR, but not enormous such. Jammy, bit of smoke, round cherry plum pudding mouthfeel with my favorite part: a lingering finish. Excellent with strong meats and cheeses, especially truffle cheese! We’re it ten bucks cheaper I’d buy a case; at 30 bucks a bottle it’s good value but not a bargain — 6 years ago

David Shaw

9.1

800 cases made. Pale yellow white, very good clarity. Intense floral nose. Crisp, floral citrus flavors, fruity but dry finish with lemon peel and grapefruit pith flavors. Mild fine grained skin astringency. Possibly some lees contact character in finish but it’s at threshold level for me. — 7 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.2

It's crazy the number of wines sub 20 bucks down here. Cooked at home tonight in the AirBnB... 3 solid bottles. And hey, the dinner ...? Not too shabby for an 1/8th Italian dude.

So, I think 92 points seems to be my threshold down here in Puglia. Above that will be a standout.

92 points — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

My continued quest to try as many 2022 Burgundies as possible.

15 months in 40% new oak.

When you put this to your nose and then taste, you know you have crossed over to Grand Cru. I would buy this but $300 crosses my price threshold.

The body and mouthfeel are gorgeous. Stunning in fact. Dark, rich, ripe, slightly candied fruits of; blackberries, plum, dark cherries, red cherries, poached strawberries with excellent purple and blueberry hues. There is dark chocolate powder, dark, rich, earth with dry leaves, hue of maple syrup, dry river stone, dry herb buffet, dry tobacco, dry, used leather, barrel shavings, dark spice, light baking spices, some vanillin, black tea, wet, grey volcanic clays, candied, bright, fresh, red, dark florals with violets, near perfect acidity and a gorgeous, elegant, well made in every way long finish that lasts minutes.

If $300 a bottle burgundy is no issue for you, a definite buy.

This one is best in show of the tasting. — 2 years ago

Vanessa

9.2

Sayonara, 2021!! You brought periods of joy and excitement, apprehension and challenge, intense sorrow and grief; a panoply of emotions spanning the spectrum of the human experience…

So, we’re putting one foot in front of the other, crossing the threshold into 2022 with hearts full of gratitude and hope, while sipping delicious wine and savoring this quiet moment together.

We want to pause to say THANK YOU all for being a part of our wine journey and a constant source of inspiration, positivity, and learning for us. Cheers and Happy New Year! — 4 years ago

with Deked1

Shay A

9.1

Attended a virtual tasting with Anne Parent, winemaker for Domaine Parent. The Domaine started making wine back in the 17th century. Many thanks to my good friend @Mike R for setting it all up.

What makes this wine special (aside from the fact that it’s only produced in special years) is the fact that it’s not a typical Bourgogne...70% of this wine comes from the Village of Pommard (70+yr old vines) and 30% of this wine comes from premiers crus vineyards. Clearly a step up from most producers typical Bourgogne, which is a massive amalgamation of fruit. A true testament to Domaine Parent and the threshold for quality.

30min decant and then followed it over the next two hours. Beautiful out of the gate, with so much floral and spice aromatics. Potpourri, spiced rhubarb, dried cranberries, fleshy black cherries, black tea herbal nuances and a brief sweet note of brown sugar. Fairly mellow and plush on the palate with classic underbrush, typical Pommard dried red and black fruits, and a tart, energetic and delicious finish. Nothing thin or overly herbal here. Like a Rivers-Marie Sonoma Coast with more restraint. Wonderful QPR. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.6

A friend had a “reduction party” as he was needing to thin out his cellar. Definitely a party I’m happy to attend!

In my opinion, I feel like it’s tough to judge a producer from this vintage. There is no doubt though that talented winemakers were still able to achieve gorgeous wines, and this meets the threshold. Compared to other ‘11s, this was a bit more dense than expected with nice ripe notes. I have to admit, this reminded me of ripe Bordeaux...it has aromatics of saddle leather, baked red and black fruits, fig, cassis and even some graphite. On the palate, the fruit is slightly muddled and soft, with pipe tobacco, mulberries, dates, and chocolate. Softened tannins at the finish. I’m thinking this may be in its peak drinking window. — 6 years ago

with Mark and Weston

Shay A

9.2

The whole fruit spectrum is here...raspberries, underripe blueberries and juicy blackberries. Aromatically, it leans more red and black fruit dominant with cedar and graphite. Not quite dusty. The palate brings in a touch more darker fruits (blue), with overripe/mixed berry pie notes. Dense core. Shocked to see it’s 15.4ABV! Doesn’t seem that hot. Finish has some baking spices (cinnamon, cardamom) and an herbal twang I’m struggling to identify. Not overly complex. Classic, “fruit forward” Napa cab without hitting the jammy/fruit bomb threshold. Not declining but not sure it’s getting much better.

Update 2hrs in: nose has evolved and is showing charcoal and smoked meat. Nice improvement. — 7 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.7

So intense it borders on the pain pleasure threshold. Wow. Nose is gorgeous out of the gates. Earth. Olives. Mid season cherries. Psychotic. Stinging acidity. Just blasts the palate with freshness. Some gaminess. Wow. Bought from fass selections. ... drink from a Bordeaux glass. ... some godly grapy sweetness on the finish. — 7 years ago

Andy Stabile

9.1

Approaches the oak threshold but does not cross. Pretty substantial bottle! — 4 years ago

Ron R

9.1

I bought half a case of the 17, since the price and quality didn’t exceed my pain threshold. Very extracted and dense. You can certainly taste the fault lines in the vintage, but they are in the background.
Saluting those men and women who paid the ultimate price, and those who serve, or have served. Thank you one and all. — 4 years ago

with Anne-marie

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.3

Past notes apply, but let's go through the motions. Decanted for 45 minutes. Nose: Tobacco, pine needles, soil, and a cherry base. Deep ruby in color, medium plus bodied, medium plus alcohol, medium acidity. More red cherry emerges on the palate, and pipe tobacco... More precisely, my dad's Captain Black from the 1980s. Taste not quite as complex as the smell. Finish is medium. Tannins are perfectly centered. This just misses my 94 point threshold.

93 points — 5 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.0

Very reticent nose. Lovely secondary fruit on palate, has plenty of stuffing, but mute aromatically. On day 3, developing an interesting cigar and ashtray, even meaty aroma. Love produttori, but complexity and fruit I expected never fully emerged with this bottle. Maybe in a transitional period or just an off bottle? (No detectable TCA but my understanding is this could also be consistent with below threshold presence) — 6 years ago

Fredrik Finn

8.9

Listan Prieto, aka Mission aka Criolla chica aka Pais. The Benje Tinto from Envinante sourced from the DO Ycoden Daute Isora on Tenerife. Opens up very reductive, so be patient with it. Tart red fruit, very savoury and salty, like licking a stone, peppery. Like a northern Rhône but in the lack of flesh. Now call me conservative, but this above my threshold. However, very playful and fun, complex as well with a decent lenght and playful. — 6 years ago

Matt

9.0

Unique expression. Considerable brett, right up to my threshold, meaty and animal, savory, tar and leather about. Its got time still, but the powerful Serralunga tannins hold strong despite their grace. Love this vintage and the spine of acid it carries, really lively and nervous wines. Solid by all means — 6 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.3

Compared to last night's Frogs Leap... No contest. This is much better.

Silky mouth feel, perfect medium + body, green bell pepper, just delightful.

Observers may have discovered my nonlinearity at 9.2 in my scale. For whatever reason, I have made a mental threshold. 9.3 and above represents the best of what I've yet to experience. Now, I'm quite certain, that one day I will discern 1 or more other higher natural breaks. But my wallet cannot yet allow that.

93 points — 7 years ago