Jay Kline

9.3

This is the standard Côte Rôtie from Agnes Levet that’s a blend of different parcels. However, the philosophy and approach remain the same as “La Chavaroche” and “Les Journaries”. In the past, this bottling was known as “Améthyste” and only recently became more widely available in the US. “Widely” is a relative word, lol.

Opened about an hour prior to service. The 2021 pours a deep garnet/purple with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a gorgeous bouquet all of the different varieties and colors of brambles your heart could possibly desire along with all of the seeds and stems, freshly cracked black pepper, dried herbs, some of the animale, purple flowers some hints of old wood and yes, perhaps a kiss of brettanomyces. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long, drying and loaded with even more black pepper. This is giving me total 2014 vibes and if you liked that vintage in the Northern Rhône (as I did), you’re gonna absolutely love this. Drink now through 2036. — a month ago

Sara Woods

10

Strong dirty martini vibes — 8 months ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Easy sipping yet thoughtful, full of I-gave-up-my-lunchbox-for-a-pencil-box vibes — a year ago

ESF

8.9

This was 100% CF - no sign of age, inky, w/impressive aromas of cherry cough drop, herbaceous, white pepper, medicinal - old school vibes on nose. Bit unruly on palate, definitely felt the heat and finish had some astringency. Not a huge fan of Paso Robles fruit… Still a decent quaff and scratches itch for varietal CF. — 4 months ago

Ellen Clifford

9.3

Sauvignon Blanc in Napa is having a moment (or had it been and I’ve been neglecting it?). I’ve tasted some fun, elegant, evocative bottlings recently and this Gamble Vineyards example is another lil’ example of how malleable and exciting SB can be. I’ve “dated” about four SBs in recent months and like, I can’t give just one of them the rose they are all special.
This particular specimen has the tropical fruit vibes of passion fruit and ripe citrus laced with good-ol’ honeysuckle florals. The palate is like “surprise I saw oak!” And I was like “I didn’t know we were seeing other people but cool cool” especially as it is well integrated and subtle oak, rounding out the corners and ballasting the further citrus on the palate. I’m not saying forget CAB Sauvignon from Napa but give the Sauvignon BLANC a swirl. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Popped and poured; no formal notes. The wine is light ruby with abundant ripe red bramble fruits, bruised strawberry, warm spices. The structure is basically medium; medium tannin and medium acid. Not the most complex Grenache out there but it gives me a lot of Southern Rhone vibes. Tasty. — a year ago

Andy Meseck

9.1

Oh yeah. Perfect complement to our grilled fish and jerk chicken. Reggae band and beach vibes blended well with the crisp, coastal taste of this rioja blanco. — 2 years ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.4

Medium pink in color; strawberries, raspberries, and white flowers on the nose; high acidity; tastes like strawberries jolly ranchers, grapefruit rind, and a hint of saline. Nellie and I love it. — 4 months ago

with Nellie

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.7

Deep and ripe nose that is totally giving me Corton Charlemagne vibes. Ripe apple, melon, cantaloupe and pear. Gorgeous in its purity. Man this is like white burgundy mimicry. Gorgeous spicey notes and complex smokey tones and amazing mineral notes. Such an enveloping and evocative nose. Palate is so awesome. Rich and textured and so deep and this has those German iodine and hazelnut notes that make you think your in Corton Charlemagne. Ripe and unctuous and so forward and unreal marzipan notes on the mid and finish. Wow does this really hammer you on the finish and not let up. Remarkable elegance and large scaled but nimble. As this airs it gains remarkable aromatic complexity with pulverized stones and barely ripe tropical fruits. So complex. Rich yet tense is the biography of this wine. One of the best 18’s I’ve had from Germany. — 7 months ago

Ellen Clifford

9.4

Palmer turned my head in general at a recent tasting—if you can get your hands on the 1996 vintage my gosh…but for exceptional Champagne at (if not everyday) more frequently do-able prices lean in. Toasty white bread with these citrus notes that…can I be honest? It reminds me when as a teen vegetarian in St Louis I’d do late night runs to Steak and Shake where my friends got burgers but I’d order toast and butter with a lime freeze. Those toasty but piquant and refreshing notes. Expect like that on a platter with even more nuance. Obvi it doesnt taste like that precisely but its toast and citrus vibes don’t let go and cream and apple butter are backup singers. Do drink Palmer. — a year ago