Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

The nose has civilized with air, still wildly Nebbiolo, but now the chestnut, mint, tar, dried roses, spice, and a fascinating honeyed element are all starting to braid together. The palate has insane energy, with the fruit-tannin exchange finally happening instead of the tannins simply taking hostages in the back of the mouth. Beautiful fruit, serious structure, huge Alto Piemonte personality. Nebbiolo remains the most punk rock grape on earth. Amazing wine. — a month ago

Ron from VA

9.0

Fabulous example of VIRGINIA CAB SAUV! Structure and balance focused of red cherry and cool herbs. — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

A gorgeous but tight wine. Air is this wine’s friend as the core is there. Nose is super pure mid season cherry. Fall leaves, dried chestnut, so complex and pretty. 9.5 nose. Just out of sight. Palate is tight, but also ephemeral and elegant but has the power that Gattinara had and is known for. Palate is like 25% open on PNP but I will be back. — 3 years ago

Ron Romero

9.4

Fruity. Crisp. Apples. Berries. A little citrusy light bubble. Great for a hot day. — 4 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Such a musk! You could bottle this as a cologne and I’d buy it. Chestnut, fennel pollen, golden apple, dried pear, beeswax, white pepper, very subtle sherry-like notes. Amazing pairing with pork pate and with confit chicken wings. Becomes more honeyed with time in the glass/decanter. Old Chenin 😁 — 4 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.2

Really good. 7 months on Lees. Tart, saline, grapefruit, lemony, minerally. Excellent with halibut fish tacos. — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.4

Nose has white pepper on macerated cherry, grilled raspberry, semi-moist garden soil and dry leaves.

Palate has roasted cherry, fresh cherry, brown bread, Chestnut pastry and rocky granite-biased minerals. Delicious!

Uncorked and allowed to slow ox. for 24h before enjoying, no decanting. — 6 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium light garnet , quite wide terracotta rim . Top shoulder ullage . Slightly herbal , old mahogany, hickory , chestnut, minty , dried fruits with sous bois underneath, hoisin . On the palate this has some sweet red fruits , touch of coffee , old wood , earthy , meaty hints . Good acidity and slightly grippy tannins . Not bad length. This bottle shows surprisingly well considering its state , and is very drinkable . Drink now , as this deteriorated quite quickly once in the glass — a year ago

Mark S.

9.0

Rich, fruity, a bit acidic, chestnut. Oak. Quite good aroma. Château Margaux Pavillon Blanc White Bordeaux Blend 2016 @, , 230609 — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Been two plus years and wow wow wow is this the best bottle yet. Stunning nose of chestnut, soaring minerality, deep mid season cherries but smothered with wet leaves. Also amazing fireplace aromas. The palate is a marvel. Beats the sh*t out of sooooo many Barolo and Barbaresco at much higher price points. Omg the earthy sweetness on this is insanely magical. Perfect balance and elite elite finesse. Insane inner mouth aromas. What velvety texture and insane juiciness. Perfect fruit/tannin delivery balance. Just so so incredibly epic. This estate is magic. — 3 years ago

Paulo Ribeiro

9.0

Tight. Needs time — 4 years ago

LeAnne Ash

9.4

Really good!
Publix
— 5 years ago

Pooneet K

9.0

Very interesting nebbiolo from alto piemonte. Apparently aged in chestnut barrels, certainly somewhat unusual. But really very refined and pure, if a bit light. May not have been the right pairing with a porchetta style roast pork shoulder - more of a “burgundy” pairing versus a “nebbiolo” pairing, per se. Quite light in the glass. Light cherry and some good earth and medium minus tannins. Nice wine but was hoping for a bit more. — 5 years ago

Jonas Johansson

9.1

Great with Calamari — 6 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.4

This is awesome and interesting. Nose is unique. Strawberry compote, some herbs and earth. The palate is a unique feel, I wonder if from chestnut barrels! Strawberry, cherry liqueur, flowers, earth. So great with food. Still evolving after a few hours open. Would love to see how this ages. — a year ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Killer nose at 33 years young from an OK vintage. Chestnuts galore. tar, roses, melting road tar and crazy florals. Woodshop. Old Library books. Macerated cherries. Smells like elite Barolo. Just gorgeous. As it airs the minerals come through and the nose gets more and more expansive. I could smell this all day. Palate is tasting so young. Tannic and structured but with glorious cherry fruit and a mix of dried and fresh cherries. Very delicate yet big. This is so beautiful. Wow what sweet sweet cherry fruit and glorious freshness and acidity. This is terrific. Needs air as these all do. Nose now has burnt ember from a fireplace. Now after aid the complexity and finesse come in spades. It’s so elegant. The cherry fruit gets more defined. Now on Day 2 it has gotten better and better. These wines are timeless and ageless. Nose is a nebbiolo symphony with tar, dried roses, cigar box, dried cherries and huge minerality. So enveloping. Unreal chestnut. Palate is juicy and so clear. Amazing velvety tannins and so silky. Unreal wine. More finesse and better fruit clarity today. — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Beautiful light color but such clarity. Nose is mega spice and old chestnut. Very complex and ethereal. Faint leather scents. Real fineness to the aromas and breadth. But air will help them more. Palate is wonderful with mid season and sour cherries but also needs to open up and flesh out. Really fine and delicate tannins that build with that earthy sweet fruit on the finish. This also has remarkable finesse. Nose gets sawdust and cigar tobacco now. Really wonderful silky texture and intense minerality on the finish. There is no shortage of brightness and energy here. I’ll be back as I know this will blossom. — 4 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Before airing, nose was weird and furniture-like. But things normalized quickly. This is one of the more complex non-Ripasso Valpos out there (yes, I know it’s not officially DOC). Nose has bitter cherry, almond, tilled soil (almost like the smell of just-pulled carrots). Great balance, fruit and acid in abundance, soft mouthfeel, lighter weight. Tannins resolved. Bone dry. Finish is minerally and savory. Would work with a wide range of Italian food. I should note that the back label states that this was made in accordance with a 19th century traditional technique, including aging in chestnut and cherrywood barrels. — 5 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Lovely nose. Tobacco, dried roses, chestnut, mineral, so floral, Cuban cigar, really aromatic. Just gorgeous. Elegant, juicy and complex. So fresh, refined and clean. Fantastic ripe tannins. So classic. Lovey mid season cherry fruit and spice. Great persistence of licorice and cherry. So pure. — 6 years ago

Lindsey Hemmer

9.5

Bought at Vinovore — 7 years ago