Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Such a terrific vintage for this and a worthy successor to the stunning 2008. Nose is deep toasty brioche. Very fine. Smells like a Gougere. Just awesome. Some white cherries, some other luscious fruits. Apricot, green apple. Super mineral and awesome spice. So airy and clean. Palate is so elegant and sappy. Wow the elegance on this is something. Really elite. Most elegant Caillez I’ve had. Beautiful sap and purity. Amazing purity of fruit. Apples, citrus. So complex. Fine mousse. Terrific acid and a wonderful opulence to it. Real depth, power and concentration here but this is elegant as a feather. Just sick. It’s still got so much more to express. Incredible salty finish that takes over your mouth. Lowballing this maybe. — 5 years ago

Rick Baumgarten

9.4

In a double blind flight of Aussie Shiraz. No surprise that this was near the top. Our group called Oz Shiraz immediately on the flight. This was fresh and youthful, though fully mature. — 6 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.2

Second bottle in two weeks. Consistent results — 8 years ago

Charles Antin

Senior Wine Specialist/Auctioneer Zachys

9.5

Many 61s from this collection. Lafite as always ethereal elegant Burgundian. — 9 years ago

with Zachys

Lewis Chester

9.7

1973 vintage. P3. At Dom Perignon with Richard and Jay. Toasty while still fresh citrus notes, slightly reductive, almond notes. On the palate, high acidity, medium body, high concentration of flavour. Finesse and elegance with great complexity, while still fresh and remarkably youthful. Fabulous. Drink now until 2026+ — 10 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.3

Beautiful amber color. Lovely — 10 years ago

Mike Siewert

9.5

Mike had this 11 years ago

Edo Wachters

9.2

Made from 100% Nero d’Avola, where Avola is named after a small town near Pachino in the wine valley Val di Noto in South-East Sicily. The first vines were planted there hundreds of years ago. This Gulfi Nerobufaleffj is very elegant, silky, intense ruby red, with a bit of earthiness, black fruit. Delicious! — 5 years ago

Amit Srivastava

9.6

I might have had this wine last in 1997 ! This ‘97 vintage was awesome. Medium bodied , soft , balanced w a long finish. Dry like I like it . Decanted for 6 hours which seemed to help the wine. — 6 years ago

with Gunja

Patrice Conxicoeur

9.4

This is what Hermitage should taste at its peak. Very nicely balanced, and the noblest of Syrah interpretation. — 8 years ago

Jason Chiu

9.5

Depth concentration hint of fruit on the nose long finish does not show its age — 9 years ago

with Aditya

Martin G Rivard

9.7

Single barrel Australian Shiraz. Tons of dark fruit,.it doesn't have a full forest floor funk but it does have a boat load of mineral & earth. I have absolutely no idea how this bottle ended up in my cooler since it's not my usual and customary but I'm glad it did! I definitely recommend it if you are a Shiraz fan! Superb finish by the way!! — 10 years ago

with Christine

Chris Ursini

Brand Manager Chambers & Chambers

9.5

1997 gorgeous — 11 years ago

Jay McInerney

Novelist, Wine Critic Town & Country, Expensive Wino & Gastronaut

9.6

Rockin. Light color but black fruit on the palate. Iron fist, velvet glove. — 11 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

2009 and still youthful as hell. Exceedingly enjoyable to drink.
Honey, yellow flowers, lemon/lime zest, apricot and hints of tropical fruit balanced by wonderful acidity and a mineral salinity. With almost no detectable RS, this wine has a enjoyable viscosity/ creaminess to it—more than I expected. Medium plus finish. The slightest trace of of phenolic bitterness on the finish.
Paired with homemade green curry. — 5 years ago

Charlotte Rich

9.4

Blackberry, blueberry jam with smooth subtle power and a surprisingly long finish. Wish I bought a case of this. — 6 years ago

Allison Senter

9.0

Shared with co-workers. Brown color with a lighter rim. Notes of Almond, concentrated fruit and barnyard mustiness. Reminiscent of a PX sherry on the palate. — 6 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.5

1999 Sine Qua Non “Ox” Pinot Noir from the wonderful Shea Vineyard in Yamhill County, Oregon. 14% alcohol. I’ve always loved the simple label on this gigantic bottle with the cavernous punt. And I was all ready to wax poetic about the romance of opening one of these older SQNs as, based on a couple of recent tastings, I was told that this bottle is well over the hill. Well, that just ain’t so. At least not with this bottle which has been lovingly stored since release. Now I’m not going to try and convince you that the “Ox” is at its peak, but the old girl still has some tricks up her sleeve. Crystal clear, bright, medium garnet appearance. A little bricky on the edges. Smokey notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, truffles and clove on the nose. Quite vibrant palate of sweet strawberries and cola as well as spice box with a hint of vanilla, toast and that clove. A touch earthy. Nice acidity. Super silky mouthfeel. Short, but decent smokey finish with a bite reminiscent of Sweet Tarts candy. Tangy! Extremely enjoyable! Well made is well made. Chapeau Mr. Krankl! — 8 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.7

On the nose you have apricots, pineapples and caramel. You get cinnamon on the opening, crème brulee again, honey and raisins, round and rich, brilliantly bracing acidity, and poised sweetness brilliantly focused. It becomes silkier past the mid palate, with such beautiful balance, and the finish is awash in caramelized brown sugar and some pineapple. Overall, this has beautiful balance and is just seamless, compelling, and a tribute to Yquem. — 10 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Mouton Vertical Dinner. This was paired with the 1890 and everyone loved the aromatics of the 37 displaying cherry, cinnamon, mint, truffle, soy and Chinese 5 spice, developing a curry note at the end. Have had some great 37 Bordeaux and this was one of them. — 11 years ago