Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.4

Wow. This is some seriously great fizz. Walks the knife edge between secondary yeastiness and primary lemony saline briskness. Gulp worthy. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

The nose reveals; some dark cherry liqueur, blackberries, black plum skin, blueberries, black raspberries, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes, cinnamon, some nutmeg & clove, leather, dry top soil, dry stone, underbrush, fresh dark florals & violets.

The body full. The tannins still firm but coming around. The palate show the region and still needs another eight years. The fruits show the ripeness the 2010 vintage delivered. When you taste it, you gets it’s Rauzan’s little brother. It gets better as it opens up but, wait to open any bottles in your cellar. The 2010 vintage is a long cellar and this is no different.

Dark cherry, blackberries, black plum skin, blueberries, black raspberries, strawberries come on as it sits on the palate, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes, cinnamon, some nutmeg & clove, herbaceous notes, touch of black pepper corns, leather, dry black soil, dry stone, dry crushed rocks, underbrush, fresh dark florals & violets. The acidity is nice. There is good structure, length, tension and balance but, again needs time. The finish is nice but, still earth dominate and persistent minutes. — 5 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.9

2016 Sine Qua Non "Rätsel 16" Syrah, originally “Cypher 16,” renamed because of potential legal problems with the rock band? Not sure of the backstory on that one, but it’s pretty clear that Rätsel (enigma, mystery, puzzle, riddle) is simply the German word for Cypher (a secret or disguised way of writing; a code). The wine however, not the band, is a monster. Gargantuan really. Typical SQN nose, and black as a moon-free, starless night sky in the stem. Tonight’s photo should not to be confused with Katie Bouman’s Black Hole masterpiece, although no light can escape from either. Very tight upon opening, singing an aria 36 hours later. SUPER concentrated with unlimited upside potential. More detailed tasting note to come. Yet another stunner! — 5 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

8.9

Dark fruit and a very firm structure. Should be great in a year or two. Only issue is that it lacked length. A very serious wine — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Today was my annual hosting of the Wednesday Wine Committee. There was 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert, all provided by me. Tasted blind, as always.

Birth year Sauternes. Drinking just like you’d expect a 31yr old Sauternes to be drinking, and maybe even slightly younger. Basically perfect provenance, the color has really darkened over the last 2-3yrs. Amber in the glass and molasses like up front. This checks all the boxes for Classic Sauternes. Honeyed sweet fruits with ripened pineapple, golden peach and nectarine with a touch of savory/nutty notes on the finish. Very lengthy finish with tons of complexity and life left. Wish I had another 1-2 bottles! — 5 years ago

with Dan, Andrew and 3 others

Darren Dittrich

9.3

Expensive ($60-90ish depending on your location) but worth it. Young at 6 years after harvest, but better the 2nd day. Not even the slightest perceptible flaw, this is a bright sour cherry Barolo that will certainly improve with time in bottle. Changes in the glass over time, this is a balanced traditionally-produced bottle. — 5 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.6

Crazy acidy peach juice, notes later.

48hr Update: Nose has overripe white peach and apricot, light green herbs crushed on slate slabs, so damn powerful I'm at full loss of speech. Palate has incredible overripe apricot, crushed slate/chalk soup, so syrupy it's ridiculous. Like 100 people throwing super ripe peaches at you as if they were all Randy Johnson in their prime years, ouch but delicious! The greatest Müllen Spätlese I've experienced. Going from original post at 9.4 to 9.6 tonight, just amazing...

72hr Update: Not losing a step, going strong as ever! — 5 years ago

Kimberly Anderson

9.1

Aromas of buttered popcorn that blew off to butter, citrus and white flowers. Viscous wine that coats the mouth, but not in an unpleasant way. Bright key lime and other citrus with fresh mineral crispness. Definitely some oak influence, but not the primary like with a chard — 5 years ago

Dawn E.

9.0

Just because it is beautiful outside! First real chance to sit outside on the deck! This bubbly is kind of like "Old Faithful" always great especially considering QPR! Melon..honey..apricots..croissants and almond Butterbraid! — 5 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.0

Summer fresh strawberries, garden fresh roses, grapefruit, spiced tangerines. Been a while since I’ve had Crémant - fresh, vibrant, and good with sushi — 5 years ago

with Krystal