Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

A mineral blizzard of limestone, blackberry and crushed rock, so site-driven and Pinot-coded that I would never call it Syrah blind. The palate is massive yet extraordinarily refined, with grandiose concentration, tiny-berry purity, exceptional freshness and the creamy authority of a truly great wine. Rich, structured and deeply mineral, with ripe, sweet tannins and tremendous length. Still very young and clearly built for serious air and age. — 11 hours ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.7

White Cap. Stunning dry Mosel Riesling with crystalline citrus, sweet lime, slate and beautifully pure fruit. The palate is concentrated, juicy and refined, with superb balance, tremendous mineral drive and a long, mouthwatering finish. Deep and powerful without heaviness, and excellent with food. A great introduction to Molitor and a wine that immediately made a customer want to buy. — 4 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Stunning, lifted nose of violets, blackberry, red fruit, florals and a little barbecue-sauce savoriness, almost Côte-Rôtie-like in perfume. The palate is juicy, elegant and nicely mature, with good texture and freshness, but it lacks the excitement and precision of Sylvain Gauthier’s later wines. Unfortunately, there is also a touch of heat on the finish that I cannot get past. Beautiful aromatics, solid wine, but the palate keeps it at 9.3. — 8 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

White Capsule. Confectionary and intensely mineral on the nose, with Smarties, crushed slate and bright citrus tones. The palate is much tighter and more youthful, but beautifully refined, pure and clean, with excellent concentration, precision and a long mineral finish. Fantastic now, though clearly built to improve with time — a day ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Beautiful, whip-smart Northern Rhône Syrah with blackberry, violets, granite and, after air, a gorgeous olive note running through both the nose and palate. The texture is sleek and refined, with excellent freshness, fine tannins and a long, elegant finish. Not quite as complete or tightly composed as the monumental 2019, but still an exceptional Gonon and a brilliant expression of the vintage. — 4 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Astonishing nose of crystallized lime, sea air, pulverized limestone, silver-mine minerality and a tiny glow of buttery richness. The palate is outrageously pure, sleek and refined, with immense sap, mouthwatering freshness and extraordinary richness woven seamlessly into the wine. A full mineral blizzard on the finish, intensely saline, crystalline and endless. Complete Meursault, combining Coche-Dury-like force with Roulot-like finesse while remaining unmistakably Brisset. — 5 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Tasted this on my recent trip to France and again tonight. Baby Côte-Rôtie nose of violets, high-toned florals and blackberry. Soft, juicy and creamy on the palate, with bright ripe tannins, beautiful texture and absurdly pure fruit. A one-note wine, but what a fucking note. Astonishing value. — 8 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Spicy, succulent and beautifully red-fruited, with remarkable blackberry, blackberry flower, musk and deep old-vine sap. The palate has excellent freshness, tension and tannins, plus a creamy mid-palate complexity that only comes with age. Still energetic and delicious, though I preferred it younger. — 3 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Super fine and refined and the Chinese food, specifically the scallion pancakes, brought this alive. Super pure and yeasty with outstanding mousse. — 3 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

8.0

Some mature mushroom and porcini aromas on the nose, but the palate is shockingly angular, tannic and almost completely lacking in fruit. Hard, hollow and disjointed, with none of the generosity or harmony expected from the vintage or vineyard. A profoundly disappointing bottle. — 4 days ago