Jake Hajer

9.3

An intense elegant monster that needs lots of air. From the vineyard next to Beckstoffer, Los Piedras- heady with a bolt of iron mineral, black raspberry, red licorice. Savory. Complimentary color of brilliant dark garnet that looks like it would stain everything it touches. Classy and distinctive. — 3 months ago

Nikki Goddard, DWS

9.1

From 62-year-old vines; the only parcel of Aligoté in the Loire! Needs a bit of time to open up. After about 20 minutes, at a moderate temperature, it’s racy, vibrant, and electrifying, with a lightning bolt of lime-tinged acidity. Notes of white flowers, anise seed, yellow apple, and almond skin are tinged with crushed seashell minerality and a hint of bitter lime pith. Begs for seafood and/or light, fresh Japanese cuisine. — 2 years ago

Eleanor Westphalen

9.6

Beautiful wine. Silky, slightly smoky and easy to drink. So often you hear fruit forward, it is not. Fruit on the end makes it juicy and happy. 😎🍷🇺🇸 — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2023 Rosato is incredibly energetic like a horse waiting to bolt out of the starting gate. Ripe pineapple, pear and spiced citrus provide a foundation upon which the sparkling, lively acidity flutters. The balance here is admirable and nicely rounded and displays a lovely inner sweetness. This bottle could empty quickly. (Billy Norris, Vinous, May 2024)
— 4 months ago

LM Segal

9.5

This was a mind-f**k. Blindfolded I would’ve said Syrah until lightness and a bolt of zesty acidity and fine minerality lifted the whole thing so that an 80 degree summer night felt somehow mitigated. Wow. Hard to describe. — 4 years ago

Erik Longabardi

9.6

Searing. Paired with a bolt of lightning. Introspective to say the least. — 4 years ago

Neil Cornish

9.3

This review is for the Fourchaume. Incredibly precise and electric. A lime tinged lightening bolt in the glass, striking rock and exploding on the palate — 6 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.1

In mag. 47% Cab 43% Petit Verdot and the rest Syrah. Classic Herman Story boldness and fun had by all. — a year ago

Dan Appenfeller

9.3

What on EARTH did I just drink at Webster’s in Chicago?? I knew I was in for something different when I saw a ‘93 Loire chenin, but I could scarcely have been more surprised. A wall-to-wall medium yellow belies the fact that these grapes were picked when I was in diapers, and so does the bolt-of-lightning acidity that greets every sip. That’s likely to thank for the longevity. On the nose and palate are a wild variety of unfamiliar tertiary flavors. Smelled like Skaket Beach at low tide and a bit like my parents’ basement … I suppose wet earth and mushrooms might be close enough. A sip reveals minerals and perceived salinity (maybe it’s just the beach associations) along with a kind of light bitterness that’s tough to describe. Maybe walnut skins or green almonds? Three ounces gave me more to think about than most things! — a year ago

MaJ CappS

9.0

Inhale deeply, twigs and branches.
Light to medium body.
Classical forest, sweet cherry bark. Pomegranate, tart cherry, bacon fat, mint, bits of herb, and a lovely lightning bolt of acidity straight through the center of my tongue and lingering well into the next glass.
Central Otago Pinot. Yum.
This is what I want from a Pinot noir. — 6 years ago