Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Just a stunning bottle. Deep, dark, coiled and incredibly pure, with that unmistakable Hölle combination of fruit intensity, mineral darkness and quiet inner violence. Black cherry, sour cherry, wild raspberry, crushed rock, violets, smoke, earth, iron and spice, but the real story is the texture. This has that dense 2022 core, but it never feels heavy or overblown. It is compact, serious, layered and beautifully proportioned, with tremendous midpalate depth and a finish that keeps expanding instead of simply fading.

What I love here is the tension between ripeness and restraint. There is real fruit, real concentration, real flesh, but the wine is controlled by structure, minerality and site. The tannins are fine but present, the acidity gives it lift, and the whole thing feels like it is moving inward and outward at the same time. Young, obviously, but already compelling. Needs air and will be better with years, but this is a major 2022 German Pinot Noir. Serious, dark, elegant, and absolutely loaded with future.

Day three. Still completely alive, not a thing lost. Creamy, juicy, ripe, sweet-fruited, with the tannins finally calmed down and perfectly integrated. The whole wine has snapped into harmony. I knew it had the guts to go the distance. Fantastic. 9.7 on days 1/2 and 9.8 on day 3. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened several hours prior and decanted off sediment and a portion of the cork that had broke and crumbled before returning to the bottle. The 2007 “Howell Mountain” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and very slight rim variation. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of dark fruit: black currants, blackberries, tobacco, leather, earth and gentle spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. This is firing on all cylinders right now and the structure suggests the power of the 2007 vintage is not slowing down anytime soon. Drink now with a decant and through 2037 with ease. — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Had this a few times, but I was finally able to sit down and analyze it over an evening. Their only cuvée produced in 2014.

Upfront, rollercoaster aromatics initially…rich, then mellowed out with an hour of air. After a few hours of air, a much more ripe CdP profile came out. Great bridge wine from Cali GSMs to bigger CdPs. Deep red in the glass with aromatics of fig, brambly red and black fruits. On the palate, big but not unbalanced. No trace of brett. Soft fig, muddled underripe black cherry, garrigue (smoked herbs); lengthy finish. Kiss of black pepper. Big Grenache vibe here. Lovely with air. Probably best in the near term based on the fruit forward structure. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

The first of my small tranche of 2019 Cuvée Reservée’s and I figured it would be fun to share with the Tasting Group. Popped and poured and presented double-blind. The wine pours a translucent, deep ruby with magenta rim, near opaque core, medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine was clean with macerated raspberry, cranberry, and pomegranate fruits. There were purple flowers, some black pepper and rocky minerality along with a slightly gamey note which was quite charming. Both the fruit and non-fruit characteristics were confirmed on the palate. The wine finishes dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. There’s a compelling sense of power and energy in this wine. Everyone was in the Rhône but most were in the North; from Saint Joseph to Cornas, citing that they believed this was Syrah. However, two in the group called Châteauneuf du Pape and one actually called producer (!!) but missed on vintage (2016). Universally, the wine was fawned over and the dude who called Pagaü thought he actually favored the 2019 over the 2016 he had a while back. While I’m not sure I would go that far, the 2019 is truly quite stunning already and seems to have the guts to see a very long and wonderful life ahead. These are currently enjoying their customary early drinking window however, that window will likely close within a year or so and then I could see this shutting down pretty hard until 2025 — 4 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.3

Surprising. Deep brooding color. Intense aromas of deep, ripe bramble and hints of peppery spice. A touch of VA on the nose. On the palate the fruit is ripe and slightly chewy and the acidity balances out the ripe fruit. I’m very surprised by the alcohol level. Only 13.4%!!! This is one is by no means watered down? It’s pure and intense, and there’s no green underripe fruit here? #pasorobles #gsmblend #gsm — 5 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Deep ruby red. Started off with dark red berries, then shut down a little anise, minerality and dark cocoa. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Medium intensity on the palate with cinnamon, black pepper, dark cherries and a touch of minerality. Long finish. Drink till 2034. — 7 years ago

with India

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

1000th wine by delectable 🥳. Controlled power...deep flavours that are starting to integrate nicely. Have wanted to try this for a long time and wasnt let down. Heres to the next 1000 🥂 — 3 months ago

Shay A

9.5

One of the wines I supplied for an annual lunch hosting (co-host this time). I was really hesitant to open this given the fanfare of this specific wine, but also how DrCrane can be an in-between wine for me (so explosive young, shut down at 5-10yrs, re-open 10+). Decanted two-three hours.

Classic deep purple-black DrCrane in the glass. Aromatics are immediate with ripe blue and black fruits, baking spices, mocha and graphite. Just a little bit of high-toned EA to make it pop, along with this roasted character I always get from DrCrane wines. Opulent and polished in every way on the palate, this is a tidal wave of flavor with no hard edges. It’s a towering wine in the sense of so much concentration and depth on the mid-palate, but it’s so incredibly polished at the finish…almost shockingly so. The ripe fruits and the dark chocolate linger longer than any Napa cab I can remember. Iron first in a velvet glove.

No need to worry, these are open for business. Plenty of structure to carry a while, but this window seems like it was made for how this wine is drinking now. — a year ago

Shay A

9.2

My first time with Dehlinger Syrah. I believe this ‘08 estate is all from their Altamont vineyard in the Russian River Valley.

Deep red/purple in the glass, hardly any bricking. Aromatics of ripe red and black berries, violets, and sweet spices. I don’t detect any savory notes and assuming no use of whole clusters as I don’t get any type of green/lifted profile. Even at 15-16yrs, this is deep with fruit…black raspberries, black currant, dark cocoa, fig, vein of sweetness down the middle, but with a coffee/mocha grippy finish. Followed over two days and, shockingly, held up just fine. Pop the corks and enjoy. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Pop and poured; consumed over five days. Best on day three and four. The 2016 pours a deep garnet, bearing purple with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with some fine sediment. On the nose, brambles, garrigue, lavender and borsellino. It sort of reminds me of a damp earthen basement in the most endearing of ways. On the palate, the wine the dry; medium+ tannins that build through day four before softening. Acid is medium. The fruit set from the nose is confirmed…it’s a lot of delicious fruit with some leather, black pepper and earth. Long finish. These needed some time and the rewards are beginning to show. I have another bottle left and I’ll save that for a few years down the road. — 4 years ago

Gerard Jacinto

9.0

Great color! Medium-deep garnet. Full bodied with an aroma of smoked prosciutto and red fruits. Silky smooth with fruity flavors prevailing. Hot and spicy in your mouth and down the throat. Medium tannins but overall interesting experience! Lacking in taste/overall balance but still a great buy. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Some say it’s the exceptional soils of clay and gravel washed down from the Pyrenees that give Bergey its charm. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, spice, cedar and smoke. On the palate flavors of plum, blackberry and black raspberry with cacao, oaky tones and mineral spice. Lingering finish ending with fruit and toasty cedar character. Good value. — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.2

45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Franc & 5% Petit Verdot

Color is deep plum, like totally opaque, but a beautiful semi-translucent blackberry color at the edge of the glass.

Nose is liquor of cassis, some noticable heat from the alcohol (14.5%), plum juice, light oak.

Palate is very smooth, dusty plum, blackberry, blueberry skin, mocha, coffee bean; tannins are still grippy, finish is about 45s. Decanted about 2hrs.

Generally a very nice bottle, we bought this in March '18, just getting to it tonight finally. Very impressed by this effort, light years ahead of the entry level Balbo wines. We only ever came across this once, $35 was a solid buy, and hands down my favorite Balbo wine to date. I think this has years to go, my guess is this is peaking around 2022-2025.

24hr Update: Alcohol on the nose has dissipated, palate is a little muted today, but still can identify the same traits as yesterday. — 8 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Deep purple in color with a short, cloudy purple rim.

Strong nose of black currants, black plums, stewed cherries, dried figs, raisins, ginger, oak, eucalyptus, spices, green beans and peppercorn.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, tobacco, licorice, peppercorn, chocolates, herbs, spices and coffee.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 16 year old Grenache from California feels like it peaked a few years ago, but still drinking beautifully. Elegant and rich.

The Syrah notes are very dominant, especially right out of the bottle.

Complex and interesting, with a beautiful nose. Extracted and fruit forward.

Robert Parker 96 points.

Needed 2 hours to open up, and delicious by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of 84% Grenache, 11% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre.

15.6% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$330. — 9 months ago

Jerry Raphael

9.1

I thought I was drinking the estate bottling but it turns out to be the Altamont. Wow, what a big wine and super loaded with cola, deep dark berries and some more completely intergraded elements. It had a nice long finish. Overall it was quite different and a bit over the top, Not sure if it would calm down some with more age. Got a few more bottles so I guess I’ll find out. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over period that lasted a few hours. After removing the capsule, cork was revealed to be completely saturated and moldy at the top. It was positively nasty. After wiping it down, I was able to extract the cork intact, with the use of a Durand. The 1988 pours a deep garnet with near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment even after decanting. On the nose, the wine is a vinous mix of ripe and desiccated black and red fruits: brambles and currants, with tobacco, bell pepper, leather, organic earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and so delicious. Brilliant. The ’88 is ready to drink now with a short decant but has plenty of stuffing to drink well for at least another 10+ years and well-stored examples will be alive for much longer. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Somewhat analogous with my 2013 Chave Blanc impression, this was more about peering into the bright future in store for this wine. The potential is simply buried deep beneath the surface. All the stuffing is there for a special wine down the road. While enjoyable now, patience will be handsomely rewarded. Personally, I wouldn’t touch well-cellared examples until much closer to 2030. — 4 years ago

Conrad Green

9.3

This is dark and primary still. A tarry nose with a medicinal twist (Benadryl?). The palate is ripe and blocky. Few signs of its substantial age- deep and rich. Like an old school Cornas. Apparently these has 3-6 months contract with skin with minimal punching down which explains their unusual longevity. Amazing stuff. — 4 years ago

with Tony, Walker and 2 others

Evan Bienstock

9.7

On this very troubling night in NYC, let’s drink 85 Burgundy. And this was stunning. Direct from Claudine. I hope you are all safe and healthy in these crazy times. These are the times to dig deep in your cellar. Why else lay bottles down other than for times like this...? — 6 years ago

Chris Morphy

9.8

As you swish the wine around and send your nose to the rim of your glass, a hint of smoke alongside a whiff of spice will tingle your olfactory. Now take that glass and touch the wine to your lips and take the smallest sip while breathing through your nose to be hit hard by 2 of your senses. Now your taste buds will get a rush of oak and black cherry that expands the tongue and moistens the cheeks. The wine will slide down your throat coating every inch with a smooth, buttery texture. The alcohol content hitting you in the deep throat resembling a higher than average alcohol content. This wine is extravagant, but if you have too much at once, the tannins will turn you red. This wine is marvellous and the price tag definitely will reflect that. — 8 years ago