JKT

9.0

Balance and soft textures thirty years! Say ten years after acquiring from JR whose email says matriarch passing freed up this library holding back then. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

First things first, the wines of Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre or “BAMA”, as they are affectionately known, are not for everyone. They are essentially relics of a bygone era, made by a man who has largely resisted change over the last 74 years. Yes, that’s right, Jean-Pierre has been making the wine at BAMA since 1950. While nearly everyone around him has adopted whatever technology or technique that is trending, Jean-Pierre has held fast to his tradition. Before I get into the tasting notes, it’s worth sharing that opening a bottle of BAMA is a wild trip. A spirit walk of sorts. There are periods when you think the wine is fading and then minutes later, it’s a whirling dervish. It transformed every 20 minutes so be ready for the ride of your life.

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Remarkable throughout. In the glass, the wine is a deep garnet color moving towards a rust color rim; slightly hazy with a near opaque, translucent core. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous showing notes of desiccated cherries, currants, rhubarb, prunes, pomegranate, tobacco, cedar box, a well-conditioned horse saddle, an old library, espresso, roasted Brussels sprouts and damp earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is seriously 5 minutes long; it’s got the elegance of Margaux with an unctuous texture. Truly remarkable. A veritable abyss of complexity. Drink now with patience but honestly, I’m not even sure a wine like this ever dies so I wouldn’t be concerned about holding these for another couple decades. Special thanks to @Lyle Fass for the assist. — 2 years ago

K L

9.2

This library case was a great purchase. Excellent for the money and drinking smooth. — 4 years ago

with Matt

Bob McDonald

9.5

Using a library photo from Delectable. The vintage I had was 2014 which was a brilliant White Burgundy vintage. The nose showing struck match sulphides - also mineral with flint. Notes of fresh herbs with white flowers. Palate is restrained but very precise. The first white from the Burgundy dinner in Sydney on August 7. Just catching up with notes now. The food match with steamed Murray Cod was superb. — 3 months ago

David Nicewicz

9.5

Excellent start to fall with 82’ Cos. Perfume of cassis, old library and saddle leather gives way to an unctuous palate - cassis, hoisin, bacon, animal, tobacco and the classic Cos silky tannins. Excellent wine. — 3 years ago

David Nicewicz

9.8

Truly a memorable wine experience for this perfectly stored Sassicaia. The perfume on this wine was mesmerizing - Licorice, old library, tobacco leaves, leather and spice with a touch of cassis. I nosed it for 10 min before even tasting it (praying to the wine gods that the wine was intact) - perfection on the nose in my book. The palate lived up to the nose and perfectly reflected the notes with an added touch of dried roses and a hint of graphite. Why not a 10? The finish was a tad short, but I’m splitting hairs - I bought two more bottles of this from the amazing restaurant we ate at - La Caravella - in Amalfi. An outstanding restaurant, rich history (including a 1000 year old wine cellar with 20k bottles of wine which the staff graciously offered for me to tour) and lovely chef. A must visit for any wine/food geek if you’re on the Amalfi Coast. — 4 years ago

K L

9.3

Balanced with earth and cherry. Definitely still cherry forward but more developed. A nice get from the library mystery box — 4 years ago

with Matt

David Fisher

9.3

Enjoyed with BGE tenderloin with Alan and Lettie — 6 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Killer nose at 33 years young from an OK vintage. Chestnuts galore. tar, roses, melting road tar and crazy florals. Woodshop. Old Library books. Macerated cherries. Smells like elite Barolo. Just gorgeous. As it airs the minerals come through and the nose gets more and more expansive. I could smell this all day. Palate is tasting so young. Tannic and structured but with glorious cherry fruit and a mix of dried and fresh cherries. Very delicate yet big. This is so beautiful. Wow what sweet sweet cherry fruit and glorious freshness and acidity. This is terrific. Needs air as these all do. Nose now has burnt ember from a fireplace. Now after aid the complexity and finesse come in spades. It’s so elegant. The cherry fruit gets more defined. Now on Day 2 it has gotten better and better. These wines are timeless and ageless. Nose is a nebbiolo symphony with tar, dried roses, cigar box, dried cherries and huge minerality. So enveloping. Unreal chestnut. Palate is juicy and so clear. Amazing velvety tannins and so silky. Unreal wine. More finesse and better fruit clarity today. — 2 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Man. I love this winemaker.

Nose is smoke and dark fruit. It’s like a warm hug from your best friend Who’s wearing a sweater.

So comforting.

As it opens you get dried roses. Library book. Amazing.

Palate is dark cherry but in a light way. Still fresh. Elegant.

Man. Such a great winemaker.

Bought from fass selections — 4 years ago