Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

I love this wine. Dark and sinewy nose as it goes for this 1er Cru. Blackberry, blackberry flower, dark cherry, blueberry, almost smells like a N.Rhone Gamay/Syrah blend from Cornas. Wild. Amazing nose. 9.5 or 9.6. Loads of moss and wet earth. Really complex and compelling. Oh wow, what a palate. Like an orb. So round yet structured, sweet and deep. Blue and red fruits galore and such high quality fruit here. Best one ever. Sappy and fresh with such intensity and explosiveness but that hint of opulence and roundness is utterly compelling. A wow wine. Sick stuff. Can’t wait to see how this evolves. Dizzying complexity on the nose now. That wet/dry moss is so stunning. This is genius. After two hours superb spice on the nose. Awesome inner mouth aromas, dark fruit and energy for days. — 4 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

Vincent Dauvissat “Les Clos” 2014- A stunner. Power, intensity and an electric and tense palate that is clearly built to age. Shows an intense seashell minerality, sea spray salinity, rock moss and stone fruit. Exceptionally long and concentrated finish that coats the palate with its seashell and ocean mist persistence. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See previous notes from November 2020. Herbaceous is the word together with plum and blackberry - some earthiness with a note of mushroom. In summary - Herbal, Mineral, Bay leaf. Not the complete package like it’s more illustrious Wilyabrup neighbours like Woodlands, Moss Wood, Vasse Felix, Cullen etc but also half the price so good QPR. Tasted again 60 weeks later on 6th September 2022 with similar results A good wine that drinks to its price point. Not quite the standard of its illustrious neighbours. Not as much maritime influence? — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

My 11th bottle of an original dozen bought on release. Still going strong after 26 years. Colour of mid crimson with a tawny rim. When decanted the wine threw a lot of sediment. Herbaceous with red fruits - hint of red currants. Palate is mid weight - sweet and savoury at once, finishing with smooth resolved tannins. I will leave the last one for another 1 or 2 years / say early 2027. — 2 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

2019 | Pinot Noir
Enderle & Moll; Liaison
Rhine Valley; Baden, Germany
(92-93; drink 2024-29, 2H decant)

Paired to duck confit & green lentils, a favorite meal for cats and humans in our humble abode.

After a mere ~13 month wait after receiving into the cellar, we're finally pulling a cork today. This really wants another year to unfurl for my palate. All the hallmarks of this wine are here; ripe black cherry, tree moss, dehydrated strawberry, damp cedar, past season rose, orange zest, slight VA but unobtrusive, medium finish, dried cranberry.

A very special/unique vintage for Liaison based on this commentary from the winemakers:
"Unfortunately, we had quite heavy frost in some of our best red sandstone vineyards last year and additional problems with hail and high fungus pressure, which is the reason why we ultimately decided to only bottle our "Basis", the "Liaison" and our "Muschelkalk" (shell limestone) this year. The barrels from the other top vineyards ended up in our "Liaison", which is ultimately reflected in the quality of this years "Liaison"..."

With the best of luck, this situation will not be repeated; so 2019 drink happily knowing it's a blend of the best grapes. — 2 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2017 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir is absolutely singing even in its youth. Shades of blood orange zest and peat moss combine with the core of red fruits on the nose. The palate is vibrant showing a great combination of tension and weight. This has a prettier fruit profile certainly than the 2015 edition, with pomegranate seed and Tangerine zest that mingle with minerals and the earthy undertones of the wine. This is highly elegant Pinot Noir. Bright and very pretty now at the three year mark, the 2017 Toil Pinot Noir will show beautifully for two decades. Drink 2020-2038- 95 — 5 years ago

Winton Sweum

9.0

Not like the favored semillions recalled from my youth. (OK, with time it’s blossomed up a point to 90.) — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

This was my last 2008. See several previous Delectable notes. Typically reliable Moss Wood Cabernet. — 4 months ago

Angela Brown

9.5

Stunning Chardonnay with beautiful balance of nuttiness and acidity — 4 years ago

Jean Kim

9.4

Silky tannins, fresh raspberry and tart cherry, earthy mushroom, moss, wet soil, dried rose petals. DELICIOUS. Keeps the palate intrigued - I keep picking up the glass to see what I’ll taste next. A wonderful collab between Raj Parr and Screaming Eagle. — 4 years ago

with Mark