Jay Kline

9.5

First, the Gentaz and now, Verset?! Be still my beating heart! Noël Verset is a freaking legend. His first vintage was during the period of peace between the first and second world war which means, for most of his career, Cornas was a tough place to make a living making wine. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that things began to turn around and by that time, Noël was in his 70’s. Talk about perseverance. By the time he made this 1996 vintage, he had already started selling off some of his vineyards and by 2006, he was done making wine altogether. 

And this 1996? It is lighter in color than the other wines in the Cornas line-up; almost a pale garnet with a transparent core. The nose is just crazy. I just wanted to smell it for the rest of the night. Wild mixed berries, dried purple flowers, garrigue, tobacco, and coffee. This was a Cornas of elegance and thinner on the palate relative to the Allemand and Clape. Long finish. Divine with venison, umami bomb, potato and pearl onion. Drinking very well now and could hold for longer but why? — 9 months ago

Brendan Devine

10

In honor of our best friends who gifted us this excellent bottle several years ago. Many congrats and love to my man @Kevin Løk who I have been lucky to spend the majority of the last 16 years hanging out and having good times with. This wine has notes of perseverance and well-earned success for Kevin and Caroline. You will be dearly missed. — 5 years ago

with Briana, Kevin and 1 other

Bill Morgan

8.9

Full bodied deep dark fruit, licorice and leather flavors with a lingering finish — 6 years ago

Ronald LaMascus

9.3

Definitely worth the wait! Some folks said this vintage was at its peak several years ago but my patience is being rewarded!! Again, the cork was unbelievably tight but with perseverance a good waiters friend, finally wrestled it out without breaking. This wine definitely needs some air and time to settle down and get the full flavor and taste restored. I can taste parmigiana regganio, bruschetta, high grade EVOO and balsamic with a crusty bread. Veal and tomato sauce, even Osso Buco. I love Brunello and while this is not considered a top iteration, it’s still definitely worth drinking. — 2 years ago

Lori K

8.9

This was a delight! It looked a bit light when pouring, but showed abundant fruit on the nose which carried to the palate. Well balanced with a touch of acid, but quite enjoyable and pleasing to drink. I will not hesitate to buy more! — 4 years ago

Paul T HB

9.4

A little better with some age,
18.5 abv😋😳
Plus perfect dessert beer — 6 years ago

Randy Fuller

8.9

This Temecula wine is a medium dark beauty. It offers up a bit of oak on the nose, but it smells beautiful. Smoke, vanilla, tobacco, dark fruit. It may be a little heavy-handed, but it's enticing. The palate doesn't completely follow suit, though. It tries to be a Rhône, but trips up about at Pinot Noir. One or the other, okay. In between, not so much. The wine tastes pretty good, but it's a bit thin, with some tartness that's not really welcome. Nice try, but it misses. There are plenty of good wines being made in Temecula, though, so don't let this scare you away. — 6 years ago

Vanessa

9.0

Châteaux Pradeaux is located in Bandol AOC, of Provence, France, near the magnificent coastal town of Saint Cyr-sur-Mer, situated on the Mediterranean Sea. I imagine there are breathtaking views of the azure waters from the vineyards and estate of Château Pradeaux. 🌊

Generations of the Portalis family have produced wines from this estate dating back to 1752. The land has seen devastation such as the French Revolution, Phylloxera, and World War II, and yet today it remains strong, carrying forward the family traditions, thanks to the fortitude, will, and courage of the Portalis family. 💪

👁 It is medium ruby with garnet rim variation. It has a subtle haze, perhaps because this wine was not fined nor filtered.

👃 On the nose this wine has a baked, black fruit quality, with notes of blackberry, plum, and black cherry 🍒 ; also notes of dried lavender, anise, clove, cedar, nutmeg, tobacco, leather, peat moss, meat, and barnyard.

👄 On the palate, this wine is dry. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, medium alcohol, high tannins, and medium(+) intensity in flavors that are consistent with the nose.

The grapes were not destemmed in the winemaking process, which has undoubtedly contributed to the strong and grippy tannins experienced in the glass. This wine benefits from decanting and could also benefit from more time in the bottle. 👍

In sum, this wine tells a story of commitment, perseverance, and respect for the land from which it’s cultivated. It’s made with minimal intervention and has 95% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache. 📚

Château Pradeaux, Bandol Rouge, 2014, ABV 13%. — 4 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Pet Nat Lambro pairing with Picard, pizza and perseverance. Power to the pleasures in life. Wow is this a refreshing treat. Thyme flavored not-sweet honey on white toast. Oh that texture though, as sharp as the nose is the tongue is plush. Toasted grapefruit and lemon curd. Or...could you make a grapefruit cord? Could I? Should I? This wine is redirecting my life. — 5 years ago

Dawn E.

9.1

Delicious as before and I believe even better than five months previous! I think this is a super Cabernet to open now...I have come to realize that the oldest wine I possess is a 2012 and I am committed to not opening wines prematurely @David T 😉!!..so wish me perseverance 🤔..this could mean that Costco and John's Grocery in Iowa City will become fast friends of mine

Additionally...I want to send out an additional Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone..be safe and Enjoy! Thanksgiving this year falls on my rotation to work...I will be @ work assisting people to breathe! — 6 years ago