Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured; due to the setting, this was enjoyed over the course of an hour but I would have really preferred to have taken my time with this. I had my first experience with the 2021 Barbaresco’s from Cigliuti last December when I enjoyed the Serraboella. I found that wine to be stunning. As one could probably imagine, I was therefore, really excited to try “Vie Erte” which is sourced from the family’s modest (only a few acres) holdings in the Bricco di Neive MGA. To my palate, this takes things to another level.

The 2021 “Vie Erte” pours a beautiful ruby color with a brilliant, transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with sensational notes Morello cherry, strawberry, stone fruits, pink roses, talcum powder, camphor, sub-Alpine herbs, exotic Eastern spices, dry gravelly earth and minerals. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for minutes. This is a drop dead gorgeous Barbaresco. The nose alone is enough to send me to Elysium. There’s impeccable balance. Possibly the best Barbaresco I’ve ever had. Drink now through 2061+. — 20 days ago

Martinez

9.1

Incredibly beautiful, perfumed nose, lots of floral notes (rose petals). Clean, pure, precise, very refined. One of the best Gewurztraminers I’ve ever had, from vineyards around Niedermorschwihr on granite soils (apparently, Gewurztraminer does great on granite…) — 2 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

One of my favorites wines. Perfume of smoke, gritty smoked meats, lavender, herbs and granite. Just an insane nose. 9.6. The herbs are a knockout. This is the best aromas I’ve ever had from this bottling. Palate is so rich., bright and deep. Such luscious and bright fruit. Bursting with blackberries and red currants. Lovely incisive depth here. Long and velvety. Has structure to burn and a long life ahead of it. Very primary but awesome today. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Saint-Joseph V.2018
Northern Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Made entirely from 100% Syrah, this wine hails from one of the most celebrated AOCs of the Northern Rhône. The 2018 vintage was a powerful, structured year, known for ripe fruit and depth, making it one of the standout recent harvests in the appellation.

Aromas & Flavors
Nose: blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, and spices (notably black pepper, nutmeg) with floral hints of honeysuckle.
Palate: savory notes of smoked meats, olives, herbs, licorice, chocolate, and a touch of oak, layered beautifully with rich black fruit.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, meaty, and concentrated with ripe tannins, round structure, and long finish. Balanced acidity ensures freshness while delivering intensity and elegance.

Winemaking & Style
Traditional Rhône winemaking highlights the terroir’s granite soils and classic Syrah character. The 2018 vintage is built for longevity, with the richness of fruit and structure to age gracefully for another decade.

Food Pairing
Ideal with duck confit, braised short ribs, lamb shank, venison stew, or wild mushroom risotto. Pairs just as well with aged cheeses like Comté or Manchego.

Verdict
A textbook Saint-Joseph: bold yet elegant, savory yet fruity, with the hallmark spice and depth that defines Northern Rhône Syrah. Aging potential of 10+ years, but already showing incredible balance and drinkability now. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Oh…how I adore Elisabetta’s wines and getting to drink Granato with some age is a huge treat! Popped and poured; enjoyed over a two hour time period and it evolved very nicely in that time. The 2010 Granato pours a deep ruby with near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, fresh sage, mild funk, granite rock and a soft expression of warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with good structure still. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and there is a drying sensation of almost licking a rock. As mentioned earlier, this opened up beautifully after about 30min and continued to shine. Admittedly, I don’t have a lot of data points on decade+ Teroldego so it’s hard to say for sure how long this could last however, when I consider that this is still developing and doesn’t show much in terms of secondary characteristics, I would say this still has a long life ahead. Drink now with a short decant or through 2030; possibly longer. — 2 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.3

Wow. Dusty, sweet, such pure deep red ripe fruit. Cooked cranberries, granite, spice, lots of energy. Palate is thrilling, palate isn’t quite as complex. A pretty sweetness on the finish but this is so fresh and tart at the same sime. Mature but nowhere near fading.

Finally a cult Cali cab I can get behind! — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Equally enjoyable on both nights however, the nose was most powerful on Day 1. “Ampodium” (formerly Classique) is 100% Syrah sourced from a dozen or so vineyards and made in a largely traditional style; plenty of whole cluster and a very judicious use of new French oak. The 2010 “Ampodium”pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe, some desiccated and some tart, black and blue fruits: blackberries, blueberry pie, fields of lavender, black pepper, bacon fat, iodine, and granite earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and laden with rocky minerals. Totally in balance and at peak. Lovely. Drink now through 2035. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

From the oldest vines in Clos de la Roilette, the “Cuvée Tardive” is a special example of Fleurie. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout, though it seemed to be a touch more balanced on Day 2. The 2022 “Cuvée Tardive” pours a deep ruby, with a slightly purple tinge and a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, pomegranate, black plum, red carnations, lavender pastilles, licorice, incense, and granite. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finishes medium+. Ripe and yet remains so fresh! Drink now through 2037. — a year ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Soaring, elegant nose of peach flesh, guava, pineapple and persimmon. So focused and shows off the exotic fruit so vividly. All on a bed of pungent granite. So clean, elevated and pure. Awesome. Nothing like White Hermitage. Palate is super mineral and fresh but obviously young and needs air/years to get more together. Amazing fruit presence that mirrors what is on the nose and also long and grand. Gorgeous focus and an almost tannic impression on the finish. Grippy and fruit and mineral saturate on the finish. Terrific and excited what air will bring. Air brings this from a 9.4 to 9.5. So focused now and the nose just emanates from the glass. World class wine. Top notch finesse. — 3 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Nose has neverending crushing of flint/granite, warm lemon curd, salted yellow apple slice, cool Asian pear and old, crystalline cheddar.

Palate has ripe pineapple, over-ripe yellow apple, moist chalk/limestone, dried coconut shreds, faint butter notes, table salt with medium acidity. A great wine, slow oxidation for 2H then decanted 3H, so many years in front of this amazing bottle. Drink this 2026-2030 from proper storage.

Pre-birthday dinner for our dear COVID bubble friend; we've only allowed one of our close friends into the house for almost the past year, tonight we're celebrating that he's one year older than me. 😉 — 4 years ago