Tom Casagrande

9.3

Rewarding myself for successfully getting the meatballs prepped for cooking! HMV’s Howell Mtn Zins are so unique and are more a reflection of the terroir than the Zinfandel grape. Almost Bandol-like in the earthy aromas reminiscent of black peppercorn shells and tree bark, with very focused fruit playing a secondary role. Deep and bone dry in the mouth, with mouthwatering acids (yes, nice acid structure in a Zin). Still a little tannic, but drinking beautifully right now. Ends on a distinctive note seemingly an amalgam of graphite and tar.

UPDATE: On night 3 a tremendous purity of fruit emerges on the palate. What a terrific wine. — 5 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Haven’t had this since about a year ago and it’s only improved a bit since that remarkable showing. Nose has the inky amalgam of mineral, beef jerky, deep spice, and even a low-toned pleasant vegetal note. Also too deep, oozing red berries. Rich in the mouth, yet a little lighter on its feet than you’d think, with minerality and pretty good acids propelling it along. So good. — 3 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Beautifully balanced Syrah. Nose has bright, ripe tiny red berry fruit, spiced raw beef, graphite, and a floral note. In the mouth it’s concentrated yet light on its feet and soft. Nice amalgam of sandstoney minerality and red berry fruit. Very nice acidity. Lingering finish. Nicely judged. — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Huge and expansive nose. Ripe apricot and peach and very confectionary. Grapefruit, citrus, tangerine, tangelo and so much more. An amalgam of stunning fruit on a mineral background. Hugely expressive minerality and just a stunningly mineral nose. Smells like a rock quarry. Awesome. The nose is so deep. Kaleidoscopic and fractal like. Palate is young and tangy with enormous structure but it’s delicate and a little bit hidden. Not that integrated at all but all the parts are there. Incredible fruit sapidity on the finish. Huge mineral/citrus inner mouth aromas. Juicy and mineral but man is this backwards. The finish is super long and the wine is crazy concentrated but massively backwards. I’ll be back. — 4 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Delicious and drinking beautifully right now. Nose is a beautiful amalgam of dark red fruit and classic Mourvèdre tree bark, along with dry loamy scents. Deep and rich in the mouth, but the balance is impeccable. Loads of very soft tannin cling the flavors to the mouth. Acids are medium low but enough to balance. Very nice. — a year ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Delicious and so friendly. Fragrant nose has sultry, sappy cherry ooze, warm moist gravel, a bit of graham cracker and floaty spice. Texturally lovely. An amalgam of dry ripe cherry extract and crushed stone-infused earthy notes in the mouth, with nice intensity and length. Great value. — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Nose has strawberry and rhubarb along with dazzling fresh red currents and an amalgam of berries and light spice. Terrific nose. Palate is dry with lots of cut and energy and a lovely salty/strawberry combo on the mid and the finish. Lovely freshness and purity. A great effort. Good concentration and really I have to mention it again the energy here. Also super savory finish. — 3 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Complex nose shows ash pit, orchid, a cigar-box/roasted asparagus amalgam, olive, and cured beef. There’s also some oozy berry fruit. So soft on the palate. A lighter style, with completely resolved tannins and really nice acids. Not a blockbuster but very elegant. Drink now. — 2 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

An additional couple of years in the cellar since my previous bottle have helped. It was good in 2021 but is more delicious now. Nose shows sappy cherry, mid-toned musky florals, graham cracker crumbs, and stony gravel. Silky-textured, it’s got a very Burgundian amalgam of damp earthiness and dark cherry, with just a subtle complementary hint of oak. Very nice acidity. In a medium frame, it’s got a long, detailed finish. — 2 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

In a terrific place. Nose is an amalgam of spices, savory and sweet spices, gorgeous ripe late season cherries and just insane depth. Enveloping nose and wide wide open. Juicy and ripe wine that is teeming with energy and just crackling! Wow, this blows away my last bottle. So delicious and special. Amazing sweet fruit that lasts and last and lasts. Amazing purity. Stunning showing. As this opens my score might go higher. — 4 years ago