Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Exactly in the zone. Gorgeous nose of lavender, wild mint, Herbes de Provence, grilled meat, bacon, blood, granite and blackberry fruit. This has become fully mature but not old, with that perfect mid-term aging window where the fruit is still alive and the savory Rhône complexity has arrived. Palate is juicy, sappy and energetic, with dark fruit, meat, smoke, granite and real structure. Tannins gained a little grip with air, but the fruit kept winning. Beautifully Crozes, but if blinded, many would guess elite Saint-Joseph. Drinking at apogee, and honestly could still go longer. 9.4, flirting hard with 9.5.

Day two. Nose is mintier, wilder, more sauvage. Still juicy, clean, drinkable, and delicious, with a long finish and real fruit remaining, but it has lost a little clarity and precision from day one. Not collapsed at all, just slightly less vivid. Still absolutely something I’d drink happily. — 3 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2023 vintage. From vines planted in 1968. Wonderful floral nose, elegant and complex. This small estate is a great discovery, I had a nice conversation with owner Denis Basset and one of his young daughters, Eva, who is fully involved. An estate to watch! — 7 months ago

Jana Manfredi

9.2

Still beautiful… — 8 months ago

Shay A

9.5

My contributions for a fun right bank Bordeaux dinner. This ended up being a standout amongst the group but others included ‘95 Cheval Blanc, ‘05 L’Evangile and ‘89 Figeac (the starter whites may have stole the show…mag of ‘10 Chave Hermitage Blanc, ‘08 Dom, ‘21 Magi’s CdP Blanc…this ‘04 ZH I brought was an excellent bridge to dessert…good r/s but not cloying; incredible vineyard).

I’ve only had TR once before but it was infanticide many years ago. At roughly 20yrs, I was excited to catch this on what I expected to be near peak. Very tight upon opening but after 45mins in the bottle, this really strut its stuff. Red and purple floral aromatics, bay leaf, and leather. Beautifully elegant on the palate but everything is in its place…supremely balanced. Clean (no brett), multi-layered fruit spectrum (red, purple, blackberries), sweet tobacco, espresso, little cassis. No roasted or over ripe profile, and also not a lean/green machine. Balance balance balance. Lovely. Wish I had another. — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2024. Marsanne 70% and Roussanne. — 7 months ago

Shay A

9.3

@Delectable Wine : This is the La Pierelle Hermitage Blanc. I didn’t see it in the database.

Project between Louis Barruol (of Chateau Saint Cosme) and Kermit Lynch. From the small plot called La Pierrelle near the top of the hill (vines are more than eighty years old). 100% Marsanne.

Pours a bright-gold color. Aromatically you can smell the dried apricots and honeysuckle from a foot away. Classically viscous and waxy, but by no means cloying or flabby. Reminds me of those Bit-O-Honey candies as a kid with honeyed-lemon followed by some truffle Marcona almonds at the finish. Mid-palate texture is weighty and the finish is lengthy. Fruit isn’t dominant here (as expected) but the complexity with the almond skin/waxy bitter notes is beautiful. I love Rhône whites.

Followed over two days and stayed consistent. Pop and pour now for stage one, or hold 7-10yrs for marsanne’s stage two revival. — a year ago

Tobin Spratte

9.0

Not as rich as the Hermitage, but still very good. Floral aromas, orchard fruit, minerals. Nice weight and finish. — 5 months ago

J. B. Rainsberger

9.2

Fruity without being sweet. Elevated without being too much. — 7 months ago

with Sarah

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2023 vintage. A delicious uncomplicated Syrah, with lovely purity. — 7 months ago

Seth Masterson

9.3

This has to be one of the most refined and finessed sangiovese I've tried. Think Hermitage or Saint Joseph levels of refinement and balance. — 2 years ago