Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Super young and grapey nose to start with but also more generous than the 2022 with olive (green and black), violets, lilacs, meatiness, granite and really high tones. Mint and blackberry fruit with gorgeous red berry tones intermingled. Seems riper than 2022. Wow that nose is a 9.7-9.8. Wow, holy crap this is amazing. The palate is a masterpiece. Still has those Bancel Bordeaux like tannins and such a granitic footprint but more generous and round on the palate. Fruit is blackberry and red berry with some blueberry as well. So juicy and has great width. Huge concentration and structure but all the pieces are there. Seems more complete than 22 out of the gates but they both have something so unique. Just exquisite purity and freshness and so classic. Wow. Wow. The fruit is unconscious as are the olive, granite and meatiness. This is genius. So complete. Deeper than Sozet. Like Sozet crossed with 20% Beliando. Just brilliant. Now after some hours nose has intense cinnamon, mushroom, a real earthy feral living aroma thing. Beyond a sense of place. Smells like an ecosystem. So unique. That palate is just crazy. Unreal juiciness and silkiness. That rich opulence but only a component and never dominates. Just integrated. That black olive tapenade slick. But that granite is still there but softer. It’s so good. Really no other Cornas like jt. Such an amazing appellation.

Day 2 - Nose is bright and red fruited with that herbal, earthy ecosystem smell that smells like a scene in nature. Wow so juicy and generous and a loose texture and such purity. Much more forward than 22. Generous. Good tannins but sweet and voluminous. Excellent length. — 8 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Lambert’s high end Chardonnay and wow what a wine in 21. Nose is nutty, mineral, green apple and pear. Ouille style so zero ox. So aromatic and focused. Some wood shavings and a hint of spice. Palate is super focused with tons of angles and green apple skins and some flesh but not much. Juicy and incisive. Really long and just the right amount of flesh. Great energy and high acids. So compact and lean but also has a hint of opulence that keeps you wanting one more sip. Very complex and wow this will wake you up in the morning with its intense acidity and minerality. Let’s see what air does. So clean and astonishingly pure.

With some air this got more fleshy, more acidic and more concentrated with a complex clearly defined saline note. Puligny look alike. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

This wine screams left bank Bordeaux. The final blend is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon; 22% Merlot; and 15% Cabernet Franc. Great depth of flavour particularly for a 2nd wine. The medium + palate shows an inner core of strength and opulence which exhibits the class of the producer and the excellence of the vintage. Tertiary aromas and flavours. See last Delectable note of 2020. Very integrated, balanced and polished. Prompts the old saying in a London Club, “Just damn good claret my man”. Excellent drinking now but still 5+ years left in it. — 2 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Nose: Bordeaux plus lilacs.

Palate : sweet fruit. Crushable. Hint vegetal. Not opulent on opulent on open. With air more serious. — 6 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Day 2 notes. Mineral and tropical nose. Sea salt and an airiness. So elegant. Juicy palate with razor sharp acidity and a wonderful opulence in the mid palate. Awesome purely. Like a Riesling drop (riffing off of gum drop.) Long. Just wonderful. Flavors of pink grapefruit, peach and apricot. So clear. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This small Calistoga producer falls largely under the radar. I am thankful. The 12 vintage brings such fruit. However, this 12 Sisters rides the fence of 12 & 13. Shows dark currents, concreted mouthfeel in addition to its ripe, rich opulence.

The nose ascends with rich dark, purple, blue fruits, dark spice, violets framed in lavender for days.

The palate is ripe, ruby, lush, concentrated fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, boysenberries, very dark cherries, creamy raspberries, in & out strawberries & blueberries. Big, heated, dark spice-box, round, meaty, sweet tannins cigar ash, led pencil, tarriness, anise, moist, fresh tobacco, black licorice & cola, dark, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry, crush rocks/limestone, dry herbs-bay leaves, sage, parsley, notes of eucalyptus bark shavings, tree bark w/ hints of sap, touch of black sandalwood to barrel shavings, pepper, moist, volcanic clay, fresh & withering; dark, purple, red, blue floral bouquet framed in violets & lavender, excellent acidity with a lush, rich, big, round & meaty structure, still shows great tension, well balanced with endless polish & finish. 10 years of life ahead…properly stored. Wine post 4,600.

Such a deal at the Benchmark Bin Sale. @Paul T- Huntington Beach if you find any of this, just tell me about em, don’t buy em. 😂🤥 — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Located in the municipality of Rochefort sur Loire on a clay-gravel hillside slope that enjoys south-facing exposure overlooking the river Layon. 100% Chenin Blanc, medium amber color with aromas of sweet stone fruits and honey notes. On the palate flavors of peach, apricot and honey notes. Long finish, ending with sweet fruit and honey notes. Nice! — 4 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Really stunning wine. Maybe best one ever and I have had everyone since 14. Nose is dripping with terror, deep forest, rain soaked moss, light sweet wood, burst of minerals and some green apple skins. But so stunningly pure. Palate is rich and ripe but so pure and juicy. Elegant and deep with a lovely opulence and wonderful freshness and lift. Impressive finish. Such an airy yet dense wine. Just glorious. — 4 months ago

Sharon B

9.5

A very delicious dessert wine that we had after dinner on Thanksgiving — a year ago

with Eric

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Glorious and elegant. In am amazing spot. More later.

Nose is granite and flowers. Hit of opulence. White pepper blizzard. So stunning. Some olive and bacon. So integrated and expansive. Palate is elegant and juicy. Sappy and clean. So gorgeous and pure. Really resolved and one of the first 15’s I’ve had that’s in secondary land. It’s so beautiful. Awesome freshness and energy. Great granitic intensity. 9.4 to 9.5 overnight. Wow. Gorgeous meatiness to it now. Nose has stunning olives. Wow wine. — 2 years ago