Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

If you want to impress a Somm with a bottle of wine, bring a Grand Cru Gamay. I hate using the term Beaujolais. It gives a lot of people the lesser impression of Beaujolais Nouveau which, equates to the impression left by Blue Nun in the 70’s/early 80’s and Yellow Tail in and around 2000.

This is one of my favorite producers of Gamay, a member of the “Gang of Four”; Lapierre, Thevenet, Foillard & Breton. There is a fifth honoree member to the “Gang of Four”, Yvon Metras, who I enjoy equally. If you want to finally appreciate this varietal, look for one of these producers from Morgan or Fleurie.

The nose reveals; dark cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, blueberry hues, spearmint, granitic minerals/soil, dark berry cola, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, a whiff of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets.

The body is full, rich and guides over the palate. It shows some tannins. The structure & tension are still big. The length and balance are at the beginnings of truly rounding into butterfly form. Still will benefit from 5 plus years in bottle. Bright red florals are far more pronounced on the palate. Ripe/bright; dark tart cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, half baked rhubarb with lovely blueberry hues, blood orange & dry raisins. Spearmint, tree sap, granitic minerals/soil pressed in to the palate, dark berry cola, orange peel, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, hints of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets. The acidity is like a warm summer rain shower. The long, rich, ripe, well balanced, elegant finish is nicely persistent for minutes.

12% ABV 👍

Photos of; Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Marcel Lapierre (may he RIP-2010), Marcel’s son and current Winemaker-Matheiu Lapierre and their Morgan Vineyard.
— 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Wow. This comes from Chris's estate outside his house. It's all dry farmed. Extremely low yields. It's entire yield is only 8 barrels. The fruit is so concentrated. Featured in the photos is; Chris and my wife Sofia, grapes from the property and his olive trees on his estate. His olive trees only yield one 375ml bottle per tree. This 09 is easy to drink but it's a still a baby...easily a 30 year plus wine. Words cannot describe the nuances in this wine. The elegant beauty & beast. It's mouthfeel so big and still so inviting. Luring you in layer by layer. It's starts with baked blue fruits, dark cassis, blackberries, blueberries, black cherries, black plums, layers of asian spice, spice-box, tarry notes. The tannins big yet silky. Slightly bitty but beautiful minerals from the clay, schist, quartz, and loamy top soils. The finish so good but my thoughts drifted to think about how good it's going to be in 10 more years. Chris tells me he has to spray the vines 4-6 times a year with an organic seaweed spray to hold down the acidity. I can't wait to try this wine at 20 years of age. I'm sure it will be close to a religious experience. As many great tastings that I've done, it's hard not to say this one is in the top three. Thank you Chris for sharing your time, knowledge and these amazing wines. It was an honor! — 8 years ago

Justin Hart

9.6

There are precious few Merlot dominant BDX blends from WA that are this damn good! We could just call this a varietal Merlot (it is 75% Merlot in the 2012 vintage), but we don't. There is just enough of the other BDX grapes (especially the 4% Petit Verdot) to throw their weight around and give the color, aroma and finish huge chops. Big blackberry and leather on initial palette, chased by hints of coco, baking spices and cherry. Stoney and reserved on the nose still. I said it the other day, this is much too young to drink; it can go for several years still. — 9 years ago

with Cherish

Erik Helms

Sommelier/Wine & Beer Buyer Whole Foods Oakland

9.1

Barnyard nose that opens into citrus, with orange blossom, lemon juice, & lots of tart tree fruit. Ripe Bartlett pear & acid play a big role on the long finish. Well worth the $15-18, enjoyable! — 9 years ago

WC Fields

9.0

Checked in on this. Dark cherries with some tart cranberries and forest floor and tree bark. Spices galore. Prominent tannins with a big burst of acidity. Pleasurable but still slumbering... — 9 years ago

Josh Spurling

9.3

I'm upping my rating on this. Wine needed air to show its full glory. Today, it's blowing dark fruit, tree bark, big cinnamon and dark spice - yet, it remains fresh and vibrant. It still reminds me of really good Cru Beaujolais but the Mourvèdre character is more present. Yum! — 9 years ago

Michael Schamis

9.2

Big, forward aromas of apricot and honey with a surprising hint of Christmas pine tree. Lush and rich but soft on the palate. Very gentle sweetness is balanced perfectly by the acidity keeping everything in balance. The finish is long with just a touch of honey. — 10 years ago

Paul Chamberlain

9.0

Terrific, fruit-forward, big initial impression, nice finish — 10 years ago

Kyle Groombridge

9.0

Brand new and really digging it.. Creamy and dreamy. Oak and vanilla to back it up. Big but balanced. — 10 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Insanity on the nose. Just bonkers. Sickness. Huge spice. Huge I mean huge spice. Also super mineral and very pure. Confectionary cotton candy like aromas and tree bark. Also tea. Maybe hoisin as well. Mindblowing. Big palate and immense power but incredibly elegant. It has Grand Cru grip and intensity and it is considered the best wine at the estate. Better than Clos des Chenes. It is insanely powerful and stacked to the brim with bright fruit and mineral that has sap, and really stains the palate. I think in 2 hours this will be insane. It’s changing every minute. What a wine. — 6 years ago

Jeff D.

9.7

Just beautiful...big fan of Jennifer and this brand, full of life and a silky smooth finish! — 7 years ago

Craig Stanfield

9.4

Got this and a few other Harris Vineyard bottles through an auction at an event. Had never heard of this producer but it's pretty darn good. Cork was perfect for a 2010 and even looked brand new. Big rich Cabernet. Layered with a long finish. Even better with this air. Three hours in and it's singing — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I've been curious about this wine for some time. The original 05 Ausone review from Parker was revised and one would think it was at the request of the Chateau. Parker's 💯 point review started something like this...if you are over the age of 55, you'll want to decide if you want to buy this this wine. Largely, due to his call on it's years of drinkability; which was from 2055-80. Parker's review was mysteriously revised within two months of it's original review. Tonight, I Coravin-ed this tasting of the Chapelle D'Ausone. The 05 Chapelle D'Ausone is still very big & tight but starting it's journey into a decent drinking phase. The tannins are still chewy and dark. The fruits are; ruby blackberries, dark cherries, a mix of blue fruits, strawberries paint the back palate, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, Christmas cake, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, spice-box, black tea, a whiff of green bell peppers, irony minerals, loamy soils, tree bark, a touch of leather, lead pencil shavings, dry stems, dry stones & dark moist soil. The acidity is perfect. The structure, length, balance and tension flirt with glory. The finish runs ripe to dry fruit and the minerals are rich with a dark elegance that lasts and lasts. As good as this wine is tonight, I'll put this bottle back; which is 1 of a 6 pack and wait another 7-10 years to reopen it. Both of Ausone's 05 wines are meant for most collectors end of life or meant to be left for their children. — 8 years ago

Justin Brilman

9.4

Not much more to say than has been said below. This was definitely one of the stars in a big lineup. — 9 years ago

Brian Boothe

8.9

Striking color, full aroma, big bold flavor. — 9 years ago

Wine101Hamden

9.0

Proof that good French Rose from Provence doesn't have to break the bank or spend ludicrous amounts of marketing money. Nice pale pink with that classic ocean air, crushed cranberry, red berry citrusy nose. Light & dry on the palate. Total summer into late fall Rose for $10! I would be glad to promote this wine under my new brand "The Big Fat Guido" while I grow a man braid. Should out sell the leading 750ml wine cooler rose out on the cash grab Rose market. — 9 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Incomparable Riesling! Very oily and mineral. Nose is dominated by stony complexity: wet rocks, moss, white tea, straw, wool and jasmin. Discrete fruit associations in the back: peach kernel and red apple peel. Hints of petrol. Salty palate, very mineral and stony too, wonderful concentration and focus. Lots of tension and persistence in the impressive finish, which caries its alcoholic content (14%) well. Oh, and its completely dry! It rocks, big time. — 9 years ago

Justin Brilman

9.4

Loved this wine. While the 2011 Brio was tasting a little better this day this wine will age better. Big and bold but seamless, just a beautiful wine. Fruit, acidity, silky tannins and all the components to be a stunning wine with some bottle age. — 9 years ago

Justin Mahoney

9.1

Definitely better than the Crawford namesake. A little more acidity but still classic Marlborough tropical fruit, without being overdone like the big name brand. Delicious tonight w oysters and then grilled calamari with a olive and sundried tomato tapenade on a bed of grilled asparagus — 10 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.0

Two big names in Argentina are involved in this brand and there is a touch of Cabernet franc. — 11 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

On the nose, deep, dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dry cranberries, some blue fruits with baked strawberries on the edges. Black licorice, cinnamon, vanilla, clove, dark spices, smoke, softer leather, dry stems, dry rich soil and fresh & withering flowers.

The body is much fuller than the 14. The fruits are also darker. The tannins are big, firm but nice rounded. dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dry cranberries, creamy raspberries come on as it opens open and coats the palate, some blue fruits with baked strawberries on the palate edges. Black licorice, cinnamon, vanilla, clove, caramel, dark & milk chocolate dark spices, mint, expresso roast, tobacco, cedar, smoke, softer leather, dry stems, dry rich soil, tarry notes, crushed rocks and fresh & withering flowers. The structure, tension are more like 13 vintage. The length & balance is beautiful but, will take time to flush out. The finish is big, rich, elegant, glorious and lasts minutes.

Their Winemaker is Aaron Potts. Small production wine, under 500 cases.

Photos of; the several ton Artwork stones that they use as their logo & brand. The seven stone pieces are held together by gravity. Human relaxing art piece on the grounds, painting in the winery and the view from the Estate. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.6

Attending the Côtes du Coeur in Dallas. Was asked to be a brand ambassador for Montagu Wines, so I get to pour this weekend! Last night was the grand tasting...out of 18 or so wineries, two really stood out.

This was so freaking good. I know @Shawn R is a big fan of their stuff and this was my first time trying anything from Barnett (need to try their cab franc). This and the Macauley To Kalon were neck and neck for WOTN. Velvety in texture. Pure toasted oak, vanilla, black and blueberry pie. Superb balance. — 8 years ago

Justin Hart

9.6

Damn, this 2014 vintage is now my favorite WA state Zin, period! Yes, it's hot (16.9%), but Zin is usually hot. This is packed with big, jammy black fruit that eases into sweet leather and peppery notes. This is freaking great!! — 8 years ago

with Cherish

TheSkip

9.1

A pleasant surprise!

So, I went in on the LastBottle mystery 6 pack of reds. The first was the Pinot I posted the other week. I elected to open this which seemed vaguely familiar. Once I looked it up, it became evident why.

Moderate deep purple in the glass with longish legs. Baking spice and sweet oak on the nose. Almost like drinking blueberry pie with vanilla ice cream. Clearly this was slightly over oaked. It wasn't terribly complex but for the price at around $20, I was still fairly impressed.

I went to look this up and turns out that this is the big brother to the Edge brand of wine. Hence the familiarity with the label. Lots of folks commented that it wasn't bad for $15-20.

I check wine searcher. No 2012! Just 2011 and earlier at $15 price point. Then 2013 at $50?! 😱 I saw Parker gave the 2013 a 90-92, but unless I missed something, that seems egregious.

As least the LastBottle mystery case is 2/2! — 8 years ago

JKT

9.2

Deep golden color. Unctuous floral nose and sense of tar. Wild richness and complexity on palate, big boned and layered but almost tipping over the edge. Long finish. Paired beautifully with grilled lamb chop, then shockingly stood up to ribeye! Yum. At Wu for 7-3-16. — 9 years ago

Justin Hart

9.0

Wonderful tannic grip from three whole cluster fermentation. Big, cherry and spicy notes. Chewy, intense, fruit forward,v and bam! Right in the hang ball... — 9 years ago

with Alex and Cherish

Carl Fischer

9.8

Absolutely amazing...big fruit on entry, but incredibly balanced, super silky tannins and a long finish...very elegant. Ranks in my top 10 for 2015 (up there with Brand and VHR)...I love this wine. — 9 years ago

Gerald Montoya

9.0

Dirty grapefruit and decomposing flint. Beautiful Sauvignon Blanc and better than some big brand Sancerre — 10 years ago

Rae Hale

9.5

One of my faves. Big fan of red blends. — 10 years ago

Holly Gullickson

10

Big flavor, dry; Eric loves it — 11 years ago