Jay Kline

9.1

Chateau Siran was, at one point in time, designated one of the Cru Bourgeoise Exceptionnel. I’m not sure if it was politics or the classification was just too convoluted? Perhaps a bit of both? Regardless, I think they have since left the classification all together. That being said, things seem to be going just fine at the estate if this bottle is indicative.

Popped and poured into a Boa decanter about an hour prior to service. The 2020 pours a deep ruby with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, jalapeño pepper, pencil lead, tobacco, cedar chest, gravel, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with sneaky, medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with tart black fruit. The finish is long, dark and elegant, by Bordeaux standards. Drink now with patience (and a decant) through 2035+
— 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Splash decanted and served immediately; enjoyed over the next four hours. On the nose, it smells like 2015…gorgeous and giving with fresh, ripe cherry, dry earth and green herbs. The bouquet opened up over time and just seemed to gain power and intensity adding blood orange and red flowers. On the palate, this is bone-dry with silky texture and huge structure which also seemed to go from strength to strength. The finish is long and ever so satisfying. Drink now with a lot of patience or enjoy through 2040. — 3 years ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

Patience is paying off as this bottle of the ‘12 was much more integrated then one pulled a few years ago. Cherry, cassis, leather and maybe some pencil lead and pepper, all layered nicely over some still firm tannins. One more in the cellar and thinking it could be even better! — 4 years ago

Mandi Speidel

City Territory Chicago, Maverick Wine Company

8.9

Pretty in Pink in 50 Degree Chicago Weather!
Slightly Chilled & Tasting like an “Adult” Shirley Temple! Mmmmmmm! Juicy & Fun! — 5 years ago

PS Michaels

9.2

Mind blowing QPR! — 5 years ago

Greg Wright

9.2

Reticent and austere at the beginning but then started to open up. Dark red fruits, savory notes, violets emerge. It has good acidity and tannin balance but the austerity is going to require more patience. — 6 years ago

Scott Taddeo

9.7

he wine itself is intensely aromatic leading with touches of violets, lavender and blue gum before notes of black currant, cassis, ripe plums, liquorice, dark chocolate and some toasty oak. Immediately assertive in the palate with power being the defining message, the wine is extremely focused with inherent freshness nestled within its big frame. It’s extremely youthful and those with patience will surely be rewarded, but jeeze it’s hard to stop drinking it now 🔥 — 7 years ago

Steve Rura

9.3

Other ratings called this “closed” which I completely agree with. The dense flavors took forever to open up. I popped it at noon for a 7:30p dinner of chick pea and potato pasta, and it was still developing. Highly tannic, but so layered if you have the patience. Darker fruits, yet still some tart red cherry, lavender, rose petals, and ashy dryness. Complex, classic Barolo (from my limited experience). I’ll save my second bottle to see how it develops. — 2 years ago

Ronald LaMascus

9.3

Definitely worth the wait! Some folks said this vintage was at its peak several years ago but my patience is being rewarded!! Again, the cork was unbelievably tight but with perseverance a good waiters friend, finally wrestled it out without breaking. This wine definitely needs some air and time to settle down and get the full flavor and taste restored. I can taste parmigiana regganio, bruschetta, high grade EVOO and balsamic with a crusty bread. Veal and tomato sauce, even Osso Buco. I love Brunello and while this is not considered a top iteration, it’s still definitely worth drinking. — 2 years ago

GaryWEdwards

9.4

Again, patience rewarded! This baby has rich but softening tannins , bright fruits and that elegance that defines a Nebbiolo. I am told that this winemaker, in particular, never misses. This might be the vintage that supports that acclaim — 4 years ago

with Logan

Paul K

9.2

Great wine! Fruit still hiding a little and nice tannins will make the a rockstar with some patience. — 4 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.3

2020 fall. Still rather dark and dense, but after opening with the oak, it opens up over several hours to reveal layered fruit. Still very young, of course, but very enjoyable with a little patience — 5 years ago

Immanuel Black

9.5

2012. Definitely slow to open up and and be Bordeaux about it. Entering its drinking timeline just now. After being open since 6 last eve....24-34 hours later..
The rad dried violet/flowers that showed on initial has finely integrated the oh-so-pretty nose with the multi-soft-grip palette. Super cool if you’re patient. Thanks Elias and Brad for letting me watch this one till it came around.....
A sleeper lies in your cellar if you’re sitting on this one. Cheers to the exploration of patience. — 6 years ago

Garret Walter

9.3

Super young but showing so well. Beautifully perfumed. I’m sure will reward a little patience if you can manage. — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

One of my favorites in the in Bourguignon-style of Beaujolais are those of Thibault Liger-Belair. What I adore about Thibault’s approach is that his winemaking philosophy seems to suit M-à-V so well. Popped and poured; no formal notes. The 2016 “Moulin-à-Vent VV” is full of the undeniable dark fruit and structure and yet, incorporates a funky charm that seems to bridge Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaujolais perfectly. To my palate, these 2016 VV’s are just entering the early part of their drinking window. I still think this is developing and it will take another few years before the secondary characteristics begin to show and that’s when the magic really starts to show with these wines. All of the pieces and parts are there…all that is required at this point s a little more patience. Good now but better with a little patience and after 2026. Should be awesome well through 2036 — 2 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.1

Tight.
N:Reticent, herbaceous, black plums, cocoa. Plush red/brown velvet nose.
P: Way too young… patience my man,
But nice plums, tilled earth, dense, herbs, lots of acid,
This ain’t no Cali/Ore Pinot.
I say come back in five? yrs.
After 1 hr + in a decanter, Wow! Dirty leather,
Big.
Thank @ Fass Selections
From Skurnik:

The pick of the sites on the big hill, this is limestone again, and the wine is fascinating, bloody yet almost mineral; a truly complex mid-palate, animated and squirming; dark fruit and warm crust and a lingering multi-faceted finish. — 3 years ago

GaryWEdwards

9.3

Patience rewarded. A vibrant combination of licorice, tobacco, and brilliant blackberry thing going on. Really never thought this wine turn into this window. — 4 years ago

Joe Davant

8.9

Killin’ babies. Good but I wish I had more patience. — 5 years ago

Dawn E.

9.1

Somehow whenever I know that I am drinking a wine to young I see @David T scolding me! I do highly respect his insights and the plan was to wait three more years!
But the realization that I was going to need to sacrifice a bottle; that I can Hopefully replace came late this afternoon.
Most likely we are going to be saying goodbye to our hyperthyroidism kitty " Patience" tomorrow. It has been a long battle and she would have turned 15 July 31st. So some self medicating is warranted! 😓.
Although this wine is delicious even young! Ripe Bing Cherries...licorice...bubble gum..tea leaves and moist forest floor! Delicious wine! I will try to obtain another bottle and let it age longer! — 5 years ago

Keith Fisher

9.2

Bought this on release and cellared since. This is showing well with no urgency to open now. I’ve always been a fan of the Backus, but this is certainly a good value if you have patience and cellar space. — 7 years ago