Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.2

Syrah seemingly in the zeitgeist right now so I picked up this 2011 Coulet. Wow - it's so different than the Cote Rotie I just had. I know syrah can run the gamut but this is radically different. Biodynamic, low so2, neutral oak & concrete. Not really Vin de Garde; Not really Vin de Soif...

So what then? Certainly intense. Plum & liqueur-like raspberry notes that are both in-your-face "sexy" & "scary" at the same time. Even more prevalent than the fruit are the aromas of menthol, acetate, & iron. Nearly akin to robitussin - & I mean that in the best way possible. It's weirdly delicious & syrah freaks will get it.

Unfortunately, the regular consumer might find it to be too much. The slight volatility is both good & bad. It dials up the fruit's sweetness, giving the wine body & texture. But also amps up the medicinal quality. This is not a wine to guzzle & ignore. Admirably, not subtle.

Coincidentally this wine reminds me Pax - who is getting a lot of attention right now & rightfully so. I have't tried the new 100 point Hillside bottle yet (though I have one ready), but I've always been a huge fan of his wines for a long time. My favorite site he works with is Griffins Lair & I believe I've tasted every vintage of it going back to 2002. Those original vintages are bigger & riper (which I still love & fuck you hipsters for not), but even back then Pax never used superfluous new oak, sulfites, yeasts etc.. Yes, they were broad shouldered wines but they were pure & unmasked - like this Cornas. Some of the early 2000s Griffins Lair had a slight volitility that came across as kirsch sweetness. It's an interesting balance that punctuates the varietal character perfectly - & it demands your attention while doing it.

This Cornas is not some delicate wine that somms gush over; nor is it a slick, parkerized wine without sense of place. It's something else. A wine for the true syrah aficianado. The audience is small but those who can appreciate it, will appreciate it. If you like weirdness, intensity, complexity & the flavors to scream at you from the glass, this is your wine.

#cornas #syrah #coulet #biodynamic #pax #coterotie #rhone #northernrhone #rhonevalley — 7 years ago

Ben Jones

9.1

Really love this wine from D&G. Dried prunes and cherries, sweet smoked meat, barrel room and cooking herbs on the nose. Dried herbs and honeyed and savory bright fruit work though and lead to a surprisingly subtle yet pleasant finish. All the best parts of Grenache and Pinot, I don't mean to gush but it really is excellent wine. — 9 years ago

Liz Hale

9.5

Proof that natural wine making is risky, real and it's WONDERful. Has such a sense of place. Gush gush gush.... — 9 years ago

Joshua Rynderman

9.2

Dark older color, viscous, crazy nose! Dates, coconut, almond, figs, dark chocolate, smoke and spice! Nice tannin that's not harsh. - I must say that I believe it has plateaued...drink up! — 9 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Light straw in color with a golden tint.

On the nose, oak, vanilla, yet not fruity.

Dry on the palate with light butter, lemon, tropical fruits, pears, apples and peaches.

Medium bodied, with a great mouth feel.

Medium finish, well balanced, refreshing and crisp.

A great wine to sip by itself or have with fish dishes.

This high alcohol white blend is 33% Chardonnay, 34% Viognier and 33% Rosan, and was fermented and aged in new French oak barrels for 10 months.

13.7% alcohol by volume. — 10 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Dark ruby in color with an orange/ brick rim.

Nice and aromatic nose with blueberries, blackberries, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice and black pepper.

Medium bodied with medium acidity and nice legs.

Bone dry on the palate with plums, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, vanilla, spices, oak, dirt and peppercorn.

Medium finish with round tannins and black pepper.

This is a nice, aged Merlot, complex and unique, yet, very dry. Nice by itself or with grilled meats.

87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 20 months in French oak barrels.

14% alcohol by volume. — 10 years ago

David Adolf

9.1

Wouldn’t typically gush over a PF, but this is excellent. Lots of ripe fruit, green apple, citrus zest, and minerality. Very good effort in a wonderful vintage. — 7 years ago

Joshua Crisp

9.7

Sometimes, when you had a long day at work, you just want something that is happy to see you. This gorgeous wine is so perfumey and dynamic on the nose, changing from spicy potpourri one moment to floral the next to fresh, dark cherries to umami and fresh mushrooms. Both rich and powerful yet elegant, cranberries and fresh blackberries gush on the palate, pulling back into pomegranates and dark cocoa, and finally finishing in fresh oyster mushrooms and wet, meadows. Fine powdery tannins and a long acid backbone. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. A gem in the glass. — 8 years ago

Joshua Crisp

9.0

Incredible pairing with white chocolate bleu cheese cheesecake- incredible floral and yeasty nose and ripe lemons and quince that gush into the palate. Finish in river stone and citrus pith - beautiful! — 8 years ago

David Hale Smith

9.4

Gush of alcohol at (dry) cork pop. Thought the bottle was a goner. I decanted for 45 minutes and it totally mellowed into a fabulous Bordeaux. Glad I opened it now. Thanks for always sound advice @Jordan Mackay — 9 years ago

with Julia

"Odedi"

9.1

Pale lemon in color.

Very Aromantic nose with white flowers, lemons, tropical fruits, peaches, minerals and metals.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Off dry and inviting on the palate, with apples, butter, peaches, pineapples, and pears.

Long finish with nice acidity.

This is a great white blend from Israel. Refreshing with nice legs. This blend is made from Gewürztraminer , Viognier, Rosan, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

13.5% alcohol by volume. — 10 years ago

Travis Scarborough

9.6

A bit funky to start...after decanting, lovely gravel, earth, and somewhat of a metallic strawberry. It's a pretty wine, solid structure, and everything you want in a Gamay!! Must try! Make sure you decant...only gets better! Usually don't gush like this, but it's a beautiful wine. Thank you Noe Valley Wine Merchants! — 10 years ago

with sandy

Anne Carman

9.2

Gush of fruit at the front end. Cherry is notable as well as more dark fruit that carries well to the middle palette and smooth smooth lingering warm finish. — 10 years ago

Ron from VA

9.4

I referenced this vintage in my 2014 notes. I don’t want to gush on and on....it simply a grand slam from a once in a decade vintage. The effects of FULLY ripe fruit are on display here. Punches FAR above its fighting weight. Glad I served this wine to the Gov of Va ;) — 8 years ago

David Adolf

9.0

Wouldn't normally gush about Macon, but this is very good . The 2015 vintage shines through with excellent fruit, acidity and length. Terrific value in white Burgundy! — 8 years ago

Joshua Crisp

8.9

Fresh, sun-ripened blackcherries and freshly-picked thyme are upheld by aged leather, black peppercorn, and subtle pinecone and mesquite bark. Fresh plums and dates gush onto the palate, which give way to ripe Kalamata olives, brine and wet basalt, velvety tannins coming in on a short finish. Full yet lithe, fresh but aged, it is a great sipper wine. — 8 years ago

Shawn R

9.3

Love the bubbles! Peach color in the glass-nose of strawberry, cotton candy and stone. Clean, fresh and crisp on the palate exposing flavors of tart cherry, lime and red berries with a gush of bubbles hitting the top of the mouth. Long finish with a slight mineral hint and oak. Great acidity to give you that subtle pucker! Well done! — 9 years ago

Tom Angell

9.4

Have I said enough nice things of late about Barolo? Well if not here comes another full frontal gush. This bottle, courtesy of Suzanne Yurdin, was a true treat. Aroma, taste and color were exceptional. I'll have to get another bottle soon to return the favor! — 9 years ago

with S

"Odedi"

9.1

This is a very nice Cabernet Franc from Israel.

Dark ruby/ purple in color with a purple rim.

Very nice on the nose with blackberries, figs, vanilla, blueberries, oak, licorice, cherry marmalade, wildflowers and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry and spicy on the palate with blackberries, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, oak, vanilla, dark chocolate and black pepper.

Long finish with big, round tannins and black pepper.

This is a gorgeous, elegant and complex wine.
The grapes are from a cooler climate area at an altitude of 2700 feet. Matured for 21 months in French oak barrels.

I enjoyed it first by itself, and then with beef stew and roasted potatoes.

14.5% alcohol by volume. — 10 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Pale lemon in color with a green tint.

Big nose of petrol, lemon, lime and minerals.

Dry on the palate with lemons, grapefruits, green apples, minerals and metals.

Medium bodied, fresh and crisp.

Long, satisfying finish with limes.

A Great, 100% Sauvignon Blanc, that was grown on the slopes of the Judean Hills.

Balanced and enjoyable now. I had it just by itself.

13% alcohol by volume. — 10 years ago