Jay Kline

9.4

Poured into a Swan decanter immediately prior to service and enjoyed over a several hour period. The 2013 “Villero” pours a deep garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a gorgeous, powerful bouquet of dark and red fruits: black cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, tar, roses, talcum powder, and dry stony earth. On the palate the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, grippy a freaking delicious. This is showing really well but there is no end in sight. Drink now with patience but this should reward an even great bounty done the road and turn heads through 2045+. — 2 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 — 3 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. — 5 years ago

PS Michaels

9.2

Mind blowing QPR! — 6 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

Garret Walter

9.3

Super young but showing so well. Beautifully perfumed. I’m sure will reward a little patience if you can manage. — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Wrapping up a wild weekend, I finished this bottle of Cuchet-Beliando Cornas that I opened Friday evening. It was awesome on the pop and pour and continued to develop in a lovely arc through Sunday evening when I enjoyed my last glass. The 2017 pours a deep ruby/purple with a magenta rim and what’s basically an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity and moderate staining, with some signs of sediment. On the nose the wine is developing with notes of the most pure black and red brambles, some blueberries, a bit of animale, deli case, pimento loaf, lavender, a whole Pensey’s bag of Tellicherry pepper corns, black olives, cedar and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the palate although the brambles are a bit more red. The finish is long and with loads of meat and black pepper. This is a stunning Cornas that has some real class behind the feral Cornas curtain. I really love this…but I’m an absolute sucker for the Rhône. Drink now with some patience but this will be brilliant for decades. 2024-2057. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 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. — 3 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. — 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

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. — 7 years ago

Bill Bender

9.3

Heavy tannins at 9 years but also significant fruit purity and depth. An astonishingly well made wine. Enjoy now or reward yourself with patience. 5 years will ratchet this up approachability wise two fold. — 7 years ago

Matt Sterr

8.9

Perhaps the best box 📦 Wine I’ve ever had. — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured. The 2021 “Cuvée Réservée” pours a deep ruby color with a deep but transparent core; medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe red and black brambles, spiced meat, black pepper, some purple flowers and stony minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This comes across lighter and more Burgundian than the last handful of vintages; almost giving me some 2014 vibes (which is a vintage in the last decade that I adore). It’s really good and shows a bit more elegance that I quite like. Looking forward to tracking this vintage as time goes on. Drink now with some patience and should be cracking through 2041 with ease. — 2 years ago

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

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

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! — 6 years ago

Ramey Wine Cellars

10

Wait! This wine needs three more years. It’s amazing now yet we opened it and didn’t decant. It you have the patience, decant and wait a few hours. If not, cellar and forget about this bottle until 2020+ and then you’ll be singing it’s praises. It’s a beauty !! — 8 years ago