Jay Kline

9.3

One of the few producers that I purchase each and every vintage. I find that Laurence Feraud’s wines are consistently some of the more interesting and enjoyable wines made in all of Chateauneuf du Pape; particularly when value comes into play. This bottle is my first experience with her 2018 vintage and the first bottle of a small tranche that I swooped up upon release. Popped and poured; consumed over 5 hours. The color is deep ruby with a near opaque core; glossy and gorgeous to behold. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, this is classic Pegaü with loads of dark cherry and bramble fruit, a veritable hillside full of garrigue, lavender, black pepper, and something that reminds me of old books. On that palate, the fruit is equally generous, brambles and cherries, exotic spices, Herbs de Provence and a somewhat sanguine-like character to it. Substantial structure, though it seems to be a notch lower than the previous three vintages at this point in its young life. The tannins are very sneaky. Almost imperceptible for the first hour and yet, by hour four, they were very much making themselves known (in the Medium+ range). Acid is also Medium+ indicating these have an exciting life ahead. The finish lasts for well over a minute. All in all, another lovely Pegaü that will likely live in the shadow of some of the more heralded vintages in the last ten years however, that doesn’t mean this isn’t a stunner. Absolutely lovely stuff and I very much look forward to enjoying these well into the 2030’s. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Medium gold color, thankfully looks young. Fruity nose. Notes of lemon cream, sweet kiwi, apricot, spice, stones and clay soil. Rich and expansive in the mouth. With 4 hours of air the impact hit full throttle. Glad I kept some 02 Leflaive. Rolling the dice every now and then turns up a winner. — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2016 Angélus is a total stunner. Despite its late bottling in September 2018, the 2016 is simply magnificent. Soaring aromatics and layers of bright, vibrant fruit are two of the main signatures in the 2016. The tannins, so often hard in young Angélus, are almost impossibly refined. Pomegranate, blood orange, raspberry jam, wild flowers and mocha are some of the many notes that race through the 2016. All the elements fall into place in a memorable, exquisite Saint-Émilion that is clearly one of the wines of the year. Don't miss it! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2019) — 6 years ago

Kirk F

9.2

Consumed way too young but oh so good. Enjoyed over two hours watching some US Open action after 3 tough matches. Magnum. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Served Friday night with my Veal Bolognese. This only worked with this dish because it had enough time in bottle to soften and not overpower the dish. If this was served young with this dish, you would have mostly tasted only dark and rugged Nebbiolo tannins.

This was vacuum sealed and re-stored to allow me to write notes today as we had friends for dinner on Friday.

The reveals; blackberries, dark sweet and sour cherries, soft floral blueberries, cherries, black plum and hints of back raspberries, notes of cooked rhubarb on the glass edge, soft, dark tarry notes, leather, anise, whiff of graphite, limestone minerals, dark rich earth, dry brush, some dark spice, cedar, light bay leaf and herbaceous notes with dark fresh & withering florals and violets.

The body is near full but, not quite. The tannins have rounded and softened but, still have teeth and slightly, sticky tarriness. The structure and tension are just approaching a really good phase. Tannins show some velvetiness. The length and balance show beauty and elegance. This wine has 10–15 of good drinking ahead. Ripe; blackberries, dark sweet and sour cherries, soft floral blueberries, cherries, black plum, plum and hints of back raspberries, notes of cooked rhubarb on the glass edge. Dark tarry notes, leather, anise, graphite, limestone minerals, dry crushed rock powder, dark rich earth, dry brush, dark chocolate, some bold dark spice with palate heat, clove, nutmeg, very light vanillin notes, cedar, light bay leaf and herbaceous notes with blue flowers, dark fresh & withering florals and violets. Beautiful wine. The acidity is like a gentle rain shower. The finish is elegant, well balanced, floral and persists for minutes.

Photos of; Bartolo Mascarello, Maria Teresa Mascarello who run the business since her father’s passing in 2005, my Veal Bolognese made in the lighter style that is indicative of true Italian cooking and one of their beautiful hillside vineyards. — 6 years ago

Raun Kupiec

8.9

Good, but maybe not up to the hype. Probably just too young and the bottle open too long at the bar. Nice complexity in the flavors but finish a bit meh. Some cocoa, mint, olive. Deep colors and smooth but overall feeling was thin and missing a middle. Definitely enough tannins and acidity to wonder what it will be like in a few years, but this is a crap business lounge and I don't want my flight delayed that long... — 8 years ago

Tone Fosse

8.9

Fruktig, ikke bitter, røde bær — 4 years ago

Edgar Martin

9.0

A bit tight and closed in first sips, needs at least one hour to breath. Powerful and concentrated nose, strong mouthfeel with still young and sharp tannins, but a some finesse on the finish also. — 4 years ago

Adrian Rogers

9.0

Banger. Drained the bottle pretty quickly. — 5 years ago

Paul J

9.4

1 hour plus decant. Dark purple color. Nose and wine were a mix of Bordeaux and Napa. Wine was fruit forward with dark cherry. Very young wine that coats your teeth. Little bit of a rough finish with some tartness and pepper. Probably needs 7+ yrs. — 5 years ago

with Brooke

Morgan Diamant

9.2

Well made burgundy, drinking well young. Fresh acidity with wild strawberries and black cherry and a hint of earth. Fresh and easy-drinking that encourages youthful drinking. Probably will hit peak in 3-5 years but could certainly be enjoyed now with some decanting or time in glass — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

D6. Young. Very young. Even though it was decanted and frequently agitated, this one didn't come out to play until almost 2 hr after opening. Nose of Bing cherry and mint. Some red clay must. The entry is very acidic. Black cherry hint but Bing cherry backbone. Herbal middle. Started to show terroir-driven notes to the finish. Youthful and tight tannin. LOTS of life ahead. Be in NO HURRY to drink this one. I'd say optimal drinking time 5 to 10 years. — 6 years ago

Robert Gates

9.4

Clear, still, no sediment, straw colored. Crisp citrus, apple, pear with slate and a hint of petrol. Fruity with some residual sugar and good acidity. Well-balanced, but young. It will shine in another 8-10 years. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Winery located in Alba, the Piedmont region was founded by its namesake in 1881. Great Grandson, Pio Boffa, continues the tradition of innovative wine making. ‘12 was a difficult but PC did well. Aromas of fresh dark berry fruits & herb notes. Cherry, plum and minty flavors, some licorice and cacao, well balanced with young tannins. Complex lingering finish ending with nice earthy notes. Enjoyable now but needs more time. — 8 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.1

Happy belated birthday wine to me.

Nose is all earth and truffles and cigar tobacco; wet forest leaf and barbecue sauce. Some cheese rind and dirty sock. Definitely past it’s aromatic peak, but at 37, who isn’t?

Palate is bright though with red acids and tastes young!

Better on day two... cheese is toned down and some fruit is peeking out. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Light gold. Bright and young looking, which is encouraging given a recent bottle of this came across as much darker and tired. Powerful nose. Huge bouquet of spiced apricots, white dusty earth, lemon, gravel stone and some floral notes. In the mouth, the fruit comes out and there is plenty of acidity to make this very enjoyable. Stony with abundant minerality. Missing just a little bit in the mid palate. But I love it when you hit a great rebound bottle like this after a bad one. BTW, this isn’t the first time a home run has been hit with a 94 white burg vintage... there are some gems if you get lucky — 5 years ago

Matt

9.3

Surprised by the generosity, drinking quite well for how young it is. Open-knit, true to place, moderately framed with some true charm to it. Really enjoyed over a few days. Deep red fruit, almost succulent, soaked cherries and lots of licorice root, cedar, cinnamon, flowers and tar. There’s a undertone of earth. From a tannin perspective these appear ripe, with moderate intensity relatively speaking. — 6 years ago

Eric L.

9.1

Nice and surprisingly approachable for such a young Howell Mountain Cabernet. Bright cherry with some sage and thyme. — 6 years ago

Joe Lucca

10

My boy @ADAM STROMFELD turns 50 years young... what better way to celebrate than with some 50 year old burgundy? Thanks @Frank for gifting this gem and thanks Adam for sharing. Amazingly elegant and youthful at this point; actually gets better with 20mins of air. Bright plum and prune fruit along with some damp forest notes. Just a hint of band-aide. — 6 years ago

with ADAM, Frank and 1 other

Kyle Groombridge

8.9

This had some funk to it.. very anti-Aussie in its approach. Shiraz/Mataro blend with a zippy, fresh quality to it. Slightly chilled, this’d be good. — 7 years ago