Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days. Special on Day 1. Sensational on Day 3. The 2018 pours a deep purple color moving towards a magenta rim with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. There appears to be some fine sediment as well. On the nose, the wine is developing with fascinating notes of blackberries, smoked blueberry crisp, lavender, animale, bacon fat, new leather, black olives, iron-like minerals and some faint spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for an eternity and it’s laden with purple flowers, fruit and minerals. This is a thrilling Cornas with enormous energy and character. While it’s a delight to enjoy now, I expect a long life. My next bottle will be after 2028 and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to get thrills through 2038.. The last glass had loads of fine sediment coating the glass; just something to keep in mind. — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2016 vintage. Precious little baby fat left and already plenty of the aged Bordeaux stank in the nose. Supple but has the palate footprint of a pinot. Some blue fruit and cocoa powder on the delicate finish. So much finesse. Drink now or forget for a solid 15-spot…it matters not. Texturally gorgeous and definitely not your average Napa Cabbage-now or then. Ric Forman is the rare producer that straddles the verry old school and new school in Napa and, yet, his wines still remain classical and true vs the 2nd "cult" wave/post-1991 obscenely-scored/fruit bomb/über-extracted/distilled/dance party/reduction sauce-styled ridiculousness so in vogue for the last three damned decades. A welcome respite. 2.28.23. — a year ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.2

USA:s första vingårdsbetecknade merlot. Denna årgång med en liten del Cabernet Sauvignon och Malbec. Fyllig med solmogen mörk frukt. Lätt balsamisk. 75% nya fat i 16 mån ger en rik fatprofil. Blockchoklad, kardemumma, lavendel, mynta, vanilj. Tanninerna är bortsmälta. För att vara ett vingårdsvin är det kanske mer vinmakningen som lyser igenom. Men god nu, en klassiker! — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2021 vintage. Opened (not decanted) and tasted after two hours. Super big, smoky, bacon fat, mineral nose. Heavy, ripe body and that three hundred fathoms deep darkness on a moonless night color. A touch of sweetness but suspecting it will saunter off in 5-7 years. Another great Kongsgaard Syrah vintage. 12.17.23. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

A buddy of mine and I dropped into one of my favorite little cafes in Omaha to get a bite and share a bottle. We grabbed a table and I scampered off to select something from the wall. As I walked over to the Rhone section, I began to scan the labels and about fell over when I saw three bottles of Gonon low-key just chillin…priced under $70. At this point, there was no question what we would be drinking tonight.

Popped and poured; no formal notes. I fully knew this was going to be somewhat considered infanticide but how was I going to pass this opportunity up? The nose is classic Northern Rhone with olives, black pepper, bacon fat and gorgeous blue and red fruits. The tannins are medium+; the acid matches. And the texture? Well, she thiccc but there is a sexy confidence that is enormously becoming. Finish is long and super satisfying. Fun to try young but I expect this to be a very lovely bottle for many years to come. Drink now with some patience (and an open mind) or through 2034 with ease. Oh…and you best believe we took the other two bottles home with us. — a year ago

Karen Larson

9.0

2018 Carneros Pinot noir
Spice, red berry, and a bite of licorice with some earthiness 😋 — 4 years ago

with Craig and Bob

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2016 vintage. Need to order some more of this-pronto. Obviously too young but firing on nearly all cylinders at this point. The go-to BDX for those that want to drop coin on BDX but aren't familiar with BDX. For those of us that are familiar with the area/wines, this producer and vintage are delivering overtime. Voluptuous and sexy mixed with just enough down to earth(iness). Drinking phenomenally now. Too youthful to accurately speculate on the end game/potential of this vintage now. Much of the baby fat is gone yet there are a few strands left. Going back to the 1988 vintage, this is in my top three Cos offerings- like now, man... 4.29.23 — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2010 vintage. Tasted three hours after opening. Throwing out a little bit of baking spices on a big finish. Still massive, brooding and truculent. Has just barely begun to shed the baby fat. Exhibiting the oomph of Cornas with the polish of Côte-Rôtie/Hermitage. Pretty complete package therein. 3.20.23. — a year ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.2

Three guys polished this bottle off with a couple cigars in no time. As the great Gabe Rosen says “It stokes the council fires of a gentlemanly soul” and I agree. This was drinking just like it was back in 2005. Really nice — a year ago

with Lee

Ely Cohn

9.4

Can’t stop thinking about this golden nectar of Chenin. My favorite grape, from my favorite part of the Garden of France - Loire.This is like a deep conversation that lasts three hours but feels like fifteen minutes. There’s so much going on so take your time between sips. Go slow.Bartlett pears soft like butter. Granny Smith apples, vanilla, popcorn kernels. Round texture with high acid to cut through the fat. Finish of burnt caramel and lemon.As with the complicated ones, let this get to cellar temp to get the full dialogue. — 3 years ago