Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

One of the good bottles, and a beautiful reminder of why old Alto Piemonte is magic. Gorgeous mature nose of moss, seaweed, red roses, desiccated cherry, loam, chestnut, dried leaves and bark, with that old Nebbiolo road-tar thing hovering underneath. Palate still has real charge and life, with surprisingly youthful fruit, juicy cherry on the finish, and big 1989 structure, but the tannins are integrated and carrying the wine beautifully. Not refined like great Barolo or Barbaresco, but soulful, wild, alive, and deeply compelling. With air, the wine is getting more integrated and more beautiful. The nose has moved into that old Nebbiolo caramelized/seared register, with the desiccated cherry, roses, loam, moss, bark and chestnut now feeling deeper and more fused. The palate is gaining finesse, but this is not polished or refined in a Barolo/Barbaresco way. It is old Alto Piemonte: high-acid 1989 structure, big but integrated tannins, gorgeous fruit, and that wild, soulful mountain Nebbiolo charge still running through it. Still 9.4, maybe nudging higher if it keeps knitting together. — 5 days ago

David Koenen

8.9

@delectable: this is the Il Chiosso Colline Novaresi Rosato Ficorosa 2023 — 8 months ago

Jessica Walkup

9.0

Excellent bubbly from our wine club, totally would buy and drink again. — 4 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.5

Truly one of my favorite wines.

Such bright delicious fruit. Mineral. Great acidity. Grippy. Complex. Gorgeous hint of bitter. Gorgeous citrus. Elegant savory element.

Fass selections — 2 months ago

Stuart Pollack

9.3

A lovely and different wine. Perfumed nose and an unusual palette. If you are looking to try something different and flavorful try this wine. Blueberry mixed with vanilla and oak and a hint of sweetness. Unique and delicious. — 7 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Blend of primarily Nero di Troia with some Aglianico blended in. Dark ruby color. Aromas of tart black and blue berries, tar and bitter baker’s chocolate. Flavors of cooked blackberries, black cherries and dark plums along with notes of dark chocolate, tobacco and baking spices. Long and lingering finish. Quite ripe, juicy, full bodied and concentrated. Nicely balanced and harmonious. Fantastic QPR. Excellent find! — a year ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

So interesting, smoky, peppery, just good — 4 years ago

with TwiLea

Ted Holland

9.3

Wow, a beautifully aging wine, nose clearly showed age with some tobacco, dried fruits, and a hint of a lizard’s cherry! Wine still has vibrant tannins and dark fruit elegance persists for a nice balance while it developed in the glass. 1993 vintage opened and drank on 25Feb2026!!! Enjoy — 3 months ago

Daniel Bloom

9.1

Woods, woods, & autumnal woods.
Light brown/reds abound. Cherries and leather and dead leaves, trees. Definitely a wine that hasn’t been futzed with. Gulpable as L.F. is known do say.
Hits those casual Nebbiolo notes across the spectrum, perfect w left over Sunday gray and ravioli.
Thanks @FassSelections
— 7 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Haven’t had this wine in a while, and my god, what a return. Nose is sick. Comforting aromas of chestnut, spice, tar, leather, roses and more. So deep, accurate, and detailed, with loads of sweet spices. 9.6 nose. Gorgeous. The palate comes in with huge concentration and sap, big tannins that will smooth out with air. Dark cherry fruit and a whole inner world of florals and spices. The finish just imprints itself on your palate, juicy, suave, but in need of air. It’s all there.

With air, the nose picks up caramel, tree bark, and forest floor. Really elegant and pure. The tannins still need age and oxygen to calm down, but after much air, it’s lovely. Nose turns harmonious and full, tree bark, oolong tea, tar, roses, dark macerated cherries. Velvety palate, luscious fruit. So fresh and nimble. — 10 months ago