Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

The 4th vintage now of the greatest Bourgogne Blanc in the world. Just a massively complex nose of wet stones, incisive minerality, dash of oak, lime zest, lemon drop that is pure as the driven snow. Just a shockingly incredible nose that screams 1er cru Chassagne all the way. So layered and so deep a new nuance every time you stick your nose in the glass. The palate, as usual, overdelivers with just stunning concentration and lemon flesh intensity and drop dead, drool worthy purity. It’s round yet incredibly fresh and deep. What a finish that just lingers and lingers with a sweet lemon-lime intensity on a bed of minerals. Easiest 9.5 I’ve ever given. Wow what purity. Has that amazing combo of sweet, rich, salty and mineral. This is brilliant A1 winemaking. So slippery on the finish. This is wide open and more open than the 19 was at this phase of its evolution. Just a stunning stunning wine.

As this airs it gets more stunning. Tree bark, saline, iodine, white flowers and more! Superb concentration and density but also round and fresh. Lemony fruit but right now the salty sweet minerals abound. Just a miracle of a wine. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

A longtime friend visited us today at our rental property. We have an annual Christmas tradition of me giving him a bottle of Pinot and a coffee cake (homage to my mother’s Christmas coffee cake) and he shares his allocation of Sea Smoke. He gave us this bottle awhile back and a 2015 Southing today. In honor of our tradition, we are enjoying this 2010 tonight.

The nose reveals; mulberries, boysenberries, plum, dark cherries, blueberries, fresh & dry cranberries, poached strawberries, raspberries hovering on the edge of the glass, steeped fruit teas, touch smoke & soft grilled meats, subtle, sweet, tarry notes, dark, rich soils, dark chocolate, limestone, crush, dry rocks, understated caramel/mocha notes, bay leaf, soft sage, dry stems, dark, fruit licorice, light, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, hints of vanillin, barrel char with fresh & withering, slightly candied, dark, red, blue & purple flowers.

The body is round, full, lush and velvety. It glides beautifully over the palate. The 2010 is around its peak with 5-8 years of good drinking ahead. She is an elegant beauty. The tension, structure, length and balance are in a great place for many but, I think even better in 2-3 years. Mulberries, boysenberries, plum, dark cherries, blackberries, blueberries, fresh & dry cranberries, poached strawberries, raspberries haunting the secondary fruits, steeped fruit teas, touch smoke & soft grilled meats, subtle, sweet, tarry notes, dark, rich soils, dark chocolate, limestone, crush, dry rocks, understated caramel/mocha notes, bay leaf, soft sage, menthol, dry stems, dark, fruit licorice, perfect, dark spice with just the right amount of palate heat, clove, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, hints of vanillin, barrel char with fresh & withering, slightly candied, dark, red, blue & purple flowers. The acidity is nearly perfect & holds back the slightly higher ABV. The long finish is a darling, elegant, sexy, beauty with great balance & polish polish for days that slides into a spicy, round & drier, tarry, tannin presence that persists minutes.

Photos of; two of their single vineyard Pinot’s, branded barrel and Winemaker- Victor Gallegos. — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Happy new year, peeps 😃🎈🎊
Stick a fork in us 😐 — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Jeff Gower

9.4

Velvety, big nose & stick to your gums! — 8 years ago

with Bill and Lee

Robyn Becker

9.8

At Friends giving. The wine with the stick — 9 years ago

Doug Bennett

8.9

Great Rhone blend from Dave potter. Stick it in the fridge for a few minutes. Bright red fruits, tart cherry, red pepper berries — 9 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

Light gold color, youthful. Cochey nose. Notes of match stick and petrol, citrus fruit, some gravel and dry dirt, and some tan spice. Rich and glycerol in the mouth. Lots of fruit and acidity. Missing a little in the mid palate but overall great stuff. — 5 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Lighter bodied. Fruity of strawberry, hickory and a little funky woodsy, mushroom. Yum! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Merry Christmas Eve-Eve everyone! 🎄🎅🤶⛄️❄️🎁🍷

On the nose, leap dark currants & cassis with bright red, dark, blue & purple florals at pop & pour. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherry kirsch, plum, mulberries, blueberries, poached & strawberries, black raspberries & raspberries. Black licorice, star anise, dark chocolate bar, volcanic & limestone, steeped fruit teas, dark cola, sweet tarry notes, black, rich, turned earth, mid, dark spices, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, barrel shavings with char, dry brush, leather, fresh tobacco, granite, some eucalyptus, mint notes, light, dry herbs with fresh & some withering red, dark, purple and blue, fresh and slightly candied florals.

The body is; round, ripe, & rich. The tension, structure, length and balance are just beginning their sweet spot. The tannins are; rounding, tarry & still chewy. Plenty of life left in the 09...8-10 years. Dark currants & cassis. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherry kirsch, plum, mulberries, blueberries, poached & strawberries, cherries, black raspberries & raspberries. Black licorice, star anise, dark chocolate bar, volcanic & limestone, dry, crushed rocks, dry stems, steeped fruit teas, dark cola, sweet tarry notes, black, rich, turned earth, mid, dark spices, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, milk chocolate, mocha, caramel, barrel shavings with char, dry brush, leather, fresh tobacco, granite, some eucalyptus, mint notes, light, dry herbs with fresh & some withering red, dark, purple and blue, fresh and slightly candied florals. The acidity is round & spot on. The ripe, rich, ruby, elegant, balanced & polished finish is splendid and persists nicely on the palate with mid, dark spice on the long set. So much better with this much age. Really delicious tonight!

A steal now at under $35 upon release at Costco.

This wine is close to its peak and will hover there 3-4 years.

Photos of; the Estate, old large oak vats and David Heitz.
— 6 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.2

Dark Ruby. Lovely aromatics, violets, roses, flower garden that blossomed into a nice layered flavor trove of chocolate dipped cherry and toasted cinnamon stick. Perfect compliment to a NY Strip. — 7 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.3

2007 Vintage. Nice acidity and that burnt match stick note. Enough umph to stand up to spicy Thai food. — 8 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.1

2012 Garaudet Vielles Vignes Meursault and this Rasta Classic, Satta Massagna by The Abyssinians. Vocal harmonies which are nothing short of magical here & Robbie Shakespeare on bass needs no explanation. The wine is a great mix of bright structure and spicy deep almost tropical fruit. Beckoning spring to stick around a bit. — 8 years ago

Robbie Roemer

8.9

Wow. Very good blend. It doesn't say on the bottle but from the taste and location I'll guess Cabernet, Merlot, And Zin?

Heavy blueberry and cherry on the palate to begin...Very vanilla heavy on the nose. Great wine, and great for the price. — 9 years ago

Ben Christen

9.5

Really nice Chardonnay. Match stick and nice reduction. Waxy crayon nose, lemon. Nice finish with some saline. Very nice. QPR for sure, tasting like burgundies thrice the price. — 5 years ago

with Ellen

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Charles strikes again.

I said weeks ago, I’d rather drink Charles Hendricks Pinot in futures @ $75 vs. the 09 Marcassin we had two weeks back @ $150+ winery or $225+ on the secondary market. This 14, while still young, proves that point and will only continue to get better.

It’s about as luxurious as Ca Pinot gets. Just supple, soft & elegant as body gets. Candied, floral fruits of ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruits, lean purple fruits, dry cranberries, strawberries, plums, delicate but darks spices, cinnamon stick, vanillin, nutmeg & touch clove, salted caramel, mocha powder, limestone & grey volcanics, dry crushed rocks hints of peppered grilled meats, fresh & dry tobacco, dry stems/twigs, sage dominated dry Provence herbs, splash of mint/eucalyptus, tree sap with bright candied, fresh & slightly withering florals of; dark, red, purple, blue set in a field of violets & some lavender. The acidity is perfect. The long finish is; extremely well balanced & polished, elegant, fresh, just the right amount of candied with a long, dark spice finish in the long set.

The 14 really started to excel after an hour plus in the decanter.

Photos of; the outside of the Hope & Grace tasting room in downtown Yountville where you will find Charles Hendricks wines. He makes Hope & Grace wines as well. One of my favorite paintings that used to sit behind their tasting bar but, is now in Charles house. It is very Pollock like! Winemaker/Co-owner Charles Hendricks and a vineyard in region of the Santa Lucia Highlands. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals; brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, underbrush, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, crushed, dry rock, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.

The body is full, still youthful and lush. The palate & tannins are rounded but, teethe, tarry & a touch austere. The tension, structure, length and balance are very nice but, still have 7–10 years good drinking ahead. Brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, black licorice, underbrush, old, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, tarry notes, crushed, dry rock, dry top soil, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.

One flaw, the first glass showed a little to much alcohol heat but, dissipated after. 14.5 ABV...seemed more like 15.5.

Photos of; our visit to Larkmead’s tasting room, the back courtyard and two aspects of their tasting patio. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.5

Fabulous relaxed & reasonably priced meal at “Blanc” in the Mandarin Oriental with Chef Carme Ruscalleda, whose restaurants have won 7 Michelin stars! ⏩ Scroll for delish city’s food pics on Instagram ⏩

A truly unique wine that’s €112 in restaurant & €56 from winery that went with all the foods shown perfectly 😍

📍 Terroir Al Limit Pedra de Guix 2014

🏵 95 points

🍇 Pedro Ximénez, Macabeo & Garnatxa Blanca

🍷 Amber honey w/ a bronze orange tone

👃 Light burnt marmalade, stick toffee pudding foam, old sherry cask, fallen green apple & vanilla custard

👄 Med refreshing body of brown green apple in torched brown sugar w/ honey, citrus zest & baked orange w/ soft sherry tickles

🎯 Long aged tortured toffee old apple in honey & brown sugar - a sherry but elegant & subtle

💭 Mrs E says “Nowhere near as heavy as it looks”

— 8 years ago

Lori K

9.4

Great dark fruit with pepper. Nice blend. Low acid, great overall dark red. — 9 years ago

Mark Wilson

9.1

Delicious. Fruity with multiple flavors. Great summer wine. Mike S recommended. Finished bottle same night. Great PQR at 14.40 on TW 20% off. Not as good as Hartford but as good as Seghasio Sonoma. Need to stick up on. — 9 years ago

Greg Nixon

9.0

This was a wonderfully complex flavorful Cab. This was the only Roundpond offering we liked. Need to stick to the granite series. — 9 years ago