October 19, 2020 - Green olive, leather, cedar and smoked fruit. Colour is much clearer than the phenomenal 89. Precise and transperent palate. Even though it does not have the length and complexity of the 89, the sweetness on the palate still makes it very enjoyable. Nice surprise.
November 19, 2007 - Noel Verset Cornas Vertical '83-'97 Blindtasted (Tom's House, Palo Alto, CA): Group's #6 (my #7) – 82 pts.; 1, 3, 2, 2 – Light medium garnet red color with clear meniscus; similar but focused pepper nose, with a touch of brett; narrower on palate, tangy red fruit, pepper, plum and tobacco, with firm tannins; medium finish
June 19, 2007 - Opened this for my brother...who went to Verset, and did a tasting with him a few years ago......I served this to him blind....he knew it was Rhone, a Syrah...but guessed 5 years old! Shocked to see this was a 20yr old Verset! Dark plum, blueberry/raspberry fruit....old leather, roasted hazelnut, cedar spice. Very young tasting....nice acidity, smooth and balanced. Beautiful rustic Rhone...game, herbs, tobacco, florals, black pepper.....just gorgeous! I need more of these in the cellar!
February 9, 1990 - With Michael Lehmann at Singer & Foy survey of 1987 Rhones. Brilliant medium ruby purple. Nose is rather dominated by a bothersome green olive overlay. In the mouth, not at all pleasant; excessively tannic with hard fruit. I wouldn't pay a dime for this wine. 5-5-7-2: 69/100
October 7, 1989 - With Michael Lehmann and Brett Raven at Singer & Foy survey of new Rhone wines. Very dark color. Darkest so far. Very substantial but extremely young wine. Violets. Tannin is hiding a lot of the fruit, but it is there. Seems like a wholly different style of wine, more like an American Syrah. Lots of wood. Rustic, backward. Iron fist in iron glove? 5-10-15-8: 88/100.