January 17, 2023 - Commanderie des Costes du Rhone - Spring 2023 Kick-off (Gabriel Kruether): Always a treat to get to drink Verset and this was no different although just a small taste. Nice blend between the feral and yet with this background of elegance and refinement to it. Sharper acid that is somehow well integrated into the wine.
December 14, 2018 - N. Rhones and other Treats (RPM Italian): En magnum, and what a treat. I loved the soaring, savory, meat aromatics. The palate has excellent concentration with soft, velvety contours. Still quite young and fresh. A wow wine.
December 14, 2018 - HDH Dec auction trip/dinners at SKY and RPM Italian; 12/13/2018-12/15/2018: From magnum. This is classic Verset. The wild, sauvage flavours of Syrah with intense meatiness, smoke, green olive, earth, and so much more going on, but conveyed in a remarkably delicate, understated package. It's a wine that whispers rather than speaks loudly, with aromatics that keep building with more time, and an amazing lightness of touch. Nobody made Cornas like Verset.
December 14, 2018 - HDH December auction; 12/13/2018-12/15/2018 (Chicago, IL): From magnum (right?). This is a dignified, gentle wine, with a serenity that seems quite distinctive for syrah. There's lots of briny notes on the nose, with a ton of olive tapenade, and a hint of charcuterie as well. The palate is also very soft-spoken, with black fruit, salinity, and meat notes all in quiet coexistence. Lovely acidity and fully resolved tannins. At peak now, I'm incredibly hard-pressed to see how this would further improve.
June 14, 2018 - Medium light body, amazing baking spice nose, beautiful medium cherry, with dark raspberry/strawberry notes woven in, fabulous fine structure, good acidity, simply ethereal.
May 25, 2018 - Off the bat the nose on this is booming with green and black olives. The Syrah black currant underneath is still surprisingly primary although the aromatics are detailed and highly expressive. Lots of black pepper. I like the palate on this less as it still has striking tannin and is quite black and primary up front. Youthful.
October 21, 2016 - This is my third and last bottle from a stash bought long time ago...and by far the best! Cork was in great condition...the wine was seamless, drank feminine like a fine aged Burgundy....med bodied, very earthy, sauvage, leather.....intoxicating nose.....the fruit was wild berry, dried strawberry/cherry....subtle complexities abound....mint, smoke, game, olive, iron minerality, dried flowers......the wine even darkened and became fuller later on.....just fascinating and contemplating wine to drink. A true pleasure!
July 11, 2014 - A delicious, saline, à point Verset. Far better than I expected.
January 15, 2014 - Cornas tasting @ Jeroboam Club (Bristol): Really unique nose on the night, touches of sulphur and smoke, reminds me of Cote Rotie. Fully mature and a bit of treat considering this wine is no longer made. Slightly dry finish, but enjoyable.
July 31, 2013 - Medium red, throwing much sediment. Animale' nose: raw meat, olives, touch of VA, strong mixed mints and camphor, wet leather coat, pipe tobacco. Medium acidity, low tannin. Zippy acids and low tannin on entry. Spicy finish, very Old World fermentation notes without oak. The earthiness suggested in the nose repeats in flavor. Gawd, I love this wine. Bottle #6 of six.