5/7/2024 - SpenceP wrote:

Quite enjoyable even immediately after the bottle is opened, but needs more than (very approximately) an hour and a half in the glass to be at its best. Red plums, raspberries, watermelon (!), black plums, spice cake, a faint hint of orange peel, minerals, cigars, tannins. Vanishes disconcertingly for an instant mid-mouth, but quickly returns leading into a long, intense, and lovely aftertaste. No hurry at all. [Tasted over two hours from the Jancis Robinson glass. The description combines notes from over that entire period--not all of these were present at any one time. The score reflects the wine at its best.]

5/7/2024 - GFischmann Likes this wine:

Drinking perfectly

5/7/2024 - puffinscellar Likes this wine:

Pours a rich reddish purple, dense but not opaque, some brick fading around the edges so definitely showing some age at this point but still showing lots of color.

Ripe black cherries and black raspberries on the nose, the prettiest vanilla, and after some time, pink flowers, then the green and the spice swoop in, alternating green and dried, sweet cicely vs. star anise, fresh wild sage vs. dried marjoram, and a pure note of steeped cloves. The minerals show more as a meaty character which is quite pronounced, like ground beef browning in the pot. A fascinating book kaleidoscope.

Supremely juicy on the palate, almost syrupy in concentration, the tannins are refined and sculpted, the acid vibrant but balanced. Chewy black cherry and black raspberry fruit, licorice, and woody spices. A long, resinous finish that sticks to your gums in the best way. Enjoyable on its own but better paired with well-seasoned pasta or meat dishes. This one can stand up to fat so meat and cream sauces, bring it on.

I’ve had one bottle of this each of the last two years and now this year, and it is getting better yet not yet altogether harmonious, I feel the prime drinking time is a few years out and this can go decades beyond that if stored properly, ideal drinking window 2026-2035 but it is good to go now with almost any red meat or pasta based Mediterranean fare you have at hand.

5/7/2024 - Mike6743 Likes this wine:

I could drink this every week and not tire of it.

5/7/2024 - Mike6743 Likes this wine:

Flavors showing more terroir than I expected, more grass and field with tangerine and fruit.

4/28/2024 - portman63 Likes this wine:

Deep ruby with some browning at the edges - not surprising. Raspberry, red currants and cedar & forest floor mixed both in the air and in the mouth. Resolved tannins and mature but very supple and enjoyable to drink. Still has good acidity. Certainly a drink now especially from a standard bottle instead of a mag. This was a pleasant experience but not surprising as I have had good luck with good right bank producers in this vintage. After 30 years, it's not falling off any cliffs, but it doesn't seem like it needs time unless you have a large bottle.

5/7/2024 - Neurowine1 wrote:

On the beach in Maui this is perfect. pretty indistinguishable from the ocean of other Provençal roses out there, but nothing wrong with this.

5/7/2024 - GregBates Likes this wine:

Wonderful at 54 years old.
Still some acid and mature fruits.

5/8/2024 - Rezy13 wrote:

Initially very wound up and red fruited and slightly muted; a couple days later and this is in a very nice spot, darker fruit, more generous texturally, plums, spice, sour cherry, juicy and lithe, herbs, a little Tuscan earth, vibrant fruit, and a kiss of oak; very nice.

5/7/2024 - Giggs wrote:

Needs a half hour of air to open up, but the initial pungent sour red fruits soon coalesce into a sophisticated, structured, masculine wine. Black cherry, cola, evergreen pine, pastille candy. Surely will gain some flesh with a few more years in the bottle. Only 75 cases though.

4/16/2024 - MN Wine Junkie Likes this wine:

Tasted at VHR - Received a fair amount of air, but I didn't note the length of the decant.

Bruce was kind enough to provide us with a sneak preview of the 2022 vintage. Although this was a barrel sample and not a completed product, it nevertheless gives an insight to what's to come! Needless to say, the wine was fantastic! Of course, just a barrel sample, and extremely fruit forward, but comes across as having great structure. Dark red fruit takes center stage and the purity of fruit is excellent. Shows enough tannins for aging and enough acidity to keep the fruit lively for a very long time. This sample would require a fair amount of bottle age to realize its true potential.

My best guess based on this tasting, and the 2022 barrel samples of other winery tastings, is that the 2022 vintage will mirror 2011, i.e., you will need to be choosy on the wines you select as some will be stellar and others not so good. I also suspect the 2022 VHR will be one of the wines of the vintage. Bruce and his team do a remarkable job every year of making the best possible wine from all the blocks at his disposal. The magic of VHR wines is not that they consistently taste the same, but rather that they consistently are great wines. While Bruce and Heather could make wines with consistent flavors, instead they focus on making wines with subtle inconsistencies in flavor, but the very best wines the vineyard can produce. The result is that the wines may vary from year to year (as evidenced by the blocks chosen that go into the wine of a particular vintage), but the quality of the wines remain consistently outstanding! This will be one of those 2022 wines worth seeking out!

5/8/2024 - mr-sefri wrote:

Leckerer Bordeaux, der auch nach 8 Jahren noch super schmeckt

5/7/2024 - rmalloy Likes this wine:

I like cinsault and have yet to taste a bad example.

This wine reminds me of grenache due to its glycerin-rich red fruit. It’s very floral, and it has some murky, earthy complexity too. I know I have outlier tastes, but I would prefer this wine to be leaner (juicier, less glycerin-rich), so it doesn’t score that highly for me.

5/7/2024 - jdonnerstein wrote:

Not what I was hoping for.

5/7/2024 - Doblk wrote:

Much like 5 years ago. Lots of tannin and smoke with a bit of black fruit, all working together. Still going strong.

5/7/2024 - Chuck Miller wrote:

Lovely bottle of bubbles. Great pinot fruit. Might have been even better if served slightly below cellar temp.

5/7/2024 - AMC Eagle wrote:

Pnp with some fizz. Light translucent hay in colour. Nose of fresh cut green apples with a touch of melons and limes. On the palate, a light flavour profile of guavas and lime with a slight hint of minerality. Light bodied with a short+ finish.

5/7/2024 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:

Plenty of wine here. Ripe berry fruits and vanilla spice. Full flavoured and warming. Some earthiness and grip.

5/7/2024 - Brian Glas Likes this wine:

Tasted after 90 minutes of air. Nice blue berry fruits. Nice grip. Excellent balance.

5/7/2024 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:

An elegant, bright and vibrant version. Perfectly ripe, briary fruits still have some crunch. There are lavender and Provence herb notes. It has flesh and moderate chew from savoury tannins. Sealed under screwcap and quite delicious.

5/7/2024 - Lamb Lounge wrote:

Sweer

5/7/2024 - dmartin12358 wrote:

Very good pinot.

5/7/2024 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:

Really fresh and punchy. Citrus and freshly cut pear and flinty, mineral notes. Good shape and texture. A nice line of crunchy acidity. Balanced and refreshing.

5/7/2024 - David J Cooper Likes this wine:

Really nice Northern Rhone. Earthy, berry fruit, pepper and plum. Dry and balanced.

5/7/2024 - beachbum wrote:

really nice concentrated fruit, juicy, tannins are softening and this will s a nice bottle

5/8/2024 - zpieces Likes this wine:

Great chenin. Excellent reminder of why I love the Loire Valley

5/7/2024 - vizcacha Likes this wine:

Deep ruby. Medium aromatic intensity. Olive, raspberry, black cherry, cured meat, thyme, black pepper. Dry. Medium acid. Medium+ body. High alcohol. Medium, chalky tannin. Medium+ intensity. Less savory and more fruity on the palate. Medium finish.

5/4/2024 - Jeff Leve wrote:

Sweet cherries, flowers, and chocolate show in the nose. On the palate, the wine is soft, elegant, silky, and fresh. The fruit is sweet, ripe, and pure, with vibrance, and a touch of cocoa in the finish. Produced from 100% Merlot, 14.3% ABV. Drink from 2026-2036. 90-92 Pts.

6/20/2023 - GuanYu Likes this wine:

Tasted at winery. Ruby, brick red with orange-pink rim. Redcurrant, raisin, cognac, farmyard, anise, Coca-Cola. Medium-high tannin, medium acidity, medium fruit, long finish.

Winery said it was the maiden vintage of the last winemaker. It was the Royal Bottle style.

5/7/2024 - Francophile1 Likes this wine:

I wasn’t expecting this to be drinking so great straight out of the bottle. While time in the decanter helped, this is made in a more modern style of Barolo. Initially on the attack, lots of black cherry cola which is atypical from Nebbiolo. However, with some air and paired with food, this develops into a lovely lady with a punch in the face on the finish. I enjoyed it.

5/7/2024 - rmalloy wrote:

This is an assertive wine with inky, tangy red fruit and violet overtones. But it tastes one dimensional. I can’t say I find anything special about this varietal.

6/20/2023 - GuanYu Likes this wine:

Tasted at winery. Ruby red with pink-orangey rim. Flagrant red fruits nose. Stewed red fruits, parfume, cucumber, spices and leather.

Winery said this was a "Bad Boy" vintage because it didn't taste anything like pinot noir.

5/7/2024 - joesi16 wrote:

OK, but drink up

5/4/2024 - Jeff Leve wrote:

White peaches, flowers, lemon peels, orange rind, and spice are presented in a bright, crisp, fresh vibrant style with ample, fruit, and complexity that offers the ability to be enjoyed young, or with age for more aromatic complexity. Drink from 2025-2032. 93 Pts.

6/20/2023 - GuanYu Likes this wine:

Tasted at winery. Medium-pale ruby red with pink rim. Fresh redcurrant, candied salmon, spices, cotton candy, liquorice and long finish. Still youthful.

Winery said tertiary aromas just started to break in.

5/7/2024 - ZinFiend wrote:

Soulless. It lacks the depth, complexity, and finesse that define exceptional Cabernets. Not offensive or sink-worthy. So if you need an easy daily driver to fill in and save your prized cellar collection, this one might fit the bill at its price point. Quite young in 2022, but you're not buying this one to keep in the cellar. Are you?

5/7/2024 - joesi16 Likes this wine:

Still has life

6/20/2023 - GuanYu Likes this wine:

Tasted at winery. Medium ruby red with pink-orangey rim. Redcurrant, candy, walnut, spices. Harmonious, silky tannin.

5/7/2024 - biggie Likes this wine:

Fruit Day - Wine to bottom of neck in bottle. Cork sound with wine ingress about 1/2 way. Decanted off of virtually no sediment. Tasted in a Riedel Pinot Noir glass. Translucent ruby core extending to a medium watery edge. Nose was evident during decanting and now more concentrated in the glass. Red flowers, touch of vanilla, green peppercorn, red fruit (wild strawberry) and light spice. On the palate the tannins are ripe and round with medium plus acidity. The flavours are spice, red fruit, tobacco, oregano, and an interesting iron/blood element. The finish is long with the red fruit, spice and tobacco continuing.

5/7/2024 - Francophile Likes this wine:

Lovely wine from Provence with smoothness and very pale pink colour. Super and drinking well right now, not surprised it made the Best Rose's of 2022 case from Garagiste.

5/7/2024 - OttawaB Likes this wine:

Still reddish but turning garnet. Blackberry/cherry fruits, spices, vanilla, black pepper. Good balance, slight tartness. Medium acidity. Vague dusty tannins, on the sweetish side (not bitter). A touch of black tea. Very nice and gentle wine overall.

5/7/2024 - Portland Seth Likes this wine:

Vanilla, leather, blackberry, cranberry, cedar, mint, white pepper. This bottle is definitely better than my one from two years ago, might continue to improve.

6/20/2023 - GuanYu Likes this wine:

Tasted at winery. Pinkish-ruby red with pink rim. Fragrant red fruits, hawthorn, leather, smoke, high tannin, long spicy, smoky finish. More energy than other wines tasted in the flight.

5/7/2024 - df1962 Likes this wine:

PnP let a glass breathe for about 1hr.

Very funky with great fruit.Lingering strawberry and sassafras finish. Delicious. Would definitely buy again. Beats most basic Bourgogne by a long shot.

5/7/2024 - Burgnick wrote:

Beautiful nose with wilted roses, spice, animal, gamey red fruit and inner perfume. Lovely sweet and minty palate with red berry fruit. Very clean and structured yet also showing the masculine character of the terroir. 93-94

5/7/2024 - Beezc Likes this wine:

Not overly interesting IMO. Good but nothing special.

6/20/2023 - GuanYu Likes this wine:

Tasted at winery. Ruby red with orange tint, pink rim. Redcurrant, orange peel, garlic clove, candied salmon. Mint finish and texture like Brunello.

Winery said this 75 Rangs is very unique and different due to the soil in vineyard: it was a river bed 1,000 years ago (now gone).

It was my favorite among a tasting flight of 7 wines.

5/7/2024 - paul195 wrote:

5 of 12 decanted at 3:00 served at 7:00.

5/7/2024 - malvasia8796 Likes this wine:

Bright medium ruby color, no sediment. Cherry, cranberry, rasberry. Medium+ acidity. Juicy. Enjoyable but the finish is my least favorite as the heat tends to linger. Drank a couple of night via coravin and enjoyed more after actually opening the bottle and decanting it. I'll wait a couple of years before opening another bottle.

5/7/2024 - golfwine wrote:

AhhhMazing! Acid-Bomb but with a level of clean acidity, not the type that’s achieved by adding it after the fact. More amazing is the salinity that I’ve heard (but never before experienced) described as “oyster shell”. This wine has that. As I’ve written before, my wine preferences favor Pinot and ABC whites. Chenin’s been on that list and so, when this was included in my last offering, I not only accepted my total allocation but requested more…and got it. :) More details to follow, when I open my next bottle.