November 13, 2023 - In an outrageous lineup of N. Rhone gems--the same lineup JVIZ refers to--this was clearly the class. Sensationally fragrant with red fruit, herbs, and earth, and a bright, savory palate with a million layers of intrigue. The body is middleweight or less, but the length is in keeping with a grand vin. None of that, however, is the best part. The best part is the absurdly silky texture. It's like drinking the best conceivable aged Grand Cru Burg, except with all that gnarly Northern Rhone complexity. Possibly the best bottle of Syrah I've ever had, and absolutely up there with the world's greatest wines. Why only a 98? Because I suppose that some Musigny or something could be better, but really it's hard to imagine how. (I'm also stingy; this is one of only two 98s I've ever given out.)
October 22, 2023 - Houston Northern Rhone Blowout: WOTN for me at a way over the top Northern Rhone tasting. This bottle was in perfect shape. Complex aromatics of spice box and dried mint but a lot of tertiary features. Complete silk on the palate with beautiful balancing acids. It is hard to imagine Syrah aging better than this has. I just loved it, so Burgundian.
April 1, 2019 - Corked. Good funk and spice on the nose under the TCA.
November 8, 2018 - No rating as out of the gate we all thought this was corked. Over time it actually got better not worse. So maybe very heavy brett that blew off over a few hours? Not sure but was an off bottle for sure. Shame.
November 6, 2018 - Unicorn Rhones (aka a taste-off btwn Verset and Gentaz with a few bonuses) (Momofuku Ko): Much more closed initially than some of the other wines. There was something not quite right about this one. For some it was completely undrinkable. For me it reminded me of looking at a picture through clouded glass. The flavors just a bit less precise and the picture all a bit muddier, but you can still see the pieces. It was I thought still an enjoyable wine, but I won't score as I agree bottle prob wasn't quite right. Similar profile to some of the others with more of the metallic but also some olives and brine and for sure those black fruits.
December 2, 2017 - Tasted blind, this wine had a deep re/purple center with bright red/orange rims. The medium+ intensity nose offered up black cherries, clay soil, raspberries, and some Provencal herbs.
In the mouth, this wine was medium bodied with good richness and balance. It had a nice texture but was just a touch too sweet for my taste and didn't have a ton of length. Was it open long enough?
This was an attractive wine that will certainly last for many years. At its peak?
April 22, 2017 - Adrian returns to Indiana (Andy's Place): Wow. Aromatics were off the chart on this wine. I picked up ripe red fruit, leather, and meats. The taste of this wine matched the nose with a depth and complexity that really is difficult to describe because it all came together to make a perfect wine. What an epic finish. What an epic wine.
April 22, 2017 - Wine just doesn't get better than this. Amazing aromatic complexity with an array of savoury meatiness, black and green olive notes, ripe fruit that's still remarkably fresh and vibrant, and an array of other developed earthy, smoky, leathery, and briny elements that keep expanding with air. The palate is just as stunning with amazing depth and intensity of flavour, yet remarkable lightness and elegance, finishing with amazing length. A monumental wine, and a joy to experience a bottle of Verset at its absolute peak.
April 22, 2017 - Indianapolis II; 4/21/2017-4/22/2017 (Indianapolis, IN): We discussed at length what makes a wine perfect -- in my mind, it's a wine where you can't imagine any change that could make it better. This was one of those bottles. The nose upon opening showed perfectly ripe fruit, mostly red-inflected, balanced with some light meatiness and a slight touch of olive brine, all in perfect counterplay with one another. The palate follows through on this promise, with just the right amount of feral character (this is far less feral than the younger Verset wines I've had). Sweet, but not too sweet; savoury, briny, and meaty, but not overwhelmingly so. A simultaneously powerful and elegant syrah.
March 30, 2017 - Great deep spice on nose with light funk. Wonderful fruit. Has made it through the transition that great Cornas can make from raw and powerful to full and elegant.