Wine Doctrine
Every tasting note

Reviews

336 notes

2015

Bérêche et Fils Champagne Premier Cru Le Cran

Champagne · Premier Cru

I’ve been drilling through these 10+ year old Le Crans lately as I’ve unfortunately started to see a fairly steep declination in this particular bottling’s evolution in terms of desired freshness and…

Reviewed 11 September 2026
2014

Bérêche et Fils Champagne Premier Cru Le Cran

Champagne · Premier Cru

This bottle was slightly more sluggish out of the gate compared to the bottle I had six months ago. A bead of minerality saves it from becoming too heavy, but the prominent ripe apple core is full…

Reviewed 3 September 2026
2018

Ultramarine Sparkling Rosé Heintz Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

This is a much meatier and advanced version than what I’ve experienced from the 2018 Rose. In fairness to the producer, it was an auction bottle (with a disgorgement date a week later than the ones I…

Reviewed 30 August 2026
NV

Huré Frères Champagne L'Insouciance

France · Champagne

Another go at this wine yields a bit more of a weightier result than my previous bottle. Fresh and focused, the 2021 base has been more boney than the 2020, but its lift and verve are undeniable. As…

Reviewed 30 August 2026
2015

Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

France · Champagne

Mirabelle plum, honey, brioche, white cherry, grilled citrus, and limestone flavors present a medium-bodied experience (at least as Churchills go). There is ample frame and energy to keep the flavor…

Reviewed 29 August 2026
2019

David Leclapart Champagne Premier Cru Cuvée L'Aphrodisiaque

Champagne · Premier Cru

As before, deftly placed flavors of ginger and spice are given volume and weight from apple, pear, grilled lemon, limestone, and honey notes. With air, this balances out quite wonderfully, with what…

Reviewed 24 August 2026
2018

Ultramarine Rosé (Late Disgorged) Heintz Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

This pours an almost-concerning color that looks like a cranberry cocktail and the bottom of a bottle of pomegranate juice had an unfiltered berry baby; but fear not knights of the domestic sparkler…

Reviewed 16 August 2026
NV

Savart Champagne Premier Cru Bulle de Rosé Extra Brut

Champagne · Premier Cru

Light and airy at first, with chalk and froth circling around the strawberry, watermelon, and citrus spray notes. With air, it deepens a bit more, with the pleasantly pink fruit becoming slightly…

Reviewed 16 August 2026
2015

Bérêche et Fils Champagne Premier Cru Le Cran

Champagne · Premier Cru

A downshift since my last bottle a couple of years ago, this bottle is dominated by the ripe red apple flesh note that, especially with extended air, turns it into an overly apple juice-driven…

Reviewed 16 August 2026
2012

Dom Pérignon Champagne

France · Champagne

An improved performance from last year, and one that dials back the dough element just enough to allow some needed acidity and intensity. Yeast is at the forefront here, but there is also an…

Reviewed 21 July 2026
2006

Dom Pérignon Champagne P2

France · Champagne

A bit more resolved than last year, this bottle is a lovely combination of chiseled precision and a deliberate unfolding of fruit. The limestone and prickly pear offer frame and focus, while the…

Reviewed 21 July 2026
2006

Pol Roger Champagne Vintage Brut

France · Champagne

From Magnum. Ripe, mature, and a bit sweet, this has enough energy and freshness to push out the grilled lemon, poached pear, Rainier cherry, caramel, red apple, and copper notes, but I imagine the…

Reviewed 19 July 2026
NV

Gaspard Brochet Champagne 333.e

France · Champagne

Quite the unique animal, initially drinking more like a Rose than a Champagne blend, the 333e has a wild, slightly succulent side that is a little curveball at first, but settles into a delivery of…

Reviewed 19 July 2026
2015

Henri Giraud Champagne Grand Cru Argonne Brut

Champagne · Grand Cru

With an instant attention-grabbing note of lemon/lime citrus zest, the Argonne delivers an intense push of yellow/green citrus, chalk, limestone, yellow/red apple, prickly pear, and ginger notes with…

Reviewed 13 July 2026
2006

Philipponnat Champagne Les Cintres

France · Champagne

This is a seductive sample, with a creeping cadence that slowly unfolds flavors of poached pear, red apple flesh, cherry water, olive oil, grilled apricot and lemon, and olive oil.

Reviewed 13 July 2026
NV

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 171eme

France · Champagne

Strong yeast and rye notes dominate the entry on this particular bottle. With time and air, limestone, unripe pineapple rind, crunchy pear, and ginger emerge. The deeper notes of honey, grilled…

Reviewed 13 July 2026
NV

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 169eme

France · Champagne

One of my favorite Krug cuvees, this go-around with the 169 shows a distinctly yeasty profile at first, but quickly rounds out with brioche, nut, and honey notes after exposure to air. Still, the…

Reviewed 13 July 2026
2013

Krug Champagne Vintage Brut

France · Champagne

There is a precision here that immediately draws you in, with a leesy, yeast-driven entry that is both electric and weighty, the 2013 vintage Krug is captivating. The tension and energy are…

Reviewed 13 July 2026
2022

Vincent Cuillier Champagne Fusion Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature

France · Champagne

Bristly and edgy, there are some barbs on the delivery here that necessitate patience to take the edge off. Cherry water and bark, thistle, pulverized granite, white melon rind, crunchy red pear skin…

Reviewed 6 July 2026
2013

J. Lassalle Champagne Premier Cru Special Club

Champagne · Premier Cru

Brisk and bristling with ginger, red apple skin, limestone, crunchy stone fruit, red cherry water, and lemon pith. It's a bit edgy and biting, but I appreciate the energy and tension here. Lacks some…

Reviewed 6 July 2026
2019

David Leclapart Champagne Premier Cru Cuvée L'Aphrodisiaque

Champagne · Premier Cru

Ginger, spice, pear, grilled lemon, honey, coriander, and yellow and red apple flavors delivering a distinctly Pinot Noir-driven profile. Notable intensity, but cradled by a finesse that seems to be…

Reviewed 5 July 2026
NV

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Roc Solare

France · Champagne

Best bottle of this disgorgement so far. Perfect combination of fresh lemon, pear, and melon notes along with kisses of honey and spice. Persistent length, with props for elegant balance and depth.

Reviewed 4 July 2026