Reviews

Henri Germain et Fils Meursault 1er Cru Charmes

Previous note from last year still applies. Operating in a nice place for my palate. Fresh and a little serious, with a decent amount of body and weight to provide depth and concentration. Enough zip…

Claude Cazals Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Clos Cazals

Exquisitely balanced, with a judicious flavor equilibrium between the lemon and chalk/salt notes that are harmoniously carried on a fine bead of effervescence, the 2012 Clos Cazals is a winner. With…

Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir

A very good Chardonnay... that could have been any Chardonnay from anywhere. Pure, fresh, and all that, but so straight-laced and primary that it lacks any personality. No real layers or depth to…

Savart Champagne Grand Cru Haute Couture Le Mesnil

Harmony, precision, and the beginnings of an enveloping flavor profile that certainly stand to offer immediate pleasure as well as reward for the future. Bright and fresh, but with a serious side…

Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru La Forest

Very fine and balanced indeed, with a sophisticatedly seamless entry and texturally inviting attack, this is a Dauvissat of pure class. The lemon, lychee, yellow pear skin, and meringue notes all…

Pierre Moncuit Champagne Grand Cru Millésime Extra-Brut

A sudsy Lhasa Apso in an alkaline and acetone bath at a Petco doggie spa in Detroit.

Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir

As great as last year, rivaling the Grenouilles and Clos in 2019, this is the best vintage of Vaudesir to date. Perfect combination of body, energy, ripe lemon flavors, and outstanding persistence.…

Jacques Lassaigne Champagne Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Millésimé

I love this Champagne. Such a solid performer with all of the pieces falling into the right place. Incredibly giving now and also one that signals its trajectory into super fine age-ability. Lemon…

Domaine Henri Boillot Meursault 1er Cru Clos Richemont

This is a more reductive and waxy showing compared to the bottle I had last year, with dried apricot, mango, and unripe peach notes layering the yellow citrus core. At first, this displays as a…

Morlet Family Vineyards Chardonnay Coup de Coeur

I've written quite a bit on this wine over the years. I mean, if you want quintessential domestic Chardonnay with all the quality marshmallowy lemon curd citrus peachy honey cream notes you could…

Hubert Lamy Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Clos de la Chateniere Blanc Vieilles Vignes

Though not as strikingly brilliant as previous performances, this bottle still had a nice uptick of energy and tension, with chalky minerality jump-roping with the white and higher-register yellow…

Domaine Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Mouchère

On initial opening, this was not really giving up the goods the way I would have liked. Compared to other showings of this wine (this vintage and others), this particular bottle was a bit linear and…

Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault Clos de la Barre

Showing some advanced nuttiness and demi-sec deep lemon flavors, but certainly not without requisite freshness and energy. There is a nice bead of acidity that keeps it all moving along, with faint…

Patrick Piuze Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent "QC"

An improved showing from last year, the QC shows another layer of succulence to match the medium-bodied lemony tang. The delivery is extremely balanced and surprisingly smooth, with a nicely placed…

Henri Germain et Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot Les Fairendes

This bottle was subdued and lacked some energy. The flavors were decent but not a lot of excitement. Germain has a bottle variation problem, so I wonder if this fell victim. A blasé performance.

Paul Pernot et ses Fils Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet

Bright and energized lemon and lime citrus, yuzu, white melon rind, travertine, and yellow pear notes make for a Grand Cru entrance that has class-worthy intensity and weight as well as an engaging…

Domaine Henri Boillot Bâtard-Montrachet

Balanced and seamless are the two most apt descriptors here, with an almost creamy texture that glides the luscious lemon flavors along the palate with graceful cadence. This is not an especially…

Doyard Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut Clos de l'Abbaye

There is an herbal tinge lifting this Champagne into the next tier of complexity that I find extremely appealing. Freshly washed oregano and tarragon leaf aromas and flavors add nuance and…

Domaine Marc Morey & Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Virondot

A reductive kick in the face turns quickly into limey fresh goodness that completely grabs ahold of the palate and doesn't let go. A ton of energy and quite a bit of muscle behind the vivacious…

Paul Pernot et ses Fils Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Folatières

Very similar to the 2018, this year-younger brother is full of pithy and limey vigor, with notable persistence and a zingy-tart delivery that offers pogo stick flavor punching on through the vibrant…

Doyard Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut Clos de l'Abbaye

A decisive and formidable hit of fresh herbs (tarragon, Italian parsley, mint) unloads from the front end push on the initial pop of the cork, with a clay/mineral-driven streak slicing directly…

Paul Pernot et ses Fils Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chalumeaux

Spun up til sun up, this is all lemon juice and chalk right now. Decanted for three hours, shake-and-bake'd like a Ricky Bobby rag doll, and dropkicked across the hall in hopes of bustin' out some…

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Chaillots Gillis

After digging into my recent arrivals of Maillart Champagne, I decided to try the 2017 Jolivettes, 2017 Mont Martin, and 2014 Chaillots Gillis. Punchline: Anyone who is holding these bottles should…

Domaine des Malandes Chablis 1er Cru Montmains Vieilles Vignes

Much improved from my last experience with this wine. More focus and intensity than its sibling 2018 Malandes Vau de Vey (served beside it), this Montmains delivers a notable green and yellow fruit…

Domaine des Malandes Chablis 1er Cru Vau de Vey

This is a succulent little fruit buster, with a much-improved glide from my last go-around. An extra beam of lift and grip adds a bump of intensity and focus. Lemony and slightly rich, but with a…