Reviews

Henri Boillot Bourgogne Blanc

A well made Bourgogne, with predictable yellow citrus, unripe stone fruit, and some white rock notes delivered in a somewhat powerful unfolding of medium+ flavors. Finishes a little abrasive and…

Jean et Sébastien Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru Séchet

Deeply pitched and showing a slightly more advanced flavor profile than expected, the Sechet displays notably balanced and medium intensity grilled lemon, clementine, olive oil, and river rock notes.…

Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

From magnum. This is pretty much in pineapple syrup territory for me at this juncture. Viscous and potent, with nutty and dark overtones that wax the palate and become sludgy on the finish.

Domaine Jean Chartron Chassagne-Montrachet Les Benoites

Clean and lean, with a sanitized delivery of fairly predictable yellow citrus and white stone flavors that are surely tasty, but a bit uninteresting to me overall. Lacks some intensity and…

Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée

A beautifully smooth and creamy Romanee, now showing a more succulent side than previous more spunky bottles. In an agreeable drinking window now, though I personally miss some of the extra zip and…

Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant Extra Brut

Flawed. A bitter 9V battery note bore down on the steely stone and lemon notes desperately trying to claw through. The would-be flavors became caught in the crossfire of the astringent oxidation that…

Pierre Péters Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Speciale Blanc de Blancs Les Chetillons

Well isn't this a nice surprise. From magnum, the 2008 Chetillons is fully in charge of its spritz and lively demeanor, with high-fiving flavors confidently (and powerfully) parading across the…

Billecart-Salmon Champagne Grand Cru Louis Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs

A medium delivery of flavor all the way around. Pleasant and surely gulpable, this gave a little engine that could delivery but got lost in the shuffle due to its seeming lack of identifiable…

Ultramarine Blanc de Blancs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

A smooth operator, the Ultramarine was rolling out all sorts of lemony goodness. Vibrancy and effervescence were on-point, as were the balanced and ever-expanding execution of flavor. This is missing…

Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils Chablis

Solid performance as always. Fresh and lemon-lime driven, with green apple, quince, and wet limestone notes adding to the profile. Flirts with 1er Cru energy and tension. One of the better base model…

Domaine des Malandes Chablis 1er Cru Montmains Vieilles Vignes

Continuing to drink great. A little hint of the exotic/tropical adds interest and depth. In a perfect place right now. Serve a little warmer than refrigerator temperature but cooler than cellar…

Domaine des Malandes Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume Vieilles Vignes

A great lemony sipper that over-delivers for the price point. Similar performance as six months ago. Drink now and over the next few years.

Olivier Leflaive Auxey-Duresses Blanc

Very similar to the 2016, this year-younger sibling performs with party-boat lemony yellow citrus affableness that quenches a dry palate on an even drier and hot day. A nearer-term drinker for sure…

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

This was a powerful showing, with some of its brawn really coming to the party early on (and staying for a while) before loosening-up its flex and allowing the yellow citrus and white stone elements…

Domaine Darviot-Perrin Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières

This is consistently one of the best Meursault Perrieres I've ever had. It has everything I want in a white Burg from this region. Zippy and fresh lemon-lime Squirt citrus zest (reminding me more of…

Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos

In a perfect drinking window. So tasty and alluring. Notable depth and Grand Cru intensity, this Les Clos delivers exactly what I want from this site and this producer. Lovely lemony succulence with…

Morlet Family Vineyards Chardonnay Ma Princesse

Still plump with vanillin lemon curd on the front end, with the luscious components outweighing much precision or delineation of flavor. Comes off a bit ripe. Served next to a 2016 Vice Versa Platt…

Domaine des Malandes Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu

A perfect Monday evening sipper, with fresh and salivating yellow citrus and white melon rind notes that hop around the palate, finishing with a soft limestone flavor that adds interest. There's…

Patrick Piuze Chablis 1er Cru Les Séchets

Similar to last year. The 2017 has more punch and tension next to this 2018 - not surprising given the comparative vintage characteristics. This still has enough speed, freshness, and grip to keep…

Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant Extra Brut

Apple pie filling, bruised lemon rind, quince, copper, and olive oil notes make for a subtly oxidative style that still maintains balanced freshness. This has a fuller and lusher side while also…

Patrick Piuze Chablis 1er Cru Les Séchets

A gorgeous and punchy Chablis, with notable gravitas that extols its 1er cru class with confident depth and sophistication. The weight here is perfectly balanced with the lemon juice and Squirt…

Domaine Louis Michel Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir

This is a beautiful bottle of wine, but the house style here still continues to perplex me just a bit, as I find it to come off as a more strict interpretation of a Grand Cru Chablis. Nothing wrong…

Domaine / Maison Vincent Girardin Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes

An interesting expression of Chardonnay, with more mature and somewhat oxidized notes of apricot, grilled lemon, and olive oil. Holds just enough freshness to provide lift for the more brassy…

Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc Les Sétilles

Same as last year. A fuller version when compared to the 2017, but quite flavorful and fun. Lemon and white melon notes play well with a faint infusion of vanilla and white rock. Super smooth but…

Domaine François Mikulski Meursault 1er Cru Charmes

Struck matchstick reduction dominates, with lemon drop, cantaloupe rind, and white peach pushing to get attention. Broad shouldered and slightly clunky right now; unresolved and looking to find a…