Reviews

Jerome Blin Champagne Les Caillasses Brut Millésime

A year since my last bottle. A similar performance, with a big house Champagne feel to it, reminding me of a Krug without the plantain flavor that usually comes with that producer (I prefer this…

Roses de Jeanne / Cédric Bouchard Champagne Millésimé Blanc de Noirs Les Ursules

Another solid winner from the Bouchard lineage, the Ursules offers an impeccable representation of balance and equilibrium of flavor. Everything is properly in its place, with precision and focus…

Domaine des Rémizières Hermitage Blanc Cuvée Émilie

Similar to my note from last year. Indeed a bit more depth and expansion this go-around. Fresh and not too brassy, finishing beautifully dry but not so palate-sucking that it pulls away from offering…

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…

Marie-Courtin Champagne Efflorescence Extra Brut

Here's a helpful hint: Don't pop the cork and try to take this thing down immediately and expect it to deliver from jump. I'm finding it's best to give these plenty of aeration the same way one might…

Sine Qua Non Grenache Profuga

With an instant outpouring of savory and succulent black and red raspberry, cassis, purple plum, licorice, Christmas spices, soft soppressata, and hints of white pepper notes, the Profuga is a…

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.

Marie-Courtin Champagne Présence

I gave this another spin and spent more time allowing it to stretch its legs before rendering judgment. I feel like I "got it" more this time around, with the crisp, clean, and uber-crystalline…

Vice Versa Pinot Noir Platt Vineyard

It's been two years since my last bottle. Still a good amount of tension and acidic verve here to keep the party going for quite some time. The savory and meaty characteristics are poised for…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Night Children

It's been 2.5 years since my last having a bottle of this wine. Time has been very good to the Night Children, with an even more integrated sense of itself. Gushing wild black cherry, earthy and…

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…

Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Reserve

12/2019 since my last bottle. This is performing like a champ, but it needs a decent amount of air to truly unlock the complexities it is otherwise coveting. In fact, I imagine this wine will be…

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Actaeon Quixote Vineyard

It's been about 3.5 years since my last bottle of this. Well, when Pott strikes the perfect chord, he nails the notes right on cue without a doubt. This was a beautiful bottle of wine, needing just…

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…

Memento Mori Sauvignon Blanc

More tropical and round than previous bottles, this Sauvignon Blanc has quickly progressed and is on the downslope now. This was a bottle I shoulda killed last summer. Drain 'em if ya got 'em.

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…

Laherte Frères Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut Les Longues Voyes

I still struggle with this Champagne. There is an abrasive alkaline finish that accentuates an angularity to its flavor delivery. I'm surprised at the 4g/L dosage here, as it comes across not only…

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…

The Third Twin Nuestra Señora del Tercer Gemelo The Third Twin Vineyard

So, this was a wild ride of a wine, with a screaming baby and thundery boozy-blast start that luckily touches down at the right landing field after a succession of layovers and misconnections. I kept…

Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

This took a while to get to where it needed to be, but once it found its sense of place, it fell into a wonderfully balanced expansion of flavor. Small Coravin pours over the course of a week barely…

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…