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…
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…
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…
Honey and apple cider on the nose. On the palate, the torched orange peel and baked red apple notes are strong with this bottle. Honey and oxidative flavors encompass the profile, injecting a more…
These are settling into a beautiful rhythm of deep grilled lemon, poached pear, sea salt, olive oil, yuzu, and limestone flavors. Succulent and full, with micro-oxidative elements that add depth and…
A smoother ride than last year's bottle from the same batch, this is coming into a nice window; no blocky edges here, as was the case previously. Lemon and yuzu flavors are complimented by olive oil…
This is the last of these bottles from the cellar. Again, the red apple flesh and juice notes dominate the profile. It's quite tasty, and still maintains all the requisite freshness and focus to make…
There is a compounding richness here that balances volume with lift and freshness, maintaining a steady equilibrium that provides perfect weight with drive. The hallmark chestnut and peach notes are…
Baked apples and spices lead the charge, with honey, limestone, grilled lemon, ginger, quince, and Rainier cherry filling in the profile. In a lovely spot now, with solid freshness and focus. Never…
In a great spot right now, straddling freshness with some mature and oxidized notes. Some nice ginger spice in the foreground, pushing grilled lemon, quince, cardamom, and yellow pear flesh flavors…
There is admirable energy and zing here, complimented by richer pear and lemon flavors. The delivery is slightly angular on the finish at first pop, softening with time in the glass. Still working on…
Strong red apple, grilled lemon, and olive oil flavors dominate, with limestone, cardamom, ginger, and yellow pear skin notes adding complexity and interest. Medium intensity and girth here, but a…
This bottle has more of a wet stone and honeydew melon rind thing going on with it at first pass, until it then turns more into a yellow animal after an hour or so of air. Once settled, it shows some…
Followed over the course of four days. This was actually at its most interesting on the fourth day. Deeper orange and grapefruit notes emerge, while still retaining some of its signature crunchy…
I still think this is a solid Champagne. I'm liking Bereche's BdBs more than their BdNs these days (though Cran is usually very compelling). In fact, I have often favored their 1er Cru over their GC…
Somewhat surprisingly, this is my least favorite vintage of Mailly. I thought the 2013 and 2016 were especially good, with the 2017 trailing a distant third. The 2017 actually tops this 2018, at…
Just as fresh and balanced as the bottle I had at the domaine last year, with perhaps a touch more depth and expansion here, the 2020 is a solid performer and one of my go-to wines in the Bereche…
This bottle was solid and sound. Poached pear, grilled lemon, limestone, Mirabelle plum, orange rind, red apple flesh, and olive oil notes work in unison with more lifted elements of chalk, white…
Initially, this appears like it's going to be a little too light on its feet, as its seemingly delicate translucence forecasts a wine that will be lacking stuffing. Not so, it turns out, as this…
This initially sachets in with a veil of funk that dances over the fruit expression for the first 10-15 minutes, but then it comes into form rather quickly, offering succulent lemon and mandarin…
Pours a beautiful golden hue, with the slightest salmon tinge around the edges. Bubbles are especially delicate and fine, almost fragile in their appearance.
Lime and lychee powers activate! A beautiful combination of zing and flavor expansion. There is a nice fullness to the profile here that adds concentration and depth to an otherwise energetic BdB. I…
This is essentially a Pinot version of Bereche's Cramant Grand Cru, with a near identical composure and delivery of flavor. A bit more golden apple, honey, and poached pear here, with a seamless…