Reviews

Aubert Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard

Nicely balanced for this style, the 2023 Eastside carries succulent lemon curd, lemon butter, marshmallow, popcorn, marzipan, crème fraiche, yellow pear, and quince notes. With voluminous Aubert…

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Roc Solare

This is my first stab at the later disgorgement version of the 2021 base Roc Solare, also with .5g/L dosage less than previous bottles (see specs below).

Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Hors Serie

Half the bottle open decanted for two hours vs. half the bottle left in-bottle. Though the decanted version was certainly more relaxed and approachable, I found the sample directly from the bottle to…

Adrien Dhondt Champagne Grand Cru Les Potées Le Mesnil-sur-Oger

Bangin' again! Excellent volume-to-freshness ratio and balance. A lot of lemon and crème fraiche jumping off here, with similar but more serious elements of lemon juice/zest/pith, white…

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 169eme

169eme. 2013 base (60%). 2012-2000 (40%). A total blend of 146 reserve wines dating back to 2000. 43% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 22% Meunier.

Château d'Yquem

Unctuous, but with youthful focus and lift, the 2022 is a crème brûlée's BFF. I would say this comes off a bit more honeyed and viscous than, for example, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2017, and perhaps more…

Sine Qua Non Distenta White II

Like a 2020 Fingers Crossed White served next to it, the SQN performed well, if but a bit static and horizontal across the attack throughout consumption. There was a nice sense of depth that emerged…

Faethm / Fingers Crossed Head Held High White

This bottle was fine and all, with melon rind freshness and yellow citrus lift that adds to the yellow and white pear flavors, but it stays middle of the road in terms of depth. Slightly superficial…

Dom Pérignon Champagne

2012/2013 Cristal versus Dom P.

Dom Pérignon Champagne

2012/2013 Cristal versus Dom P.

Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

2012/2013 Cristal versus Dom P.

Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

2012/2013 Cristal versus Dom P.

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc

Butterscotch, apricot, honey, and orange blossom. A compelling wine, and though on the downswing of its evolution, it carries the perfect balance of savory, ripeness, and dry elements that all make…

E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque

This needs more time, but I'll say it is certainly compelling juice. Linear in presentation, but with enough beautiful fruit to offer a savory and mouth-filling experience. Clamps up a bit on the…

E. Guigal Ermitage Ex-Voto

A solid showing from a pristine bottle, this outshined a 2003 Chave and 2015 La Turque, especially given the focus and directional energy carried by the Ex Voto. Smokey and meaty, but with…

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage

A beautiful expression, with meaty jerky and salami flavors intermingling wonderfully with black-red fruit. Leather, garrigue, mushroom, muddled strawberry, black cherry, red and black currant, and…

Kinsman Eades Syrah Aberro White Hawk Vineyard

Plush fruit, but harnessed and slightly muted overall. A cool feeling to it, with purple-black fruit and not much perception of heat. Round on the back end, but with a finish that maintains focus and…

Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo

As before, brooding and almost rustic at first pass, but probably the most interesting Cabernet at the table, this MG impresses with some pyrazine and soil driven elements that help to lift the dark…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Side by side next to the 2022 Myriad TK.

Bergman Proprietary Red Wine

Blind.

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

Blind.

Bella Oaks Vineyard Proprietary Red

Blind.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Blind.

Tusk Estates L'Orange

Blind.

Domaine Henri Boillot Meursault 1er Cru Clos Richemont

Super reductive, showing front-loaded richness and a brawny, shouldery execution. Lemon curd, buttered popcorn, matchstick head, barrel spice, yellow pear skin, yuzu, and salt rock. The 14.5% ABV…