Reviews

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 171eme

This go-around, the 171 was inched out by a Dhondt Roc Solare. It was close, and the Krug and Dhondt's profiles were extremely similar, but the group agreed the Dhondt carried a bit more freshness…

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Roc Solare

This inched out a Krug 171 and 2016 Leclerc Briant Blanc de Meuniers. It was all close, and the Krug and Dhondt's profiles were extremely similar, but the group agreed the Dhondt carried a bit more…

David Leclapart Champagne Premier Cru L'Astre Blanc de Noirs Pas Dosé

100% Pinot Noir 1er cru from Trépail, the L'Astre shows stylistic similarities to it brawnier brother L'Aphrodisiaque, though L'Astre's barrel spice is a little less overtly pronounced and leading,…

David Leclapart Champagne Premier Cru L'Astre Blanc de Noirs Pas Dosé

100% Pinot Noir 1er cru from Trépail, the L'Astre shows stylistic similarities to it brawnier brother L'Aphrodisiaque, though L'Astre's barrel spice is a little less overtly pronounced and leading,…

Miani Sauvignon

Although this was certainly an outlier amongst a group of Chardonnay-heavy competition, the Miani offers an eyebrow-raising punch of lemon verbena, yellow and white melon, grass, lychee, unripe…

Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils Chablis Grand Cru Valmur

Yellow citrus and pear flavors make for a medium-intensity delivery, with solid lift and tension to elevate the lemony-lime fruit. Green streak of limestone, green pear, and green apple flesh inject…

00 Wines Chardonnay Seven Springs Vineyard

This was a brassier showing than the previous bottle I'd sampled, especially given the fact that it was served blind amongst waaaay fresher Chardonnay profiles, which only exacerbated the perception…

Walter Scott Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard

The reduction was super strong on this bottle and robbed the fruit of any chance of expansion. Hardboiled egg, lime, and lemon pith. Overdone and blown out to the point of no return for me. Jacked my…

Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles

Another solid performance, and the favored wine of the blind white flight, this is a strong vintage from Droin Grenouilles. Saline and iodine meet lemon-lime zing, delivered in perfect balance.…

Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc

In typical Leflaive fashion, the base model outperforms many of the otherwise higher-level whites that surround it. What lifts this and elevates its brightness above others is the wonderful acidity…

Faethm / Fingers Crossed Unanswered Prayers

This was a tough sell in a blind white tasting (mostly Chardonnay), as it came off super hot and burley compared to the more elegant Chardonnays in the lineup. This vintage is unfortunately my least…

VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

This comes off a bit disjointed at first pass, with an overly heavy and sluggish ripe/dark fruit front end and an angular and bitter tail. It is as if a cooler version is colliding with a hot…

Château Lafleur

Ah yes, there's that hallmark heroic nose that only Lafleur seems to be able to conjure up. Floral (violets) and freshly washed red and purple berries. The palate is full of Miami dance club pop. A…

Château Latour Grand Vin

LOCKED UP TIGHT BRO! Completely forget about these for another two decades. A tannic monster that is fully weaponized and ready for all out war. Glory is sure to be had one day, but that day is not…

BOND Vecina

This was tight and tannic, with a stern entry of crunchy berry, rock, and cedar notes. I kept coming back to this wine as it tried to relax its grip, but it wasn't giving up much of the goods. What…

BOND St. Eden

Soft earth-laced berries, red and black currant, plum, a slight kiss of mushroom, and leather notes make for a classical showing from a nicely aged wine. It's drinking time here, and seemingly at the…

Harlan Estate

Though this shows as a little yesteryear in performance, it is nonetheless an aptly alluring example, and one with which I wish I had spent a little more time. Slightly sluggish on entry, but with a…

Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut

I've written a decent amount on this vintage of Comtes. I like it quite a bit and find it representative of a solid young big house Champagne. That said, I need to keep hands off these for another…

Pierre Paillard Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Les Mottelettes

A solid BdB with accessible and giving lemon and melon flavors that both enliven and coat the palate. There are fullness and breadth here, with a travertine-laced delivery providing a sporty lift for…

Château d'Yquem

2001 vs. 2021 Yquem (from .375s).

Château d'Yquem

2001 vs. 2021 Yquem (from .375s).

Savart Champagne Premier Cru Le Mont des Chrétiens

Waaaay better than the ping-pongy bottle I had back in April, this shows quite a bit more refinement and balance. With air, it becomes fuller and more enveloping, with a beautiful kiss of subtle…

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Grand Cru Extra Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Cramant

Aggressive bubbles turn flat in the glass. Pours a beautiful deep golden yellow color. Muted nose. Front end is all stewed lemons. Back end is bitter alkaline and sour, burnished finish. Gets even…

Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Côte Bouguerots

This has gone from spun up and linear to just ok. It's medium everything and has a nice bead of acidity to back up the lemon-on-lemon profile, but it lacks any true fireworks. Some salinity and lime…

Philipponnat Champagne Extra Brut Clos des Goisses

A strong red apple flesh flavor dominates the profile, with burnished and brassy lemon/grilled lemon, yellow apple, walnut, red cherry, red grape, limestone, wet grated ginger, bark, and hints of…