Reviews

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Roc Solare

This Champagne still Rocs (see what I did there.? Lame, right?!). It presents as young and vibrant, and even a bit linear, but then some of its oxidative notes allow yuzu and umami characteristics to…

Roses de Jeanne / Cédric Bouchard Champagne Blanc de Noirs Cote de Bechalin

Red apple, golden raisin, olive oil, grilled lemon, ginger, dried apricot, and limestone notes present as caressing and smooth on the palate. Medium intensity and even a bit soft on the finish. This…

Georges Laval Champagne Premier Cru Brut Nature Les Chênes

Bright and clean, the Les Chenes shoots an attractive bolt of crisp green and yellow apple and pear, wet limestone, honeydew rind, quince, lime juice, chalk, travertine, and sea spray notes in a…

David Leclapart Champagne Premier Cru L'Apôtre Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut

Best performance from these bottles yet (my last bottle). The nose is pure honeycomb. The palate reflects the honeyed note (completely dry; not sweet, but perfectly succulent), with sherry, grilled…

Leclerc Briant Champagne Grand Cru Grand Blanc Brut Zéro Blanc de Blancs

Broad and deep, as mentioned in my previous notes, this is a gourmand experience, with a rich and ripe yellow pear, honeyed lemon, and lemon confit core that fully envelopes the palate.

Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut

Even for a basic, it's way too basic, and unfortunately sluggish as well. It gains points for not being overtly sweet and confectionery I suppose, but it's a bulbous dollop of honeyed lemon and…

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 171eme

Still just as spritely as the last bottle I had a couple years ago in Bordeaux, the 171 has an admirable electricity that lifts its flavors now and also signals a wine that can age. Those hallmark…

Girard-Bonnet Champagne Grand Cru Mon Village

This is an easy sipper that balances deeper lemon and stone fruit notes with mineral and subtle floral elements, which makes for a solid breadth of flavor throughout the attack. Medium density, with…

Adrien Dhondt Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Chetillon de Haut

The most oxidized (in the best and most judicious of ways), spiciest, and densest of all the Champagne from Adrien Dhondt's namesake label, the 2019 Chetillon du Haut is a beautifully crafted wine…

Elise Dechannes Chardonnay Champagne Brut Nature

Steely, clean, bitingly fresh, and hyper-chiseled, this is a Chardonnay that spits high-register lemon and lime juice and pith, chalk, hard unripe pear, and crunchy white melon rind notes straight to…

Elise Dechannes Pinot Noir Champagne

Fresh and clean, with cherry water and rye notes making for a sterile and linear profile. The equilibrium is sound, but there is little expansion or depth to be had. Too far of a swing to the…

Bérêche et Fils Champagne Premier Cru Les Beaux Regards

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…

Palisades Canyon Chenin Blanc

Creamy lemon, creme fraiche, and cut grass. The acidity creeps up on the back end making for both a popping and smooth profile. Finishes round and slightly milky.

Palisades Canyon Petite Sirah

Charcoal, blackberry, and a little booze on the back end. A little warmer (room) temperature leveled out the finish. Cooling off would regain focus; so, I recommend this at cellar temperature.…

Palisades Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon

95.2% Cab, 4.6% Cab Franc, 0.2% PV.

Promontory

My exact notes read, "Super fresh! Finish is uber-puckery and higher toned, but some black fruit comes in and levels it off nicely. An elegant and beautiful profile. Young, flamboyant, and exciting,…

Promontory Penultimate

My notes read, "Muted and COOLER in profile; linear but still approachable. A serious side with an affable one too. Blacker style; currant and black cherry." Missing the extra layer of the flagship…

Promontory

Fresh but also brooding and dark fruit. Acid and tannin management throughout consumption are near-perfect. My exact notes read, "Richness and density with superior freshness." Any time a wine can…

Promontory

Even more thin and diluted than the bottle I had previously (which was from magnum, which might explain the better showing before). Red and black fruit make for a very pretty wine, but noticeably…

Promontory

Barrel sample. Snappy poppy cherry. Pucker factor is ultra high here. Super high-toned purple red licorice. Pure and fresh. Picked before the heat spikes. Might be one of the few 2022s worth checking…

Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard

A compelling nose, with spice and crunchy red and black cherry, cinnamon, salami, and red currant notes dominating. Earth and spice notes slowly come into form, making for a full mouthfeel and…

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

From Magnum. Disgorged April 2020.

Château Larcis Ducasse

A better showing than a few months ago, this bottle was fresher and more focused. It still seems to be straining for a full depth of flavor, so perhaps more time in bottle is needed. It's very lifted…

Château Cos d'Estournel

Instantly captivating, with beautiful tobacco, leather, macerated plum, and orange rind flavors that roll across the palate with classicism and sophistication. Super fresh and fully mature, with no…

Fairest Creature Cabernet Sauvignon Flow State

Purple plum, vanilla, powdered sugar, and red cherry. Medium bodied with a finish that fades fairly quickly.