Wine Doctrine
Every tasting note

Reviews

5,916 notes

2024

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Calixtro Tench Vineyard

Napa Valley · Oakville

Distinctly Tench in style, with black and red cherry, black and red licorice, dust, crushed roses, red rock, and spice, the Calixtro is a young pup for sure, but it is swirling with fun flavors.…

Reviewed 5 July 2026
2018

Paul Lato Syrah Il Padrino Bien Nacido Vineyard

Central Coast · Santa Maria Valley

Salty charcuterie, olive, red and purple plum, river rock, and red and black cherry notes make for a cooler presentation of flavor. Meaty in style, but not overt or loud in its production and…

Reviewed 5 July 2026
2008

Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge

Médoc · Margaux

Black and red cherry, muddled strawberry, tobacco leaf, cedar, and earth. A fine food wine, but a bit mushroomy for my taste. Lacks depth and profundity. Medium-minus on the finish. Drink now.

Reviewed 5 July 2026
2008

Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select

Napa Valley · Stags Leap District

A solid performance with this particular bottle. Decanted for a few hours, which really allowed the firm tannins to soften and the black fruit and obsidian notes to emerge. No green peppercorn or…

Reviewed 5 July 2026
2019

David Leclapart Champagne Premier Cru Cuvée L'Aphrodisiaque

Champagne · Premier Cru

Ginger, spice, pear, grilled lemon, honey, coriander, and yellow and red apple flavors delivering a distinctly Pinot Noir-driven profile. Notable intensity, but cradled by a finesse that seems to be…

Reviewed 5 July 2026
2023

Aubert Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard

Sonoma County · Russian River Valley

Continuing to come together nicely since my last sample, the 2023 Eastside is still more of a gourmand experience, especially when comparing it to previous vintages. There is certainly adequate…

Reviewed 5 July 2026
2021

Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Initially served a bit too cold, muting the yellow citrus fruit flavors, but as it comes around to standard cellar temperature, this sample slowly unveils white melon, crème fraiche, lemon curd, and…

Reviewed 5 July 2026
2018

Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros

Chablis · Grand Cru

A shy and somewhat muted performance, with some subtle lemon and lime flavors, but otherwise a bit boring. Diluted finish. Better as it warmed up and with food.

Reviewed 5 July 2026
NV

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Roc Solare

France · Champagne

Best bottle of this disgorgement so far. Perfect combination of fresh lemon, pear, and melon notes along with kisses of honey and spice. Persistent length, with props for elegant balance and depth.

Reviewed 4 July 2026
2022

Vincent Cuillier Champagne Chemin des Rois - Brut Nature

France · Champagne

Day 1: As soon as this hits the palate, it is instantly tight and linear, with a white mineral profile that comes off as all suds and chalk. Skeletal and angular. The fruit expression is extremely…

Reviewed 3 July 2026
2018

Huré Frères Champagne L'Inattendue Blanc de Blancs

France · Champagne

Again, a performance marked by freshness, the 2018 offers both white rock-infused energy and white/yellow melon, lemon pith, and crunchy green, white, and yellow pear fruit notes that give some…

Reviewed 29 June 2026
2016

Ultramarine Blanc de Blancs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Broad and ripe, but also focused and framed, this bottle of the 2016 Heintz is full of lemon and yeast flavors that are indeed forward, but balanced and measured in overall intensity and volume.…

Reviewed 27 June 2026
NV

Huré Frères Champagne L'Insouciance

France · Champagne

This 2021 base is a bit more anemic and boney than the 2020 base I had recently. Crunchy strawberry and chalk dominate. The 2020 also had 4.5 g/L dosage (compared to 4 here). The 2021 is best with…

Reviewed 25 June 2026
2013

Bérêche et Fils Champagne Premier Cru Le Cran

Champagne · Premier Cru

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…

Reviewed 22 June 2026
2018

Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Blanc de Blancs Heurtebise

France · Champagne

This version was a later disgorgement date and higher dosage than previous bottles (June vs April; 4g vs 3g). Although it displayed nearly the same profile as its former siblings, this bottle was a…

Reviewed 19 June 2026
2018

Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Chemin de Reims

France · Champagne

Last bottle of this from the cellar, with a later disgorgement date and higher dosage than previous bottles (June vs April; 4g vs 3g). Similar profile, with spiced apple cider (but not cidery at…

Reviewed 18 June 2026