Reviews

Doyard Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut Clos de l'Abbaye

Of the 2015, I previously wrote, "Such a young pup, and a bit severe at first." This is equally true of this 2016 version, with a linear and somewhat angular delivery on the initial pop of the cork.…

Domaine Saint Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud

Checking in on this wine from a couple years ago, I found this to exhibit its best glide after a few hours in the decanter, where it had the opportunity to blow off its slightly boozy heat on the…

Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses

Allow me to start out a little backwards here in terms of my comments (what else is new?...right?!). I know it's sometimes frowned upon to talk about pricing and QPR and folks just wanna know if the…

Château Léoville Las Cases

As soon as Napa-acclimated tasters (a category into which I likely fall) hear the word "classical" attributed to a wine's profile, they typically dismiss it as an overly lithe, red-currant and…

Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons

Proper, clean, pure, correct, and very well behaved, this is a flawless Chablis that has one main flaw... it lacks personality. The only fault to be had here is that I have trouble distinguishing…

The Third Twin Nuestra Señora del Tercer Gemelo The Third Twin Vineyard

Deeply pitched purple and black-red fruits ooze on to the palate, with an entry that is intense but controlled. With a few hours in the decanter, the flow is enhanced and the saturation pulsates with…

Emmanuel Brochet Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut (2015) Le Mont Benoit

Probably the best it has performed over the last couple of years, with a really nice balance of richness and tension. It's got a small nip on the tail that makes for a slightly edgy finish, but is…

Bevan Cellars EE Cuvée

Ok, so this bottle screams two words to me very distinctly and without equivocation: "Drink Now." It's a Charleston chewy prune purple drank and all, but it's pushing past its window (at least, this…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

With a silky-milkshakey entry, like a liquified raspberry nougat 3 Musketeers bar wrapped in a vanilla bean and caramel robe, this iteration of OG is a mix of oak and fruit that seemingly still need…

Jerome Blin Champagne La Pluchotte Extra Brut Rosé

This continues to be a go-to-all-day-long Rosé for me. Crisp strawberry, lemon juice, and orange rind/spray play tetherball with saline and travertine notes to make for an airy and spritely Rosé.…

Hubert Lamy Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Frionnes Blanc

With a markedly penetrating and borderline-shrill entry, the teeth clattering acidity subsides enough to allow vibrant and pure yellow citrus flavors to burst on the palate with verve and slaphappy…

Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles

Even better than last year, with more punch and zesty piquancy. Super fresh, with a citrusy finish that elongates the tail with snappy energy and lift. Lemon-lime flavors jumping around the mouth. A…

Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent

Bordering on Grand Cru quality here. Notable concentration and intensity. Succulent yellow citrus, sea salt, lime zest, and quince. Solid persistence. Drink now for the freshness and zing or hold for…

Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Bolgheri Superiore

This continues to impress, especially given the price point. My previous note applies, though this bottle was slightly stricter than 2.5 years ago when I last popped the cork here. It felt like it…

Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve

A straight skinny minny, with a diluted and "way-overly-classical" fringe profile that has the body of a Gamay, the brains of a Pinot Gri, and the stamina of a Lambrusco. Cedar, strawberry, red…

Herman Story Pinot Noir Smash City

If Dr. Pepper had an Adderall-addicted brother with a propensity for Lewis Black whiskey fits and kidnapping caracal kittens, it would be the 2020 Herman Story Pinot Noir Smash City...

Herman Story Petite Sirah First Time Caller

Dooooooooouuude. This. Is. A. Bruiser.

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Chaillots Gillis

In a great spot right now. Fresh and succulent. This can age and develop tertiary flavors of course, but why wait?!

Domaine Servin Chablis Grand Cru Bougros

Similar to last year's note. Very good QPR @$60-$70. Carries a really nice verve and citrus juice pop of energy. Medium bodied weight-wise, but has an extra tick of intensity that gives the finish an…

Faethm / Fingers Crossed Two Become One White

I suppose it must be this way, where one of the best white Rhone-styled wines I've had in recent memory is also one of the rarest. I suppose "one of a kind" can't be such if it's common, easily…

Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros

This is what I want and expect when I open a young bottle of a top Fevre. Vibrant and spunky, with green and yellow citrus fruit, crunchy green and yellow apple, unripe pear, and wet travertine…

Château L'Eglise-Clinet

Alluringly smooth and polished for such a young wine, the 2018 L'Eglise-Clinet shows purple and red berry fruit on the initial pull of the cork, primary and linear as one might expect, with a finish…

Château d'Yquem

I mean... It's Yquem. It's 2001. What's left to talk about?

E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis

Although I typically don't like to use the word "Burgundian" when describing any wine that isn't actually from Burgundy, especially a Syrah, I couldn't help but the utter the word to describe the…

Henri Germain et Fils Meursault 1er Cru Charmes

Previous note from last year still applies. Operating in a nice place for my palate. Fresh and a little serious, with a decent amount of body and weight to provide depth and concentration. Enough zip…