Reviews

Kinsman Eades Cabernet Sauvignon Anjea Sleeping Lady Vineyard

Big and unctuous, but with a silky finesse that made a 2018 Arkenstone Heimark served beside it look like a blackberry whiskey sour. the Anjea has that Nigel smooth edges thing going on that always…

Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon Heimark Vineyard

This bottle was a hot, massive, thick monster. Sticky and syrupy, with the high alcohol brambly blackberry cocktail delivery showing a full frontal exhibition of overt heat and power. Finishes like a…

Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant Extra Brut

This bottle was a later disgorgement than the previous 2013 Levant I had last year (September versus May, 2022), and consequently the best showing of this vintage so far. An extra layer of depth and…

Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge

A lot of powdered sugar and heavy confectionery elements jumping out at first pass here, with succulent lemon curd and marshmallow saturating the palate. The chewy yellow citrus flavors are a bit…

Joseph Phelps Insignia

A fair amount of funk on the nose gives way to a mild-mannered and sound delivery of cedar, tobacco, macerated cherry and plum, soil, sherry, and caramel notes. Slightly grainy on the finish, but…

Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Grand Cru Les Chemins d'Avize

This was my third time trying the 2016 Chemins d'Avize. My first bottle was at the Chateau - great! My second was at home - great! This third bottle was at a restaurant (I brought the bottle). This…

Huré Frères Champagne L'Inattendue Blanc de Blancs

A very charming wine, with notable chalky pep and freshness counterbalanced with hints of toasty elements that ultimately make for an easy sipper. Lemon and yellow pear notes are elevated by white…

Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

Honey and brioche notes dominate here, with yellow pear skin, wet granite, and olive oil flavors rounding out the profile. Finishes smooth and suave. Missing some of that limestone and prickly pear…

Jerome Blin Champagne Les Caillasses Brut Millésime

Significantly better than the previous bottle, which is kinda unfortunate since it yet again shows the crazy bottle variation with Blin. This bottle was sans the feral funk that the previous bottle…

Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

Poached pear, grilled lemon, and butterscotch. This bottle seemed more advanced than what it should be, with some oxidized notes I don't normally associate with a young Cristal, even in an otherwise…

Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut

I need to leave these alone for a decent tick of time. Heavy in the bread and yeast department, with a confection powdered sugar thing masking the white and yellow fruit. It is texturally luxurious,…

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

This bottle was much better than my confusing experience with this wine back in November. Today, the experience was akin to the bottle I had a year ago, where it was alive and kicking on the first…

Domaine des Malandes Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir

2018 and 2020 Malandes Vaudesir served side by side.

Domaine des Malandes Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir

2018 and 2020 Malandes Vaudesir served side by side.

David Leclapart Champagne Premier Cru Cuvée L'Aphrodisiaque

This has done well to resolve some of its angularity and brashness over the last year since my last bottle. Signature Leclapart barrel spice is complimented by energetic flavors of pear, lemon,…

Dom Pérignon Champagne

As before, green and yellow pear, yeast, lemon and lime juice and pith, limestone, and white and green melon notes dominate. Finishes flinty and yeasty, with the compelling green notes repeating (not…

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

This thing is on absolute fire today, with a fistful of energy and drive darting out the gates from the get-go. White fruited and racy initially on entry, but almost instantly giving way to more…

Jacques Selosse Initial

Served side by side with another Initial disgorged in 2024 (2018 base), this 2016 disgorgement (2010 base) shows more mature orange, golden raisin, and honey notes, with a slight downshift in energy…

Jacques Selosse Initial

This bottle once again affirms my affection for more recently disgorged versions of this wine. Served side by side with another Initial disgorged in 2016 (2010 base), this 2024 disgorgement (2018…

Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Hors Serie

As before, pear, cardamom, ginger, lemon, limestone, and olive oil notes all make for a compelling experience. The perfect amount of acid and cut to counterbalance the enveloping volume saturating…

Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Blanc de Blancs Heurtebise

This particular bottle was really torqued up and super linear on the first pass. More chalky and white fruited, with a chiseled profile that was night and day compared to the much more giving 2016…

Emmanuel Brochet Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut Le Mont Benoit

Red apple, apricot, honey, and pear notes are complimented by limestone and ginger flavors. The balance is notable, as is the bead of sophistication overlayed by a welcomed kiss of bark and funk from…

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

Best showing of this so far. A beautiful kiss of honey runs through the delivery, complimented by pear, lemon, and olive oil flavors. Finishes with a perfect beads of white travertine and limestone,…

Bérêche et Fils Champagne Premier Cru Le Cran

There is a compounding richness here that balances volume with lift and freshness, maintaining a steady equilibrium that provides perfect weight with drive. The hallmark chestnut and peach notes are…

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Nogers

In a beautiful spot right now, with both expressive and focused fruit expansion, this vintage of Nogers unfolds with lovely cadence and stride. The honey and mildly oxidative notes are supported by…