Reviews

Dönnhoff Roxheimer Höllenpfad Riesling im Mühlenberg Großes Gewächs

Still not budging in terms of an enveloping flavor expansion. A very good bottle, but one to hold until after 2023+. Previous notes apply otherwise.

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Eeeeeeesh... What happened to my precious prefect Scarlett?!?!?!

Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon

Red and black raspberry, vanilla, red currant, and hints of scorched earth and espresso powder. A floral note briefly appears but then quickly dissipates. Smooth and fairly balanced on entry, but…

Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard

Still a huge monster that spits grit and sediment just as much as it thrusts out a concentrated core of blackberry, black cherry, and purple plum flavors. A push-pull delivery in its current state,…

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

Gorgeous depth of flavor, with succulent dark berry fruit coating the palate as it drops into a deep mid-glide and opens up even further and more opulent on the finish. Maintains focus throughout,…

Château Marquis d'Alesme

Punchy and lip-smacking on entry, with a vibrant sour cherry acidity encompassing a dark berry and graphite-injected core. Delivers with decent flavor expansion considering its youth, but its pulsing…

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

2015 base, with PM, PN, and Chard components in fairly even thirds. Brassy and at times a bit unpolished, but still maintained brightness and energy. Grilled lemon, red apple, roasted walnuts,…

Domaine Saint Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Auguste Favier

The initial nose only spits dusty cedar and some of grandma's dresser drawer at you, making you wish you could put the cork back in and pretend you didn't make this mistake for another 3-5+ years. On…

Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets

Lemon juice, unripe pineapple, honeysuckle, lemon seed, white pear pulp, and travertine. An exacting delivery and deliberate execution of flavors, with a serious, chiseled side to it that is…

Château Larcis Ducasse

Dark plum, black and dark red berry, black spices (clove, anise), bitter chocolate, black soil, and cedary earth. A gorgeous mid-palate and unctuous, concentrated mouthfeel, all the while maintaining…

Salmon Champagne Special Club

Light bronze color. Biscuit and olive oil notes surround the brassy yellow citrus core on initial entry. Medium effervescence that allows the flavors to expand mid-palate. Finishes with moderate…

Domaine Jean Chartron Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Pucelle

Higher pitched white-yellow citrus, apple skin, and pumice. Struggles to get true depth, but slowly unfolds its flavors to show signs of promise to come. Youthfully linear and primary for the most…

Mas de Boislauzon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Tintot

Brambly, wild dark berry, purple plum, licorice, cassis, and some peripheral garrigue and thyme notes make for an inviting and unctuous delivery of flavors that cruise effortlessly along the palate.…

Château Troplong Mondot

Dark berry fruit, Christmas spice, and earth show a prominent and dynamic presence throughout the full ride, delivering textural indulgence and a sexy mouthfeel that make for a smooth and sultry…

Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon

Not yum.

Uppercut Cabernet Sauvignon

Hilariously horrible. Served alongside a string of discount domestic wines that all should've been put in front of a firing squad as soon as they were born.

Domaine Jean Chartron Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos du Cailleret

Fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice, quince, unripe pineapple rind, white melon, limestone, and some pumice. Linear but focused and lively. A good mix of yellow and white fruit. Beautifully balanced,…

Château Pape Clément

Primary and linear flavors of black cherry, plum, red and black raspberry, and cassis make a punchy impression on the palate. The front end rides high initially and makes a decent stab at expansion,…

Château Pape Clément

From the first sip, this smooth operator was all about seductive elegance, strutting its silky stuff with a sexy refinement that checked both New and Old World boxes (though most Francophiles would…

Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers

An interesting dried apricot, floral, and almost soapy nose. On the palate, more dried apricot, fresh cut dry grass, acacia, lemon verbena, and wet white rock notes. Medium intensity, with air…

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

Sherry and brassy, burnt citrus notes dominate on the ultra-dry and and near-astringent execution. Some dried apricot, red apple skin, and cheap olive oil notes also emerged. Mid-palate stayed biting…

Domaine Jean Chartron Chassagne-Montrachet Les Benoites

Ultra clean and pure, with a beautifully balanced vibrancy that delivers higher toned yellow citrus flavors with thoughtfulness and hyper-clarity. Finishes fresh and refined.

Domaine François Mikulski Meursault

Went for a decant this time over the course of two-three hours. Didn't need it. I liked it punchy its first hour of consumption. Good stuff overall with bright and succulent yellow citrus flavors.…

Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Les Barres

Red apple, candied citrus peel, preserved Meyer lemon, raw ginger, honeycomb, wet limestone, olive oil, and Rainier cherry water. Slight lamp oil in texture, with a peripheral oxidized dynamic that…

Wente Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Nth Degree

Similar to my experience two years ago. Plum, currant, and some cedar. More of a flat delivery here, with a fruity core that struggles to expand or provide any layering. There's some plushness here,…