Retail $60. Exceedingly Heavy Bottle (). 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier. This was one of the 200(+?) wines at the Wine Spectator Wine Experience in New Orleans and the winery's representatives suggested that I take a couple bottles of this wine. Um. OK? Quite nutty in the glass: macadamia, almond, and perhaps walnut on the nose with a touch of citrus and pear. Lovely. The palate is tart, rich, and quite yeasty. Outstanding. 93 Points.
Retail $22. Exceedingly Heavy Bottle (). 92% Chardonnay, 8% Pinot Noir. I first tasted this wine as part of the Third Annual Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine and I loved it (92 Points). This iteration? Certainly solid with plenty of green apple, baked pear, and a significant salinity. The palate is tart and lively, with green apple and bruised pear, a vibrant sparkle, and a hefty verve. Yeah, I know there is a ton of this made, but that is not a disqualifier, this is pretty stellar. 90 Points.
$100. Very Heavy Bottle (738g; 1lb 10oz). 100% Cabernet from Rockpile. When you see Rockpile it is A. Probably expensive and B. Probably really good. I would argue that Rockpile is coming close to American Grand Cru status, sitting above Lake Sonoma at 1300-1500 feet, it consistently produces some of the best Zinfandel and Cabernet in the entire county. And this follows that thinking. Plenty dark in the glass with spice, fruit, vanilla, and a floral aspect that sets this wine apart from the rest of the already stellar Merriam line-up. The palate continues along with the theme: rich, even unctuous fruit, plenty of body and depth, and an acidity that starts up front and continues right on through the finish. Yowza. Fantastic. 96 Points.
4/22/2024 5:14:00 AM - Looks like the community of wine loving cyclists is bigger than I thought! Love to follow you on Strava as well. How might I find you there?
3/10/2024 9:58:00 PM - Hello The-Drunken-Cyclist !!!
Thanks for honoring me by becoming a friend and a fan.
We share love for wine and bike (MBK and road).
Started reading your blog and I enjoy it.
I often visit wine regions in France, Italy, Spain and Germany - as I speak the languages in addition to loving these wines - led my friends on over 40 wine-tours in these countries.
I visit NYC twice per year, next time from May 25th till June 16. If, by any chance you plan to visit NYC during this period it'll be great meeting and enjoying wine together.
You can get my email from CT support.
Best regards , Yagil
7/25/2023 11:06:00 AM - One of my go to reviewers...expertise without arrogance. I have purchased and enjoyed many a bottle that he has reviewed and will continue to follow. Undeservedly he became a "fan" of mine and while it is unwarranted it is appreciated.
6/13/2023 5:27:00 AM - First thing this morning - watched somewhere around 8 sabering episodes. I can't explain it, but as soon as the stores can sell cheap sparkling wine....
10/25/2022 10:13:00 AM - Thanks for becoming a friend and a fan. Flattering on both counts. Love the name of your blog and the adventuresome journey you have made pursuing your passions. I look forward to reading the blog.
10/5/2021 11:45:00 AM - Hi Drunken Cyclist,
I read your dream is Salon 1959. We had from Magnum together with Cristal 1959, Salon was great great but Cristal 1959 was mindblowing.. Cheers and thanks for sharing TN
10/4/2021 12:26:00 PM - Thanks for friending me! I've read a lot of your tasting notes and feel like I already almost know you. So it was a surprise just now, considering that I've read so many of your notes, that we have about the same total cellar count and have posted about the same number of tasting notes to compare "bottles in common". I thought it would be dozens. No, only 7 or 8. Crazy. :) But still, glad to meet you, and thanks.
2/16/2021 5:41:00 PM - @Vintage1949 Ha! It was a little wobbly! In fact, that is not even my bike--moments before, my rack collapsed off of my bike with all this wine on it so I had to transfer it to a client's bike to get it back to the hotel! Needless to say, he earned a nice bottle for the effort...
1/17/2021 12:46:00 PM - Yes. Very much loved this wine/1st time I've had it actually. One topic of conversation that my group had over this wine was how infrequently we drink these white CdPs, regrettably...Need to change that. Cheers
10/13/2020 12:19:00 AM - Hi!
Wow, so nice of you to get back to me (whatever the outcome is).
I still am looking for the Rare 1990 Yes and would be fantastic to get a hold of one (or more, never any problem with more Champagne;)
Just tell me if you would like to communicate in another way.
Thanks for helping me in the hunt
Best Regards
Jim
8/31/2020 4:34:00 AM - Actually we'll be staying on the Côte de Blancs (I'm a long-time admirer of Diebolt-Vallois in Cramant) and just spending the afternoon in Bouzy. Intrigued by Benôit Lahaye, but can't find any info or contact details other than his address, so will probably end up just knocking on the door.
8/26/2020 1:53:00 AM - Enjoyed reading through your Champagne TNs this morning. Thanks, especially for your remarks about aged vintage BdB (if only I had bought several cases of Diebolt-Vallois 2006 back in the day...)
We're hoping to have a couple of days in the region next month, and intend to follow up on some of the small producers you mention, especially the Clouets in Bouzy. Have you tried anything from Paul Bara? Really enjoyed everything I've had from him so far.
Finally: I smiled on seeing that you have posted 3.792 TNs; as of last night I had reached 3.793, so allowing for the time difference between Germany and Texas we're running neck and neck!
NV Alfred Gratien Champagne Brut
5/8/2024 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 93 Points
Retail $60. Exceedingly Heavy Bottle (). 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier. This was one of the 200(+?) wines at the Wine Spectator Wine Experience in New Orleans and the winery's representatives suggested that I take a couple bottles of this wine. Um. OK? Quite nutty in the glass: macadamia, almond, and perhaps walnut on the nose with a touch of citrus and pear. Lovely. The palate is tart, rich, and quite yeasty. Outstanding. 93 Points.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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NV Piper Sonoma Brut Réserve
5/8/2024 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 90 Points
Retail $22. Exceedingly Heavy Bottle (). 92% Chardonnay, 8% Pinot Noir. I first tasted this wine as part of the Third Annual Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine and I loved it (92 Points). This iteration? Certainly solid with plenty of green apple, baked pear, and a significant salinity. The palate is tart and lively, with green apple and bruised pear, a vibrant sparkle, and a hefty verve. Yeah, I know there is a ton of this made, but that is not a disqualifier, this is pretty stellar. 90 Points.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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2019 Merriam Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Gloeckner Turner Ranch
5/8/2024 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 96 Points
$100. Very Heavy Bottle (738g; 1lb 10oz). 100% Cabernet from Rockpile. When you see Rockpile it is A. Probably expensive and B. Probably really good. I would argue that Rockpile is coming close to American Grand Cru status, sitting above Lake Sonoma at 1300-1500 feet, it consistently produces some of the best Zinfandel and Cabernet in the entire county. And this follows that thinking. Plenty dark in the glass with spice, fruit, vanilla, and a floral aspect that sets this wine apart from the rest of the already stellar Merriam line-up. The palate continues along with the theme: rich, even unctuous fruit, plenty of body and depth, and an acidity that starts up front and continues right on through the finish. Yowza. Fantastic. 96 Points.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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