Honestly, probably best descriptors I can give for this wine are like a combo of Chablis and Meursault…sort of combines the textural opulence of your typical CdB with the steeliness and salinity of your typical Chablis style chards…liked this wine, and no doubt this style will hit with some, but I sort of like each separately rather than combined. Blind, there is no way I’d peg this as Chablis. Good but not great imo
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Surprisingly open for a 2019 with razor sharp focus - intensely citrus driven…nose of fresh linen, ripe pears, sea spray, with dominant flavors of lime zest, white peach, and stone fruits (some light herbal and floral undertones), framed by racy acids and a mineral core. Dance like a butterfly, sting like a bee….
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Not a huge champagne person, but this was quite nice. I prefer less carbonation, so let this one sit out a bit and also warm up a bit to closer to room temp. I actually preferred it this way with smaller bubbles and a more expansive palate experience for me. Brioche, baked apple pie, crushed rock minerality with hints of citrus and nuttiness. Actually a fantastic pairing with some white sauced pizza with mild flavors. Far from an experienced champagne taster, but I’d happily purchase again.
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5/5/2017 6:25:00 PM - Hi J, thanks for the comment. The bottle I had was purchased on release and cellared by me in perfect conditions, so now I am worried that the store I bought from had the wine shipped to the store (in SF) in a non-refrigerated container. A bummer, because my other two bottles came from the same store.
8/26/2016 3:00:00 PM - Hi J. Thanks for the kind words. As far as 2013 versus 2014 vintages (given just some of the 2014s I've had thus far), I would agree with most winemakers in Napa Valley I've spoken with who have dubbed 2014 as sort of a hybrid of 2012 and 2013. I believe the 2014 vintage is expressing itself most similar to 2012 in that the young wines (talking in terms of Napa Cabernets here) are fruit-driven and a bit flamboyant. Akin to 2012, 2014 is no coward to big fruit. Also though, of the 2014s I've had, I've found a nice structural component (sweet tannic backbone) that I was always worried about not fully forming in some of the 2012s - Much like 2007, where the fruit was unbelievably fat and plush, but over time, stands to become a bit muddled without the proper frame to hold up all that amazing fruit. The 2014s seem to exhibit nice framework in addition to that fruit (a very good thing).
For me, the 2014s are drinking better younger in terms of expression and accessibility than their 2012 and 2013 equivalents were at the same age. In the end, I don't think 2014 is a throwaway vintage at all. 2013s are starting to really show some extraordinary intensity and depth, the likes of which I think 2014 wines will have a hard time competing with. But a few (the Carter OG and LPV wines in particular) are true standouts and may even rival the 2013s.
Of course, these are all just generalizations. And I'm just a lowly consumer. So many wines are made in different fashions each vintage; it's hard to paint a broad brush. But 2014 looks to be a vintage worth investing in with your favorite wineries. Honestly, I wouldn't expect to experience that 2013 intensity and "pow" from the 2014 wines necessarily, generally speaking, but I'd certainly stand by the notion that 2014 will do well in the cellar standing next to its 2012 and 2013 brethren. And 2015 looks to be great as well (thank that drought for that). Anyway, that's my best 2 cents at the moment though. Cheers!
2020 Roland Lavantureux Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir
4/18/2024 - J_Smallwood Likes this wine: 90 Points
Honestly, probably best descriptors I can give for this wine are like a combo of Chablis and Meursault…sort of combines the textural opulence of your typical CdB with the steeliness and salinity of your typical Chablis style chards…liked this wine, and no doubt this style will hit with some, but I sort of like each separately rather than combined. Blind, there is no way I’d peg this as Chablis. Good but not great imo
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2019 Julian Haart Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett
4/9/2024 - J_Smallwood Likes this wine: 94 Points
Surprisingly open for a 2019 with razor sharp focus - intensely citrus driven…nose of fresh linen, ripe pears, sea spray, with dominant flavors of lime zest, white peach, and stone fruits (some light herbal and floral undertones), framed by racy acids and a mineral core. Dance like a butterfly, sting like a bee….
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2015 La Rogerie Champagne Grand Cru Heroine
4/7/2024 - J_Smallwood Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not a huge champagne person, but this was quite nice. I prefer less carbonation, so let this one sit out a bit and also warm up a bit to closer to room temp. I actually preferred it this way with smaller bubbles and a more expansive palate experience for me. Brioche, baked apple pie, crushed rock minerality with hints of citrus and nuttiness. Actually a fantastic pairing with some white sauced pizza with mild flavors. Far from an experienced champagne taster, but I’d happily purchase again.
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