Disgorged September 2011. Yellow color with a persistent mousse and aromas of citrus, apple, melon, almond and mineral. Fine bead. Features citrus, stone, yeast, marzipan and grapefruit flavors on the palate. Long finish highlighted by citrus and mineral notes. Lovely. 92-93 pts.

Lot S15R8Q7, an older disgorgement. In the glass it barely looks like a rosé, having a pinkish yellow color. Aromas of clay, berries, pear and strawberries. Fine texture with flavors berries and florals. 89-90 pts.

Opened by our hosts. Light color with a noticeable greenish tint. Aromas of vanilla, nutmeg, butterscotch and apple with strong toasted oak overtones that work well here. Full-bodied, showing flavors of butterscotch, lemon drop candy and toasted oak. Could use a year or two to integrate the oak a bit. 88-90 pts, depending on your preference.

Opened by our hosts. Light yellow with a subtle green tint. Apple, mineral and flint aromas, with a very subtle oak undertone. Light- to medium-bodied and nicely balanced, featuiring flavors of toast, butterscotch, apple and mineral. Very pretty fruit. Drink through 2015.

Popped & poured just before dinner and followed over four+ hours. Immediately better than the last bottle- no brettanomyces or overly vegetal qualities here. Dark fruit, plum and roasted game aromas at first. Develops lovely garrigue and violet notes as it opens. Medium-bodied, with plum, meat, iron, earth and garrigue flavors. Finishes quite nicely.

Decanted upon our arrival, about three hours before being poured with dinner, and followed over four+ hours. Deep inky crimson color. Aromas of dark fruit, cherry, garrigue and something wild, feral. Very engaging. Full-bodied, with dark fruit, saddle leather, garrigue, berries and again, a bit of a wild streak too. Long, balanced finish. 93-95 pts.

Opened by our hosts. Inky color with notes of cassis, blackberry and florals; hints of vanilla. Full-bodied, with flavors of cassis, cherry, vanilla, oak and chocolate.

Opened by our hosts. Opaque inky color. Aromas of chocolate, ripe briary fruit, spice and pine. Full-bodied, with spicy oak, wood and briar qualities. Tannic and a bit hot across the palate and through the finish.

Popped & poured. Notes of briary red fruit, cherry and currants. Medium-bodied, with flavors of red currants, pepper and spice. Shortish finish.

Deep copper/gold color. Honeyed melon notes with a varnish overtone. Flavors of nuts and honeyed white fruit. Shows some heat on the finish.