11/1/2019 - missatiejacket wrote:

Dead. This seems like heat damage. I bought it on some kind of closeout deal, so it was probably in a distributor warehouse for way too long. I have 2 more, so fingers crossed.

12/30/2018 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

I've given up trying Privat Riesling on release because it's always so tightly wound. This was one of the vintages that convinced me to approach it that way, so I remember how unyielding it was, how tied up and tough to read it seemed. Now it's a totally different story. There's still the focused mineral core, but so much has fleshed out beyond that, with beautiful floral notes, a wide range of fruit, and overall something that, while still firm and mineral-based, is a really complex and beautiful wine in a style that's relatively reserved for this level of quality in Austria. I'd say it is just entering a really good phase, and I'm glad to have a few left to check in on over the next 5-10 years.

6/17/2017 - missatiejacket wrote:

What initially seems reminiscent of Silex for its concentrated tropical fruits and grassy aromas turns out to be flawed by excessive nail polish/VA and apple cider vinegar aromas. This is very troubling as it is the third bottle of '09 Dagueneau that I've found to have this problem. Down the drain.

1/9/2016 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

This wine is crazy good for the price (around $20 or less). It's a very elegant style of Rioja, to the extent that I would even use the controversial descriptor "Burgundian". Ripe and tart, restrained red fruits join dusty earth, leather, pencil shavings, autumn leaves, and the subtle telltale herbal note of dill. It's quite complex. The palate offers fine-grained tannins, a core of extremely fresh fruit surrounded by all of the interesting non-fruit components, and a clear evolution of flavor. I'm not saying this is the greatest Rioja I've had. It's far from it. But it is the best one I can remember at this price. Really nice wine. This is one of my top QPRs in a long time in any category. I think it easily has the potential to develop well over the next 5-6 years, if not MUCH longer, but it's so good now that I likely won't have any at that time.

1/5/2016 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

The nose features fresh black fruits along with strong floral notes, graphite, smoke, and even a touch of olive. This is definitely a style of Syrah that I like; nothing jammy or cooked about it, and plenty of character beyond fruit and oak (the latter of which is barely evident). The palate is rich but balanced. Lots of flavor here, but in no way monolithic. This is distinctly California Syrah, but in a way that expresses its origin without feeling "made". It's not the most complex Syrah, but to me, it's plenty delicious, and a nice value.

1/5/2016 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

Pop and pour. This is very nice. It reminds me of a Scherrer Zin, both in profile and in its ability to deliver a combination of ripeness and restraint, with fruit that is not at all over-ripe and leans toward the red side of the spectrum. Ripe raspberry and cherry mix with a touch of rhubarb, as well as white pepper, cumin, and a little allspice. On the palate, alcohol is well balanced with the full concentration and refreshing acidity of the wine, giving everything lovely integration, which can be a concern of mine with this type of blend. What oak is apparent is in no way obtrusive, only adding a hint of spice and cocoa to the mix. The finish is long and complete. I'm starting to see what all the talk is about with Bedrock. Well done. There's a depth to this wine that makes me think it has the potential to develop positively for at least 6-8 years, and possibly much longer. It's delicious now, though, so I doubt I'll be holding any for that long.

12/15/2015 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

Wow, this has really blossomed over the past few years. It has gained a lot of complexity with the addition of waxy, earthy developed aromas, as well as broadening out a lot. Fruit is a combination of dried and fresh, mainly lime and lemon, with some green apple. There are also some spice components. The whole thing still sits on its frame of steely, stony minerality. The just-noticeable residual sugar is balanced perfectly by piercing acidity. This is an absolutely delicious wine at the perfect stage of evolution for me.

12/14/2015 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

Pobegad open as soon as the box arrived. This shows a bit of the herbal streak that I've found common with the vintage, but it is balanced by plenty of pure, focused, ripe and tart red fruit, as well as some beautiful floral notes. There is also an underlying aroma of soil and dusty earth. The wine is silky on the palate, and really seems seemless; everything is so well integrated, although tightly knit as expected at this young age. Overall, I think there's a ton of potential here, and I would say John really excelled in what I know was a difficult vintage. I've tasted quite a few 2013s at this point, and this is definitely my favorite so far. There might not be any difference between this and other vintages in that respect. As seems to be par for the course with Thomas, this wine has admirable depth, and a sense of restraint very rarely found in New World Pinot Noir. Lovely wine.

4/10/2015 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

day 2. Similar to day 1, but maybe slightly more open.
As expected, beautiful aromas including fresh, focused floral and red fruit notes, as well as underlying mineral and earth character. Fruit is largely strawberry, with a combination of ripe and tart, but mainly just-ripe. There is impressive depth here. There's the slightest hint of barnyard (brett), which I actually find adds to the complexity, and I tend to be quite intolerant to that. Overall, I think this is a very good wine, and a good, but not great, vintage for Lapierre. MUCH better than the 2012, but not quite on the level of 2011 or 2009.

3/14/2015 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

This is my first Chateau Musar Rosé. Unsurprisingly, it smells a lot like Musar Blanc plus some tart red fruit. To elaborate, I get a combination of dried, fresh, and slightly bruised apple and pear fruit, a strong waxy, lanolin aroma, green tea, fresh and dried herbs, a medicinal eucalyptus note, a subtle nutty, oxidative character, and that tart red fruit. The nose is very complex, rustic, and a bit funky with the oxidative feel. The palate is fairly light, with moderate, well-integrated, alcohol, light enough for the wine to feel quite refreshing despite only medium acidity. The nutty, waxy character takes on a bit of dusty earth here, reminiscent of some Savennieres in a way. That tart red fruit is quite fresh, really lifting the otherwise oxidative orchard fruits. This is a thinker, as expected, but there's also a surprisingly refreshing delicious factor (not a helpful descriptor, I know) reminiscent of more simple, quaffable French rosés. This is in no way simple, though, with impressive complexity, deft balance thanks to that moderate, basically unnoticeable alcohol, and just enough acidity. As expected from Musar, this is a thought-provoking wine, which I have VERY rarely said about any pink wine that isn't also a sparkling wine. I am told this can age, but I think I'll prefer to drink mine while that red fruited rosé character is still nice and fresh. Outstanding.

2/1/2015 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

Beautifully transparent garnet color with some ruby still in the core. There's still plenty of freshness to the fruit here, but with some dried/baked fruit maturation also coming into play. Fruits are mostly red, ripe but in no way overripe, and very focused, including strawberry, red cherry, raspberry, and more subtle black cherry and black currant. There's also some smoky tobacco, very well integrated cedar and toast of oak, subtle autumn leaves starting to emerge, and various spices. The style here is very elegant, but not lean. It almost has an Old World sense of restraint despite being a very flavorful wine. The palate displays silky, ripe tannins (med-) and ample, lively acidity. It's just what I want in a Zinfandel. I would say this has entered a lovely drinking window and will continue to evolve positively over the next 6-8+ years. (I am making that assessment based on what I find in the glass rather than any familiarity with how this wine tends to age, so I wouldn't be surprised if it could go quite a bit longer.) As far as quality, I would put this right up with some of my better Ridge experiences, and without the overt American oak signature of those, so I think I ultimately enjoy this even a little more. Outstanding.

11/28/2014 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

This is a lovely young Lapierre. There's a great mix of red and dark fruits, some tart and some a bit riper. The pronounced floral character that I hope for in Lapierre is here in spades. There's very good depth and persistence on the palate. This might not be on the level of some truly great vintages, but it is a huge pleasure to drink now, and I think it has the potential to evolve over the next few years in a positive way.

11/28/2014 - missatiejacket wrote:

Darn, the advice I got not to open this was more correct that I had hoped. This thing is tight as a drum. I mean I almost don't get anything out of it besides oddly concentrated tart fruit and acidity at this point. It is so closed on the nose and awkward on the palate that we did not even drink it. Knowing the track record of this wine, I do believe it will turn into something great, but I really can't even get a sense of that now.

9/27/2014 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

Drinking great right now. There's plenty of time ahead of this, but I have a few and am very glad I opened one. Classic Musar, and this is still looking like an excellent vintage, as it has all along. After this showing, I now think it's right up there with the '95.

10/6/2014 - missatiejacket wrote:

Stunning aromatics are unfortunately shrouded in a veil of excess ethyl acetate. What a shame. The wine doesn't seem otherwise oxidized, so I am very surprised and disappointed.

9/6/2014 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

Decanted about 20 minutes so far. My first Hirtzberger, and this is amazing. Exotic nose filled with herbal aromas of mint, dill, parsley, and cilantro, along with peach, green apple, and hints of pineapple. It's like a chameleon, showing me different elements each time I put my nose in the glass. There is an extreme sense of refinement, not in a "made" sort of way, but in an elegant, understated way. The palate follows suit, particularly with that sense of refinement, although it does feel like things might be able to come together just a little bit more with time and be a touch more cohesive. I don't want that to seem negative; this stuff is wonderful right now, it's just that there's a WHOLE lot going on, and I think it will all meld together a bit after a few years in the bottle. Already, this is outstanding+, though, and an example of one of the truly great dry Rieslings of the world. outstanding++, potential for improvement.

8/24/2014 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

This is a classic example of the elegant refinement of the 2013 vintage in Austria. It's sleek, focused, and extremely intensely mineral. It shows a lot of depth after about 45 minutes in the decanter, but there's obviously still a lot of complexity buried in this youthfully taut frame. There is a lightness to the wine that makes it extremely refreshing, so much that it's almost difficult to put the glass down. I might have to buy more of this one; I think the potential is there for true greatness in a few years. It's plenty delicious now, but I will wait a bit before opening another.

8/21/2014 - missatiejacket wrote:

m+ intensity on the nose, m+ concentration and body. Aromas of chalk, sea air, beeswax, just-ripe yellow apples and pears, subtle flint. Slightly noticeable alcohol, stated 13%, I'd guess slightly higher, 13.5-14. Similar palate with alcohol not completely integrated. Only medium acidity. Subtle butter along with aromatic components. Richer than it smells. Nice wine, but slightly awkward. Fine for super cheap closeout price, but not my cup of tea really.

8/7/2014 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

Black cherry and currant flavors combine with lilac and lavender to give plenty of freshness to the maturing leather and autumn leaf aromas. There's also plenty of scorched earth and a bit of cigar wrapper. The palate is vibrant, with all of those aromas carrying through beautifully and solidly medium(+) acidity and fine tannins providing structure. I think this is probably just entering a great drinking window that will continue for another 8-10+ years, depending on how mature you want it. very good++ I love it.

7/9/2014 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

This was my second bottle, consistent with the first. It was a beautiful, fully mature sweet Chenin with just enough fruit holding on. It isn't the most complex wine, but the price was very reasonable for the quality and maturity. I'm glad I still have one more.

7/9/2014 - missatiejacket Does not like this wine:

over the hill

7/9/2014 - missatiejacket Does not like this wine:

This was an interesting bottle, but over the hill as far as a friend and I are concerned. I'm sure this was a great wine 5-7 years ago.

6/11/2014 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

Wow. I've come to expect a lot from this wine in any vintage, and this example lives up to those expectations. It has such a harmonious combination of elegant purity and concentration. Layer after layer of aroma is revealed as the wine aerates and warms. I think I'd be doing it an injustice in trying to rattle off a list of descriptors, so I'll just say that this is a classic example and there is a LOT going on. The flavors evolve to an extent that only happens in truly great wines, and the finish is long and complete, seeming to continue to change even after the wine is gone. I absolutely love it.

6/1/2014 - missatiejacket Does not like this wine:

traditional method Lambrusco... this sounded interesting. The nose is interesting; chalky, fresh black fruits, scorched earth, autumn leaves. There's something wild and a bit funky there, but it's subtle. The palate, to me, is a mess. It's intensely bitter, even a bit sour (some sort of yeast and/or bacteria running wild, I suspect), with a Gueuze component that I've found in other faulty wines. All that pleasant stuff from the nose is there, but it's SO bitter and sour that I can't even enjoy it. I'm going to leave it open for a while and try it later, but I think this one's going down the drain. It's a shame, because when I first smelled it, I thought it was the best Lambrusco I've ever had. The disconnect from such an impressive nose to something that I actually find undrinkable is a huge letdown.

I've had other Lambrusco that I've really liked, but none have been this complex. I notice that they proudly proclaim organic wine with no added SO2. I think that's the problem... What a shame. The raw materials for this must have been fantastic. If it tasted as good as it smelled, I would be completely captivated.

5/18/2014 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

I drank this a few days ago, so I don't have a thorough note. It's still youthful and as good as ever. Not the most complex dry Riesling, but good enough to show that the Finger Lakes does produce world-class examples. I'd put it on par in terms of quality and style with a good, but not great, Trocken from the Mosel. I'm interested to see where it goes with more time. I think I'm down to my last bottle, but I'm confident in giving it a few more years. note to self: check back in around 2019.

3/19/2014 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

What a beautifully aged Saint Emilion! I didn't cellar this bottle, but the condition of the cork makes me think it was well cared for. Plenty of fresh fruit livens up the dried fruit and aged characteristics of moss, forest floor, cigar box, leather, and plenty of earth. There is above average depth and complexity, though not of the level of the top wines. Still, perfect balance and plenty of interest from some layers of flavor make this a very good wine and a great example of aged Saint Emilion GC. lovely.

3/19/2014 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

This is a nice, somewhat modern Rioja in that it has ripe, plush fruit, but is not overdone and doesn't lack the dusty, earthy, leathery components that I hope to find. The combination of French and American oak comes through in a good way, with both being of obviously high quality and not showing any of the sawdust character of the cheap barrels. There's good depth to the wine, and a feeling of youth at this stage that makes me think it will improve over the next 5-8 years. Slightly gritty, but fine tannins (med-) and medium acidity provide balance.

2/5/2014 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

Aromas of crushed rose and lilac waft from the glass, combining with super pure raspberry, red cherry, and black cherry fruit. There is a strong core of graphite and slate minerality supporting those notes, as well as nuances of Asian spice, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. Those who treasure purity and finesse will love the nose of this wine. With all of that aromatic buildup, the palate does not disappoint. It's all about elegance and poise, with subtle layers of flavor holding my interest while wonderful freshness and a seamless character make the wine all too chuggable. The long, complete finish completes the package. outstanding.

1/9/2014 - missatiejacket wrote:

This is somewhere in between my outstanding first bottle and undrinkably flawed second. There's a bretty barnyard/band aid aroma to this wine that is just a bit too strong for me, but not overwhelming. Outside of that, there are a subtle smoky/meaty element, some dried red berries, a bit of charcoal, and quite a bit of dark earth and graphite/slate minerality. The palate is very much the same, with tart red fruits dominating that element, nice med++ acidity, and reasonable but not great concentration. There is a slight awkwardness here, as if not everything is quite working perfectly together. Overall, this is decent but nothing more. Its too-noticeable brett and lack of cohesion hold it back from being better, despite pretty good complexity and a nice state of maturity.

12/15/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

much deeper color than the village wine, this one is med/med(+) ruby with a fairly deep core.

On the nose, there's much more dark fruit than in the village wine, with black cherry and plum being prominent, as well as the red fruits I would expect. The fruit is riper as well, but there's still a little tart fruit in there. I could almost think this was from Oregon in a lean vintage from an elegant producer. There's a cooling herbal, almost medicinal note that I could call eucalyptus. The nose seems denser than that of the village wine. There's also the brambly quality here, and other types of fresh herbs.

med body, med(+) acid (but not quite as high as on the village). same profile as the nose. richer than the village, and longer, more complete finish. really long. solidly very good with plenty of room for improvement. I should buy more of this.

12/15/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

med(-) ruby color.

nose of pretty, fresh, mainly ripe but also a little tart red fruits, rose, hints of graphite and dusty earth, subtle bramble. expressive but not completely forward, definitely holding something back despite smelling really nice now.

med(-) body, med(++) acid. elegant on the palate. more tart fruit than the nose, but also some riper, kind of wild/brambly raspberry and strawberry. leaner than the nose seemed to indicate, but not overly so. pretty, complete wine that is a bit restrained at this point, but a lot of fun to drink. good++.

12/12/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

The nose on this isn't giving all that much. To be fair, I didn't give it long in the decanter, because the palate is so beautiful that we've practically been chugging it. Aromas of lanolin, waxed ripe apple, floral notes, and subtle spice. Palate is crazy complex, with an explosive midpalate showing all kinds of nuances and incredible integration of flavors. This is really seamless, with everything feeling so well put together and tightly knit that it's almost hard to pull out individual flavors. But there are so many evident. This is a wine that shows incredible potential for improvement, yet it is already so impressive for its palate alone. I think it's very good+, just short of outstanding, as it is right now, only because the nose is pretty tight and I probably didn't give it enough air time. There's almost no question that it will be outstanding in a few years, and I am extremely glad to have a few more bottles for aging.

12/12/2013 - missatiejacket wrote:

Sadly, this bottle was ridden with brettanomyces and seemingly some other sort of contamination (lactobacillus?) that made it smell and taste like sour beer. As an Oude Kriek Lambic, this bottle wasn't bad, but as a wine, it was faulty. fingers crossed for my remaining bottles. I hope to have another great experience next time.

12/8/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

I drank this a few weeks ago, so no detailed note, but it was in a very good place. After opening a couple of these soon after release and being strongly underwhelmed, I realize that I was drinking them far too young. I suspect that younger Cantillon Gueuzes will improve drastically as well because of this (they taste better young than this did). This bottle was beautifully expressive, extremely sour, focused, and complex. very nice. I'll hold a couple more for as long as I can stand it.

12/8/2013 - missatiejacket Does not like this wine:

another bottle, dead now.

11/15/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

beautiful, herbal, focused, ripping high acid, extremely precise wine. This is in a great place right now. I decanted mine for probably an hour and a half. There's a lot of tart citrus fruit in there, which might be a little much for some, but the pretty floral and tealike aromas kept me coming back, and I like tart citrus. outstanding.

11/10/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

from 375 ml

Well, this is my first time trying this wine, and not surprisingly, I really like it. On the nose, the beautiful classic Krug aromas, with their brioche, slightly nutty/oxidative character, and broadness and power without feeling at all overwrought, are joined by Pinot Noir aromas more complete and complex than I have probably ever found in a rose. As clear as that element is, there is still an elegance to it despite some pretty big bones, and a clear sense of rose rather than red wine. That Pinot Noir character adds some nice, fresh red berry fruit to the baked apple and lemon, and also brings a little bit of earthiness which combines perfectly with the autolytic and barrel aged character.

The palate follows suit, but is a little bit tighter and therefore just slightly less expressive. That almost can't be a complaint because it is still extremely complex on the palate.

Like the "regular" NV, this stands up to and is far better than a lot of vintage Champagnes of its style, I think the rose even more so than the Grand Cuvee. That said, the regular price is so high that I'm not sure I will be a buyer if that's what it will have to cost. I got these 375s for much less than regular retail, though, and I will definitely jump on this kind of deal again if I ever see it. Heck, if I don't, I might even break down and buy a 750 for regular price at some point for a special occasion. This stuff is great. outstanding+.

10/4/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

I love it! Beautifully elegant, complex, layered Pinot Noir. Elegant is the key word here; this wine is all about restraint and subtlety, but is wide open and super expressive right now. It has a significant herbal character, with plenty of tart red fruit to balance it, and a good dose of soil to add complexity. It's drinking so well now that I can't see it improving for my taste, but I'll tuck at least one away for a couple more years to see what might happen with a bit more maturity.

8/19/2013 - missatiejacket wrote:

After a GREAT bottle a few months ago, this one was prematurely oxidized. It wasn't completely dead yet, but was far more evolved, as evidenced by golden color and nutty, caramel, and baked fruit aromas and flavors. This is so sad. It's the earliest by far that I've ever seen premature oxidation, and now I'm seeing other reports of it in some Piuze 2010s. buyer beware.

8/28/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

This is a fairly soft, round, but still correct Chablis. One can tell that there was complete malo and aging in old oak, as would be expected from someone in Dressner's portfolio who would be working traditionally and not wanting to filter. The nose speaks very clearly of Chardonnay. There is mineral presence, but that is much more pronounced on the palate. There is ripe as well as tart fruit, all on the citrus and orchard fruit end of the spectrum. This is a nice, expressive wine that, like most 2011s, lacks the acidic spine and precision that I look for in good Chablis, but I am still happy to drink it.

8/22/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

I don't just like it; I love it. I'm a big Chidaine fan in general, but this is really stupendous. While I've been loving '09 Bournais of late, this is airier, even ethereal in a way. There's a great lime and lime zest lift to the thing, with plenty of chalky mineral and that classic chenin wool. The wine is broad, but extremely focused, with great harmony and precision. Truly outstanding, and it should cost more than $25, but thankfully it does not. I will be drinking much more of this in the near future.

8/15/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

pop and pour. The nose shows plenty of super fresh wild raspberry, cranberry, and red cherry, but is a little reserved beyond that, with more subtle notes of fresh herbs, hot pavement (sounds weird, but fits just fine), slate, dried red flowers, some baking spice, and slightly elevated volatile acidity. As much fruit as there is, there is also a sense of underlying rusticity that I think will be much more dominant as the wine matures. The palate is much less fruity, a bit stemmy and herbal, and really pretty tight right now. There's a lot of acid here, and the fruit on the palate is much more tart than on the nose overall. I think there is plenty of potential here, but I won't open another one for quite some time. good+ right now, lots of potential for improvement. I think this will have been a great value in a decade+.

8/14/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

What a nice CdP Blanc for the price. It's obviously nowhere near the level of some other bottlings, but at a fraction of the cost of many others, it delivers quite well, and probably better value than most. There's loads of ripe, even a little baked, orchard fruit, with red apple and ripe pear really sticking out, as well as paraffin and chalk, a touch of toasty oak, a bit of starfruit, and all kinds of spices. The texture is great, with medium+ body and a kind of oily feel, along with just enough acid (medium) to keep it fresh. There is the tiniest hint of alcohol presence for those who are particularly sensitive, but it doesn't bother me. Overall, nice balance, concentration, and length, with decent complexity make this a very good wine that is great for the price.

8/11/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

This bottle had seeped a bit. I don't think it was ever exposed to heat. The fill looked really high (almost no head space), so I suspect that was the main reason, and the wine was certainly not damaged in any way, but it might not have been completely representative either.

Popped and poured, and upon opening there was a LOT of fruit to this wine, to the extent that I thought it smelled exactly like a single vineyard Copain from Anderson Valley. After about 20 minutes, the fruit subsided quite a bit, and some herbal characteristics became more prominent than they had been. After about an hour open, everything balanced itself out nicely, and the wine seemed surprisingly less intense than before, now being a classic Burgundy with florals, dark soil, bright, fresh red fruit, a bit of slatey minerality, and fresh herbs. I would call this very good at the moment, but there is huge potential, and the overripe fruit that I find in so many '09s is not here at all. This is a lovely wine.

8/11/2013 - missatiejacket Does not like this wine:

I've had a couple of bad showings of this wine recently. The last one was showing an oxidative character that was surprising at this young age, but its lack of acidity might be contributing to its decline. It was maybe even a bit more advanced than the previous bottle, but both lacked the freshness that I would want.

7/22/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

another interesting wine from Radikon. Not surprisingly, there is elevated volatile acidity here, but it's not quite enough to bother me, and I'm fairly sensitive. Aromas include very ripe pear, savory spices, lots of steely minerality, apple cider, lemonade, and a hint of barnyard funk. It smells somewhat like a sour beer. Flavor is more of the same, but a bit more vinous in that it doesn't taste like a sour beer. Tannins are noticeable but well integrated. Overall, this is a very interesting wine, but I far prefer the Pinot Grigio from the same line. I wonder if Chardonnay is just not aromatic enough to shine when made in this style. only good quality, but very good nerd factor.

7/20/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

A bit of sulfur on the nose blows off with an hour or so in the decanter. After that, beautiful white peach, starfruit, bright florals, grapefruit, and plenty of wet stone combine in a wine that shows great acidic cut, nice focus, and the depth of a very serious Riesling. Perfectly balanced and very nearly dry tasting, with enough acid to make the finish bone dry. Length and concentration are there to make a wine that's very good to outstanding now, and will improve with a few years to integrate everything and show a little more of the complexity that is surely there, but a bit tied up in youthful flamboyance. Still, this is a Riesling that is more about subtlety than power, even at this stage. beautiful wine.

7/10/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

This is yet another winner from Chidaine, and I have not found any losers. Even so, this is particularly special, even for him. Loads of chalky mineral on the nose, along with some telltale wet wool, steely and gravelly mineral, lemon, ripe apples and pears, all kinds of interesting spice notes (ginger, dried sage), a bit of dusty earth, I could go on and on. There is tremendous complexity here, plenty of acidic lift (high acid), and the wine is basically dry. This is truly one of the best values out there: under $30 and outstanding.

5/6/2013 - missatiejacket wrote:

This really is an ususual Dom Perignon. It is ripe, rich, and round, and seems to be lacking a bit of acidity and much of the minerality that I usually find in other vintages of this wine. It is pleasant, but without nuance or subtlety at this point. Drinking it this young, I actually prefer this to more classic vintages such as 2002, but I don't think this will age and improve for nearly as long as such vintages. 2000 DP had some similarities to an extent, but this is much more extreme, and I am really surprised that they decided to release a 2003 as it is so contradictory to what I perceive as the house style. A forward DP, but not a very refined one. very good. I do like this wine, but there's a lot of Champagne that is just as good or better for much less money.

6/19/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:

from 750, disgorged September 2010. This is classic NV Billiot, with super fresh, pronounced aromas and flavors of red and green apples. The fruit is so prominent that it is almost easy to overlook the significant complexity that lies beneath it. There is all kinds of steely minerality, baking spice, and perfectly balanced toasty/autolytic character. The acidity is piercing, but that is welcome as it provides balance for the ripeness of fruit that could otherwise give an impression of sweetness. The sweet/tart nature of the fruit is an interesting contrast. This, as always, is a real winner for its price, and shows how serious entry-level (in our market) NV Champagne can be. very good+.