Crisp textured, with high acidity. Peach and citrus dominated fruit. A touch of honey on the finish. Still very bright and primary- this still seems almost painfully young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
10 year tasting: Really nice fruity Champagne with lemon-mandarin orange and orchard fruit; good intensity, rich mouthfeel, probably slightly elevated dosage. I prefer dryer, but but lovely on its own. As the name implies, very a propos for the holidays.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Two recent bottles consumed. The first was much more approachable than any previous bottle and now this seems much more lively and enjoyable with a creamier texture that is added to the sense of precision that was always evident. It appears that this is entering a nice stage in it's development and the second bottle seems to confirm this impression. Glad I had the fortitude and conviction to wait. It should continue to evolve nicely from here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dinner at Goosefoot (Goosefoot, Chicago IL): Nose: Nice and pristine nose with tones of green apples, pears, roasted nuts, acacia flowers, and a touch of baked bread tones.
Taste: Medium bodies with tart medium+ acidity. The acidity is certainly noticeable along with crisp tones of green apples, pears, white fruits, and baked bread.
Overall: This seems to be in a middling phase right now. It's still a really nice bubbly, but it could probably use some sleep time before it fully emerges.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
It's been a year since the last bottle & this is still young & nervous -tight with lemon grapefruit pit -bitter hints and sea air. It suffered tonight as we had it SBS with 3 GC's all from the 2002 vintage including it's older brother which is much creamier & open for business. One thing that was worth noting is the persistent long finish which bauds well for some long term aging. This will be fascinating to follow in a few years. Disg early 2011
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
nose: very aromatic, though tight nose, filled with crisp tones of almonds, white fruits, white florals, pears and bits of green apples. Excellent depth already as well with a very elegant style
taste: medium bodied with medium+ acidity that is a bit sharp right now. Well balanced with very good tones of almonds, white florals, pears and a good amount of green apples. Young and exuberant on the palate with good depth as well
overall: this is a lovely young champagne. Certainly in need of time, this was given some good air before we dug into it. Well balanced with elegant tones on both the nose and palate, this should turn into a real pretty bubbly with some time
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The ladies joining me for dinner arrived and I popped the cork on a 2004 Jean Milan Terres de Noel Champagne, a favorite of mine since grabbing a few bottles at PC last year. Served with truffled popcorn and some smuggled Bellota from Spain, this was outstanding. While the bouquet was soft and flowery, the palate was sharp and super dry, with a balance of good fruit and acidity and some hints of secondary aspects. However, it was so good that we really shot right through it way too fast.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My expectations were higher than the performance of this wine when it came to the taste, but it had a world class nose. Fascinating aromas of toast, honey and fruit. The taste was painfully young, lemon flavors overwhelmed whatever was hidden behind it. Hold for a long time and hope for the best.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Honey covered toasted brioche, marzipan, vanilla, pear and yellow plum with a hint of orange sherbert. Creamy entry with a subtly tropical mid that is filled with vanilla. Medium-long length with a bit of warmth, oddly enough. This is nice wine but doesn't blow me away. Frankly, perhaps embarassingly, I'm not sure I could tell this apart from a much lower priced wine in a blind tasting. Is this over-rated by Raynolds? It is well made, if not a little too vanilla, but lacks the mineral energy that makes the best Champagne's great.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3/19/2017 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 92 Points
Crisp textured, with high acidity. Peach and citrus dominated fruit. A touch of honey on the finish. Still very bright and primary- this still seems almost painfully young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2016 - peternelson wrote: 90 Points
Bright, clean, a bit straight forward, a bit 4-square. Maybe needs more time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/14/2014 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
10 year tasting: Really nice fruity Champagne with lemon-mandarin orange and orchard fruit; good intensity, rich mouthfeel, probably slightly elevated dosage. I prefer dryer, but but lovely on its own. As the name implies, very a propos for the holidays.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/2/2014 - jorge48 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Crisp, citric, with hints of toast. Elegant and subtle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/20/2013 - bon vivant wrote:
Two recent bottles consumed. The first was much more approachable than any previous bottle and now this seems much more lively and enjoyable with a creamier texture that is added to the sense of precision that was always evident. It appears that this is entering a nice stage in it's development and the second bottle seems to confirm this impression. Glad I had the fortitude and conviction to wait. It should continue to evolve nicely from here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2012 - KeithAkers wrote: 91 Points
Dinner at Goosefoot (Goosefoot, Chicago IL): Nose: Nice and pristine nose with tones of green apples, pears, roasted nuts, acacia flowers, and a touch of baked bread tones.
Taste: Medium bodies with tart medium+ acidity. The acidity is certainly noticeable along with crisp tones of green apples, pears, white fruits, and baked bread.
Overall: This seems to be in a middling phase right now. It's still a really nice bubbly, but it could probably use some sleep time before it fully emerges.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2012 - bon vivant wrote:
It's been a year since the last bottle & this is still young & nervous -tight with lemon grapefruit pit -bitter hints and sea air. It suffered tonight as we had it SBS with 3 GC's all from the 2002 vintage including it's older brother which is much creamier & open for business. One thing that was worth noting is the persistent long finish which bauds well for some long term aging. This will be fascinating to follow in a few years. Disg early 2011
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/20/2011 - spacewrangler wrote:
Not as good as the 02 but still pretty tasty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2011 - spacewrangler wrote:
Delectable aromatics, but there seemed to be just a hint of residual sugar/sweetness on the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/21/2011 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
nose: very aromatic, though tight nose, filled with crisp tones of almonds, white fruits, white florals, pears and bits of green apples. Excellent depth already as well with a very elegant style
taste: medium bodied with medium+ acidity that is a bit sharp right now. Well balanced with very good tones of almonds, white florals, pears and a good amount of green apples. Young and exuberant on the palate with good depth as well
overall: this is a lovely young champagne. Certainly in need of time, this was given some good air before we dug into it. Well balanced with elegant tones on both the nose and palate, this should turn into a real pretty bubbly with some time
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2011 - Vinotas wrote:
The ladies joining me for dinner arrived and I popped the cork on a 2004 Jean Milan Terres de Noel Champagne, a favorite of mine since grabbing a few bottles at PC last year. Served with truffled popcorn and some smuggled Bellota from Spain, this was outstanding. While the bouquet was soft and flowery, the palate was sharp and super dry, with a balance of good fruit and acidity and some hints of secondary aspects. However, it was so good that we really shot right through it way too fast.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2011 - spacewrangler wrote: 92 Points
Gorgeous leesy funk, with great acidic drive. Very young and coiled, yet shows a strong mineral aspect on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2011 - pizzler wrote: 89 Points
My expectations were higher than the performance of this wine when it came to the taste, but it had a world class nose. Fascinating aromas of toast, honey and fruit. The taste was painfully young, lemon flavors overwhelmed whatever was hidden behind it. Hold for a long time and hope for the best.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2010 - Nosey Nose wrote: 90 Points
Honey covered toasted brioche, marzipan, vanilla, pear and yellow plum with a hint of orange sherbert. Creamy entry with a subtly tropical mid that is filled with vanilla. Medium-long length with a bit of warmth, oddly enough. This is nice wine but doesn't blow me away. Frankly, perhaps embarassingly, I'm not sure I could tell this apart from a much lower priced wine in a blind tasting. Is this over-rated by Raynolds? It is well made, if not a little too vanilla, but lacks the mineral energy that makes the best Champagne's great.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2010 - EricB wrote: 89 Points
Nice crisp wine. Good yeasty mouthfeel that came out at room temperature and lemony citrus notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2010 - jorge48 wrote: 91 Points
Tasted at Per Se. Crisp and elegant, with lovely aromas of barn and hayseed and light acidic and citiric tones on the mouth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2010 - kmforster wrote: flawed
First flawed one I have had. Two others were excellent. More detailed note to follow when I drink the replacement bottle!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2010 - Paul Lin wrote: 86 Points
Grower Champagnes from the Cote des Blancs (Hi-Time Wine Cellars - Costa Mesa, CA): Complex notes of lemon oil, honeysuckle, pear, guava, and cheese fondue. Soft and noble of the palate with a gentle acidity. 86-87 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/27/2010 - veniceslug1 wrote: 90 Points
Rich and excellent. Lack acid and yeastyness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment