This is always a nice Champagne, and sometimes it really shines. Tonight was solid, foamy mousse, tart pear, tart citrus, some yeast, subtle nut skin. 90+ to 91pts.

There was some confusion over the vintage. In actuality this is N/V but built off of the stellar 2008 vintage. This has excellent depth and intensity, toasty and almost juicy on the nose and palate with fresh pear, full bodied, really good. I can't speak for our compadres at the other table, but our table was loving this tonight. This is a classic Champagne. 92+pts.

Ultra, ultra, ultra pale with barely a hint of pink - if you hold it up to a white sheet of paper anyway (virtually clear). Ooh, like this Mr. Lynch. Elegant, spiced, light, delicate, strawberry, lacy and lifted. Nice with some age. 91+pts.

Drinking great again. I love this; Grand Cru intensity, oyster shell, earthy, tangy, Meyer lemon, lime, grapefruit.

Same bottle as Chablis28. I apparently liked this more than he did. I thought this was lovely, balanced, and integrated with a perfume of dried flowers, dill, spices, red fruit, tart and fresh with silky tannins. The wood is noticeable, but I find the dill lending character and interest. 92+ to 93pts.

This was on the downslope; I think this was a pretty big wine, but the fruit has faded and this is showing alcohol and glycerin Dill, black cherry, black cherry liqueur, alcohol, glycerin. No score.

Big, lush, dark fruits, wood spice, full bodied, oak.

corked

corked

Splash decanted. Black fruits, wood, spice, alcohol, liqueur, settled down with some time and evened out somewhat.

Decanted for 3 hours. This was much more approachable now with a healthy decant and some more time under the belt. Earth, high toned, olive, blackberry liqueur, nice tannins, a mix of red and black fruits, full bodied and modern.

Small taste. Red fruit, herbal, tart, citrus. Good.

Small taste. Tart apple, lighter body, flinty mineral.

Small taste; huge wine, very dense with black fruits, youthful and rather boisterous. Fun to taste, but not in my wheelhouse.

corked

Small taste. I found this considerably more oxidative tonight and very hot, just too much to keep any freshness and it just overwhelms the palate. There is still some typical characteristics with lemon pledge, oil texture, wood, wax and nuts. No score.

Small taste. Good. Pretty intense right now, this just needs some time.

Small taste. I've sung the praised of this wine several times before, so it comes as no surprise to me that this rocked table 2 and was WOTN. For me it was WOTN too with a mini pour. Great stuff, pretty red fruits, mid-weight, earthy, scorched earth, and roasted meat among even more complexity. Love it. 93+ to 94pts.