Amazingly racy, this sparkler has a lot of energy and acid. The acidic finish persists for a long time. This is a different animal than methode champenoise, happy to try it at $73 but not sure I'd be a buyer at full price.

GWASH's bottle, this may have been the best L'Ermitage I've ever had, both rose and brut. Fresh red berries, a creaminess, toast.

This is what I hope that Kistler has become. The buttery oak is quite dialed back, it is in the background. Golden fruit, rocky minerality and crisp acidity.

Drank a small glass over an hour. This was in a lineup with two chardonnays. While it stood out, I understood the resemblence as well. Its as if the Rhone variety's lift the larger chardonnay and give more structure. Quite floral, honey, beeswax, apricots and a viscous mouthfeel.

Tasted alongside the 2013 Jensen, this was so much bigger, bolder, more earth, dark fruits, dense, less lively. It remained a pleasant pinot.

Tasted alongside the 2014 Calera de Villiers, this was lively, elegant, stunning. The price difference between the two makes me sad. :( Medium bodied with raspberry, cherry and loamy earth.

Modern rich fruit with a soft palate and syrah-like secondary components. There was a olive flavor along with blueberry, slight vanilla and underbrush.

What a difference 4 years makes. Decanted 30 minutes, this was the most deft and lifted Saxum that I think I've had. Still full-bodied, lots of spices, herbs, flashy fruit, blackberry.

I don't think this was decanted. Drank a small glass over an hour. It didn't appear tannic, but the oak was incredibly evident. The fruit also huge. At this stage it's a cocktail wine for sure and I'll have to fall back on my belief that SQN reds need 12 years minimum from vintage.