4/18/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

More advanced than the last one.

4/7/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

This was fantastic! No signs of oxidation at all. Fresh nose of white flowers, apple, lychee, honey, and a hint of petrol. very nice body and acidity and a long, sweetish finish. Great wine.

3/24/2024 - tastark Does not like this wine:

If you like them ripe, jammy, and vaguely sweet, this wine is for you.

3/4/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

We've had this wine dozens of times over the last 2 decades and it never disappoints.

That said, we're starting to question the QPR. It used to be an amazing deal at $30/btl. Still great at $35. OK, $40 still isn't TOO bad. But now we're seeing this offered at $45+ and the competition starts to be a lot more fierce at that level. Some disgorgements can compete at that level without issue, but others come up short.

This was the September 2022 disgorgement and I'm glad we didn't pay $50 for it. At $40 it was fine.

3/2/2024 - tastark wrote:

Quite a change from 8 years ago, when we last had this. The heat signature of the vintage seems to have come to the forefront. This also seems to have a tiny bit of Brett, which I do not regularly associate with this producer. Not exactly our cup of tea. Drink up?

2/27/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

In a really good spot. Squeaky clean, polished Bordeaux. Not overdone, however, and not easily confused with Napa or new world Bdx blends. Very nice acidity. Soft tannins. Long, fruity mid palate and finish. Fantastic QPR.

2/23/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

Very high acidity and lean on fruit. A food wine, for sure.

2/18/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

Drinking well. Nose is a bit tight, not super expressive. Some dried cranberry and black currant. On the palate, the fruit is nice, transitioning to secondary at this stage. Fantastic acidity. No noticeable heat or over ripeness that you get with some 2009s. Definitely on the downward slope, so drink up. A nice village level wine for the price.

2/14/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

If you're holding this for a 50th birthday in a few years, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. This wine is holding up really, really well and definitely has some life left.

2/4/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

Absolute banger here. Just barely starting to show it's age, suggesting now may be prime time to drink it. Explosive nose of cranberry, strawberry, lemon curd, candied citrus, and baking spice. On the palate, more cranberry and spice, a healthy dose of chalk, and acidity for days. The finish was long, chalky, and lip-smackingly good. You want more with every sip and, before you know it, the bottle is toast. A fantastic wine.

2/3/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

Absolutely firing on all cylinders. Nose is bursting with lemon, lime, white flowers, and a perfect amount of petrol. On the palate, this has great body, perfectly balanced acidity, crunchy apple and ripe pear. Finish clips a little short, but otherwise this wine is fantastic. Drink or hold.

1/26/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

Crushable and delicious. Fantastic nose and great fruit on the palate. A touch more tannin than we were expecting, but in a good way. Drink or hold.

1/23/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

Drinking really well. Probably close to peak.

1/15/2024 - tastark Likes this wine:

First of two bottles, both by Pratt and imported by Julius Wile Sons & Co. We drank the one with the lowest fill first, thinking it may not be in great shape. Fill was low neck. The cork was saturated, but had not leaked. It was still fairly tight in the bottle. Used a Durand to remove it and then decanted off the sediment.

The color is very translucent garnet with some definite bricking on the edges. On the nose, fully mature cabernet and merlot notes; boysenberry, iodine, a hint of chocolate, and cooked beets. The tannins are fully resolved and velvety. Amazing acidity - like really exceptional. A very pleasant, lingering finish.

This pair exceptionally well with Burrata, dry aged steaks, and roasted veggies. The wine barely developed over the 2+ hours we drank it, so it seems like it has a few more years left to live. That said, it's in a great spot so probably best to just drink up!

1/10/2024 - tastark wrote:

A nice bottle of Assyrtiko, but perhaps missing a bit of acidity.

12/25/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Our first experience with BAMA. Appears to be a recent library release as it had a new cork and label. This is classic Bordeaux and very enjoyable. That said, it seems to be on the decline and was showing signs of oxidation. Drink up.

12/22/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Really impressed by this. We weren't expecting much, but this is classic Alsatian Gewurztraminer. Moderate sweetness, surprisingly good acidity, and all the class Gewurztraminer notes on the nose and palate. A refreshingly modest 13.5% ABV, as well. Nice minerality on the finish. Really great for the price.

12/18/2023 - tastark wrote:

Pop and pour from 750. Most in the crowd seemed to enjoy this, but we were not impressed. Couldn't get past the oak on the nose and the palate. Might have been better with a little more air? Fruit seemed very muted. Probably should have held for 5 more years. Bottled under DIAM.

12/18/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

From Magnum, this was firing on all cylinders. Very nice nose of brioche, baked apple pie, strawberry jam, and some lemon curd. On the palate, the acidity is fantastic. More baked goods and punchy red fruit. Very nice, pleasant finish. A fine mousse throughout. Still has lots of life left, but in a really good spot. No harm in drinking now.

12/6/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

This is an exceptional Chardonnay at any price, but even better at the going rate. Slight matchstick reduction upon opening that blows off with some air, revealing lemon, ripe granny smith, and distinct chalky notes. On the palate this is rich without being overripe, with good texture due to substantial dry extract. The finish is all fruit; lemon, lychee, apple. Electrifying acidity frames the picture throughout. A wonderful wine.

Bottled under DIAM 10. Drink or hold.

12/3/2023 - tastark wrote:

Bought these in 375 and they are missing the "Grand Cru" designation under the word "Brut." Hard to believe that would be an oversight or accidental, so we suspect this is not the wine we are used to and it showed in the battle.

This is missing some of the acid and chalkiness we've come to expect. Maybe it's a base vintage thing, rather than not being grand cru? Not sure, but we're a little disappointed.

11/28/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Drinking really well right now, perhaps at peak. Took a few minutes to really open up, but when it did the nose was very nice. Fresh baked apple pie, lemon peel, and chalk. Very good acidity. Dosage is noticeable, but not distracting. Very fine mousse that fades pretty quickly to a fine bead. A tactile and chalky finish. Drink up.

11/19/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Still thriving. No rush.

11/16/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Still firing on all cylinders. Drink or hold.

11/12/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

A very nice, dry Riesling, reminiscent of Alsace or the Rheingau. Faint hint of petrol on the nose, with apple, lemon, and wet slate. Good body and acidity. Long, snappy finish. Great with food. Drink or hold.

11/7/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Decanted ~4 hours. This was really shy upon opening. Seemed a little shut down. Started to open up and was great by the time we consumed it with dinner.

A very elegant style of Cornas. The nose is a little shy, but shows a hint of pyrazine, black pepper and cinnamon. On the palate, this wine is fantastic. Nice red fruited profile. Not at all overdone. No perceivable oak and completely integrated tannins. Good acidity and body. The finish is pleasant.

A really fine wine. Drink or hold.

10/27/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Fantastic.

10/22/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Was expecting a little more complexity. This was nice, but not a huge step up from their far cheaper basic "Viognier" bottling. Very aromatic, as expected. The palate just didn't wow us.

10/22/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Not sure how, but even better than the last bottle.

10/22/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

A banger. Awesome tension, great acidity. A serious wine.

10/22/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Drinking really well. Fantastic nose of apple pie, lemon, and chalk. Wonderful acidity on the palate, along with a lot of stone fruit, lime, and apple. Long, youthful finish. Drink or hold.

10/6/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Drinking very well right now, but has lots of time left. Nose has some nice ripe stemmy notes along with fresh cherry, raspberry, violets, a hint of tar. Very clean nose. Color is starting to mature a touch. On the palate, this wine really comes alive. Lots of cranberry, good acidity, some stemmy spice. Silky smooth tannins. The wine is singing right now. Delicious.

9/29/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

This wine is ON FIRE right now. Punchy red fruited nose with strawberry, dried orange, cranberry, and some buttered bread. The bead is very fine at this stage. Dosage is lowish and well done, integrating beautifully with the fruit. While broad shouldered, the wine is also incredibly refined. The wine floats between these two counter-points; weightlessness and vibrant fruit. Excellent acidity. The wine is incredibly well done and multi-dimensional. Just fantastic.

9/16/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Really nice white blend. Refreshing, punchy white fruits, with nice aromatics. Went really well with lemon shrimp and leek soup.

9/11/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

A small, lovely producer in Verzy that, unfortunately for us Americans, has very limited distribution in the US. A member of the Special Club, their wines are precisely made. Farming is lutte raisonnée and their 4 hectares of 40ish year old vines are situated entirely in the grand cru villages of Verzy and Sillery.

These wines are worth the search, though it appears that this cuvee is no longer being made. The Rose is outstanding and worth seeking out. Many of their higher end cuvees, including this one, see some time in neutral oak. Could we tell? In a manner, yes, but the wine is not made in an oxidative style and does not present any obvious notes of vanilla that one might associates with oak. Instead, there is an ever so faint hint of tannin and grip in the wine. This tannic structure is complemented by well proportioned acidity, to create a very sturdy, broad-shouldered, and serious wine. The wines remind me a lot of Egly Ouriet.

For those of you who like high-toned or more feminine Champagnes, do not let this scare you off. There's more than enough for everyone who loves Champagne in this bottle. The fruit profile is excellent. There are, of course, classic, punchy Pinot notes of strawberry and rhubarb, but the blend is 50% Chardonnay and this fact is evident on the palate. There are notes of apple pie, lemon meringue, and quince.

The dosage is not listed, but seems reasonable. I would guess it is in the 4-6 g/L range. As mentioned, the acidity is noticeable, but not overbearing. Mouth-watering, you might say. The finish is long, with a bit of grip.

The wine has settled down quite a bit since we tasted it at the domaine in early 2019. It has miles to go, so there's no rush to drink up, but it is a delight in its current state. Ultimately, it was a privilege to raise a glass of this in honor of our pup who recently passed and who was born in the year these grapes were harvested.

9/5/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Drinking really well, but there's no rush on this. Well balanced. Good acidity. Nice long finish.

8/28/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

A very broad-shouldered and red-fruited champagne, which one would expect from Ay. 85% PN from Ay, 15% Chard from Chouilly. Unsure regarding the dosage, but it seemed low-ish.

Wonderful, fruity nose with some hints of yeast and brioche. The color has an ever-so-faint salmon tint, suggesting a slow press of the Pinot. No signs of oxidation in this bottle, so it is holding up very well. Very nice body and mouthfeel. The fruit is exuberant and punchy, but not in an obnoxious way. It's great, actually.

The only slight criticism is that the acid could be more pronounced. It would call it medium-minus. I just wanted a little more. Maybe a higher proportion of Chard would have balanced this out a bit? The finish seems a little clipped, as well, but I think it's due to the lower perceived acidity.

All in all, a very nice wine that we will look for again in great vintages. Cost was $50 back in 2018 and that was a fair tariff.

8/26/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Popped and poured. This was delicious Loire styled cab franc. Great fruit and acidity. Nice long finish. Drink or hold.

8/20/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Nothing wrong with it, but nothing special. We've had better for far less.

8/20/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Solid, but unremarkable. A bit modern in style. Drinking well.

8/13/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Love wines from Red Newt. This Gewurzt was a little simple, but enjoyable. Slightly off-dry.

8/5/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Still going strong.

8/5/2023 - tastark wrote:

Pretty high octane.

7/30/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Still awesome.

7/23/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

This is firing on ALL cylinders right now. A tiny touch of reduction on the nose that quickly blows off. On the palate, this is generous, but also focused. Lots of lemon, apple, crushed seashells, and a touch of sea salt. There's ample body and acidity. Really well balanced. Fantastic, lingering, finish. Chablis is capable of a certain magic, but often fails to achieve. This wine, however, hits the mark and then some. Drink or hold. Bottled under natural cork.

7/23/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Drinking well, but probably won't be much improvement from here. Very fine mousse. Notes of lemon, lychee, and apple on the nose. Very good acidity on the palate. Pleasant finish. Doesn't wow, but a really solid effort. I'd say exactly what you'd expect for a 1er cru wine from this vintage.

7/22/2023 - tastark Does not like this wine:

Meh.

7/17/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

A nice wine. Pretty serious for Melon de Bourgogne, but not sure it offers anything more than one might find in a ripe Muscadet for 1/2 the price (or less).

7/17/2023 - tastark wrote:

A nice effort, but not really a style of wine we enjoy. Very big and extracted, lots of fruit. Not much acid.

7/17/2023 - tastark Likes this wine:

Wonderful wine. PnP but this could use a splash decant. Slight matchstick and reductive notes upon opening. With a little air, it presents lemon, apple, and some chalkiness. On the palate, there's good dry extract, amazing acidity, and plenty of viscosity. The finish is crisp, clean and mouthwatering. Drink or hold.