2/26/2024 - JohnnyBark Does not like this wine:

I’ve been warned about this wine before and I should have listened. This was probably the nastiest white wine I’ve ever had. Oxidative, burnt bees wax meets a Michelin tire, with some gardenia hand soap mixed with mustard greens. There were no redeeming qualities. This should have been dumped before the wine ever met the bottle. Made all participants in the tasting cringe with one Advanced Som remarking “it’s not flawed, it’s just a really terrible wine.” I’ll pop another soon to verify my fear that this is what it was supposed to taste like. I’ve had better bottles for $15 vs. the $150 on this bomb.

1/12/2024 - csimm wrote:

A solid bottle right here folks. In the same league as other Churchills, with perhaps a little less power and spice than the 2013 and missing the yeast note that the 2012 carries, this 2015 is a well-honed specimen, albeit juvenile and primary, that even now offers invigorating flavors of yellow, orange-ish, and green citrus, yellow and brown pear, fresh ginger (signature Churchill), and striking minerality. A really nice electricity here, which is common in the Churchill lineage.

Grab a bag of kettle chips and go to town. Glad I have a few of these to lay down for a while. Best to hold a few years but a treat to try now. The Churchill has proven to be a very consistent label.

11/16/2023 - csimm wrote:

This presents as super young and chiseled, but also giving mid-palate electricity with wonderful yellow citrus and stone fruit. Chalk-laced minerality without being powdery or “chalky” necessarily. Acid is super compelling and energizing. I would have never called this out as a 2002. What a great combination of breadth and precision. Lemon and lime zest on the finish with white rock, lichee, and green and yellow pear skin. This is like the 2013 Dom on a rocket ship. This 2002 P2 is the best Dom I’ve had.

9/5/2022 - wineappreciation wrote:

Dark cherry, grapefruit, mild hints of sous bois; somewhat flat and linear; there is a moderately long extended finish, but without much depth; perhaps still closed, but it may just not have sufficient substance; fairly good overall but nevertheless somewhat disappointing

4/25/2023 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:

Bienvenue a Champagne; 4/20/2023-4/29/2023 (Les Crayeres, various restaurants, Les Avises and a many wonderful producers): There are many opinions on this wine and it’s not easy because it is one of ‘the producers’ and probably this was ‘the’ year and if by chance you have some other top end cuvées from top producers from the year it’s almost like they are fully transparent and so you know what they can be. This wine is not like that. It’s maybe slightly more open and expressive than the last few times but every time I have it I think the wine is quieter than some others. This paired incredibly well and my most favorite version of it was with a bit of a lemon appetizer devised in the Krug food series. Pulled out the Chard style. Reminded me of the finesse of the Clos du Mesnil from this year. Just maybe a hint of what it will be. We have bought a decent amount and I look forward to drinking them one day but I am surprised at how shy this wine is. Most days I feel like I have knocked at a door that was never answered. Today I feel like someone peeked a tiny head out and then back. Perhaps in 30 years we will actually meet. I’m happy to wait.

2/14/2023 - TWSA wrote:

Nose: green apple, almond, nutty, citrus, honey
Notes: Overall quite closed up and one can taste the cold steel feeling from the vintage. Although I do think that Krug does a superb job in terms of the overall bubble and the structure of the wine with undeniably long aging capabilities, I can hardly say that I'm impressed with this 2008. It feels a little out of focus and neither the nose or palate really stood out. Perhaps it's still a little too young to judge but I think I'm more concerned that the wine is simply not in harmony right now and I truly hope this can improve with time. This may take years to evolve but I'm not so convinced that this will deliver what most expects from an outstanding vintage. I may have rated this wine harshly so I am sure I will come back to revisit this in 8-10 years time.
Drink: 2035+
Rating: 89

12/3/2022 - aquacongas wrote:

not blind
Maybe 10th try. I'm still not a fan of this wine. Lacking concentration and precision. We will see the development. 94

7/3/2022 - csimm wrote:

As great as last year, rivaling the Grenouilles and Clos in 2019, this is the best vintage of Vaudesir to date. Perfect combination of body, energy, ripe lemon flavors, and outstanding persistence. Loving this now in its current state. Hold if you want, but I can’t find a good reason not to keep digging into these.

10/14/2022 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote:

I’ve never seen this wine before so assume this might be the first year. This is a noticeable step up from the Le Banc with added texture, depth and toast. Medium plus to full bodied with butter, mineral, toast, lemon bar and citrus. The moderate acidity makes it approachable.

I’m really surprised by how much I like this.

2/20/2022 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:

An expressive nose of sweet tobacco, cassis, green bean, mint, violets and cedar. It is intense and rich, with powerful fruit flavours. It is a little bit modern and a lot bit tasty. Flavours persist and it is just about in the perfect place.

12/12/2021 - csimm wrote:

Yellow and green pear, lemon verbena, yellow and green citrus, yellow apple skin, chalk, and white flower notes jump from the glass with well executed tension and verve. There is decent power here on the front end, but it finds focus midway through and darts off to a zippy saline-meets-Squirt finish. This is quintessential Michel Niellon, with an uptick in juicy acidity; this carries characteristic Chassagne-Montrachet power and push as well. There is some angularity and youthfully restricted fruit expansion, so the full compliment of this wine is still somewhat primary. However, the stuffing is quite compelling. Though this likely needs 4-5+ years to start finding its true form, I probably won't be waiting around too long given the premox issues that often afflict this producer. Sealed with natural cork. 93-94 points.

8/28/2021 - Motz wrote:

Unmistakable Temperance Hill terroir, impressive range and depth. On the downside, bitterness, of the greenish sort, shows at the back and on the finish.

1/21/2022 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote:

Similar to the Grenache this was decanted for 3 plus hours and consumed over several more. Again, sharp and prickly until about the third hour where the heat and tannin started to dissipate. Less open/expressive than the Grenache but still impressive young. Plums, black cherry, smoke, slight game and prominent cassis (especially on the nose). Though not as approachable I do like it a bit for than the Grenache. Is it wrong to think these wines have approached the quality of the EBA’s?

9/16/2021 - csimm wrote:

Another exceptionally powerful showing, with a flex of yellow citrus that commands the palate and delivers a serious dollop of viscous fruit flavor. Still blocky in cadence and texture, this is the Grand Cru in the Droin lineup that will need the most time to unfurl. It’s a bit wild right now by Chablis standards, with the perception of wood and alcohol lingering on the finish.

This lacks some of the finesse and complexity (which is masked by sheer oomph right now) that the Clos and Grenouilles exhibit. It’s potentially a stunner with a handful of years in bottle. Right now, its “wow” comes from its potent brawn and intensity and less from its artistry.

I decanted this wine for a few hours, which helped immensely, making it a “final sips were the best” type of wine at the moment. If you just can’t help yourself to bust open a bottle, treat this like a big Napa Cab. Decant and keep this at cooler cellar temperature for 3-5+ hours before consumption. 93-94+ points. Hold until 2025+. DIAM closure.

11/4/2021 - csimm wrote:

The Jacques Lassaigne Clos Sainte-Sophie instantly surges on entry with layered waves of big house flavors. Roasted lemon rind and pulp, apple pie crust and filling, almond skin, olive oil, ripe yellow pear, light saline iodine, and wet limestone notes offer a gourmand conveyance of ripe fruit that stops short of becoming too baked, rich, or oxidized thanks to a scabbard that can aptly sheathe the luxuriant core. It’s a mouthful of a Champagne, with some advanced notes that I sometimes associate with weightier vintages of Krug or Dom, though the Lassaigne maintains elevated freshness and perfectly balanced acidity and frame to hold it all perfectly together. The unique barrel program here tends to suggest that the Sainte-Sophie’s charming flavor profile is a product of some of its delicately percolating wood influence. There is certain textural sophistication in its execution, even with its broader-shouldered stature. Finishes with an enveloping mouthfeel that completely coats the palate.

For those who want a bit more tension and Chardonnay typicity but a similar sense of breadth, try the Jacques Lassaigne BdB Extra Brut Millésimé. For those equestrian aristocrats who routinely call the hounds to their sides before dashing off to a morning hunt for wild boar, the Sainte-Sophie is a fitting bon voyage indeed. Tally-ho!

94-95 points. Drinking quite stately with its current showing, but a Champagne sure to evolve stylishly over the coming years, though my preference is to set sights on the nearer term.

100% Chardonnay BdB. Disgorged 02/2020. Zero dosage. 12% ABV. 2013 vintage. 40+ year-old vines (0.4 hectares). Montgueux. Aged in used barrels from Burgundy, Cognac, and a Savagnin ouillé barrel from Ganevat (Jura).

10/2/2021 - Collector1855 wrote:

During a structured blind tasting of a few top names of Bordeaux 2010. After having tasted all these wines on release I would give the following advice. 1) The quality is top, a very grand vintage 2) The wines are sometimes quite massive, bordering Napaesque 3) Tons of fruit and tons of tannins, but ripe tannins, don't be worried about them, time will be nice to Bdx2010 4) Most importantly: After 10 years there are almost zero tertiary notes in any of the top wines. So don't touch them till they are 20 years old, yes that means not before 2030. I made the mistake drinking some of my Bordeaux 2000 with 10 to 15 years of age and I deeply regret that now. I will not make that mistake again with the 2010s. Hands off for now!
TN: Decanted for 2h. Quite oaky in the nose, Rich and ripe with great tannins proving structure. Very young. This will need a lot of time to integrate the oak further. Hard to judge what it will be when mature. 94+ for today's showing

1/31/2021 - TrevR Likes this wine:

Lovely aged washington wine. Did not come across as very aged, tasted perfect with lots of cab fruit and herbal components. Drank for a 20th birthday

7/25/2021 - melzar wrote:

From Magnum: As a Burgundy lover, I find Cristom to be the best new world Pinot Noir. I understand that many new world Pinot lovers will find this wine a little under extracted , and perhaps hollow. Light bodied, but packed with fruity flavor and great acidity. Tannins are tamed. Drinking at peak.

5/23/2011 - rnellans wrote:

Deep dark ruby. Plum, earth, sous bois with a hint of menthol in the nose. A bit of oak at the beginning that seemed to integrate in the glass with air. Rich palate with dark fruits, good acid/fruit balance, moderate dry extract, dusty tannins and nice lift on the finish. Needs time....at least 2-3 years.

2/21/2021 - csimm wrote:

Way too Nickelodeon to be opening this early but far too difficult for my cracker-barrel psyche to continuously resist, these bottles were ever-leering at me with every pass I'd make by the cellar window. And of course one day, this day, I somehow find myself with a corkscrew in my hand and some dark spiritual force coercing me to plunge its twisted bayonet through the top of the Ziehharmonika's frail little fontanel.

Cork off and left open in the bottle for three hours. Decanted for two additional hours and kept/served at a consistently cool cellar temperature (52 degrees), which in sum ended up being pretty perfect service overall by the time the last sip was taken at the end of the evening. A beautiful perfume of violets and blackberry syrup; some underbrush on the nose as well. On the palate, black and blue fruits, creosote, campfire, anise, cured meats, shrub, and a fantastic floral lift (thanks to the 2.7% Viognier and 1.3% Muscat). Though there is a more linear stretch initially on the front of the attack, the expansion of flavor follows quickly, with a sense of patience and a deliberate, almost quantifiable cadence that smoothly encompasses the mouth and provides a glass-like sheen that coats the entire palate, like a dehydrated blueberry that liquifies and dissipates, leaving just the flavor of its essence behind. Finishes with a constant but whispering wave of fruit followed by garrigue and faint rainbow peppercorn notes.

You want texture? You got texture. Why throw yet another inflated SQN score in the mix so soon in evaluating this infant creature? Where's your sense of objectivity man?! Answer: TEXTURE. The perfectly juicy and tenderly ripe profile does everything to elevate this smooth operator into next-level consumption. Quality all the way through. Less overtly theatrical and Fire Marshall Bill than some of SQN's other young bucks, the Ziehharmonika carries a layer of sophistication that doesn't even pretend to stick its little toe into any loud Hollywood bar scene Courtney Love 90's cocaine-cocktail drama (even though Ventura is closer to Hollywood than Paso...or Rhone for that matter). Anyway, you get the point. Basically it's like this: Some wines talk at you. This wine just makes you feel fortunate to be in its company listening to what it has to say.

98-100 points for now, though I am fairly confident that this will veer more toward the three-digit numeric after 5+ years of cellaring. This Ziehharmonika reminded me of a young version of the 2008 SQN B 20, though it seems the mighty "Z" ultimately possesses an added layer of lurking complexity that stands to come to full fruition (literally and figuratively) as it nears its more optimum drinking window.

2/1/2021 - nash151 Likes this wine:

A struggling beginning with wood and green smell at first, that I associate with bad Dom Perignon. Baffling how young the wine feels, probably due to pristine storage that might be slowing down evolution to painfully slow pace. It took the wine at least an hour to become enjoyable. This is a focused Comtes, very elegant, with a nicer tension than '99. The mousse is again extremely fine and elegant. This needs a lot more time in my book to turn into a Comtes I love.

12/31/2020 - sirpat00 Likes this wine:

After yesterday's bottle was badly corked, I gave this another go – fortunately so! Strawberry fruit, mineral notes of ash and a bit of smoke, just hints of brioche as well as a layer of herbal freshness were a good start. But even better on the palate. Refreshing, slightly fruity and mineral with great acidity. A lot of pleasure already and I’m convinced this will age beautifully.

12/10/2019 - rnellans wrote:

I love this wine. I've had it now 4-5 times and consistent notes. Served alongside the 04 Salon...quite different. Probable consensus of the group was in favor of the Salon, however I gave the nod to this wine. It seems to be getting better and better each time I have had it. Whereas the Salon is quite energetic, chisled, with minerality/ citrus notes....this wine was beautifully balance, I suspect a bit higher dosage, lovely fruit, yet excellent acidity and balance.

11/12/2020 - JohnnyBark wrote:

Something had to be wrong with my bottle. Came off pruned at first, with some bitter-beer-face finish. Opened up light, and stringent. See what happens, but life’s too short to sit around waiting for a bottle to figure it’s act out, so I’ll open something else.

10/20/2020 - tedcholl Likes this wine:

100% Tuscan Merlot goodness. Big and bold but smooth and well integrated at 14 years. Blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, leather, dark dirt, and baking spices. Wonderful.

12/22/2019 - JJYoyo Likes this wine:

Hit all the right spots tonight. Lesson: serve your Krug cryogenically cold. Lemon, brioche, macadamia on the tongue. Lemon-lime, shortbread, honeysuckle on the nose. All delivered with a precision that makes the cliche “laser-like” woefully inadequate. Liquid diamond. Utterly refined. I could drink this like water, but then I would be drunk. And broke. And dead. Holy crap this was great. Helps that the company it was shared with appreciated it and made the evening memorable.
Score: 96-97. Relative to expectations: +++

5/24/2020 - rnellans wrote:

Golden color. Beautifully balanced. Rich, long with nice acidity on the backend.

6/3/2020 - JohnnyBark Likes this wine:

Wow, this is a delicious wine. Pop of the cork, was green apple. The palate is very full, expansive and deeply rich. This wine has tremendous acidity and has a really long time to come around and settle down. I detect some slight oxidative notes and a slight hint of reduction, but very slight. I’ve had many bottles of this wine from ‘02 though ‘12 and I find this by far the most fun and exciting. Reminds me a lot of the ‘08 Cristal. For the price, I’d buy this over many other wines.

3/19/2020 - Charlie Carnes wrote:

This was such a disappointment, as it was flawed. Tired, flat, slightly oxidized. No way like the other bottles from the same box.

3/22/2020 - Charlie Carnes wrote:

This was awful. I guess they're still making this in an oxidative stile. Whatever. This was past a normal ox Champagne. It was gosh awful flawed. I don't think I will take any more chances on Selosse. The wines are good when on, but not worth the confiscatory prices they ask for it. Especially with a higher flaw rate I have experienced.

4/14/2018 - SHP2003 wrote:

This may be one of the greatest examples of Champagne ever produced at this house (dating to 1760) and it is undoubtedly one of the finest experiences the taster can have with sparkling wine.

On occasion, the little sister (Delamotte) usurps its glamorous sibling (Salon) and that's exactly the case with the EXTREMELY LIMITED hand-disgorged (to order) "Collection" Champagne from 1999. It's not a question of whether it leaves the sister 1999 Salon in the dust, it's more a matter of whether it leaves the 1996 Salon in the dust.

Yes, I just said that.

Count me among the many that have followed Salon's 1996 since origination. It is one of my favorite examples in the long history of Salon and it is certainly among the very top wines of the entire 1996 vintage. It has everything one could wish for in a superlative blanc de blanc with a mystery, elegance, drive and breed that is second to none.

So does the 1999 Delamotte "Collection".

For further emphasis, the 1996 Salon has the extra gear that is only reserved for the very few and far between.

So does the 1999 Delamotte "Collection".

Produced by the same hands as Salon (and situated next door), the 1999 Delamotte "Collection" is riveting and ravishing. It was held on the lees for 13-14 years before the first hand-disgorgment and the result is not only astonishing for this scribe but it is nearly impossible to walk away with any other impression. Call it the 1990 Beausejour-Duffau of Champagne if you must (i.e. a one-off/out of nowhere "wine of the decade" candidate) but the thrill of what's inside should not be missed by any of you. It requires a long, drawn-out evening to fully appreciate - it is not a one-sip experience that you can take quick notes on at a wine tasting event - the bottle deserves your time and attention as it opens and expands over many hours (part of the thrill). By hour 6-8 or so, its wish is your command and you have no care to lose all control.

When you also consider the fact that the 1996 Salon routinely trades for $300-500+, I believe the relative value (and rarity) of the 1999 Collection speaks for itself. Said another way, you trust me to find value at all ranges and while it may seem ridiculous to extol that $150-200 is a value for anything (wine related), in this case, it is fact - a relative fact, I suppose :)

Compared to the very top tier of classic Champagne examples (I am not comparing this wine to Selosse or Cedric et al), I would put the 1999 Delamotte Blanc de Blanc "Collection" at the very tip of the top tier. For the asking price and rarity, it may very well be in the top position at the moment...especially if you have an entire evening to enjoy it.

2/5/2020 - Vstalam wrote:

Already drinking beautifully, layered finish that improved over four days with notes of honey, brioche and apple with a rich, full body.

11/19/2019 - JohnnyBark Does not like this wine:

I’m not sure why everybody else was drinking, but this bottle was super hot on the alcohol. There was fruit, acid, blah, blah, blah (high level TN, I know) but the alcohol wasted the pleasure of this bottle, and that won’t improve. ����

3/27/2018 - rnellans wrote:

Dark, dark cherry, soft tannins, nice finish, needs time

1/3/2019 - VinoHunter wrote:

Not a champagne person. This bottle was good, but not good enough to justify its price. The wife loved it so it was worth every penny. 🤷‍♂️💸

9/19/2017 - OttawaB Likes this wine:

Fabulous wine. Way tastier then I was expecting. Smooth and elegant. Aromas of tropical exotic fruits, lemon curd, limes, flintiness and some ginger. The flavours follow the aromas and add in some salinity. Juicy acidity. Beautiful and tasty ... there is a lushness and creaminess to the wine without the weight these elements can bring. Fresh feeling, light on the palate but gives plenty of complexity. One of the best white burgs I have had in a long time.

5/12/2017 - N.Bonaparte wrote:

Disgorged Feb 2015, big up front mouth coating weightless punch that is certainly welcomed. I bought this bottle directly from the winery after staying at the hotel in Avize. Within the last week I've had the Initial, VO and Rose and this is the best so far. Vintage Selossee tomorrow.
This wine has a great finish with good depth. Near weightlessness makes this so easy to drink before dinner. Outstanding.

12/12/2015 - arthrovine wrote:

Pop n pour. This bottle may have been flawed but I don't know the mechanism.

A Beaujolais nose! Totally unexpected and off putting. Then we have a carbonic acid mishmash with disjointed alcohol and tannin. How disappointing. I familiar with Mo's wines and this isn't representative of his style nor even the varietal.

Admittedly, my first ??? But I wonder if there is a preponderance of gamay philosophy in this wine.

2/23/2017 - VoteferPedro Does not like this wine:

I have gone on record as not liking this recently

Previously I have had great experiences with Fontodi chiantis and so bought a case of this.

I shared abottle with a buddy who found it disappointing. I found the first bottle so bitter and intensely tannic it was undrinkable. Years ago I had a similar experience with a '95 Dominus (horribly tannic in '99 but deliscious in 2009). Based on that I gave this another try...but after 6 hour decant.

At decant the tannins were furrier than the balls of Sasquatch. After six hours in the decanter It was much better...drinkable. It has palpable fruit that is on the bluer spectrum but texture dominates; thick chocolat-y, aftertaste more like a new world bordeaux blend.

My impression has not changed...it is too tannic in general and the fruit seems so atypical and is at such variance from other reviews that I even doubt my bottle s provenance. However I compared my lables to those posted and to other Fontodis I have had and dont see a variance

5/29/2015 - VinZer Does not like this wine:

Graham cracker on the nose, persimmon, subtle very subtle red fruits left on this one. Acid is higher than fruit. Out of balance. Sadly flawed.