5/24/2020 - gsj34 Likes this wine:

Brought this back from the champagne house (La Maison Penet) in 2016 when SO and I were in the champagne region on our honeymoon. Delicious then but a little age has made it even better, rounding out the excellent low dosage acidity. Nose: yeast, lime zest, tropical fruits. Palate: lemon, lime zest, grapefruit, pear, wet stone.

4/13/2018 - gsj34 wrote:

Been sitting on this to see if it would even out. Still enormous but much more integrated. Lots of fruit as one would expect but it has softened to stewed fruit. Leather, tobacco and menthol present. What is particularly nice is that the alcohol has matured into something much more drinkable. Actually quite good for the style.

10/28/2012 - gsj34 wrote:

Watery golden colour. Nose of green apple, green pepper, vegetation. Round, full mouth feel, with an oily texture. Palate is balanced with the nose, with green apple, green pepper, some white pepper, lime/lime zest. Good length, with the oily texture lingering. Paired with chili lime shrimp, which worked very well.

5/28/2012 - gsj34 wrote:

Unfortunately, this bottle seems a bit past its prime, particularly on the nose. The fruit on the palate is slightly stewed. Still drinkable but not as good as it might have been. Nose is blue fruit, stone fruit, some muted vanilla and some cedar. Palate: medium minus acidity and tannins, vanilla and minerality still show through but the blueberries/blackberries/black plums are stewed and lack freshness, almost with a raisiny/figgy quality. Short finish. The minerality is a bit surprising and gives it what backbone it has left. Not sure I will drink this whole bottle.

2/4/2012 - gsj34 wrote:

Drank this at Post Hotel in Lake Louise, AB for S/Es 40th birthday. Decanted for 45 minutes, could have used quite a bit more but did open up nicely and continue to evolve after an hour. Dark ruby. Nose of dark fruit, cigar box, violets, menthol, spice. Very balanced, great mouthfeel with good medium acidity and medium plus tannins that have really started to integrate, particularly after some time in the decanter. Flavour profile matches the nose, with sour dark cherry, currents, blackberry, plums, menthol, cedar, cigar box and some vegetation. It really does have it all going on. Also, the finish seems to go on forever. My SE could not believe how long the flavours remained. My overall comment at the time that it was the perfect glass of wine... Simply outstanding.

7/18/2011 - gsj34 wrote:

Nose: Lemon, lime, mandarin orange and pineapple, with a hint of green apple
Palate: Medium low to medium acidity that gives it fairly good backbone; lots of mandarin and pineapple with a streak of flinty minerality that I love.
Tasty and exceptional for the price point (and for a hot summer day in the sun)

7/9/2011 - gsj34 wrote:

After half hour in decanter: nose of black fruit (blackberries, black cherries), black licorice, grilled meat and spices (coriander and white pepper); on the palate, medium to medium plus tannins, medium acidity, fairly good length, very juicy with fruit (mostly sour blackberries and cherries) taking a backseat to strong green vegetation. As it sits, the palate is balancing out to the nose. Doubt I'll be able to wait to see where it ends up in two hours in the decanter. I like it!

3/7/2011 - gsj34 wrote:

I opened this on the weekend to show what chardonnay in its most basic form actually tastes like to some friends who only knew Cali over-oaked chards. A good representation of Chablis at the price point. Ripe pear and fresh lime and mandarin on the nose. Steely gunmetal granny smith apples mixed with sour lime are the overwhelming flavours on first blush. Medium plus acidity, medium body. The finish has a bit of length to it and lingers with an essence of lemon zest. Very refreshing. However, I'm missing the flinty minerality I was hoping would be more prominent.

7/30/2010 - gsj34 wrote:

Clear core to a straw rim. On the nose: Peaches, green apple, honey with a bit of green vegetation. On the palate: First hit is significant citrus, primarily lime and some lemon, and sour/granny smith apple. Mid palate moves to peaches, tangerine and slate. Pretty short finish. Not nearly as well balanced as the 2008, which I thought was excellent, but still not bad for the money.

12/12/2009 - gsj34 wrote:

Deep garnet core. Black fruits, exhibiting stewed prunes and green pepper on the nose, with the presence of vanilla. Medium plus acidity, medium tannins, body and length. On the palate, the vanilla is present but fairly subdued, but the black fruit and pepper shows through. Smells delicious. Taste doesn't quite match but the balance is fairly good.

10/9/2009 - gsj34 wrote:

Very good, less than serious wine. Lots of peaches and honeysuckle on the nose. Palate consisted on honey drizzled peaches and melon, with a surprising minerality (slate) on the finish.

10/2/2009 - gsj34 wrote:

Fruit forward aroma on the nose, with vanilla, strawberries and cherries. The palate was quite closed initially but opened up after some time in the glass. Taste was balanced with nose, reflecting the same fruit (although the cherry was more sour than sweet), with some tobacco on the finish. Very enjoyable.