2/4/2024 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Rich jammy and full of dark fruit....elderberry, black raspberry, blackberry. Touch of sandlewood and herbs. Perfumed nose with a touch of violet.

1/7/2024 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Sorry, didn't take any formal notes. Simply enjoyed!

One lovely thing about Riesling is it can go easily over 3 nights, or even longer, in the fridge without any loss in enjoyment. I consumed this bottle over 3 notes and it was consistent.

I was actually expecting it to be highly acidic, so was pleasantly surprised to find it very well balanced. Medium acidity, a bit fruity but in a good way, nicely dry.

I really enjoyed this food friendly wine!

1/1/2024 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Wow - a burst of citrus on the palate!

The nose is strawberries and cream with a hint of floral. Although the palate initially was creamy, citrus notes quickly dominated. A touch of bitterness (in a good way), with tangarine, blood orange and pink grapefruit. Medium body and acidity. Consistant over two nights. June 2019 disgorgement.

12/27/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Beautiful wine, perhaps a bit softer than my review from 2 years ago but very elegant.

12/25/2023 - kitkat4 wrote:

Agree with VAS19. The wine is a bit austere, tart and dry and some dosage would have helped

12/24/2023 - kitkat4 Does not like this wine:

This cork was grey on top but dry. Still I didn’t care for the taste. Too much apple and sweeter than expected

12/24/2023 - kitkat4 wrote:

Cork moldy on top and soaked throughout. Broke in half with part landing in the bottle. Very apple cider like. Poured down the drain

12/21/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Interesting wine. I had low expectations, given my earlier experience with another bottle (85 points, Jan 2023). I do not have any experience with CDP blanc.

Color is deep straw. Nose is really nice - pears, pears, and more pears - with peach and a touch of spice. Very pleasant.

The palate is very soft and best at cellar temperature. I had been told that CDP blanc can shut down hard after a year or so, and then take time to open up. In this case, it does not strike me as closed, but simply that it is a softer style wine although with time in the glass it certainly does unfold. Reminds me of why I prefer time to think and enjoy wines sipping them on their own before mixing them with food. Certainly a wine to think about. Texture is medium body with a feel like glycerin.

I'm afraid my tasting note can't do it justice. There is more pear, peach, and soft apple on the palate, with a touch of honey and spice. The wine drinks as slightly sweet. I really enjoy it.

Consistent over 2 days.

12/19/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Similar to earlier tasting note. Really nice white wine.

12/17/2023 - kitkat4 wrote:

No rating at this point. I think the wine needs more time. Day 1 the secondary flavors overwhelmed the fruit. The fruit came out more on day 2 and 3, but then the mid palate was watered down. I think with more time, the wine will be more integrated.

12/10/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

This wine was fantastic on day 1, but unfortunately fell apart on the second day. The review is based on the first day.

Really lovely nose, a mix of herbal and floral notes. Makes me want to keep my nose in the glass for an extended time.

The palate is medium acidity, that increased slightly over the course of time, and also has a hint of the same floral and herbal notes and a touch of beeswax for weight.

11/25/2023 - kitkat4 wrote:

Very one dimensional and simple. Couldn’t get into it at all.

11/19/2023 - kitkat4 wrote:

Had the 2017 and 2012 last year and liked them quite a bit, but could not get into the 2014. It was mosty about the fruit, little secondary notes, and the fruit seemed a bit harsh. Didn't take detailed notes. Really needed food to enjoy it

11/11/2023 - kitkat4 Does not like this wine:

I recall really enjoying previous vintages of this wine, but did not enjoy it at all this time around.

The wine was somewhat cloudy in appearance. The palate was very tart and acidic and while there were some secondary flavors they didn't seem well integrated. Had one glass on day 1 at around cellar temperature. On day 2 the wine was colder - I ended up pouring down the drain.

11/5/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Really great right upon opening. In fact, it showed no real variation from when I opened it on day 1, consumed during dinner, and then finished the second half on day 2. Very food friendly, going well with tacos on day 1 and pasta with shrimp and chicken on day 2. Also really pleasant to enjoy on its own.

Bright acidity, but not tart at all. Medium body. Smooth tannins. Lots of raspberry liquor with lovely spice hints. Very enjoyable.

10/29/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Seventh of eight half bottles and consistent with earlier times. Takes only about 15-20 minutes for the fruitiness to settle down to let the secondary notes show. From there it was very easy to drink on its own and also went really well with spaghetti.

The palate has nice soft tannins, a bit of chocolate and spice and herbs. Very pleasant and enjoyable.

The half bottles are really ready to go and I would probably want to drink them in the next year or so.

10/14/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Day 1 Lots of blackberry and raspberry, with hints of vanilla and spice. Drying tannins. Drinks well but a bit big for my preference

Improvement on day 2 with the tannins better integrated.

Had just a few sips left on day three, which was the best of all. By this time everything was nicely integrated, and the bigness that was there on day one had settle down. The wine was much more elegant and enjoyable. If you have some, I recommend holding it longer.

10/7/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Vibrant, with nice acidity and a touch of sweetness. I think these demi-sec are just terrific. Apple, touch of orange, apricot - really nicely balanced.

9/23/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Much better than my previous note from 2 years ago. Nice minerality with orange, lime, citrus, green apple, a hint of saliine. Perhaps a little more acidic than I would personally prefer, but still very nice. Goes well with lobster and shrimp cakes.

9/17/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Easy drinking rose, not a lot of complexity. While I typically avoid comments on cost - I enjoyed the wine but the $117 price seems a bit high for what it is.

9/15/2023 - kitkat4 wrote:

I just didn't get into it as much as the other reviewers. Mostly tart white wine with minerals

9/9/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Consumed over three days, did not decant. Day 1 initial sip comes across as slightly closed but quickly expands to tart and black cherry, blueberry, and raspberry. Long finish, ending with dusty tannins.

Day 2 the wine seemed "big" and I wasn't able to enjoy it as much (sorry, I know that isn't a good description but I didn't take any notes).

Day 3 softer than day 2,very fruity and easy to drink with tart berries still predominating, medium+ acidity, and still soft, but no longer dusty, tannins.

8/19/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Initially opened 4 days ago. Consumed most of it on day 1 and 2, forgot about it on day 3 and had the last partial glass on day 4.

Day 4 was actually the best compared to the first 2 days. Much more vibrant, lovely orange and orchard fruit, a touch of mineral. Well balanced. Day 1 and 2 seemed a bit closed and not as good as the 2019 I had completed earlier in the week. I have one more bottle of the 2020 and I suspect it needs more bottle age to do its best.

8/15/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

I had a sticker on the bottle stating it had bounced around with Fedex for a few days before arriving, but not sure why I noted it as it was only April 28 and around 60 degrees for a high.

Regardless, the bottle was just fine. It is drinking very young at this stage, and it is really all about the fruit (very pleasant fruit at that). Orange, lime, granny smith and a mix of other citrus. No secondary notes really at this stage. Perfectly balanced acidity.

Consumed over 2 days and similar on both. Drinks much better just a bit cooler than cellar temperature. Coming directly out of the fridge on day 2 it was a bit tart until it warmed up.

8/6/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Excellent over both days, both on its own and with food.

7/30/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Really enjoyable summer rose. As Ben says , pretty and fresg. Best on the warmer side

7/24/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

I wasn't expecting much but was very pleasantly surprised. Consumed over 2 days. Acidity nicely balanced. Nice herbal and floral notes to complement the fruit.

7/18/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Very enjoyable. I opened the bottle 5 days ago and finished today. One of the great things about many of the sweeter Riesling as they can last in the fridge for days without decline. Simple but very nice. Easy to drink after a long day.

7/16/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Completely delicious. The creamy texture kept the acidity in check. Lime, lime zest, orange, and peach with a touch of saline and mineral. Soft tannins. Great in my salmon penne pasta wine sauce and consumed on its own.

(ETA: Day 2 was more sharp acidity and not as balanced as Day 1. Day 2 would have rated 89. )

7/15/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

So much better on day 2. Day 1 the fruit was a bit tight and reserved and, as mentioned in earlier review, overpowered some by the herbal notes. On day 2, the fruit was fully open and really a fantastic and perfect rose.

Best served on the warmer side.

7/12/2023 - kitkat4 Does not like this wine:

My last bottle of 6 and not very good, just tart sour white wine with bubbles. The lovely brioche notes I found on my first bottle were just a hint and just couldn't balance the tartness. Not sure if bottle variation or age, but my 2022 scores were 93 and 91. I didn't not make any notes on the 4 bottles consumed this year, but two were in the 88-89 range and one was about 90

7/9/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Not the most profound, and on some days I might have found it perhaps a little too acidic, but today it was perfect. Sipped while chopping onion, sauteing, and other dinner prep, while looking out on a sunny early evening on the deck....birds, squirrels, bunnies... Grilling to start up soon. Just really pleasant and what a simple summer rose is all about. Not very complex, but just very pleasant to drink.

7/7/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Only my second Condrieu, first not very good but this one was excellent. Beautiful and perfectly balanced fruit, acidity (medium) and mineral notes. Peach with citrus and a hint of pear. Really enjoyed.

PnP over two days with no noticeable difference between the two days.

7/4/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Having had the 2017, 2019, and 2020 all within a week, the 2017 is clearly the most beautiful of the trio. The 2019 and 2020 are still very primary, and the beautiful fruit and, mostly the acidity, overpowers the mineral and secondary flavors a bit. Still a very charming wine. I keep envisioning letting these wines age to over 10-15 years, but not sure it will actually happen.

7/1/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Consumed over two nights and found it is in a really good spot.

I'm not good at describing the nose on wines, but I do see the description of violets mentioned by some of the professional reviewers.

Dark berry flavors and well-integrated tannins. Really pleasant as my before dinner glass of wine, and also well with food. Lacking a bit in complexity for a higher score.

6/28/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Not quite the level of complexity as the 2017 which was consumed on the days just prior, but still very pretty. More acidic than the 2017 at this stage. Opened with grapefruit and tangerine, and after 30 minutes it started to open with more complexity and mineral notes. I would suggest leaving alone for a while, and I am sure I won't touch another bottle for a year or so.

6/28/2023 - kitkat4 wrote:

No formal tasting note, but this is really beautiful. Day 1 is easily a 93 with nice complexity, a bit less so on day 2. Much more depth than the 2019 I opened the following day.

6/25/2023 - kitkat4 Does not like this wine:

A bit to much green pepper for my tastes.

6/24/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Really enjoyable. Consumed over 2 nights and good on both, but gained some added complexity on night 2.

Boysenberry, black cherry, black rasperry with red berries as well. A hint of spice, chocolate. Tannins nicely integrated. Still juicy and fresh.

6/13/2023 - kitkat4 wrote:

Light yellow color. Nose is stone and citrus. Palate is very young with high acidity. Strong green apple as well as lime, grapefruit, stone, and herbal on the palate. Tasty!

6/4/2023 - kitkat4 Does not like this wine:

Austere and tart. Didn’t enjoy.

6/3/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Nice easy to drink red. Good on its own and with food

5/28/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Bright acidity balanced by sweetness and accented by a touch of spice.

This drinks very young at this point. I noticed the producers web page gives a drinking window of 2021-2046+ and based on some of the Cellar Tracker reviews of the older vintages, I think this wine will improve with age. At this point, the acidity buries the richness and spice a bit, making it seem more simple. Note to myself to hold the few bottles I have of other vintages to let them age. Last year I discovered that gewurztraminer goes well with Memorial Day food (namely brats and baked beans which seem to pick up the spices quite nicely), but will make a note for next year to hold for future years.

5/26/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Very nice and tasty. A great warm weather sipper. Medium body and acidity, fruity with just a hint of mineral. Simple but pleasant.

Price never figures into my ratings, and while I normally avoid any sort of QPR discussion because what is a good value to me may be something completely different for you, it is difficult to resist in this case. There are so many similar roses in the $20-$30 range I can purchase locally that the +$40 makes this a difficult sell for future purchase.

5/25/2023 - kitkat4 wrote:

Just ok for me. Day one showed promise initially with balanced acidity, with mineral and floral notes. As it progressed it became much more acidic, best served with food. My preference is to drink a glass of wine before and with a meal, and before a meal it was just too much acidity. AG's review mentioning the appeal to those that like racy whites seems right on.

Day 2, the complexity that was there on day 1 was gone, and it was just average medium-high acidity.

I prefer more complexity in my SB, as well as some nice herbal notes, and this was missing that. Would also like the acidity to be more in balance with the other flavors.

5/21/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Nice herbal notes with strawberries and red berries.

5/21/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

2018 disgorgement, 75% PN and 25% C.

Toasted bread and yeast on the nose, with citrus and strawberries.

Creamy with medium acidity. Berries, tropical fruits and citrus. Light brioche and bitter almond. Very pleasant over 3 nights.

5/14/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

I'm a fan of the Cibonne Tibouren roses, but first time with Cuvee Marius. Definitely not your average summer rose, and a step up from the other Cibonne roses as well.

Pinkesh orange color as is mentioned by others. It opened more on the second day but was excellent on both. On day 2, nice fruit and acidity that was a little more quiet on the first. Enjoyed drinking on its own and it also stood up well to chicken fettuccine alfredo that was quite rich.

Full bodied, fruity core with blood orange, apricot, and other rich fruits and herbal accents. Unique and very enjoyable.

5/12/2023 - kitkat4 wrote:

Fruity, easy drinking, a touch of spice. Nothing special but pleasant enough.

5/10/2023 - kitkat4 Likes this wine:

Better on day 2, although the chardonnay I had prior to it on Day 1 may have impacted my testing. I suspect this wine would do better with more age allowing more secondary flavors to come forward. Review is for day 2.

At this point it is juicy and refreshing, with lime, orange and some grapefruit. A touch of herbs on the backend. Perfect for a summer sipper after working in the garden for a couple of hours.