2/2/2011 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

A nice viscous gru v. Perfect as an appertif with shrimp cocktail. Crisp with some acidity trending toward a tad fatty. Probably best to consume my last bottles of this 07 soon.

10/20/2010 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

Tasted numerous times over three days at events in NYC. Absolutely sublime. Honeyed, oak aged champagne with candied citrus and brioche backbone. Nice acidity and balance. Certainly age-worthy as are the other fut de chaine vintages. This year 2000 vintage has evolved remarkably since it was first released in April 2010.

6/22/2009 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

Bacchanalian orgy in St Emilion with wine store owner and several Vin Expo participants....round 3...truly amazing broad shoulders...quite an example of Bordeaux at its best. 20 years old and still with plenty of room to mature. Red fruit...smooth tannins. Earthy, tobacco charm...can I just live here in St Emilion please?

5/29/2007 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

Ruby red. Decanted for an hour at Kokomo's Mirage Las Vegas. Astonishing burst of roasted coffee turning tobacco and earthy. Really lovely, really youthful of course. Wish I had a case to follow its' evolution over the years. Superb effort in an otherworldly vintage.

4/29/2010 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

So for Pinot Grigio maybe this should be a higher rating because really, does it improve much from this? Medium straw colored with a fragrant, almost perfumed, nose of flowers...edelweiss? Dude is an Austrian you know. Anyway...it has a heaviness...in a good way on the palate...nice full bodied, so unlike the vast majority of PG. Almost an oily quality to the texture. ...and at a deal/steal price of $16.99 this would really be a 98pt rating..isn't it what we all want...best in class at a discount price...

1/20/2010 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

Golden hue with plenty of white fruit nose from a top flight producer. Nice weight to the Gru V, some are much lighter. This lasts on the tongue and continues to evolve in the glass. (If you can make it last.) Don't serve to cool. Balanced and a fine example of what a well structured Gruner should be. 91pts

1/8/2010 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

Creamy texture with sweet honey yeast bread nose and pallete. yummmm could be a fast rising favorite of mine. I find great pleasure in the 1998's of most houses...this is no exception. Superb quality. Drink for the next 10 years.

2/28/2010 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

One of my favourite grower champagnes. Love the blanc de blanc style. Crisp and smooth with an honeyed apple pie layer to it , although not too sweet. 90pts

2/27/2010 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

A one of a kind cuvee. The first of a trilogy La Terre followed by Le Feu and then L'Air, La Terre is now drinking superbly. I have tasted this cuvee thoughout the past decade. Now it is shining true to the hype of 1996. The acidity is finally mellowing and melding with the fruit creating a mature fine champagne. Golden color and masculine brioche, yeast with firm acidic backbone. Fine tiny bubbles. Drink for the next decade. Sante.

6/27/2009 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

A light bouquet of apple, light straw color in the glass. Tasting of apple and a bit of grilled bread, with slight yeast note. Pleasant appertif. Not one of the best efforts from Mailly though. Year 2000 was not especially fine.

3/27/2010 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

Cherry fruit bomb with a hint of smokiness and tobacco lingering. A bit jammy, but delicious due to the price IMO. The tannins are mild making it quite drinkable now and most likely the next 5 years.

4/27/2010 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

I must say having had the fortune to taste all Henri Giraud vintages from 1990 to 2000, this is the least remarkable of them all. Same etched bottle and packaging, which is a stunningly rich design...the product inside was a bit reserved. Tasted three times with similar notes. Aged in small oak casks this wine has a truffled nose with honey and spice notes. The richness and backbone from other vintages is somewhat more muted. Possibly needs more time in the bottle. Must taste again in a year.90pts

4/27/2010 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

Finally an entry level champagne from Claude Giraud! Outstanding grower producer from Ay. A full bodied, grilled toast, brioche style with plenty on the nose and palette. Shows a complexity that few non-vintage champagnes attain. A crisp, pure champagne, fine for oysters, salmon and the like. 91 pts

4/27/2010 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

Couldn't lay down the whole newly acquired case. Opened one bottle and let breath 1 hour. Fabulous aromas of plum and berries. Deep hued Merlot with broad shoulders and fruit forward. While it certainly will benefit from several years maturing in bottle, it is a block buster even this young. One of the best Merlots I have ever consumed. 93 with a good chance of moving higher in several years.

7/14/2008 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

Still wound tight but extraordinary features abound. Acidic and young. I agree with others given time it will be a classic. Due to perfect weather conditions the wine is quite full bodied for this region. Deeper in ruby red color than usual.

8/9/2008 - GrapeExpectation wrote:

Outstanding example of Malbec. Dark as night with slight pepper and dark berry fruits on the nose. A true mouth full, full bodied and powerful. Lush red fruit and faint pepper in the mouth.