1/2/2023 - Racer117 Likes this wine:

Best white wine of '23... so far. Such tension and verve, fantastic. No butter bomb here, only Burgundy turned up to 11. Ok, maybe 10.5.

12/22/2022 - PIntag wrote:

Solid bottle. Pure fruit, some tannin, balanced - really transparently made Nebb with little or no barrel influence. I actually think this could have used a little touch of oak for complexity (and I'm usually a huge critic of overt oak in red wine). In any case, went very well with Hungarian Goulash soup.

12/14/2022 - dcwino wrote:

Expressive nose displaying opulent sweet yellow fruit, mango, yellow peach, apricot preserve, strong botrytis, candied ginger, caramel, clove and mineral. Exceptional concentration, layers upon layers of concentrated opulent yellow fruit, rich and think but also showing excellent balance, bright acidity, medium mineral, and a long ripe sweet yellow fruit driven finish. This is in the middle stage of development. Drinking really well with generous opulent fruit.

11/29/2022 - Eric wrote:

M&PD Tasting: California Cabernet (Seattle, WA, USA): At first this showed the barest hint of honey on the nose maybe hinting at a little oxidation. However this quickly exploded in the glass. This is about as clean, lacy, delicate and precise as I can imagine a Champagne being. Loaded with funky minerals and a salty finish, just pure elegance in a glass.

7/23/2022 - chatters wrote:

Coravin fun - Burgundy selection, Talbot bracket and supper wine (My place, Kent Street): From Coravin. Like the 2000 this smells quite dense, baked black fruit, a little tomato leaf and mint, plums, cream, sweet spice, a little biscuit and liquorice. Medium plus intensity acidity, tight tannins are floury textured, dark fruits persist long beneath this. Slight alcohol warmth, cream, cassis on the finish. Rather nice but feels like it needs a few more years.

3/4/2021 - wicozani Likes this wine:

Pours an orangey red with thinning edges. Very aromatic on the nose, with candied raspberries, citrus, sandalwood, and incense. Medium+ bodied, spicy, with excellent acidity and length, with a few drying tannins. This was a superb pairing with rigatoni and red marinara and spicy Italian sausages! Glad to have a few more bottles! Great QPR!

5/17/2022 - palfr2 wrote:

Buttery nose, lemony, chalk. Some nutty notes with aeration. What strikes me is the palate presence. Acidity in balance. One feels a complete spheric underlying vin clair. Dosage is well inegrated by now though still feels on the high side vs more recent standards of winemaking. Good but market price makes no sense for me outside of the trophy element.

2/5/2020 - apward wrote:

A wine with resounding brilliance, a crescendo at the very beginning of illustrious tasting line-up. Wild honeysuckle and key lime. Bubbles that make you laugh. A rose-colored glasses kind of wine.

3/22/2022 - Cailles wrote:

20 Vintages of Lynch Bages (1986-2017): All wines tasted blind. Not decanted. A few conclusions: 1) The overall quality of the wines surpassed my (and the groups) expectations slightly. There were good wines in all decades. 2) The style is very Cabernet, very Pauillac, quite classic, with a good grip, pleasantly high acidity and a good, not too ripe fruit core. 3) Most vintages don‘t have the depth of its neighbours and, until more recently, there are some quite angular tannins. 4) Lynch these days doesn’t reach the same elegance and complexity as both Pichons but plays in the same league as Pontet Canet, which, is less classically built. 5) Highest rating of 95 pts for 3 crowd favorites: of course for the 1990 and 2016, but rather surprising also for the 2017.

TN: Medium- expressive nose with dark berries and lots of minerality, quite cool and fresh. With more time some burnt sugar notes. It gets better On the palate this shows quite round with just a touch of slightly coarse tannins, high but very round acidity, a nice creaminess and overall good balance. There is blue and black fruit, some floral hints, tobacco hints and lots of minerality as well as stems. Fairly good precision. Quite a complete wine. 93/94 pts

Decanting: Good from the go but would certainly benefit from 1-2 hours of air.

2/3/2022 - cephomer Likes this wine:

Popped n poured last nite with MP at Frank Italian in East Village. I've had this wine b4 and my notes are consistent, tho this may have been its best showing yet. Still dark purplish in color, w/no apparent signs of bricking. Tobacco, cigar box, and espresso aromas overwhelm immediately upon opening the bottle. Black and red fruit, tertiary notes of espresso, coffee, tobacco and cigar box are prevalent. I also notice some spice, some smoke and some forest floor elements. There's most definitely a pervasive woodsy earthiness to this wine that is just quintessential Bordeaux. The wine has lost some of the elegance I had noticed in the past and has become more of a masculine, sexy, thick-bodied mature right banker. Excellent wine!

12/15/2021 - g-man wrote:

1st of 4 bottles. I've been holding off opening after reading previous notes here and other comments. Still very dark. Nose of tappenade and tar. Good mouthfeel and opened nicely within an hour. Good brambly fruit with moderate tannins providing a good framework. Sadly, after the 2 hour mark the wine became more astringent(?) with the fruit vanishing and tannins totally dominating. I'm not sure where to go with this now to either drink up and not let it sit long or to hold off another few years and see if it balances out.

12/6/2021 - hargy Likes this wine:

mature but a bit flat with quite a distinct bready/toasty edge to it, this is best with food - I expected a bit more from this

11/22/2021 - sirpat00 wrote:

Angélus vertical (Fribourg): Angélus vertical of 20 vintages. Main observations were : 1/ Older vintages before the mid-2000s often suffered from drying tannin and showed a lot of extraction, 2/ Younger vintages quickly benefited from aeration hence decanting advised, 3/ the fruit profile became darker over time 4/ best vintage to drink today: 2004. All wines were directly poured with no prior decant and served in flights of 4.

Tasting note:
Surprisingly aged nose with tertiary aromatics, ripe and on average dark fruit and herbs in the mix. Not really nicely balanced, however.

11/25/2021 - travelme wrote:

BobMilton nailed the notes but I had it a point lower if scoring. Bought on auction and wish I had bought more. Floral nose with a nice finish. Paired extremely well with spices. My only bottle and really glad I got to try it. Highly recommend to drink them soon if you have them to taste at or near peak. Great QPR on this and a great expression of the varietal.

3/14/2021 - Vino Me wrote:

Purchased on sale for $40 (normally $75). A blend of 25% Chardonnay, 25% Arbanne, 25% Petit Meslier, 25% Pinot Blanc from the Montagne des Riems. An interesting wine since 75% of the fruit comes from legacy grapes (grapes which can no longer be planted in Champagne). Zero dosage. I last had the 2007 version of this wine. Aged primarily in stainless steel. Interesting and unique bottling. Very crisp with chalk and citrus notes. Lighter body with a fine bead. You can hold this for a few more years comfortably. 92 points

11/4/2021 - thalver wrote:

Finally, a good bottle. Of the last ten bottles of this I've opened, half have been corked or flawed. This one certainly wasn't corked, nor was it particularly thrilling. ok balance, not much bottle boquet, subdued and somewhat evolved fruit flavors, no cigar box or tobacco notes. Fine, if no better and maybe less interesting than when young.

10/16/2021 - Ultra C wrote:

Lean, perhaps missing a bit of acidity. Apple in the nose, long finish kind of granite with just a hint of citrus. Good value.

9/18/2021 - Racer117 Likes this wine:

Such a quintessential Cabernet! Tasting this after having been stored under cork for 2 days. Dark berry? Check. Cassis? Check. Cedar? Check. Cigar box? Check. Menthol? Check. Not to be confused with BDX as this is so juicy but I can't help but think of a left bank wine.

Thanks to Bomba503 for leaving this bottle at my place!

7/8/2021 - SMagowan Likes this wine:

In a great place with finely honed balanced of dark fruit, cigar leaves and sweet tannins. Delicious.

11/26/2020 - Hermosabritdad Likes this wine:

Thanksgiving wine treat. A quick note. In a lovely place right now, amd possibly the best Lynch I recall having. Lovely nose of initial black currant and even some red fruit in the back, then over time just tons and tons of secondary and tertiary notes. After 3 hours with only half a glass left I simple sat and sniffed and inhaled for the last least 20 mins before finally ending it! Tobacco, new soft leather, some pepper spice, and much else. On the palette the tannins are super smooth. As my wife said - the smoothest wine we have had for a a very long time. Didn’t realize what this is now costing at auction, so I guess it should be this good. A truly lovely wine and resorts my faith in buying and holding Lynch Bages which I had begun to question.

11/26/2020 - PJRONeill wrote:

A bit of a disappointment, unfortunately - somewhat underwhelming on the nose and more particularly on the palate. On opening (an exercise in itself given the cork refused to budge) it had a promising nose of citrus, peach, a bit of flint and some smoke but it really didn't go anywhere from there and the palate, while pleasant enough, was nothing more than fine. No depth, no fireworks, no profundity. I'm sensing a bit of a pattern in my limited experience with this, which is a shame as a bottle of the 1990 may be the best champagne I've ever had and I've been waiting for the 96 to deliver similarly but so far to no avail.

5/26/2020 - Racer117 wrote:

Better than previous bottles. This still has acidity front, center, left, right, back..... but its no longer overwhelming. Tasty stone fruit and lemon flavors along with a nice spice medley note in the long finish.

4/7/2020 - thalver wrote:

yet ANOTHER corked bottle of this wine!

3/23/2020 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine:

Unscrew and pour. Tasty and balanced Barossa GSM that keeps getting more accessible with dark fruit, asphalt, chewy tannins. If you'e been waiting on these try one now.

11/8/2019 - Racer117 Likes this wine:

Exquisite! I still think could use a bit more time but it's so rich, full, and primary right now. Loads of dark and berry fruit and not overly sweet. Thanks to Ted for sharing.

12/28/2019 - Topper wrote:

Drank my last bottle on my birthday. So sad to see it go. Probably my favorite champagne from my favorite vintage. Very nice recent notes by DCWino if you want more details on the flavor profile, but this time I just preferred to enjoy and not think about it too much.

10/24/2019 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

Wine Tandems Night (Sets of Mini-Verticals) (The Grand Room at Industrial Eats, Buellton, CA): One of the best domestic Chardonnays I can recall having, and in a very good place. Lighter in color than the 2016 version of this bottling we had alongside it. Evocative nose of lemon oil, apple and tropical fruit. More of the same in the glass, fresh and energetic, with some minerality and acid thrown in. Harmonious and very well balanced, with a lingering finish. Very well done.

8/29/2019 - Nanda wrote:

Lieu-dit Cur Blind White Dinner (S.K.Y.): Double blind 07/08 Martray/Bouchard C-C. My favorite of the four. Huge intense and broad aromatics with ripe apple, herb and florals. Palate is smooth and rich with excellent density. Well-balanced with zippy acidity and lift.

12/24/2018 - Mike V wrote:

Badly oxidized. I bought 6 many years ago and stored them in the cellar. Hopefully just a bad bottle. I will have to try one of my remaining 4 sooner. Hopefully the remaining are not damaged

10/17/2018 - John Nezlek wrote:

Note: I use a scale on which 85 represents a very good wine.

Excellent bottle. Rich nose, ample fruit. Not at all dry. Not quite as good on Day 2, but 90 on Day 1.

2/23/2018 - Swan 60 Likes this wine:

Wonderful berries and mellow oak. Tannins are just right, and it went very well with a Santa Maria Tri-Tip.

6/8/2018 - om42 Likes this wine:

One of the best Corton grand crus from the few that I have tried. Chardonnay on a whole other level.

5/27/2018 - chatters wrote:

Coravin fun - food matching (My place, Kent Street): From Coravin. Medium plus intensity aromas of blackcurrant, brambly, earthy, meaty with sweet spice. Juicy, savoury black currant fruit, a little liquorice, tight, drying, talc textured tannins. Despite being bounced around in my bag all day this is really juicy/fruity/young but balanced and, to use an ugly phrase, utterly smashable.

4/17/2018 - MTC2 Likes this wine:

Sounds silly, but this wine makes me want to take another trip to Sonoma. The nose is forest floor, mushroom and red fruit. Tangy acidity on the palate with cherry, raspberry and earthiness. The finish is spicy and medium long. A wonderful Sonoma Coast pinot, at a reasonable ($38) price.

2/24/2018 - Hanibal Likes this wine:

On the nose you know for sure it is either Calif or south African chardonnay. The nose is on vanilla, oak and some passionfruit. The color is deep yellow. On the palate it is very buttery oaky with a medium finish on tropical fruit. It reminded me of a Beringer chardonnay but simpler in style and cheaper on dollars ! all in a crowd pleaser for a big gathering

4/15/2018 - BuzzzzOff Likes this wine:

This is the reason we wake up in the morning. Bangkok klong (human detritus) on the nose, smooth as silk on the palate and a finish we still feel days afterwards. Henri Boillot pumps out top-shelf juice!

3/13/2018 - isaacjamesbaker wrote:

South African Tasting (Embassy of South Africa - Washington, DC): Love the floral aromas, fresh and bright. Creamy texture on the palate with bright acidity, peaches and nectarines topped on sea salt and honeysuckle. The texture and depth at this price is really impressive.

1/18/2018 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:

From magnum this was in ripping form. Pure white peach and lemon fruits are tinged with spice. It is direct, linear and deep in the mouth. It has great intensity but remains light on its feet. It finishes with excellent cut and length is superb.

3/20/2015 - Racer117 wrote:

Quite light color; strong aromas of cotton candy, buttered popcorn, greeness, alcohol; pungent flavors of lemon, apple, metal and plenty of heat. The strong acidity keeps this balanced. Full throttled CA chardonnay but no simple butter bomb. This should please the whole range of wine drinkers: on one end you've got your great aunt Ida and on the other is Dieter the bespectacled odd wine snob from the IT dept. Aunt Ida, "This is really good honey, could you get me a couple of ice cubes?" Dieter, "Das Californians fall very short of a 2007 1er Cru Puligny-Montrachet Les Caillert but I vill still drink this."

11/26/2017 - COWineLover wrote:

My note will reflect the wine experience tonight: brief and unremarkable. First bottle in over two years. This wine was fine with black fruits, rustic tannins, and muted aromas. Not as energetic or complete as prior bottles. No length on the finish.

I prefer the 2006 Aalto over the 2007.

10/11/2017 - sdr Does not like this wine:

Well, clearly there is something wrong with my bottles of this reputed great champagne. Similar to a year ago but even weaker, it resembled water more than wine. Lively mousse suggests storage was good and I don’t detect any TCA or oxidation yet the wine has been stripped of flavor and character. I don’t think time will resurrect it.

8/5/2017 - Haggis Likes this wine:

Amazing. There are few adjectives in the English language that can capture the elegance, complexity, vibrancy, and delicacy of this sauternes. One of the finest wines I've ever had. Oranges, creme brulee, figs, almonds, honey...whatever, it was there. And a beautiful beam of acidity that pulls it all together. I can't imagine what this will be like in another 20 years. Earth shattering, no doubt.

6/8/2017 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:

My favorite champagne I think hands down. Not sure this was quite as 'on' as previous bottles, but it's still really lovely (and partially might have been my taste buds just weren't quite right last night I think). But nice and herbal and vanilla and toast and just very complex and interesting. Paired nicely with some burrata. I enjoyed quite a bit.

2/5/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote:

Good Wine with an Exciting Super Bowl (Chez Kailin - Northbrook IL): Black currant and cherry, more robust on palate than on the nose. Very well balanced, very good now, but this might even have upside from here.

2/2/2013 - Racer117 Likes this wine:

Tasted after a 2 hour decant. Deep, dark, and clear color. Hot nose with layered mixed berry, earth, and plum aromas. Fair amount of alcohol with waves of red fruit and cherry flavors and a complimentary savory/herbal note. Plenty of tannins and acidity but well balanced and in check. Overall a fruit forward wine and incredibly delicious. If the alcohol wasn't so pronounced, I'd call this 93-94 points.

8/24/2016 - Wineguy76 wrote:

Wow this is intense. The 2000 Canon La Gaffeliere is a magnificent prime time blockbuster boasting a tantalizingly youthful dense ruby appearance and an explosive aromatic bouquet of cassis, burnt tar, lavender, herbes de Provence as well as subtle hints of old leather saddle. There is outstanding depth and laser-like precision here as this medium to full bodied beauty pleases the palate with its delicate texture, unleashing layer upon layer of Kirsch, raspberry coulis and shiitake mushrooms. Equally irresistible is the long lasting velvety finish loaded with lush, well rounded tannin. It's all there! This wine making tour de force is in its youthful prime now but should continue to provide hedonistic pleasure for at least another decade. We had the pleasure of drinking this with dinner at Per Se, which made it even more decadent. Bravo!

6/3/2016 - CamWheeler wrote:

Decades of Decadence - x6s (Tetsuya's, Sydney, Australia): 1996 Salon is a wine that I have tried a few times now and it has always been immensely impressive. Lime, apple, floral/musk, orange peel and lemon - this is still decidedly primary but also intensely perfumed. The palate is precise, with the cut of razor sharp acidity bending the fruit to its will. Salivating, with superb depth - this is Champagne playing a totally different game to most others.

5/22/2016 - pavel_p wrote:

A dinner with friends at home: Served with oysters. Solid Champagne but at least this 2004 vintage is not worth the extra money over the better NVs. Pale yellow, medium mousse, crisp with plenty of citrus, a touch of brioche. Despite opening it about 45 min before people arrived I found it a bit thin and boring on the palate. I have my doubts that this will improve much with more time in bottle.

12/22/2015 - SFBill wrote:

Enjoyed at WaterBar in San Francisco with oysters and bass carpaccio.
Poured and let breathe a few minutes and the unmistakeable Salon crispness just blossoms. Tart, but very dry, with citrus notes. Incredible finish that reveals the true depth of this wine.

I'm saving the 100 pt. rating for the one bottle I have left that I'll open in a few more years. Simply the best champagne I've ever had.

11/15/2015 - BuzzzzOff Likes this wine:

The third wine (first red) of the Birthday Month Happy Hour Sunday Sips at home. One of our friends, who is just starting to sip wine and doing so with the passion he has for Chinese tea, was saying "wow" every time he took a sniff and a sip. Powerful and intense. Dark cherries on the nose. Huge structure, medium tannins, long and silkily finish. Sipped nicely after 3+ hours breathing in the bottle. Blueberries, blackberries and cherries! Silky and elegant finish. Will lay down for many a year. Pleased as punch to have quite a few bottles in the cellar. Very simply a stunning wine! She hits the floor like the gal in Flashdance, pirouettes gracefully mid-palate and finishes elegantly to the London Symphony Orchestra...a phenomenal performance!