Somm David T 
Olivier Leflaive
Les Sétilles Bourgogne Chardonnay 2023
23 such a great white vintage. Raise a hand if you prefer White Burgundy over Ca Chardonnay.
I commented on @Jay Kline or @Andrew Cullimore post that I really love this producers style. It is distinctive to me. It’s elegant, lush and plush. Their wines wire to wire have such beauty and elegant consistency
The nose is inviting with lime-skin (inside & out)- pulp, juice, Meyer lemon skin-pulp, kiwi, pineapple, tropical melons, herbaceous, volcanics, mint, deep chalkiness, sea spray, sea fossils, gentle white spice, cream, caramel, sunflowers, white spring flowers & jasmine.
The mouthfeel is round, lush, viscous & somewhat waxy. Lime-skin (inside & out)-pulp, juice, Meyer lemon skin-pulp, kiwi, pineapple, tropical melons, herbaceous notes, toast, volcanics, mint, deep chalky powder, saline, sea fossils, dry twig, soft oak powder, limestone marl, gentle white spice w/ palate heat, cream, caramel, sunflowers, white spring flowers & jasmine, waterfall acidity, well balanced, nicely tensioned /structured, good length and a beautiful, elegant 90 second finish that sets on white spice and minerals.
In 2015, my wife and I spent the morning & afternoon w/ Olivier touring the vineyards, cellar and then had a long lunch tasting 8 of his wines. Absolute gentleman. Always wearing his signature a ferdor hat. — 14 days ago
Roy Estate
La Reveuse Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Caught up with this one at the end of the luncheon. Good quality but a bit shy on this day.
Dark core of currants, dry herbs, soft dry earthiness, dark withering flowers. Nice polish. — 19 days ago
Egly-Ouriet
Les Vignes de Bisseuil 1er Cru Extra Brut Champagne Blend
I had this on 2/19/26. This bottle from a different source but same disgorgement date.
The nose dances and twirls. Green apple-golden apple w/ skins, tangerine, lime-lemon citrus, grapefruit w/ pith, kiwi, white stone fruits, malt, frothed cream, vanillin, light caramel notes, sea spray-fossils, beautiful chalk powder, limestone marl, a waft of neutral oak, hints of mint & dry herbs, yellow & white spring flowers framed in jasmine.
The mousse is soft & beautiful, tiny beaded. It almost seems frothy-foamy, not quite like an ale but reminders of it. It is rich, ripe and lush. The palate is a near mirror of the nose, Green apple-golden apple w/ skins, tangerine, lime-lemon citrus, grapefruit w/ pith, kiwi, white stone fruits, some light apricots, malt, frothed cream, vanillin, light caramel notes, graham cracker crust, some, very light, yeasty, bread dough, white spice that penetrates the palate w/ some mid heat, sea spray-fossils, beautiful chalk powder with tiny bits, limestone marl, volcanics, shows some neutral oak, hints of mint & dry herbs, yellow & white spring flowers framed in jasmine, the lively acidity is near perfect, extremely well; made-knitted-structured, beautifully toned and textbook balanced with elegance for days and finish that lasts two-minutes plus and lands of minerals & mid intensity spice.
48 months on lees and for me a perfect 2g’s dosage.
This has gotten spendy but if you buy it pre-arrival at the right reseller, not so bad given the quality. Seen it @ $94. — 8 hours ago
Henri Prudhon & Fils
En Remilly Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Chardonnay 2023
This is my first experience w/ this producer. Reading…a family Domaine that started farming in 49 and made their first wines in 1980 if my short-term memory still works. Built it into 11 Hectares, which is fairly big in Burgundy and certainly so for a family Domaine.
This is one of my favorite vineyards. Particularly fond of Hubert Lamy’s work in this vineyard. The exception was 23, which I felt was too lean. I don’t buy Lamy anymore as when I first started buying it, it was around $50. Now, $160 for their 22. I bought my last two bottles in 22.
This 23 was a much better value at $59.
The nose is bursting w/ expression. Green apple, lime pulp w/ rind, Meyer lemon to meringue pie, kiwi, white stone fruit-peaches/nectarines, pineapple, green melons, honeysuckle, notes of butterscotch, touch of dry to moist herbs, some fresh mint leaves, frothed cream, saline, dry chalky powder to bits, understated white spice, volcanic minerals, dry limestone, yellow lilies, blooming jasmine with greens.
The palate is ripe, lush & cool stream like. Green apple, lime pulp w/ rind, Meyer lemon to meringue pie, kiwi, grapefruit, white stone fruit-peaches/nectarines, pineapple, green melons, honeysuckle, notes of butterscotch, some caramel, touch of dry to moist herbs, some fresh mint leaves, dry stem/twig, frothed cream, saline, dry to slightly dry chalky powder, white spice w/ just a touch of palate heat, volcanic minerals, dry limestone marl to powder, yellow lilies, blooming jasmine with greens, excellent to near perfect acidity, well balanced-structured, mid tension with an elegant finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and lands on volcanics & chalk powder.
I bought more when I finished my notes. This will improve a point in the next 3-5 yrs. In today’s white burgundy world, this at $59 is kind of a steal. 23 whites shining & over 22, which I love as well. — 7 days ago
Roy Estate
Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
This showed nicely from Magnum.
Beautiful, bright, dark, ripe dark and mid red fruits. Softly layered baking spices, excellent earthiness, bright florals with excellent acidity and finish.
Roy estate has one of the best rolling vineyard views in Napa Valley. — 19 days ago
Château Cos d'Estournel
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2006
This 2006 was a tale of 1/2 of the bottle decanted in a wide decanter and the other 1/2 left in bottle. The bottom 1/2 bottle better than the 2 hour decant. The decanted part lost complete Bordeaux character, mid palate and depth. A shorter decant was in order, but that doesn’t mean this 06 is waning. It has another 7–10 yrs from bottle.
2006 was the vintage that followed the grand 2005 vintage, not an entirely fair growing seasons. Based on the 2005 vintage, the Bordelaise overpriced the 2006 vintage. The Bordelaise disappointed in the price they sold 2005’s looked to make up their perceived losses in 2006. Except, the quality wasn’t the same. Not even close.
The nose shows brambly, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries and lean raspberry edges. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark chocolate bar, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather,. softy layered baking spices, black licorice-tarriness, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender.
The palate is ripe, juicy w/ medium, rounded tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, strawberries and lean raspberry. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark & slightly melted chocolate, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, softy layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, mid dark spices w/ some palate heat, black licorice-tarriness, dry herbs, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dry top soil, moist, grey, volcanic clay, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender, very nice acidity, nicely balanced, well structured/tensioned w/ an elegant finish that lasts a minute plus and lands on earth & spice with mid intensity palate heat.
92 decanted. 93 the bottom 1/2 of the bottle, not decanted. — 7 days ago
Dana Estates
Onda Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Presented from Magum.
As I have said, Dana farms some of the best fruit.
Nice rich, lush; blackberries, black raspberries, both plum, dark cherries, dark chocolate, nicely even and layered baking spices, round acidity and elegantly polished finish.
Needs another 5 years of cellaring but drank nicely. — 19 days ago
Melka
Métisse Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
First time having this one. Made from a two barrel selection.
Thick, heavy, chocolatey Cabernet. Plush, round and velvety. Really nice but will benefit from more bottle evolution. — 19 days ago
Pine Ridge Vineyards
Andrus Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
So elegant and yet still has grip.
Previous notes still apply with a more softened experience. — 20 days ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
A 1/4 century in bottle…mmmm. I have had every 90’s vintage of Phelps Napa, except a 90 I think. Many of those multiple times at 15 yrs plus. This 99 is as good as any of the ones I’ve had. 98, not a great vintage but the 98 consistent with the rest and 99 better than many would expect.
Siting it, it has a dark core with little or no brickish edges. The fruit still very lively.
The nose shows; slightly candied to ripe & some slightly plummy fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, graphite, cocoa powder, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed I liquid violets with a touch of lavender.
This is still around its peak. M-M+ velvety, round tannins. It’s round w/ elegance defined. Nothing that bits back. Palate confirms the nose. Slightly candied to ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, limestone, dark Asian spices with some palate heat, dry herbs w/ a sage lead, graphite, used charcoal ash, cocoa powder, caramel, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed in liquid violets with a touch of lavender, very round, beautiful acidity, well; made, knitted, structured, tensioned w/ excellent length and elegance-balanced finish that lasts minutes & lands on moist clays and ripe, evolved fruit.
Perfect w/ the Prime Ribcap. — 5 hours ago