Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Most of the wines I open tell me a story w/ each sip. Most tied to my late wife Sofia. My memories of this producer precedes her.

This is a producer that flashed early in my wine journey. Generally, one you have moved on from today. That’s until, their 2013 is offered at $39 recently. A grand vintage. For me, I wanted to see the wineries progression and experience earlier memories that flood back w/ each sip. It has done that.

I have a Napa history infatuation. This one is kinda of a pleasure-pain thing. While I enjoyed this producer many years ago, the 2020 Glass Fires destroyed 90% of their vineyards, almost all their structures & their 19 & 20 vintages. I can’t express enough what a gut punch that is for its owners & staff. It is an insurance nightmare and let’s not forget that after all the time it takes to re-plant vines, it takes at least 7 years before you get useable fruit to make wine. So…a ten yr plus setback w/ nearly no revenue stream.

The wine tonight w/o a ribeye, showed excellent fruits that the 13 growing season brought. But what followed was a lean mid plate and finish. With the steak, not so.

The palate shows M+ velvety, dry tannins. Ripe, rich, lush, ruby fruits of: blackberries, black plum, baked plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, poached & fresh strawberries & an understated array of purple fruits. Moist, grey, volcanic clays, moist tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, dry, crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, dry brush, dark cola, black licorice to anise, dry herbs-bay leaf, sage, dark, mid spice with some palate heat, sweet tarriness, dark, fresh, candied & withering red roses, lavender & dry violets, excellent acidity with a well balanced-knitted, nicely structured & tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on dry earth & spice.

This is nice on its own but so much better with a ribeye. 92 on its own with a hour decant. 92-93+ with an hour decant plus a juicy, well seasoned MR ribeye. — 13 hours ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

From Coravin.

The waft of oak and big layered baking spices top the nose. Espresso, dark core of currants, black licorice, ruby, lush, almost liqueur; blackberries, both plums, black cherries, strawberries, black raspberries, mulberries, dark chocolate, caramel, mocha, coco powder, black tea, dark berry cola, fresh, perfumed & candied florals that are dark, red & lavender framed in liquid violets.

The palate shows; velvety, dusty, M+ tannins, ripe, lush, black currants, blackberries, both plums, black cherries, strawberries, black raspberries, mulberries, dark chocolate, caramel, mocha, coco powder, shaved coconut, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, anise to black licorice, black tea, dark berry cola, fresh tobacco w/ ash, leather, dry twig, dry crushed rock, sandstone, limestone, dry river stone, scorched earth, sweet tarriness, fresh & dry herbs, moist clays, fresh & candied florals that are dark, red, lavender framed in liquid violets, very round acidity, well balanced-structured-tensioned, good length and a rich, elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on earth & minerals.

Add a point with proper aging. — 9 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose shows, melange of orange citrus, green/red apple, Bosc pear, slightly, dryish yellow & white peach, Meyer lemon to meringue pie with crus, lime with zest, overripe pineapple/cantalope, cream, soft, white spice, vanillin, graham cracker, brioche, saline, chalk & limestone marl, yellow lilies/flowers & pink roses.

The palate mousse is rich, round and elegant. Melange of orange citrus, green/red apple, Bosc pear, slightly, dryish/candied yellow & white peach, Meyer lemon to meringue pie with crus, lime with zest, overripe pineapple/cantalope, cream, marmalade tones, hints of honeysuckle soft, white spice, vanillin, touch of mint, graham cracker, brioche, saline, grey volcanic, minerals, crisp chalk & limestone marl, yellow lilies/flowers & pink roses with greens. Excellent rainfall acidity, nice structure/tension, well balanced, elegant, smart, polish with a minutes finish that lands on beautiful, softened minerality.

Disgorged 7/25, 1g making it really a Nature. 48 months on lees.

Photos of Egly-Ouriet and Owner and Winemaker Francis Egly. — 9 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

If you like Ca Chardonnay with firm wood-warmer climate backbone structure, this probably isn’t for you. It is closer to white burgundy, which is why I buy it occasionally. It reminds me of the a leaner, less viscous, 2014/16 Domaine de la Bongran Viré-Clessé Cuvée E.J. Thevenet.

The palate is perfectly ripe; green apple, lemon/lime juicy pulp w/ zest, grapefruit with pith, tropical melon, white stone fruit, marmalade as it warms & opens up, Bosc pear w/ skin & lychees. Honey notes, but less than Viré-Clessé Cuvée E.J. Thevenet, caramel, milk froth, vanillin, dry limestone powered, toast crust, some white spice, grey volcanics, saline notes, yellow lilies, white flowers, jasmine blossoms, mixed in greens, very pleasant acidity, well; knitted, balanced, good tension, medium structure and a smarty polished 90 second finish that settles on spice and minerals. — 15 hours ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

70% Merlot & 30% Cabernet Franc. Decanted 2 hours and enjoyed over the next 2 plus hours. Cork near new.

I have waited patiently nearly 20 yrs to enjoy this 2005. While it is delicious tonight, it still has not hit its precipice. Might be another 8-10 yrs for that.

This is the second wine of Chateau Ausone. If you are not familiar with this producer, if they redid the 1855 Classification, their first wine would most certainly be a first growth and at the very least a second growth.

I remember reading the first/original review of the 2005 Ausone from Robert Parker. It read, “if you are over the age of 55, you have to decide whether or not to buy this wine.” It went on to a glorious 💯 point review. However, that original review was taken down some months into it. Was it taken down at the behest of Chateau Ausone? The review was reworded to take out the over 55 age & anticipated drinking window of 2040-2080. Most of Chateau Ausone buyers are older, higher income. Would that drinking window prevent them from purchasing it as Chateau Ausone is not an inexpensive bottle price? Not for the younger incomes. Question for the ages but it inspired me to buy three bottles of their 05 Chapelle d’ Ausone.

About a yr ago, I had their 02 Chapelle d’ Ausone. Strangely, that night it showed better than this 05 tonight. The 02 vintage was not a lauded vintage. Yet on that night, the perfect time to open it. This 05 needs more cellaring time and will ultimately be a better wine in another 7-10 yrs.

The nose shows; beautiful, ripe, somewhat floral fruits that are; dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, sweet blueberries and raspberry notes. Mid berry cola. steeped fruit tea, gently baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & beautiful vanillin, soft pepper, mix of dry & fresh herbs, tobacco, leather, graphite, volcanic ash, moist clays, limestone, amazing dark & red florals set is violets.

Medium plus resolved, powdery tannins. The palate glides with freshness and ripe, floral, juicy fruits that are; dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, sweet blueberries and raspberry notes. There is no bite or a stringency, Mid berry cola, steeped fruit tea, gentle baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & beautiful vanillin, soft pepper, mix of dry & fresh herbs, excellent mid, dark spices w/ some palate heat, anise, dark chocolate baking bar, coco powder, tobacco, leather, graphite,, limestone/sandstone, dry crushed rocks, grey volcanic ash, rich, sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, moist clays, limestone, soft cedar to sandalwood, amazing dark & red florals set is liquid violets, amazing rainfall acidity, still has firm structure/tension, well balanced, great length and a finish that is w/o end and long sets on dark, dry tannins, heated, dark spice florals, earth and tarriness.

Add two points in 7-10 yrs. I look forward to my next bottle then.

Photos of; Chateau Ausone and owner-Alain Vauthier. That short rootstock featured center is around 25+ yrs old. — 7 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The nose shows tangerine, thinned yellow peach, golden/red apples, lemon/lime pulp with a hint of zest, pear, whiff of lemon meringue pie, ginger-ale, graham cracker crust, baguette crust, caramel notes, silvered almonds, some light brioche, pink roses & yellow flowers.

The palate entry is beautiful, ripe, rich with lively crisp acidity at first and softens in the glass. Some light oxidative presense. Tangerine, some marmalade yellow peach, golden/red apples, lemon/lime pulp with a hints of zest, pear, lemon meringue to custard, ginger-ale, graham cracker crust, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, vanilla, caramel notes, silvered almonds, some light brioche, beautiful, soft, chalk/sea fossil powder, crisp, grey volcanic minerals, pink roses & yellow flowers. It is extremely well made, balance for days with an elegant softy rich finish that last nearly two-minutes and lands on soft earth & minerals.

Disgorged 7/25, 2g making it really a Nature. 36 months on lees.

Photos of Egly-Ouriet and Owner and Winemaker Francis Egly. — 9 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Solid cuvée. Their entry level.

A bit sweet at 8g but Extra Brut in 375’s a little harder to come by. 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay and 3% Pinot Meunier. Base vintage 2020. Disgorged June 2024.

The mouth entry glides with rich, ripe; green apple, pineapple, white stone fruit, cherries, lemon pulp to meringue, lime zest, kiwi, tropical melons. Vanilla, caramel, cream, some yeast notes, toast, slivered almonds, crisp volcanic minerals with limestone, white spice that plunges into the palate with some heat, dry herb notes, chalk in bits & powder, saline, sea fossils, yellow flowers, white spring flower bouquet, crisp acidity with nice balance and a 90 second finish that long sets on spice & minerals.

In all my many travels to world wine regions during or just post harvest, the Clos De Goisses Pinot Noir fruit was absolutely the best…everything else, a fairly distance second. I ate 2-3 clusters.

Photos of: my visit to Philipponnat, 10/23. The Clos Des Goisses vineyard that strangely grows over their facility, the view of the Cote de Blancs from the Clos Des Goisses vineyard & entrance to their cellar. — 16 hours ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

A cuvée I have not opened in quite awhile. Found some 375ml’s and since it was one of the few 375ml Extra Brut’s available, easy to grab a few. Enjoy this cuvée from Bouzy.

The is 80% Pinot Noir & 20% Chardonnay. Disgorged 1/23 @ 1g, making it technically a Nature on the champagne sweetness scale. Base yr 2019. For its quality, still nicely priced with ever increasing champagne pricing.

The nose reveals; ripe & macerated yellow & white stone fruits-apricots, peach, vanillin, notes of honey. Marmalade fruits, melange of white citrus’s, lime zest, very ripe pineapple, orange/tangerine blend, raspberry tones, cream, almonds with skins, brioche, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, toast with a little butter, saline, sea shells, limestone, chalk, yellow lilies and withering white spring flowers.

The mousse is pleasant, creamy, theirs a ripe richness in the fruits. Macerated yellow & white stone fruits-apricots, peach, mango, vanillin, notes of honey. Marmalade fruits, melange of white citrus’s-Meyer lemon lead, lime zest, very ripe pineapple, orange/tangerine blend, raspberry tones, cream, soft, chewy, warm, caramel, almonds with skins, brioche, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, toast with a little butter, white spice, dry twig, saline, powdered sea fossils, limestone/chalk powder, grey volcanic minerals, used oak tones with withering yellow lilies and withering white spring florals. Lively, crisp, rainfall acidity and a well; knitted, balanced, toned, elegant finish with smart and not overly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on an even blend of stone fruits, citruses and volcanic minerals.

Photos of; the champagne house of Pierre Paillard and owner/winemaker-Quentin Paillard. — 8 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Delectable took a powder while trying to post the rose’. Surprising huh. So..,post notes.

The palate had nice strawberries, cherries, raspberries & some light blackberries. Nice chalk, sea fossils, baguette, pink roses and excellent, crisp acidity and an elegant, well balanced minute long finish.

This just didn’t stand out as anything special considering the price point. For me, their slightly oxidative style just doesn’t play out that well with Rosé the same way as their other cuvées do. I’ll take the Billecart Salmon Rose and a few others for less.

Disgorged 7/25, 1g making it really a Nature. 60 months on lees.

Photos of Egly-Ouriet and Owner and Winemaker Francis Egly. — 9 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose shows tangerine, thinned yellow peach, golden/red apples, lemon/lime pulp with a hint of zest, pear, whiff of lemon meringue pie, ginger-ale, graham cracker crust, baguette crust, caramel notes, silvered almonds, some light brioche, pink roses & yellow flowers.

The palate entry is beautiful, ripe, rich with lively crisp acidity at first and softens in the glass. Some light oxidative presense. Tangerine, some marmalade yellow peach, golden/red apples, lemon/lime pulp with a hints of zest, pear, lemon meringue to custard, ginger-ale, graham cracker crust, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, vanilla, caramel notes, silvered almonds, some light brioche, beautiful, soft, chalk/sea fossil powder, crisp, grey volcanic minerals, pink roses & yellow flowers. It is extremely well made, balance for days with an elegant softy rich finish that last nearly two-minutes and lands on soft earth & minerals.

Disgorged 7/25, 2g making it really a Nature. 36 months on lees.

Photos of Egly-Ouriet and Owner and Winemaker Francis Egly. — 9 days ago