This 09 was upgraded to 100 points by Lisa Perrotti formerly of Robert Parker in 2020. I didn’t taste a 💯 & the first time she & I have been this far apart.
This 09 was velvety, smooth, beautiful & elegant with nicely ripe fruits. But, it really lacked the depth & complexity I have come to expect from this producers bottling.
Touched into 94 with a few sips. Decanted a 1 1/2 hours & enjoyed over the next two hours.
@NepentheBigSur If you haven’t been there, well worth the time to visit. — 6 months ago
Seriously special stuff going on here. Quite the aesthetically pleasing package. Old gold in the glass with persistent effervescence. A hefty dose of reserve wines make all the difference in the world here. The nose is extraordinary. Fun and complexity for days. Aged cheese, dried cherries, and oak. Apples drizzled with honey and a side of fragrant herbs. Intense and lovely.
100% Grand Cru Pinot Noir from Bouzy. Aged on lees for almost thirteen years and you can tell. Mature and focused. Regal and distinctive. This is a big, majestic champagne in nature. Oak and smoke mingle with red apples and spice. Hot buttered bread and honey with cherries and a touch of menthol. The finish is marvelously long and smooth. A gem of a wine. — 2 years ago
Founded in 1982 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer and sits on a tree covered knoll overlooking the Napa Valley, with caves that extend for over a mile. Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruit, sweet oak, spice and floral scents. On the palate flavors of ripe peach, melon and apple, with vanilla spice, creamy texture. Medium+ finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with mineral notes. — a month ago
Pale lemon with aromas of stone and tropical fruits. Made from 40-year old vines, aged in 100% stainless steel. On the palate flavors of bright lemon citrus with crisp apple and peach notes. This medium-body wine has crisp acidity, good balance and nice mouthfeel, smooth long finish ending with creamy mineral texture. Very Nice! — 6 months ago
Cedric Bouchard makes some of the most singular, vinous and terroir expressive wines in Champagne which is even taken to the next level in his prized and ultra rare cuvée, La Bolorée. 2015 was a particularly great vintage for Bouchard and every cuvée I’ve tried has been fantastic. La Bolorée, 100% Pinot Blanc from 50+ year-old vines on limestone soils, is powerful, detailed and multidimensional showing layer upon layer of rich orchard fruit, white flowers and salty minerals. Just my 4th time having this bottling, but it is always a special drinking experience. We did not decant, but drank from Zalto Burgundy which somehow didn’t break on a boat 😅
— 2 years ago
Mag! Last of 6 that I bought back in 2014 for $15 each. What a steal and has aged so well. 100% Syrah. Dark purple, black plum. blackberry, olive tapenade, med tannins. — 2 months ago
2016 vintage — 3 months ago
Hillside Select is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 32 months in 100% new 60-gallon French oak barrels. Deep Ruby with pronounced aromas of dark fruits, with hints of cedar, floral, oak, herbs and spice. On the palate flavors of concentrated ripe blackberry, cherry and blackberry, pepper, tobacco, leather and earthy cacao. Fine savory tannins, well balanced, long finish, great structure ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy mineral character. Outstanding! — 6 months ago
Paul Fox
Best wine I've ever had, by a mile — 4 days ago