Matt Perlman

9.2

Deep dark purple in the glass, muted at first but with air the aromatics of blackberries, violets, cracked pepper, graphite and dried leaves come out to play. Palate-saturating and velvety in the mouth with finely grained tannins and sweet dark berry fruit. Beautiful and should last a while — 7 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Excellent showing. Great concentration and mid palate presence. Long finish — 5 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2015 | The terroir dominates, this wine smells - almost stinks - of flint, soooo much minerality it pushes the character back of the Chenin Blanc. But I do not mind. A little, very little, touch of sweetness on the beginning of the tongue, very vibrant and expressive acids. The more I tasted the more I liked the wine. Paired with Dim Sun and Cantonese style Halibut with sugarsnaps. Lovely! — 13 days ago

Fredybeans

9.3

Robe claire
Nez poire gourmand puis plus minérale à l’air
Bouche précise avec un sucre résiduel encore présent mais absorbé par la matière et l équilibre du fin encore très jeune — 15 days ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Chenin ❤️‘ s botrytis

Unlike anything I’ve had nor was it what I was expecting. After the first sip (or the first pour), I had to set aside all previous experiences with Savienniéres. I mean—just look at that color.

Do not mistake the browning for oxidation (Nicolas Joly makes this distinction clear on the back label and on his website). The wine is developed, and there are oxidative notes, but the fruit flavors are still there, ripe and vibrant.

This is distilled essence of Chenin Blanc right here. Green apple, pear, apricot, beeswax, honey and almond. A dominant honey note but not sweet. White pepper and maybe a hint of ginger. That lanolin note hasn’t completely disappeared, but takes a back seat. Imagine a dry Sauternes…

Nicolas Joly recommends decanting and drinking over several nights. I skipped the first part of that recommendation and am working on the second this week.

Ordinarily, I’m not sure Joly would approve of my choice of “glassware,” but under the circumstances (birthday + oysters + a perfect afternoon watching the ocean mist rolling in over Tomales Bay) I have to imagine he’d be 100% on board.

Not bad for an 882nd consecutive vintage! — 9 days ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.2

Great intensity. Austere and nervy with just enough fruit to keep it balanced. — 18 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Big aromas and flavors of baked apples and pear compote. A touch of sweetness on the entry. Mineral and lemony notes with a hint of nuts on the finish. Creamy and weighty texture. Lots of mouth watering acidity. Rich but just a touch sharp. — 15 days ago

Sean Driscoll

9.3

Infanticide, but calling it baselining. Bringing the goods as usual. Look forward to opening more starting in a few years. — 3 days ago

Walter Fahr

9.0

Wonderful summer rose wine from the Loire Valley. Sweeter than most Rose’s with a lovely taste of strawberries. Paired well with any spicy foods such as Thai or even Mexican. Lovely salmon color — 10 days ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.5

Exudes beautiful lime and orchard fruit. This is such a fantastic vintage. Has that magical balance between ripeness, sweetness, and vivacity. Phenomenal. — 9 days ago