Jay Kline

9.7

Presented double-blind. The wine appears straw in color with medium viscosity and, apparently, there lots of tiny bubbles so there are signs of gas, LOL. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe orchard fruit, red forest berries, marzipan, lemon curd, fresh brioche. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for an eternity. The texture is ever so creamy. Wow…well, I was drinking something special. Had to be Champagne. Maybe vintage? Maybe a tête de cuvée? The style was similar to Krug. Called Champagne from a producer like Krug. OMG…the 1996 Vintage Brut?! Sheesh…someone was feeling generous! Admitted, I don’t often get to drink vintage Krug (for many hundreds of reasons!) so my experience is obviously limited. However, there’s clearly no question in this being true to house style and, now that I know the vintage, this is showing why 1996 is so special. As others have noted, this is fresher than the 1995 I had some months ago (though, that was very special too) and had greater acid. I would like to think this provides a crystal ball for the 2008 vintage that is sure to follow a similar trajectory. Drinking very fine indeed, right now and should continue to do so through 2046…depending on how you like to drink your Champagne. — 6 days ago

Aravind A

9.3

Stunning orchard fruit mixed with solid salinity and density. Absolutely amazing acidity keeps things lively. Starting to show a touch of secondary: nutty notes and a hint of lanolin. — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

I remember the days when Maillons BdN could be found btg! That ship has certainly sailed and the UC band wagon is officially full, but rightfully so. 2015 base with 60% reserve wines from 2014 and 3/19 disgorgement is ripping tonight, and simply complete with a seamless combination of freshness and oxidative complexity with layered aromatics of rich yellow orchard fruit, wildflower honey and toasted almonds. The palate is electric, particularly so for the warm vintage, with racy acids, textural elegance, killer concentration and multidimensional depth of fruit which give way to a long, vibrant and mineral inflicted finale. The wines of Olivier Collin are hard to beat. — 2 years ago

Ivor

9.1

Intense white with a wide profile ranging from intense orchard fruits through nuttiness ending in a minty mineral finish. Good acidity as well. Time brought some more complexity but this one van go on for several more years. — 5 months ago

Winton Sweum

9.2

Light straw gold; nice nose of yellow fruits, even including dried apricot; ripe and rich in the fullish mouth with orchard fruit but barely enough acidity to be Chablis. — 8 months ago

Brendan Baker

9.1

Bright citrus and orchard fruit, mineral, med + acid, crisp ✨ — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

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

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

Disg. 2/14…Always my favorite of the Lieux-Dits and without question one of the very best Blanc de Blancs Champagnes on the planet, it’s particularly special to have with some bottle age. It’s stunning today, rich and powerful with crazy depth to its layers with a deep, complex core of caramelized orchard fruit, roasted nuts, old rum barrels and candied white flowers, all seamlessly integrated. The palate is generous and detailed, with racy acids, waves of saline laced, chalky Le Mesnil minerals and a finish that stays with you. A BdB benchmark for my tastes. — 6 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

While 05-16 may not be my favorite era of Leflaive (08 & 14 excluded), tonight 2013 is excellent, exceeding expectations and still markedly youthful. It’s rich, mineral and incisive with fantastic depth and layers, wafting waves of yellow orchard fruit, lilies, toasted sesame and lemon zest. The palate is deep and full bodied with piercing citrusy acids and a long mineral and saline finish. When Leflaive hits it hits 🤩 — a year ago

David Shaw

9.2

Last bottle of the 2020 vintage, 130 cases made. Orange with a hint of pink, excellent clarity. Floral and stone fruit aromas, subtle. Lactic, citrus and subdued orchard fruit flavor. Some skin astringency on finish but less than you would expect after a 72 cold soak before fermentation in used wood. An orange wine with finesse, or at least a light touch. Refreshing — 2 years ago