Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Eric Rodez spent his formative years at Krug. This is an 9th generation family that has 9 hectares of Grand Cru vines in the village of Ambonnay that are Chardonnay & Pinot Noir.. Their vineyards are certified biodynamic and utilize highly sustainable practices. Eric, his wife Martine and their son Mickael operate the Domaine.

It is a spectacular cuvée from the moment you raise the glass to your nose. It is almost hypnotic. You feel the evanescence twirl into your nostrils. Lime with skin, kiwi, green & golden apple, lemon, underripe pineapple, green melon, white peach, sea foam, chalk powder, caramel, frothy cream, vanillin, delicate volcanics, dry limestone, lightly yeasty bread dough, some dry twig to barrel dust, white, yellow & spring flowers framed in blooming jasmine.

The mousse is soft, elegant and rich. Ripe; lime with skin, kiwi, green & golden apple, lemon, underripe pineapple, green melon, white peach, sea foam to spray, nice salinity, chalk powder, caramel, frothy cream, sea fossil dust, vanillin, hues of butterscotch candy, dry volcanics bits, white spice w/ a hint of palate heat, dry limestone, lightly yeasty bread dough to baguette crust, some dry twig to barrel dust, beautiful, delicate but zesty acidity, white, yellow & spring flowers framed in blooming jasmine with balance & length for days, perfect tension & structure-not too much or too little with elegance & beauty that lasts two-minutes and lands on delicate minerality.

Some additional cellaring, 94.

Bottled Spring 2021. Launch2024. 100% Chardonnay.
Vintages in the blend: 2020 - 28%, 2019 - 14%, 2018 - 24%, Previous vintages - 34%. Vinification: 15% in tanks and 85% in barrels. Partial malolactic fermentation. Blended with 90% reserve wine that did not undergo malolactic fermentation. 1.5g dosage. — a month ago

Dave Mayers

9.6

Wow. Beautiful. Laser. Precise and magical. Light bubbles. With cerasulo at The Line SF — 3 years ago

Weijie Shi (Jay)

9.4

Lots of structure, almost chewable. Special — 5 years ago

Whitney Allen

9.1

Sweet Birthday Treat from Eric for my mom’s Birthday 💕 — 6 years ago

Mark S.

9.0

Matured 2009 bruno paillard montagne de reims @4400-3300, Eric Tsai, 191102 — 7 years ago

Joe D'Angelo

9.9

The 2016 Sot-Monopole is utterly fascinating. This is the first vintage which famed Bordeaux consultant Eric Boissenot has worked along side Cristiano Veglio, and the result is simply magnificent. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Sot-Monopole Grand Cru which is situated on the Carpegna hillside in Serralunga. This was vinified in French oak barrels for over 40-days prior to spending 18-months in new French oak barriques and an additional year in bottle prior to release. The wine itself instantly impresses as it opens to seductive aromas of ripe blackberries, black cherries, violets, tobacco, graphite and spices all come together beautifully and burst from the glass. On the palate this possesses a gorgeous full body with outstanding overall structure and balance. It goes on to impress as it displays a remarkable combination of both power and finesse, as layers of wonderful ripe dark fruits gracefully build and expand on to the long polished finish. It is certinaly special to taste such a fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon, but the fact that this comes from within the commune of Barolo makes it even more interesting. There were only 75 cases of this exceptional wine produced in 2016. — 7 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Nose is very briochey, A bit broad. Sappy, rich, dense, complexity, density, superb. Salty. — 3 months ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Bottle opened to celebrate a breaking sales day a month and a half into taking over a small wine shop. Team voted for Blanc de Noirs.

Gorgeous example of oxidative style: baked apples, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, biscuit, orange zest, raspberry liqueur and butterscotch on the finish.

It really ties a room together. — 3 years ago

Mark Rosse

9.3

From Ambonnay Grand Cru. Spiced baked apples. Light golden color with a full mouthfeel. — 4 years ago

S.R.Alexander

9.6

Terrific Bonnes Mares. A myriad of lifted notes on the nose with a deceptively deep and dark fruited body. Viscous mouthfeel that lingers forever. Drinking well now but could easily go another 10-15. Happy birthday to my friend Eric! — 5 years ago

with Eric

Mark S.

9.3

Very special. Pear ripen fruity taste. Slight sparkling? fanniere champagne brut grand vintage, Avize grand cru @5000-3550, Eric Tsai, 191102 — 7 years ago

Bill Bender

9.4

Super funk surprise of the night for me. Young and fun. Layers of fruit, compost, cherry pipe tobacco, rhubarb. From our gracious and generous host @Eric LaMasters — 7 years ago

Sarah Miller

9.3

Blanc du Noir, salmon colour twinge, strawberry starburst ... unique, and one of my favourite Champagnes of a tasting conducted by @six_admospheres. — 7 years ago

romo

9.0

Called Fiano. Dried apricots. — 6 months ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.6

Excitement in a glass… deep ruby color with explosive tones of cranberry, strawberry, and Red delicious apple. Smooth, balanced with hints of baking spices, cinnamon, and clove. Perfect foil for Eric Ripert’s tasting menu at Blue on Grand Cayman. Capable of giving Selosse a run for the money. — 2 years ago

Jim Nelson

9.4

2016 is exceptional in 2022. This is gonna age for ages. — 4 years ago

Richard Poulin

9.0

Je suis un fan de muscadet. Pas de ces versions acides et étriquées à vous détartrer ce qu’il vous reste d’émail aux dents, non. Plutôt de ces envolées fluides, légères, agiles et admirablement tracées livrées par un melon de bourgogne traité aux petits oignons. À celui-ci s’ajoutent texture saline et densité qui allonge la finale. Top ! — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Pretty sure I haven’t had a better bottle of Champange at $24.99 and even some higher.

The nose reveals; bruised green apple & Bosc pear, lemon meringue, overripe & slightly sour pineapple, lime zest, nougat, vanillin, soft honeycomb, oysters, sea spray, baguette crust, grey volcanic, pleasant chalkiness, whiffs of herbaceousiness, spring flowers, mixed greens and yellow lilies.

The entry is clean, fresh, rich and lively. Bruised green apple & Bosc pear, lemon meringue, golden apple, overripe & slightly sour pineapple, lime zest, nougat, vanillin, caramel, soft honeycomb, sea fossils & spray, baguette crust, nice white spice with some palate heat, grey volcanic, pleasant chalkiness, whiffs of herbaceousiness, spring flowers, mixed greens and yellow lilies. Crisp lively acidity. The finish is refreshingly delicious, well balanced, good, seamless, delineation, nice polish and persists with spice for several minutes on the long set.

Photos of; The House of Baron Fuentes, grapes at harvest, Proprietor Eric De Brisis and one of their Grand Cru vineyards. — 7 years ago

Loren Gesinsky

9.2

@ Grand Cru Custom Crush — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2012 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is comprised of of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot made by François-Xavier Borie, oenologist Christel Spinner and consulting oenologist Eric Boissenot. The vines at Grand-Puy-Lacoste are 38 years old and are set on gravel soils. The wine needs more than a two hour decant to unveil ripe creme de cassis, anise and graphite flavors with lighter earthy tones. Bright and focused, this is just an infant now. Drink 2022-2040- 93 — 7 years ago