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! — 8 days ago

michael pandolfo

8.9

Baby chateau neuf-du-pape! Riper fruit now.. needs to settle down but great otherwise — 5 days ago

Jeff Orlowski

9.1

Tobacco and earthy nose. Moderately full body, dry, hint of acidity. Lots of dark blue and black fruit. — 17 days ago

with Michael and Joe

Severn Goodwin

9.0

Confrérie Des Chevaliers du Tastevin Sous-Commanderie d'Albany; Bastille Day, 14 July 2021 at Café Capriccio, Albany, NY — 14 days ago

Jean Kim

9.5

Brioche, apricot, pear, mineral, brut lovely champagne. 2002 vintage splurged to celebrate our engagement. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay — 15 days ago

with Mark

Kate Sammon Thompson

9.0

Super smooth with a nice, dry finish — 7 days ago

Ely Cohn

9.1

Like a gyroscope - give it a little push and it gains momentum and reacher a higher altitude and rides a longer wave than you thought on first impression. Keeps going - mostly Pinot with lemon and light notes of brioche. — a month ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Seems tightly wound at first, but opens up with air. Nose shows candied, crisp cherry, light spice, and bright crushed rock minerality. Very lively. Chiseled in the mouth, with crushed rock minerality in the foreground and fruit in the background. Bright acids. Seems like it’s not quite integrated yet. Fun now, it will get more elegant and settled over the next 2-3 years. Nice!

UPDATE: Night 2, it’s in fact much more together. All the individual components are singing in harmony, and great limestony terroir is informing the crisp cherry fruit. Upping from 9.0 to 9.2. — 12 days ago

Doug Powers

9.4

Redfruits, some garrigue, but clean (no detectable brett) and very complex, long finish, great CdP!! This reminds me why I so love Beaucastel!! — 21 days ago

with Jim

Fredybeans

9.2

Robe or
Nez fruit jaune épicé et frais
Bouche ou le s sucres fond et avec des notes paillées et miellées
Finit sec — 17 hours ago