Mike Saviage

9.7

Tasted blind, although we are now told that all of the reds tonight are 61's so our tasting becomes a single blind horizontal exercise. This wine is brownish tawny, translucent and very old-looking. Perfumed nose with notes of cola, rhubarb, cherry and earth. Has a light structure with faded fruit at first. We're told this bottle was a leaker with the lowest fill of all of tonight's bottles. Guesses are all over the map including Italian and very old red burg (me). We've had spectacular 61 Palmers before and in the first part of the evening, this bottle was missing it. BUT, late in the evening (and 9 hours after opening) this caught its sea legs and grew in volume, complexity and delivery. My rating was crossed out three times as I upgraded this while we all marvelled at the improvement... and in the end, this 61 Palmer showed it's pedigree and overall power. Glad we waited it out! (M's 60th bday 5th of 14) — 22 days ago

Willem Booij

9.3

Lemon curd and brioche in one glass, delicious champagne 😋 — 2 months ago

Naboth van den Broek

9.1

Perfect drinking window. Beautiful ripe dark fruit on the nose and palate. Nicely balanced and incredibly smooth tannins (Margaux). This is by no means a Palmer or CM, but it’s very very good for what it is, the vintage, and the price. — 2 months ago

Alexander Vadas

9.5

The nose was enchanting and the depth was right on, due to equal parts Merlot and Cabernet, respectively. What a great wine! — 12 days ago

with Michael

nathalie fransson

9.0

Morsdagsvin - massa småbubblor, torrt och mumsig till mingel — 15 days ago

Shay A

9.2

I picked up 6 of these and 6 of the Palmer BdB last Fall and just polished off my last one of the Brut Reserve, as these come across as more accessible and less complex than their BdB sibling.

These champagnes are fairly new to the US (though not new across the pond), so I’m starting to see them more and more. This champagne reminds me of Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve “lite”. It pours golden in the glass with plenty of toasty/yeasty notes, alongside truffle honeycomb and sea salt. The palate trends more towards the rich side yet finishes lighter than expected. Some nougat, golden delicious apple, caramel and lemon pastry. Not the most complex champagne, but it’s enjoyable on its own and has been a solid everyday/house champagne the last 6-8 months. — 2 months ago

Elise Ehland

9.5

An elegant cab. Strong flavors but surprisingly easy to drink. From a very small vineyard. Probably should have bought a case. — 15 days ago

with Mary

Mike Saviage

9.5

Tasted blind. Reddish amber tawny. Translucent. Better color than the 61 Palmer beside it. Herbal nose. Notes of red and black fruit, herbs, earth, gravel. Very refined and perfumed. Guessed 61 Mouton given the herbal profile. A really good but not great Margaux. (M's 60th bday 6th of 14) — 22 days ago

Mark Mannebach

9.3

Soft yet complex. Reminds me of a good White Bordeaux — 2 months ago

Michael Peterson

9.4

Took a bit to open up but then it was singing. Bright citrus lemon, apple (on the pink lady side of apple), a whiff of salinity, great texture without being weighed down by a ton of new oak which you tend to find at this price point. Well-balanced. Good stuff. — 2 months ago