Shay A

9.2

Easy to trust Realm’s offerings as quality is always at a premium. I have to admit, my brain had a hard time connecting this type of rosé with Realm (based on their typical style).

My comment above isn’t meant to be good or bad, it’s just amazing that this Provençal type rosé could come from a bigger/powerful style Napa producer like Realm. Kudos to Benoit for knowing what he was going for and being able to create something (a beautiful rosé) from almost nothing (the extremely uneven 2020 vintage). I don’t think I could have called this rosé of merlot if I didn’t know beforehand. To me, this was a blend of high end Provençal rosé with Cayuse’s Edith rosé. Extremely pale salmon color in the glass with aromas of cantaloupe, white peach, faint dragon fruit and an herbal/mineral stony character. The palate here has nice gravitas and a surprising bite at the finish. Strawberry cream-lite, underripe kiwi and some nectarine on the finish. Much more enjoyable at cellar temp compared to being too cold. Don’t think this is one to hold, so enjoy now. — 3 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Another go to n/v Rosé Champange because of quality & availability in 375’s. Although, most people think their recent price increases are unwarranted. In large part, I agree. They just haven’t passed my threshold.

Lots of strawberries, black cherries, blood orange, uncooked rhubarb, blackberries, peach, Rainer cherries, loads of white spice w/ heat, sea fossils, dry yeast, some bread dough, weighed, crispy, crunchy minerals, excellent, powdery chalkiness, red flowers & both pink & red rose, lively, crisp acidity, great length and balance with polished, ripe fruits and falling onto pronounced minerality on the long set.

The bottom photos tell you all you need to know as to why the region of Champange is so excellent. Not many places in the world have that kind of chalk & for me, that’s what makes them special. — 5 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

I’ll have to look at my prior notes of this wine, but this strikes me as far more acid-driven than the last bottle I had. Nose show red fruits, crushed rock, and smellable acidity. Lean, crisp, but intense. Like a real hybrid of Walla Walla and a Northern Rhone from an older days cooler vintage. It’s got good length and mouthwatering acids. A Syrah- based wine to have with some meat dish in a sauce, as opposed to a simple grilled or roasted meat. — 2 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Dark ruby in color, almost Inky, with a wide reddish rim.

On the nose blueberries, black currants, black cherries, light vanilla, coke, licorice, Indian spices, tar, light vegetables, earth, tobacco leaf and graphite.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cherries, wood, spices, light vanilla, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso and earth.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a very enjoyable Cabernet Franc blend from Italy. Tangy and interesting with lots of fruit.

Better after 90 minutes of airtime.
Really loved the nose after 2 hours in the decanter.

Showing very nicely at this point, once it opens up, with nice complexity, good structure and a nice mouthfeel. I love these Italian Bordeaux style reds.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and good with food too. I paired it with cheeses and Italian dried meat.

A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot and 10% Syrah. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. A small production of only 8,000 bottles.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$28. — 4 days ago

Shay A

9.2

Though the brutal TX heat is back, it means plenty of time for grilling, and this was a fun red blend to pair with burgers.

A fun field blend where everything but the kitchen sink seems to be in here…mostly zin, with 6-7 lesser known varietals. A bit funky upon opening (pop and pour), this opened to reveal a brambly, tobacco leaf, weightless yet jammy profile. Soft and supple mixed fruits aromatically (mostly red and black fruits), with some added woody notes (more earthy than oak driven). The mid palate here reminds you this is zin to its core with plenty of black cherry compote and then the vibrant acidity driven finish sports some black pepper and spicy rhubarb. Mostly integrated at this point, I think this is at its apex. — 2 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Delicious after our first hot day. Need to buy more half bottles of their n/v Blanc.

Not sure where Delectable’s source for this cuvée is at $46. I paid just under $30 for a 375ml.

Beautiful mouthfeel/mousse. Sour lemons w/ hints of meringue, lime zest- candy, kiwi, pear, white peach/nectarine, understated notes of pineapple juice, beautiful, soft grey volcanics, edgy, soft chalkiness, yeast, soft, melted, salted caramel, white spice, sea spray, cream, spring flowers, jasmine, some yellow & white lilies excellent soft acidity with a smartly polished & well balanced finish lasting minutes. — 6 days ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.3

Starting with the pretty salmon- orange robe, this is showing its few years spent resting in the cellar nicely. A floral, high tone perfume of orange peel, rose and peony waft from the glass. Palate continues with fruity and savory notes along with superb minerals that create a great, satisfying arc. There’s a complexity and depth of flavor all the way through the long finish that shows just how beautifully Sancerre rosé can age. — 4 days ago

Vanessa

9.0

If you’re in the mood for bubbles, there are so many delicious options! 🥂 🍾

This beautiful sparkling wine comes from Franciacorta, DOCG – a region in Lombary, Italy (Northern Italy).  🇮🇹

It’s comprised of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) and is made using a method like in Champagne, France (with a second fermentation in the bottle) – the Metodo Classico – also undergoing at least 24 months aging sur lie.  This time sur lie adds complexity and richness to the wine. 👏👏👏👏

👁 This wine is medium lemon with a soft and delicate mousse.

👃 On the nose this wine has youthful aromas with notes of apple, pear, lemon zest, dried citrus blossom, toasted rice, brioche, bread dough, yeast, and blanched almond.  🍏 🍐 🍋 🥖

👄 On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium(+) acidity, a medium body, medium alcohol, and medium intensity in aromas consistent with the nose.

This wine is elegant and has great balance, complexity, and richness. ☺️👍👍👍👍

Berlucchi, Franciacorta DOCG, ’61, Brut. 12.5% ABV.  — 6 days ago

with Deked1

Willie Carter

8.9

Just take a look at this color. So striking. So sexy. Nice perlage and cream. The nose is so crisp and fresh. Pears and lively red cherries alongside mangoes. Freshly baked bread aromas are very nice here, as well are the grapefruit and strawberry.

Yet another young hotshot champagne maker, Aurelien Gerbais from the Aube. A friend and neighbor of Cédric Bouchard and that’s all you need to know. 50/25/25 PN/CH/Pinot Blanc with an extra brut dosage of 3 g/l. The low dosage avoids the trap of being austere, but rather it’s an inviting and gracious Rosé. The addition of 10% Coteaux Champenois Pinot Noir gives it that beautifully sexy color and viscosity.

Dry with breathtaking acidity, the terroir really speaks here. The palate follows the nose with more summer berries and light yeast. So lovely, so sleek. Good sex in a bottle. If you see these, get them. — 8 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s 1/2 bottle n/v Billecart evening.

This is a more appropriate color of rose for the Rosé color of this champagne.

My go to n/v Rosé Champange for a number of reasons…quality & 1/2 bottle availability are right up there.

Blood orange, black cherries, Rainer cherries, lean strawberries, pomegranate juice, hints of raw rhubarb, grainy, grippy, sharp chalkiness, crunchy volcanics, limestone, sea fossils, baguette crust, deep white spice, orange lilies, peach roses, excellent, lively acidity with a rich, well balanced smart finish that starts clean, ripe fruits falling onto perfect minerality. — 6 days ago