Bob McDonald

9.4

I remember having this wine for the first time in a restaurant outdoors under a tree for lunch in Gigondas with the family many years ago. It was a Wow wine. I have since collected a few bottles and decided to have this one over the weekend with Lamb Shanks. Nose not giving a lot initially but eventually a red and black fruited savoury perfume. Such concentration and richness on the full bodied palate featuring raspberry, plum and spice finishing with supple tannins in this predominantly Grenache blend. The previous bottle I had of this in Australia had notes of barnyard and manure (possibly traces of Brett) but no sign of that in this bottle. Always a treat to have a Bonneau Celestins. — 5 days ago

Ely Cohn

9.2

Tight with a smirky smile. Gun powder and smoke unfolds into lemon vanilla, pear, coconut shavings, a little personality. — a month ago

Andrea Wilson @farmforthesoul

9.2

A velvety, delicious Bordeaux with some tannins. — a month ago

with Jeremy

Brian S

8.9

Must say I am only a Venus or Mineral guy. — a day ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Consistency is their middle name.

This has just started to shift from fresh to aging.

Bruised red apple/pear, lemon, lime zest, tropical melons, drier stone fruits, whipped cream, ginger, brioche, graham cracker, very light caramel/butterscotch notes, grey volcanics, limestone marl, sea fossils, gritty chalk, white & yellow flowers with greens, excellent lively acidity and a well balanced-knitted, elegant & smartly polished finish that lasts near two-minutes. — 21 days ago

Ming L

9.2

A generous Le Clos. The nose offers ripe orchard fruit, lemon curd, and a touch of honeysuckle, more Burgundian than maritime. The palate is broad and supple, with layered fruit and well-integrated acidity that provides lift without the usual steely edge. While beautifully balanced and polished, it leans toward richness and charm rather than the taut, mineral austerity typical of young Chablis. — 23 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.2

I had a lot of fun getting the magnum of this for a celebration. Crisp pear and toasty brioche over a touch of mineral and lemon. — 25 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

More rare than common for me to try a Margaux for the first time these days.

Had this with a French prepared sirloin at Kronenhalle in Zurich.

It’s in a good drinking window. Nice fruit & style. Balanced ripe fruits and nicely resolved earth.

Kronenhalle is a good restaurant, old school environment with a huge stellar art collection, including three Picasso’s. — 2 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

8.9

Pale salmon color. Aromas of cherry, strawberries and rose petals. Bright red fruit on the palate and a hint of minerals- great value! — 5 days ago

Vanessa

9.3

✨ Cheers to treasures of the Côte des Blancs!

🥂 Allow me to introduce Champagne Agrapart & Fils, a fourth-generation grower-producer based in the Grand Cru village of Avize – right in the heart of the Côte des Blancs region, where Chardonnay reigns supreme.

🍾Pascal took the helm of his family’s winery in 1984 and is now joined by his son Ambroise, carrying on the family tradition of meticulous winemaking to craft exceptionally beautiful champagnes that offer an authentic sense of place.

🌿 In support of this aim, Agrapart pursues an ancient approach to farming the family’s 12 hectares of vines, in harmony with nature, according to the natural rhythms of the calendar, trading chemicals for compost, and working the land by hand.

🍇 In the winery, Pascal & Ambroise allow fermentations to happen naturally through ambient yeast found in the surrounding environment & on the surface of the grape skins. They neither fine nor filter their wines, and riddling is done by hand – a rarity in this day and age given efficiencies that can be gained through mechanization (e.g., gyropalette).

👉 Here we have Agrapart’s “Terroirs” bottling made with 100% Chardonnay from a blend of vintages and vineyard blocks from the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Oiry, and Oger. It’s extra brut with 5 grams of sugar / liter in dosage.

😍 It is a stunning Blanc de Blancs expression giving voice to the Côte des Blancs.

👌 This wine is focused, nuanced, & elegant with perfumed aromas of lemon meringue, lemon pith, crisp apple, star fruit, white tea, blossom, oyster shell, salinity, toast, smoke, chalk, river bank, frozen pie crust, and blanched almonds.

On the palate it’s bone dry and laser focused with an electrifying acidity that is balanced by a creamy mousse and concentrated flavors consistent with the nose.

💫 Cheers to delicious wines of authenticity & soul! — a month ago

with Deked1