Abbey Of Saint Hilaire
Château Saint-Hilaire
Cru Bourgeois Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
After a initial rustic funky stink there is an immediate hit of almond and cherry. Very enjoyable, will buy again. — a year ago
V. S. A. Limoux
Brut Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux Mauzac 2020
Pale lemon color with aromas of stone fruits and floral scents. On the palate flavors of apple, peach and pear with hints of citrus. Medium finish, fine mousse, creamy mouthfeel, light bubble flow, ending with fruit and slight mineral notes. Drink now! — 4 months ago
Château Montrose
Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000
Served blind alongside what was eventually revealed to be a 1997 Freemark Abbey. This was the easiest of the pairings to get our heads collectively around as we felt confident this was Bordeaux and the other was from Napa. Unfortunately, I no longer have my notes for that wine but this was particularly memorable because I had held back a glass of the 1970 Montrose and had a lovely time tasting the two of those wines side-by-side. It was remarkable how much they had in common with one another. In fact, the only real difference between the two was that the 2000 just had more of its structure in tact. Other than that, the Montrose DNA was undeniable with loads of all the darkest, blackest fruits: currants and blackberries with coffee, tobacco, and graphite. At nearly 23 years young, the structure remains positively monumental. Despite all of that, it was ever so winsome. The finish was long with wonderful acid and lovely, ferrous minerals. Drink now with patience and over the next handful of decades. — 10 months ago
Taittinger
Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 2007
Well...this was one hell of a week. There is only one way to wind it down. Reach for an excellent bottle of vintage Champagne.
My first thoughts are how delicate this is on the palate. Further, how unbelievable it will be with another 8-10 years in bottle.
The nose shows; slightly sour lemon, the good parts of lemon Pledge, lemon meringue, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, brioche, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanilla, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies.
The body is light on its feet and dances on the palate. Delicacy abounds. Its soft, gorgeous mousse right there with the best money can buy. Slightly sour lemon, lemon meringue, green & with more bruised golden apple, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, touch of apple cider, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, ginger ale into cream soda, brioche, nougat, toffee notes, lighter nuts without skin, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanillin, marzipan, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies. The acidity is mellow yet lively, gorgeous and as good as it gets. The finish is all luxury. So well knitted & balanced, elegant, rich but not overpowering and gently persisting several minutes.
Photos of; The House of Taittinger, their caves so chalky white and built on the famous Crayères Cellars of Reims: 2.5 miles of tunnels (they own 1/4 to 1/3 of it) cut out of chalk by the Romans, the portrait of Thibaud IV who was a king, lord, manager, singer, conqueror, explorer & 11th century Crusader all rolled into one from which, this Cuvée was the catalyst creation and part of the 600 plus hectares they own in Champange.
Some producer notes; Taittinger's history can be traced back to 1734, when it was originally known as Forest-Fourneaux, founded by Jacques Fourneaux who worked closely with local Benedictine monks to learn how to produce wine. They were just the 3rd Champange house.
The estate was bought by the Taittingers – a family of wine merchants – in 1932, and thanks to the great depression and subsequent low land prices, the family also picked up huge swathes of vineyard. From 1945-1960, Francois Taittinger established the cellars in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, and after his death in 1960 his brother Claude took over, pushing the estate into a Champagne house of world renown. Such was the status of the label that the Taittinger family soon expanded its business into other luxury goods. However, this eventually led to financial difficulties, and in 2005 the Taittinger brand – including the Champagne house – was sold to the American owned Starwood Hotel Group. The sale was badly received by the Champagne industry, with many fearing the new owners – unfamiliar with the culture of Champagne – would put profit ahead of quality.
Just one year later, Claude’s nephew, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, who had always been opposed to the sale, negotiated a €660m deal with the Starwood Group, and the Taittinger family resumed ownership of the company.
In 2017, Taittinger planted its first vines in England, near a village in Kent, for its venture into English sparkling wine. The first bottle will be ready in 2023.
1/8/21 — 3 years ago
Saint-Hilaire
Estate Bottled Blanquette de Limoux Brut Mauzac Blend
Smooth French sparkling white with clean finish, served at Bates College reception at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Boston — 6 months ago
Mommessin
Les Caves Grandes Exception Moulin-à-Vent Gamay 2020
In 1865, Jean-Marie Mommessin founded winery. In 1889, Mommessin acquired La Grange Saint-Pierre, ancient buildings in Macon, originally belonged to Abbey of Cluny. Its key, the Key of St. Peter, became famous house emblem. Ruby color with aromas of dark berry fruit with notes of oak and floral. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with oak, floral, spice and earthy notes. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak and mineral character. — 8 months ago
Les Domaines Paul Mas
Reserve Saint Hilaire Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
A real steal for this inexpensive, single vineyard PN from the south of 🇫🇷 — 3 years ago
Blake Anderson
Delicious! Fragrant, bright red fruits (I think I taste raspberry), notes of vanilla, well-rounded. Really want this wine again! Bought it at Paris Bar in Frankfurt. — a month ago