Array Cellars

David Léclapart

L'Amateur Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Chardonnay

A medium lemon color with energetic effervescence. Tiny, fast paced bubbles. Honey and yeast aromas immediately upon opening but it gets so much better from there. Big citrus notes of lemon zest and melon. Chalk, flowers, and moist earth.

What a weird, singular, and gorgeous champagne. Straight out of Trépail with a wine a blanc de blancs that displays purity, focus, and the terroir. Zero dosage and remarkable acidity. An intense champagne on day one but becomes more approachable the next day.

The palate is emotional and deep with a plethora of fruits. Hazelnuts, brioche, and caramel. Green apples and peaches for days. A dazzlingly array of notes here over two days. Ethereal and wonderful.
— 3 months ago

Ira, Tom and 1 other liked this

Henschke

Hill of Grace Vineyard Shiraz 2008

Voted WOTN for good reason. This has been a bucket list wine for me. Some sections of this famous vineyard were planted in 1860 but all of the vines are ridiculously old. It’s bombastic and really stands out from the crowd. Very expressive both on the nose and on the palate. Full bodied and multi layered. Creamy and rich texture. Dark berries, plums, coffee, cigar, orange peel, eucalyptus, soy, cigar box and an array of oriental spices. Probably at a peak right now, such a joy to drink. — a year ago

Ron, Ira and 2 others liked this

Von Winning

500 Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Firing on all cylinders. Opening with an edge of reduction, fine oak, balanced lees component, similar to a great WBurg. With air it’s varietal character emerged, with ripe citrus, slight kiss of herb, and a complex array of mineral undertones. Incredible energy at 7 years old, one of the great SBs of the world IMO. — 3 years ago

Aravind and Lance E. liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2007

Okay … cork completely fell apart on opening. Wine seemed unaffected though. Deep color but not yet dark. It was not as thick as I would have expected for 16 years. It was a bit underwhelming vs expectation. Not lengthy in its finish and missing the array of tropical flavors but was still good. Just not great. — 9 months ago

Tom, Eddie and 23 others liked this
Eric Urbani

Eric Urbani Influencer Badge

@Vino Joe looks oxidized … that cork issue could be the culprit.
Vino Joe

Vino Joe Premium Badge

Yes. Strong possibility.

Château de Beaucastel

Vieilles Vignes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Roussanne 2000

In a great spot. Appears to have really shed some baby fat, the sucrosity of the fruit diminshing and the mineral and tertiary notes coming to the front. Lavishly textured, great length, a wonderful accompaniment to an array of vegetable dishes. Pineapple upside cake, roasted nuts, cooked yellow plum, marmalade, garrigue, cruahed stones, yellow blossoms, marzipan and honey, cream, olive oil. — 2 years ago

Shay liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Hommage à Jacques Perrin Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2001

An absolute monster of a wine. 4 hours in the decanter served perfectly to allow this 2001, perhaps one of the best Hommage vintages ever, to flaunt its incredibly complex aromatic array of black fruits, roasted Provençal herbs, licorice, campfire smoke and Christmas spices.

It’s still youthful with ripe tannins and a ton of muscle. Nowhere near its peak. But it’s entering its drinking window seamlessly, being incredibly giving and expressive with sufficient air. Similar to how VV Gonon differs from the regular bottling, Hommage just cranks everything up to 10 and it’s concentrated flavors come at you in waves. But it never gets heavy as there is just enough lift and precision to keep everything harmonious. A very special bottle from a very special vintage indeed.
— 3 years ago

Mike, Carter and 6 others liked this

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

When I’m not drinking a Napa Cab, I reach for a Jordon. Blend of 80% Cab Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot & 2% Malbec, aged 13 months in 100% French oak (35% new). Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruit, floral and an array of spices. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry and fig with oak, vanilla spice, leather and cacao notes. Rich fine tannins, well balanced and integrated with fruit and oak. Very Nice! Will age well. Grab a NY Strip Steak with all the trimmings! — 10 months ago

Daniel P., Jeff and 2 others liked this

Pascal Jolivet

Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2021

This is a lovely textbook Sancerre with high acidity, steely minerality and a beautiful array of fruit from green apple, lemon and pear to gooseberry, cut grass and wet stone. Fine balance of fruit and acidity and long on the finish — 10 months ago

Paul, Tom and 6 others liked this

Vincent Dauvissat

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2013

Showing just as well as the bottle some weeks back. The first vintage of Dauvissat’s MDT, with just 2 barrels made and hardly any came to the US. It sits in a great place, super giving and ready to drink. It’s seamlessly balanced and finely detailed showing a complex array of yellow fruit, lilies, wildflower honey and hazelnut with lemony acids and a stony minerality. It fills out with air and continues to gain volume and focus. Great bottle. — 2 years ago

Ira, Severn and 7 others liked this

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Alion Muestra Ribera del Duero Tempranillo 2014

Made by famous Vega Sicilia estate. Deep Ruby with an array of aromas, dark fruits, spice, floral and some oak, aged for about 14 months in French oak, mostly new. On the palate flavors of juicy ripe blackberry currants, blueberry & plum with mocha, espresso and licorice wrapped in oak. Firm round taut tannins, great balance with acidity, full body, long finish ends with fruit, oak, spice, and mineral character. Almost starting to open, definitely needs more time! Will age a decade or more!! — 3 years ago

Jason, Alex and 5 others liked this