David Shaw

9.1

Orange pink, excellent clarity. I got a chance to sample this in addition to their white and red, all above average wines, and relatively cheap. Produced by monks and nuns at the Benedictine Abbey of Le Barroux using grapes from the first papal vineyard, now called Via Caritatis, planted by Pope Clement V in 1309. Quite a story…
The rosé is a 51/25/23/1 blend of Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault, Syrah.
Good acid, red fruit aromas and flavors, mostly strawberry with some raspberry and citrus, slight mineral finish. Get some of this before it gets more famous. — 2 years ago

Maurizio Abbà

9.5

Chateau Carbonnieux is one of the largest estates in Pessac Leognan. It boasts some high profile neighbors, such as Chateau Haut Bailly and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. The 90 hectares of gravel-based soil is evenly split between red and white.
As it often happened in France, Benedictine monks started planting vines on this land in the 13th century. Perrin family bought the estate in 1956, proceeding to a renovation of the vineyard and the cellar.
This excellent example of white Bordeaux is composed of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon. The vinification is made in barrel, a third of them in new French oak. The wine is left on the lees for ten further months, before being put in bottles.
Beautiful golden color with paler reflexes, young and vivid despite its eight years of slow aging, the first impact on the nose is fresh and green, with prevalent notes of lime and cucumber. Some decanting time reveals floral notes, elderflower, jasmine, ripe peaches, with some bready tones provided by the lees — a very balanced nose with bright flavors.
In the mouth, a beautiful sapid dry wine with high acidity, medium body, medium to high alcohol. The latter is the only spike in an otherwise perfectly rounded taste. Aftertaste reminding citrus and stone fruit.
A great drink, one of the best white wines from Bordeaux in the 20-30£ range. Ready to drink in 8-10 years. — 7 years ago

Gilles de Chambure

Master Sommelier & Educator

9.3

blend 2011 70 ssuvignon 30 semillon one of the first properties to bottle wine in 18 cth by the benedictine monks — 12 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

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 — 5 years ago

Connor Smith

9.5

The French Revolution detonated everything about the old order of France, and wine was no exception - far from it. The great vineyards of Burgundy, that had been tended to and ached over by Benedictine and Cistercian monks for centuries, were confiscated and auctioned off to the petite bourgeoisie in Paris and Dijon. The Napoleonic inheritance code, which guaranteed an even split between all children, led to these ancient plots being further divided up with each passing generation.

It wasn't long before there was a multitude of disinterested Parisians who owned a few vines in the Cote d'Or as their birthright. Négociant houses, such as Louis Jadot, popped up to make deals with these small landholders, aggregate their scattered plots, and bring their wine to the world.

Modern Burgundy is still very much a reflection of its transformation during the Revolution, with some of the world’s most famous and valuable land portioned out into tiny parcels. It’s no wonder demand outstripped supply long ago!

(This is adapted from notes for Le Dû’s Wines ‘History of Wine 1453AD-Present’ seminar, where this wine was poured) — 6 years ago

Maria Vano

9.3

San Martinos Hill. Pretty and light smoky fire on the nose. Totally taken aback at first sip, big and softly tannic for such a young wine. Selection of 3 vineyards, 20% of grapes were overripe. One year in 500liter new Hungarian oak, giving it oaky feel. Owned by Benedictine monastery. Lovely wine! There is something very special about a wine that makes you stop the flight because there is no other wine you want to replace in your mouth. Dammit this is one seriously good wine. Nice showing of what younger gen winemakers are doing here. — 9 years ago

Trae Apodaca

9.8

Love me some Tempranillo and lil Cab! — 12 years ago