Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium lemon yellow fine , persistent perlage . Quite rich and ripe on the nose with some roasted nuts , lemon peel , some camomile , still quite restrained and a little closed. On the palate again quite full and rich , ripe lemon fruit , orange rind , roasted nuts and a creamy mouthfeel , certainly enough acidity to balance but on the richer side . Good length and lightly toasty finish . This is good now but will probably improve over the next few years and last well a further 5-10 . — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Another wine from the Burgundy dinner in Sydney 6 weeks ago. I have been figuring out how to get photos from my camera roll to Delectable. It is not always straightforward. Notes to come later. We had 2 vintages of La Grande Rue. This is the 2012. I found my notes. Not a big fruit influence from this cooler year. Initially a fair bit of oak and a fair bit of whole bunch. Medium weight at best. Meadows tells us that the wines ageing potential most closely mirrors that of Romanee Saint Vivant. After La Romanee, La Grande Rue is the smallest of the Vosne Grand Crus. — 9 months ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.7

Amazing for its level, though still more expensive than most Grand Crus. — 3 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.1

Bougros for me the weakest of the grand crus. Still a tasty lemoney, chalky delight. — 3 years ago

Martinez

9.4

The “second wine” from one of Alsace’s greatest winemaking dynasties. Unlike the single-vineyard Clos Ste. Hune, this is a blend from two (adjacent) sites in the Geisberg (sandstone) and Osterberg (limestone) grand crus in Ribeauvillé. Complex bouquet with aromas of yellow apple, candied citrus, beeswax, crushed stone and a hint of petrol. Full-bodied, rich, quite concentrated with flavors of citrus (lemon) and notes of white fruit. Pure, precise, intense, great acidity — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

8.9

An enchanting pale rose petal pink color in the glass. A fine perlage with plenty of small bubbles. A classic rosé nose with nice red fruits and a floral character. Black cherry dominate with cherry blossoms and wild strawberries. Fresh herbal aromas are underlying with hot buttered toast.

70/30 CH/PN from Grand Crus in Louvois, Bouzy, Avize, Cramant, and Chouilly, this has an impressive pedigree. Non vintage but a blend of a single year, this can withstand more time being left alone for a few years but it oh so pleasant right now. As much as I love the no or low dose champagnes, the 7 g/l is more than welcome here. Bright acid throughout.

There’s a definite intensity to the fruit on the palate. More of those nice red fruits occupy most of the attention here with a touch of chalky minerality. That familiar yeast makes a quick appearance backing up the herbs and spice. Immensely enjoyable. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

@Delectable this is 2014 Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin, “Blanchot”

The nose reveals; candle wax, lemons, green apple, overripe pineapple, kiwi, lime pulp, pear, white peach, apricots, peach, topical melons, beeswax, honeysuckle, vanillin, creamy butter, fresh herbs, caramel, subtle chalkiness, sea fossils, limestone, grey volcanics, the lemon in Lemon Pledge, green grass, dry straw, glazed, brown butter, with fruit blossoms, yellow lilies, jasmine & spring flowers.

The palate is; rich, lush, round, waxy and elegantly smooth. Excellent viscosity. Glorious as it slips over the beautiful mouthfeel. Sour lemons, green apple, overripe pineapple, kiwi, lime pulp & candy, pear, white peach, apricots, peach, guava, topical melons, beeswax, candle wax, honeysuckle, vanillin, creamy butter, fresh herbs, caramel, subtle chalkiness, sea fossils, saline, limestone, grey volcanics, the lemon in Lemon Pledge, green grass, dry straw, glazed, brown butter with fruit blossoms, yellow lilies, jasmine & spring flowers. The acidity is; round, phat & lively. The finish is; polish, rich, lush, balance fruit & earth and has no hiccups. Great wire to wire.

Photos of; one of their Vineyards, Benoît Droin tasting through his wines & Domaine Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin,

Producer notes; The Droins have been producing wines in Chablis for nearly 400 years (their history as vignerons goes back at least to 1620). Benoît is the 14th generation guardian.

The Domaine has 13 hectares of vineyards and produces 14 different wines, including Petit Chablis, Chablis, 7 Premiers Crus and 5 Grand Crus. They prune specific to each vineyard. The wines are fermented differently by vineyard.

All their wines are fermented in mature oak. The Blanchots are all fermented and matured in tank. Vaillons, Mont de Milieu and Montée de Tonnerre receive 25 per cent of barrel fermentation and maturation, 35 per cent for Vosgros and Vaudésir, 40 per cent for Montmains and Valmur, peaking at 50 per cent for Fourchaume, Grenouilles and Les Clos. However the age of the oak and the choice of tonnelier may vary according to the cuvée. The maximum new oak is ten per cent in the Grand Crus. — 6 years ago

Sarah Oettel

9.1

Added at Caves Taittinger 5 days ago. — 4 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2022 vintage. Just another good, well-balanced Haut-Médoc in this excellent vintage.Good fruit, ripe tannin, uncomplicated pleasure. Ready to go, but will keep also. Incredibly cheap too, at least over here. Abv. 14%. — 8 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Tasted from 1/2 bottle. They come in handy for dinner for two in many cases, but especially at a restaurant that allows corkage. Most do in California. It is even harder to find vintage champagne in 375ml’s.

The 2018 vintage was good to very good. You need to taste and or read up for its best offerings.

A note, I tasted at the Billecart-Salmon property in later October 2022 with Mathieu Roland-Billecart. As insightful as that was, he was asked other than Billecart Salmon champagnes, what was one of his favorite champagnes? His reply was surprisingly an older vintage Paul Bara he had recently. That’s a producer question that gets asked often. Normally generates a pause with some minor angst to answer.

The nose shows; lemon chiffon/meringue, bruised apple to slightly cider, bruised pear, yellow & white stone fruits, just ripe pineapple, orange citrus blend, lime pulp, tropical melons, whipped, white cream, white spice-ginger, yeasty bread dough, saline, crushed limestone pulp, crumbled chalk, sea fossils, white spring flowers set in yellow lilies.

The palate is round & soft. The mousse is delicate w/ micro oxidation. Ripe; lemon chiffon/meringue, white & yellow stone fruit, slightly bruised apple & Bosc pear, lime pulp, orange citrus rind, some tropical melons, cream, ginger white spice, yeasty bread dough, sea spray, saline, sea fossils, dry crumbled chalkiness, caramel notes, heather honey, warm perfectly toasted toast, graham cracker, nougat w/ nuts, yellow flowers set in a field of white spring flowers, excellent acidity with a nicely; balanced, structured, tensioned, polished finish that lasts a minute and falls on limestone laced with soft, dry, powdery chalkiness.

Photos of; the house of Paul Bara, chalky caves w/ riddling racks, old wood basket press & a vineyard picking party. — a year ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2020 vintage. The last vintage for this wine as it was bought from the Bécot family ( owners of Beauséjour-Bécot) by the owners of Haut-Brion in 2021. It will be incorporated into Château Quintus (which is a merger of 3 estates: Tertre-Daugay, L'Arrosée and Grand-Pontet). Many Saint-Emilion estates disappeared, incorporated into other estates, some very good wines sadly disappeared like Curé Bon La Madeleine (now into Canon), Cadet-Piola (now into Soutard) and so on. The fact that Grand Cru Classés can legally be incorporated into Premier Grands Crus Classés tells you that you have to take the classification with more than a grain of salt. A bit shy on the nose, even after a few hours. Medium-bodied, nice value for a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé. — 3 years ago

Pooneet K

9.0

Nice wine, but to be honest I was a bit disappointed. Have had and enjoyed many bottles of basis / liaison, first time having one of their “grand crus”. Quite transparent. Lovely light red berry nose. A bit raspberry soda quality on the palate. There is some earthiness but not quite enough to stand up to a simple roast chicken with mushrooms cooked in the chicken fat. Opened 10 hours before drinking, no decant — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.9

The commune we have all been waiting for - Vosne Romanee. The first of 6 Grand Crus tasted blind. In 2 of the 3 previous tastings the first wine in this group has been the DRC RC and when I sampled the breathtaking quality of this wine I was thinking they have done it again. A couple of experts in the group felt the 2 DRC wines were at #1 and #4 This proved to be correct. My notes - Perfume of violets, pepper and Asian Spices. A perfect palate of both feminine charm and latent power ... unbelievable. The La Tache usually shows as more voluptuous in these tastings but not in 2016. I normally don’t have this much left in my glass after the wine has been identified so this was quite a luxury. Just wonderful. As Clive Coates MW said - the yardstick with which to judge all other Burgundies. It is easy to think with the 1000 year history, and the stone cross that there is something spiritual and other worldly about this wine. The consensus from all 12 tasters was that this was the best of the Vosne Romanee tasting and therefore of the whole 34 Grand Crus tasted. Only 440 dozen produced for the world. — 6 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

I’ve said it before…for Dauvissat, I consistently find Forest to drink pretty much just as well as the Grand Crus, especially after proper aeration. 2020 is a fabulous rendition, open and giving and adding serious weight with some time in the decanter. Pure, textured and expansive with electric acids and layered Chablisen minerality. As it is often with these wines, last glass was the best. — 6 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Rod/nobumex — 8 months ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.5

On par with many of the burgundy grand crus — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2022 vintage. @ Mister A’s Restaurant, San Diego-Les Caves de St. Charles CDP dinner. 100% Roussanne-driven. Initial mineral indication of interest, broad mid-palate transition, yang-styled, white grape “fat” on the judiciously-honeyed finish. Wowzers. Grab you some if you can find it. 95 cases produced. Good luck with that. 11.16.23. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

A blend of about 40 crus from the Champagne region, with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and about one-third Chardonnay, aged for almost 3 years. Fresh vibrant champagne, fruit/floral bouquet, w/chalky minerals. Fine bubbles, nice mousse, rich flavors of peach, lemon and honey, well balanced, good structure, creamy. Long finish ending with yeast & mineral notes. Very consistent quality. — 3 years ago

Stas Medvedev

9.1

🏅 Rating 91+/100 (4,15⭐)

Yellow color. Bigger volume, complex. Nuanced with secondary aromas, richer. Oak adds layers and nicely integrates with wine. Stone fruits, touch of almonds. Good balance between oak and steel maturation. Very Chablis with signature acidity and salinity. Balanced and charming.

Bougros lies at the very western end of the Grands Crus area, 130-170m on fairly deep marl and clay terrain with a SW exposure.

William Fèvre owns 6.2ha out of 12.6ha. Over 50% of the wine are matured in old French oak barrels for 6mo and then transferred in steel tanks. Total maturation takes about 15mo.

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Instagram: @wine_talks_club — 5 years ago

Shengli Hu

8.9

Medium yellow. Meyer lemon, lemon curd, yellow delicious apple, underripe white peach, sea salt, yeasty, briny, stony minerality, and hints of cheese rind. Tart citrus and high tone minerality on the palate. Elevated acidity, 12.5% abv, medium+ finish. Importer’s notes: From the right side of the Serein River, situated right next to the Grand Cru Blanchot. A soft and elegant wine, the Montée de Tonnerre is situated in the same line as the Grand Crus. The notable white clay helps to develop intense fruit and floral aromas. The older vines add the depth and complexity in the mouth. Regarded by many as the best and most consistent Premier Cru in Chablis. Lime-clay soils with Kimmeridgian fossils. Fermentation and maturing in stainless steel tanks. — 6 years ago