Severn G

9.3

NV | Champagne
(100% Pinot Meunier)
Cazé-Thibaut; Naturellment, Extra Brut
Vallée de la Marne; Châtillon-sur-Marne & Vandières, France
Disgorged 16 December 2024
Bottle No. 10037/11791
(2022 Base Vintage)
(92-94; Drink 2025-35) — 6 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Non Vintage | IGP Drôme | Thibaut Trollat is 12th generation vigneron, but 2022 is his first vintage at his own domaine | unbelievable fantastic wine! Biowine. The vineyard is worked with a horse. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, explosion of cherries, velvety taste, só much pleasure. Paired with a Cantonese Beef with mango. — 3 years ago

Ron from VA

9.1

Beautiful — 4 years ago

Samuel Sabori

9.1

I can never describe champagne, so I’ll just say it’s great champagne. Pinot Meunier, very energetic, clean, not too sweet or any of that business. — 5 years ago

with Julia

Thomas Thompson

9.1

Red berries, quince, orange blossom, and hay. A hint of natty funk. Juicy. Low acid. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

We met & visited a number of Bordeaux producers while 2005 was still in the tank or just into barrel.

In talking with Winemaker-Owners about the 2005 vintage, you could see the twinkle in their eye as they were asked questions. They knew they had Bordeaux magic for the first time in five years.

We tasted this at what was deemed an “Affordable Bordeaux Tasting.” This was on the higher end of that tasting at $35. It is delivering a little better than its young expectation and the jewel to date from that tasting.

With and without protein, the 05 Chateau de Candale moved between 92-93.

The nose reveals; warm alcohol, immersed fruits of; black raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, poached/slightly baked, dark cherries, dark spices, purple fruit, cola mix, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark, rich, candied, forest floor, fresh & dry tobacco, graphite, slight, moist clay, stones, dry, crushed rock chunks, whiff of bay leaf & sage, dry stems, pepper quality with candied, dark, dark red, purple, blue with violets & lavender.

This is a very good first look at this 2005. God willing, I have another look in on bottle two of three in another five years. This 05 has another 15 plus years of good drinking ahead with proper storage.

The body is full, tarry with big, sticky, chewy tannins. Baked/poached, floral fruits of; black raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, black plum, pomegranate, dark spices with a heavy, heated presence, purple fruit, cola mix, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark, rich, candied, forest floor, fresh & dry tobacco, loads of graphite, slight, moist clay, stones, dry, crushed rock chunks, dry top soils, whiff of bay leaf & sage, dry stems, muted eucalyptus, pepper quality with candied, dark, dark red, purple, blue with violets & lavender. The acidity is round & full just holding, for me, the slightly higher ABV in check. The long, heavy, dark, well knitted, more earth/spice dominated finish is showing the quality of the vintage. Yet, it still needs more time to be its best.

Photos of; Chateau de Candale, harvested Merlot fruit, recent buyers of Chateau de Candale - Thibaut Decoster and Magali Decoster and their barrel room. — 6 years ago

Jessica Walsh

10

My favorite Malbec. Purchased at Bodega Amparo in Buenos Aires — a year ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2022| 12th generation vigneron Thibaut Trollat made his first vintage. Demeter biowine. As many as six grapes: Grenache, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Rousanne ánd Viognier complete a wine that shows elegance and a refreshing spring smell. Paired with plaice and carrots. — 3 years ago

John Van Trijp

9.6

100% Pinot Munier — 4 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.1

2022/3/26. This started out a bit reduced, and with a bit of a bitter twist on the palate. Lots of air softened things up somewhat, revealing some creamier fruits and brioche; overall, it could probably use more time. — 4 years ago

Larn

9.6

A delicious crispy but also smooth white from the Loire valley. 100% chenin blanc, aged in neutral oak. We LOVED this wine, notes of dates and vanilla extract (but not overwhelming as it’s very citrus forward as well). — 5 years ago

Edward Joseph

9.5

Really delicious. Zippy with some good depth, not straight fruit juice. Good grip. So good. — 6 years ago

sam

9.0

raspberries with clotted cream. — 6 years ago

Lucas

9.3

Vin blanc cave de st Grégoire mai 2025 / famille Thibaut — a year ago

Al Doyle

9.2

Lovely… 45% chard 45% meunier 10% pinot. Crispy and rich. — a year ago

Ryan Colthorp

8.9

Quite tasty GSM. Dark red fruits - plums and some cherries. Complex and spicy. — 4 years ago

Brooke Gannon

9.0

Smells like biscuits! Tastes of green apple and fresh bread, enjoying this lovely Virginia sparkler — 4 years ago

with Joseph

Dan R

9.5

What a treat. The color of drip coffee, this is still humming along, with dried fruit, caramel and a honeyed note on the nose. Dates, dried apricot, walnuts, marzipan and vanilla spice on the palate. Still slightly sweet, and the acidity is hanging on nicely. A pleasure to drink. — 5 years ago

Rob M

9.0

Nice VA bubbly, a bit sweeter than the rosemont — 5 years ago

Keimu

8.9

Biden win celebration! 2020
$30 - nice flavor, medium smooth — 6 years ago

with David