Daniel M

8.9

2013, birth year of my daughter. Couldn't resist buying one of these to try. The cork broke down in 2 while pulling. I managed to extract the rest of it without much damage 😅
Earthy nose with blackberry, cherry, soy sauce, leather and some oaky notes too. The palate is well made with some nice acid drive, some width, little matter and cherry notes and some oaky touches lurking in the rear all along. Tannins are now well integrated and the finish is oaky, earthy and cherry-forward. It's a bit thin, maybe because of the vintage. It's pretty well made but lacks intensity, matter and length to be great. Good tasting experience nevertheless and great pairing to homemade lasagna 👌🏻 — 4 months ago

Jan A

9.2

Again a solid effort, easy drinking bordeaux, like it a lot — 2 years ago

Vanessa

9.3

Our first visit today was to Champagne Larmandier-Bernier. ✨
@larmandier.bernier

This is a family-owned and managed winery, responsible for growing all of the grapes used to produce their champagne. 🍇

All of their vineyards are located in Premier Cru and Grand Cru villages within the Côte des Blancs. The Côtes des Blancs appellation is known especially for Chardonnay grapes, which tend to have a lighter, more delicate style of wine. Larmandier-Bernier’s blends are made predominantly from Chardonnay with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier playing supporting roles. 🌸🌸

We had a tour of the cellar and winemaking facilities. Most of Larmandier-Bernier’s wines are vinified in Austrian (delicately toasted) oak vessels of various sizes. 🪵

These vessels allow a little oxygen to interact with the wine, which can enhance richness, development of aromas/ flavors, and complexity. The wines also undergo malolactic fermentation for some of the same reasons, but also to soften the acidity, given Chardonnay is a neutral grape and can have higher acidity in a cool climate like Champagne. 👍👍

Our favorite wine of the tasting was the 2015, non-dosage, Terre de Vertus - it was so unique; a beautiful wine with a lot toasty, brioche, almond, marzipan, and round orchard fruit notes. 👏👏👏

We are grateful for our visit and hope to return soon. Santé 🥂🙏

P.S. If you’d like to see more pics documenting the tour and trip, check me out on Instagram @sips_ensemble !! — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2020 vintage. Investigating +-$20 red Bordeaux, part two. PNP. Some decent depth for the price. Medium body. Good concentration. A little, minty note amongst the chunk. Finish hangs in there for a spell. In this price range, would tap this again. 5.28.24. — 5 months ago

Matt

9.3

Rescued from Russia, sharing with Chuck and carol. — 2 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Last vintage from Chateau de la Tour's 1910 vines in Clos Vougeat. Plenty of stuffing here, but gosh was it hard to drink. Thick, rich and dark fruited, with hints of spice in the sustained finish. Even matches the 11' Bordeaux on the table in intensity. At this stage, it's not a wine for me as there's little to no relief to all that muscle. I'm in no doubt it'll last the test of time and probably needs another decade to hit it's stride. — 3 years ago

John Bratincevic

9.3

Absolutely delicious, love it. Don’t want to transcribe my handwritten notes, but lots of fruit, some clear minerals, and a fresh balancing acidity. Creamy cassis is the clearest impression. 93. — 5 months ago

Sam

9.0

You can age this for another 15 years and it’ll be great. We’re drinking it after a wine tour. — a year ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2018 vintage. Second wine of Cru Classé Malescot Saint-Exupéry. Charming nose with ripe black cherries, raspberry jam and some floral hints. This medium-bodied, fruit-driven Margaux is drinking well already with silky tannin and good length. Not very complex, but a very charming wine indeed. Abv. 14%. Good value at less than half the price of the Grand Vin, even if I would rate the less expensive La Tour de Bessan (tasted alongside) higher. — 2 years ago

Lizzie SAYER

9.3

Opaque blood red, slightly burgundy colour, a lot of (American?) Oak on the nose, leather, chewy tannins — 3 years ago