Jay Kline

9.4

It’s well known that I will bring bubbles to nearly any occasion. However, when a meal presents a particularly difficult pairing, such as traditional Thanksgiving dinner, bubbles are a no brainer. Besides, we’re celebrating gratitude!

This bottle of the 2018 Grand Cellier d’OR was popped, poured and enjoyed over the course of dinner. The wine pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing; bright with remarkable notes of lemon/lime citrus, green apple, tropical fruits, raspberries, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid like fricken laser beams. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, delicious and…*ahem*…chalk-full (sic) of minerals. This is a lovely example from Vilmart who, at this point, really need no introduction. Drink now through 2038. Disgorged July of 2022. — a month ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Reinforced my obsession with Pinot Meunière…. Almonds, fresh brioche, ripe pear and a hint of (banana?). Balance is impressive and not an acid-monster. My only negative is how the price keeps climbing. Happy turkey day y’all. — a month ago

Vanessa

9.2

“Nothing added, nothing removed” is a phrase some use to describe the philosophy of low-intervention (or “natural”) winemaking. 🌱

The winemaker is like a vessel, carrying Mother Nature’s gifts from the land (and vintage) to your glass, where each sip can transport you to a particular place and time.

Nicolas Joly is an illustrious vigneron revered for his deep commitment to biodynamics and minimal intervention winemaking. 👏 He leads his family’s estate – Famille Joly – located in the prestigious appellation of Savennières in the Anjou-Saumur region of Loire Valley and specializes in top quality, cerebral, age-worthy dry whites made from the Chenin Blanc grape.

This takes patience, strength, and resilience for which the seahorse is a spiritual symbol (among other things). 🌊 It’s no wonder the Famille Joly features this beautiful, gentle creature on its bottle and labels.

This wine comes from ‘Les Vieux Clos’ where vines are harvested at 25 hL/ha which is HALF of the appellation’s allowance of 50 hL/ha.  👀

As a result of favorable growing conditions and these low yields, the grapes were allowed to become ripe, which explains the high alcohol at 14% ABV and round but balanced fruit expression.

This wine underwent a wild fermentation, followed by a natural malolactic conversion (MLC), and then it aged 12 months in large neutral oak with no fining or filtering before bottling.

The color is pale gold. On the nose and palate are harmonious notes of yellow apple, quince, papaya, dried orange peel, citrus blossom, chamomile, ginger, saffron, cinnamon, cream, white pepper, lanolin, wet slate …

It has power and elegance, nuance and vibrancy, with a persistent finish.  We think it pairs nicely with the baked herb & lemon salmon, asparagus and couscous.

Cheers to winemakers who share a piece of their land and heritage with the world one glass at a time! 🥂🥂🥂
— a month ago

with Deked1

Mike Evans

9.5

Classic Comtes lemon and brioche, this bottle seemed a little less ebullient than another bottle a few weeks ago, but still very expressive. — 22 days ago

John Van Trijp

9.6

Jeroboam Cheers Thijs! — 22 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Medium Ruby color with aromas of ripe black and red fruits and pepper spice. On the palate flavors of plums and ripe red berries with herb, licorice and pepper spice. Fine soft tannins with, medium+ finish ending with fruit, mushroom and earthy notes. — a month ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Polished, heady, and flavorful. Smooth PnP.
Not as energetic on day 2, which I often find with Grenache. — 11 days ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

Medium-bodied but somehow rich, the 2015 cuvée from Le Vieux Donjon is loaded with sappy red fruit balanced by garrigue, anise, and florals. Easy drinking but not simple, it pleased a wide range of palates at our Christmas dinner. Still seems to have the legs to go a few more years. — a day ago

Bettina Read

9.0

We’ve been saving this 2004 for a special occasion. It was worth it. Smooth and a wonderful pairing with a Christmas Eve roast. — 2 days ago

Jenks

9.4

Drank through a vertical of this, 2012-2015, quite different oldest to youngest. The ‘12 smelled like a dusty old closet, some funk, surprisingly lean wine, good after some air. ‘14 was the best mix of fruit and garrigue. Fun experience. — 19 days ago