Steven Beishuizen

9.4

2007 vintage. Tasting 17+ years later... On the nose, this is blackberry syrup and black cherry flesh... On the palate, there is an acidic wispiness of cherry much like the kirschiness of cherry pits soaked in vodka... A big body here though as this plays above a powerful leatheriness that extends well through the long finish. Tannins still have something to say. Grippy. I haven't had this vintage in a few years and it will be interesting to see whether the amazing-in-youth '08 also carries this well into its elder years. This '07 was a very nice treat so many years on. — 16 days ago

with Anita

Alan Weinberg

9.5

Bought on release, $89.95, it’s gorgeous—but so tight at 21 years of age—surprisingly so. Fruit takes a back seat to acidity and structure as well as chalk and minerality. I really like this wine and it will live decades but tonight I’m happily sacrificing a little tooth enamel. — 2 months ago

Willie Carter

9.2

Another beautiful champagne from the Launois family. A pale old gold color with nice perlage and intensity. Freshly baked bread and green apple aromas for days. Melons and white peaches with herbs for good measure. There’s an innate sense of lemon zest in the air that’s just magnificent.

Pure Grand Cru Chardonnay from Mesnil-sur-Oger. Four years of aging on lees gives this a resplendent and stately nature. Nice acidity and a superb mouthfeel, especially on the second day. Apples and chalk on the palate alongside vibrant citrus fruits. I struggle to think of a better value in Champagne than this. Stock up. — 6 months ago

Dennis Hogenkamp

9.2

14.5% ABV Dark purple color, medium tannins. Blackberries. 100% Cab Franc estate grown. — 22 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

A Fav! Medium lemon color with aromas of stone fruits, spice, floral, cedar, biscuits and citrus. On the palate flavors of apple, pear & ripe apricot with citrus zest, honeysuckle and nutty toasty oak notes, rich with creamy tones. Smooth, long finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with fruit and integrated creamy oak. Nice! — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Continuing quest to taste as many 22’s as possible.

Beautiful honeysuckle notes, Meyer lemon and spring flowers on the nose.

The palate show a good presence of Meyer lemon right at the top. Butterscotch notes, honeysuckle-honey comb, apricots, yellow peach, ripe, syrupy pineapple, cream, slivered almonds, saline, flinty notes, limestone marl, toast, some soft white spices, lots of moist to mushy chalk, yellow & spring flowers, excellent, round acidity and a well made, elegant, round, lush, finish that lasts 90 seconds landing on spice & minerals.

This will merit another point of two with appropriate age but still hard to justify $240 a bottle. The strong lemon presence needs time to calm. — 4 months ago

Michael

10

Sweet. Very yummy. — 25 days ago

Dale Garrison

9.2

Love this! — 15 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Quite light lemon yellow , very persistent , fine bubbles . Quite taut and strict on the nose , chalk dust , white flowers , honey suckle and elderflower , lemon peel , touch oyster shell and a touch of fresh baked bread . On the palate really good volume and density , lively acidity . Lots of citrus with good mineral , oyster shell notes . Long and mineral , saline, tinged finish , hint of toasty brioche on the end . This is really quite young and shows tighter and more mineral than the first bottle we had . Would leave this a few years and will have a long life , better in 10 -15 years and last well a further 10 or so . Great potential — 2 months ago

Neal Ferry

9.2

Excellent in many aspects — 8 months ago