David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Champagne is for celebrating, not that I need a celebratory reason to open a bottle as I am hooked on champagne. 💉

However, after installing 27 solar panels and waiting an additional seven weeks for my Tesla, I/we have almost erased our carbon footprint. Finally picked it up today. I believe we all need to do our part to save the glorious vines that bring so much happiness to our lives. 🍷🥂👍

As for the Baron Fuentes, the is a very good Champange and is perhaps the best QPR out of Champagne at $24.99.

Bright lemon, lime, grapefruit w/ sugar, bruised red apple & pear, touch of ginger & cider, bread dough, baguette crust, sea spray, white spice with some palate heat, sea fossils, grey volcanic minerals, spring flowers, lilacs and yellow lilies. The acidity is bright, crisp and lively. The finish is smartly polished, well balanced and persistent for minutes.

Whoo hoo! So close to carbon free! 🍾🥂 — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Figured this would be a nice aperitif before Thanksgiving dinner and boy was I right. This was downright gluggable. White peach and lemon curd with a bit of brioche and a nice vein of minerals giving this all the life and lift a Champagne nerd can appreciate. I really dig this. — 6 days ago

E & K G

9.1

Wasn’t sure what to expect from a 1976 champagne but the palate matched the golden honey color. Toasted nuts, brioche. Slightly on the tired side but the bubbles were still going strong! Impressive!
— 3 days ago

Shay A

9.5

November’s 4th Friday was a big hit. There is no way I’ll be able to upload all the wines, nor give them the reviews they deserve, but there were a few worthy of mentioning!

Wow! A stunner at this age, just as good as the ‘03 right now but with more in reserve. Powerful. Floral aromatics with a streak of yeast down the middle. Great mousse and extremely energetic on the palate. Lightly buttered English biscuits, powdered lemon bar, classic crushed limestone with warm fruits like golden delicious apples. Just beginning to open. Thanks @joe leatherwood — 4 days ago

with joe, Dan and 2 others

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Long day cleaning & painting getting our rental property getting it ready for our new tenant. We are burnt but, a glass of Ruinart Rosé always perks us up.

We’ll be doing this a lot over the next two weeks. Hope everyone has better weekend plans than we do! Cheers!🥂

All my previous notes apply.

Photos of; the House of Ruinart, painting of Dom Thierry Ruinart, their caves & one of their Grand Cru vineyards. — 10 hours ago

Al Shikoh

9.2

pale salmon, abundant tiny bubbles; orange zest, strawberry, smoke, lees; bitter cherry, strawberry, spice, chalky minerality; medium body, tangy acidity, 12% ABV; made from blend of 45% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 25% Pinot Meunier with 8 g/L dosage; one of my favorite multivintage rosé champagnes — 8 days ago

E & K G

9.4

Special wines for a special occasion! Happy anniversary to my beloved partner in wine!
Initially a bit closed and was thrown off but after about 5mins in the glass the intensity picked up notably. Pears, apples, hint of honey followed by balanced acidity that complement the nose and palate. Kept picking up volume with every glass. — 12 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Thought we’d try something new. Recommendation from the the Champange Buyer at K&L, Gary Westby.

The nose reveals; green & golden apple, apple cider, overripe pineapple juices, lime, lemon, kiwi, Bosc pear, understated, apricot liqueur notes, candy bar nougat, walnut skin, hazelnuts, bread dough, yeastiness, soft; chalkiness, sea fossils, grey minerals, yellow lilies, lilacs and spring flowers.

Green apple leaps onto to the palate followed by; golden apple, apple cider, overripe pineapple juices, lime, lemon meringue, cream, kiwi, Bosc pear, understated, apricot liqueur notes, delicate mousse, micro-micro bubbles, candy bar nougat, walnut skin, hazelnuts, bread dough, yeastiness, chalkiness is a little more gritty than the nose, sea fossils, grey minerals, soft, white spice with just a touch palate heat, yellow lilies, mixed greens, lilacs and spring flowers. The acidity is gentle & quite nice. The finish has nice finesse, well balanced, polished & persists minutes.

Smartly priced at $29.99. Buy it while it’s in, doesn’t last more than days.

Photos of; Gary Westby with the father-Daniel Thibault & son winemaking team, Daniel Thibault and a Marne vineyard vista.

Producer notes: Daniel Thibault, the chef-de-cave of Charles and Piper Heidsieck for over two decades. After inheriting two hectares of the family vines over 15 years ago, Thierry decided to produce his own champagne from them.

Champagne note: this is a blend of equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier from estate-grown fruit in the Western Valley of the Marne. — 13 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

Showing brilliantly at twenty seven years of age, the 1992 Dom Perignon leads with its macadamia nut, wild mushroom and peat moss tones that mingle with the delightful effervescence that still remains. With a light dusting of salinity, flinty undertones, delivering good mid-palate weight and freshness, this glorious, vinous wine is right at its peak and will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another decade. Drink 2019-2029- 94 — 7 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

For me, this is food champagne. It needs food & excels with the right food. Tonight, it was fantastic with brined turkey and well seasoned stuffing. Crazy good food pairing.

Thanksgiving part II. — 7 days ago