Ely Cohn

8.9

Let’s make more native yeast Riesling! It’s top two, three of the worlds great grapes and I feel like we’ve barely tapped into what it can do. Many of our favorite Riesling makers have been stubborn, sticking with pre-selected strands from the same mother.

Oddero Riesling is very good, but it tastes not unlike Alsace or Mosel or Rhône. Shy aromas with smokey flint and lemon. I don’t have much to add because I couldn’t find much more. Big textures and familiar territory. — 11 days ago

Shay A

9.3

Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.

The Fantesca property on Spring Mtn is gorgeous, and their tasting room at the winery is stunning. Really enjoyed getting to try more of their wines.

I’m really picky on chardonnay, but this was intoxicating. It’s crazy young, but this is going to vault up the scale for me. First comparison that comes to mind is Aubert’s Larry Hyde & Sons, but with a touch less acidity (still plenty). This is supremely balanced. Honeyed stone fruits, lemon cream, and a slate/mineral note on the nose. Rich without being too dense. Vibrant. Powdered sugar lemon bar, meringue, and honey roasted cashews. This was (or may still be), the only chardonnay Heidi Barrett makes. — 2 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

A very pleasant and unexpected Puglian surprise! 80% Chardonnay, 15% Muscatel, 5% Fiano. Straw yellow color. Aromas of citrus and white flowers. Lemon/Lime and peach flavors with a hint of vanilla and dried herbs. Creamy texture. (Aged on the lees?). Betting this wine saw some neutral oak. Crisp and smooth with hints of mineral and sweetness on the finish. Solid QPR! l want more! — 2 days ago

Doug Sayed

9.2

Exceptional for an AVA level blend. Stone fruits supported by a balanced structure and excellent finish. Tasty, and drinking well now. — 25 days ago

Shay A

9.4

Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.

Third year in a row to hang out with @jesus g as he pours some amazing Schramsberg and JDavies wines for us. One of the best hosts in the entire valley! If you find yourself in Napa, don’t miss out on doing a tasting with him!

This is always my favorite sparkler for enjoyment now. My notes on the ‘08 and ‘09 below won’t look much different than my note on this ‘10. Maybe a touch more gently oxidative with classical nuttiness, ripe strawberries and cream on the nose with toasted cranberry scone and a rich and powerful profile on the palate. Always so consistent. — 5 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2013 / wine full of character. tasted blind, the wine calls for a fried fish. nice acidity. fresh. — 13 days ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Rich red apple, sour cider. Mouth watering. Persimmon, banana. Mineral. — 3 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

So, Henri Boillot is one of my go to Burgundy producers...largely for his quality in craft but, his QPR as well.

Normally, I wouldn’t open even one of his Village Bourgogne whites this early (I would wait 2-3 more years) but, 2018 is a good to very good not outstanding vintage & this was only $25 ish. Inexpensive for a decent Burgundy these days. So, I bought several.

The nose reveals; waxy, sweet & sour lemons, the light, good/softer aspects of lemon pledge, lime zest, green & golden apple, overripe pineapple, honeysuckle, apricots, white peach, orange rind, grapefruit w/ pith, tree bark, flintiness, notes of roasted caramel, vanillin, beautifully, elegant, grey volcanics, salty, powdery, even slightly floral chalkiness, white to lightly brown spices, sea spray, oyster notes, limestone/sandstone, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies framed in a field of spring flowers.

The body is thick, rich, lush and nicely rounded. If you like viscosity, no issues here. It guides over the palate presenting no mouth arguments. Waxy, sweet & sour lemons, the light, good/softer notes of lemon pledge, green & some golden apple with skin, lime zest, overripe pineapple, honeysuckle, apricots, white peach, orange rind, tropicals green melon, tree bark, notes of roasted caramel, beautifully, elegant, grey volcanics, salty, powdery, even slightly floral chalkiness, white to lightly brown spices with some medium palate heat, sea spray, oyster notes, sulfur/flintiness, limestone/sandstone, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies framed in a field of spring flowers. The acidity is near dead on...like a gentle cool stream. The long finish is, gorgeous & sexy, elegant, rich, good balance all around and persists gently for minutes.

Just gets better & better as it warms & opens up in the glass. This Bourgogne will add another point or two when I open my next bottle in 2-3 years.

Excellent with our soft, white cheese...Jasper Hill Farms-Willoughby. If you can find this cheese, gets one of my highest recommendations. Bought it at Whole Foods but, you can always check JasperHillFarms.com if N/A where you shop.

Photos of; Masion Henri Boillot, Owner/Winemaker Henri Boillot, tasting room that looks into the barrel room and his Bonnes Mares Vineyard. — 3 days ago

Aaron Tan

9.4

Very charming indeed 😎🤦🏻‍♂️ Dense and rich, yet surprising lithe. A real class act here. I've got nothing but good things to say about Lafon's recent vintages and this 16' was firing on all cylinders from the get-go.

The nose was gorgeous - pears and apples with strong floral and rich malo elements, all set on a underlying tone of well-integrated reduction. On the palate, the wine was so smooth (no hardness at all!) and complex. The wife described it as being very balanced and complete. I loved the texture. Deceivingly light when first opened (to the point that AC thought it might have been a Chablis), but the texture kept buidling as the night progressed. Air also revealed the more citrusy side of this wine, lovely spice, and a light stoniness. The finish was long, driven by fruit and acidity. Superb really and I would definitely like to revisit this in a good couple of years.

NB: Apparently, no new oak was used in this 16' Charmes. — 7 days ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.1

This afternoon I have opened the 2017 Hidden Bench VQA Beamsville Bench Estate Chardonnay. A 100% Organic Chardonnay from Beamsville, Ontario.

On the nose the is pineapple, apricot, lemon curd, creme brulee, honeysuckle, praline and almond.

On the palate there is lemon, pear, pineapple, green apple, marzipan, wet flint rock and minerality.

This wine is medium bodied with medium + acidity that leads into a long fresh clean citrus finish. I hope everyone's weekend has been a good one and that the week ahead is safe. Nostrovia! 🥂🥂🥂🥂 — 17 hours ago