Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium garnet , quite pronounced terracotta , garnet rim . This is more closed on the nose , slightly darker , less fruited , more tobacco , earthy , iodine , mineral, dry spices . On the palate more intensity with fresher acidity and grippy tannin . Darker fruits , with cherry , blackcurrant , but with a strong seaside , oyster shell componente . Good length and very elegant , slightly tannic finish . This is quite serious and restrained, more complete and complex than the 2011. Needs a bit of time to open, probably better in a 3-5 years and will show well for a further 5-10. From magnum . — 14 days ago

James Burge

9.2

2004 tondonia - maybe the best rioja i’ve ever had — 12 days ago

Ericsson

9.2

Tasting notes during visit to the winery where absolutely everything is done in-house by hand; preserving centuries old winemaking traditions. Bosconia is a delicate wine highlighted by persistent tones of red berries and bright acidity with integrated tannins closing with medium but lingering finish.

No stainless steel here. The juice is fermented in old large wooden “tinas,” then transferred to American oak barrels (made in house to lighter toast specifications), underground in their +100 year old cellars for at least a year. After that it is bottled and stored in the same underground cellars and finally released about ten years later. Learning about their curated winemaking process was inspiring. — a month ago

Jeff Kinney

9.9

One of my all-time favs. — a month ago

Shay A

9.3

One of the bottles I brought for a guys night of rosé sparklers and Brunello.

I’ve been on the Ultramarine list for close to 10yrs. I’ve opened bottles young, old and everywhere in-between (both based on vintage and in relation to disgorgement), and after such a disappointing experience with the 2020s (after reading all the CT notes, I opened a ‘20 of each cuveé and found a profile that is not reminiscent of the early Ultramarine days at all), I wanted to open something that reminded me of the good ‘ol days with Ultramarine.

Amongst Egly’s rosé, Krug’s rosé, Westborn’s rosé and tons of grower champagnes, this wasn’t a standout but it was enjoyable and paired beautifully with the food. This bottle was closer in experience to the 2014 (good richness, fruit, but also big structure) vs the 2016 (lighter/brighter, more mineral). Salmon color in the glass with a dash of pink. Not overly reductive or oxidative with waves of red berry fruit and strawberry marscapone. Lovely richness on the palate with some strawberry shortbread cookies amongst more red berry fruit but a nice mineral streak down the middle. Layered. Mousse isn’t quite creamy but it’s soft. Nod to grower champagne with Cali warmth.

This is in a nice integrated spot where the fruit is taking a step back and dancing with the mineral notes. No rush to open, but worth popping soon. — 16 days ago

Zach D

9.5

A unique wine. Vibrant golden hue, reductive aroma combined with a variety of ripe orchard fruits, saline breeze, pineapple, wet stone. Palate with high acidity, a lingering tannic grip, stony minerality, apple, pear, fresh almonds. I drink the current vintage (which happens to be 2012 this year) with my wife once per year, and have for the last 5 years. Nostalgic. — 24 days ago

Zoey

9.2

It is like a tango — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.1

#AgedWineTuesday

Light yellow in color.

Strong nose of apples, yeast, spices, bread, minerals and sea salt.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity, and medium plus sized bubbles.

Dry on the palate with citrus, apples, pears, light earth, yeast, vegetables, spices and bitter herbs.

Nice finish with limes and almonds.

This 13 year old Vintage Champagne feels young and needs 5 years in the bottle to mature properly.

Rich and extracted with lots of bread notes. Elegant and robust.

Showing nice complexity, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Paired beautifully with fresh oysters.

A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Disgorged in 2020.

12% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$120. — 23 days ago

Billy L.

8.9

CHARLES HEIDSIECK, BRUT RESERVE, REIMS NV- Champagne Tasting @ Hi-Time Wines Costa Mesa, (Consensus this was “Least favorite” 🍾 of 8; off-putting style…!?) — a month ago

Tobin Spratte

9.2

Very much enjoyed this. Graphite, red currants, earth. — a month ago