David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Nearly 20 years in bottle. It is still ascending will drink well for another 15 days plus years.

From a warm vintage. Beautiful, even toned fruits with elegant earth & amazing lead pencil bloom for days.

This is approaching its peak, another 5 years from its peak.

Well resolved wine-fruits. The fruits are juicy, blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, dark cherries & slightly, poached strawberries with a highlight of pomegranate. Mocha, dark chocolate, black tea, sandalwood, sandstone, limestone, some mushroom notes, dark, rich turned earth w/ dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry herbs, dry stone, caramel notes, dry, withering, dark, purple & red flowers with excellent acidity, balance, tension, structure and finish for days that lasts 90 seconds. — 2 days 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. — 2 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Are there many/any better Pauillac second growths?

2003 a ripe, warm vintage.

Soften medium plus tannins. It’s Bordeaux lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum that leans into pudding, dark cherries, ripe strawberries, hues of purple & blue fruits. Dark spice w/ palate heat, nutmeg, clove , cinnamon notes, mid berry cola, some black licorice, vanillin, dark, rich forest floor with a touch of dry leaves, lead pencil shavings, dry tobacco, sandalwood to cedar, 1/2 used leather, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry to moist, grey, volcanic clay, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with excellent; tension, structure, balance and elegant finish that goes on and on.

First wine w/ an Allen Brothers Ribcap.

Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande, Virginie de Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, library cellar and estate vineyard. — 7 months ago

Tori Smith

9.7

Very lovely Pinot, easy drinking and delicious. — 12 days ago

Mike Miles

9.1

Ein wunderbarer Burgunder. In der Nase geschmorter Apfel, Bratbirne, Limettenschale, und einen leichten Hauch von weissen Blüten. Am Gaumen saftig, sanfter Holzeinsatz aber nicht so mächtig wie sonstige Meursaults, jedoch auch nicht so mineralisch wie die Puligny‘s aus dem angrenzenden Gebiet. Angenehme Feuerstein-Mineralik und leichte Salzigkeit. Ein Genuss zum servierten Steinbutt mit Spitzmorchel und Frühlingserbse. Säure: Medium, Alkohol: Medium +
Preis-Leistung: 7/10 — 2 months ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Lovely floral and mineral aromas and flavors from these super old Clairette vines in Lirac (I’ve walked this vineyard, and they are old head-pruned, super-gnarled, vines), this vintage has aged beautifully and is still not at peak, outstanding!! — 6 months ago

with Jim

Tobias Linzert

9.1

Fantastic wine with complex aromas of blackberry jam, cassis, violet, licorice, earthy and oak. Wonderfully balanced on the palate with well-integrated tannins and great length. — a month ago

Anthony Hughes

9.3

Dark cherry and raspberry, leather, and a dry finish with moderate tannins. — 2 months ago

with Nikkisa

Tom Casagrande

9.2

My prior notes still mostly apply, though it’s mellowed a little and is entering the “drink up” stage. — 4 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

Nice drinking Sancerre. Notes of citrus, lime, pear fruit, saline with floral tones — 7 months ago