Anthony De Blasi

9.3

Nice Sangiovese and Cab Sauv blend. A bit too pricy for the returned quality but nevertheless a very enjoyable wine — 4 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.1

2020 | Chardonnay
Patrick Piuze; Terrior de Chablis
Burgundy; Chablis, France
(Montmains adjacent vineyards)
(90-92; Drink 2026-32)

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest conductor is Anna Rakitina (BSO assistant conductor), leading Ellen REID (When the World as You’ve Known It Doesn’t Exist), PAGANINI (Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Opus 6) with renowned soloist Joshua Bell, and PROKOFIEV (Suite from Romeo and Juliet; Suite No. 1, Opus 64-bis / Suite No. 2, Opus 64-ter / Suite No. 3, Opus 101). — 9 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.1

A fantastic bottle of Chablis-adjacent, just great a year since our last bottle. Please see prior notes on the vintage. (A touch more salty than before, but doing fine.)

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest conductor Karina Canellakis is leading WAGNER (Prelude to Lohengrin, Act 1), CHOPIN (Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Opus 21) with one of our local treasures, Emanuel (Manny!) Ax on piano and then RACHMANINOFF (Symphonic Dances, Opus 45). A fantastic night is ahead of us! — 2 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.3

Prior notes still apply, delicious bottle.

Nose has toasted brioche, grilled lemon, warm lemon creme, lemon zest, oxidized pear slice and fresh, rising bread dough. Palate has lemon pound cake, cold toast, limestone chips, dried lemon slice and (light) candied orange.
Great mid-palate, a restrained richness is all elegance, acid balance is perfect and not pulling you one way or another. At 15 years past vintage, a great example of finesse in Champagne.

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On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our Conductors Andris Nelsons and John Williams will be leading a very engaging program of Jessie MONTGOMERY (Starburst), John WILLIAMS (Violin Concerto No. 2, world premiere featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter!), COPLAND (Quiet City) and STRAVINSKY (Suite from The Firebird, 1919 version). We're getting the luxury of enjoying Mr. Williams two nights in a row...what a great weekend of Contemporary music! — 3 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.3

2019 | Red Blend
(60% Grenache, 25% Syrah & 15% Cinsault)
Lavendette; Rosé
Provence; Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
(91-93; Drink 2023-26)

Wow, this continues to be one of my favorite Provence rosés, ripe strawberry, cold peach, watermelon rind, damp limestone, white pepper; with +3Y of age we're at peak enjoyment.

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our conductor Andris Nelsons is leading Julia ADOLPHE (Makeshift Castle), STRAUSS songs with orchestra (Muttertändelei, Opus 43, No. 2 / Wiegenlied, Opus 41, No. 1 / Waldseligkeit, Opus 49. No. 1 / Ruhe, meine Seele, Opus 27, No. 1 / Zueignung, Opus 10, No. 1 / Morgen, Opus 27, No. 4) all voiced by our favorite soprano Renée Fleming, and closing with STRAVINSKY (Petrushka, 1947 version).

*Unfortunately, cellist Yo-Yo Ma has had to withdraw from today's planned performance of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 due to testing positive for COVID-19. — 9 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.3

NV | Champagne
(80% Pinot Noir / 20% Chardonnay)
Champage Drappier; Charles de Gaulle Brut
Côte des Bar; Bar-sur-Aube, Urville, France
(92-94; Drink 2025-32)
LH 09210; Disgorgement July 2022

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. For Opening Night 2023 our conductor Andris Nelsons is leading Wynton MARSALIS (Herald, Holler, and Hallelujah), PROKOFIEV (Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Opus 26) with pianist Daniil Trifonov and then TCHAIKOVSKY (Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Opus 36). — 10 months ago

Nicky Sampogna

9.5

From a special person. — 3 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.1

2010 | Chardonnay
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix; Vaillon 1er Cru
Burgundy; Chablis, France
(90-92; Drink 2025-33)

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our conductor Andris Nelsons is leading John WILLIAMS (Violin Concerto No. 2, written specifically for the intended soloist this evening) featuring the violin virtuoso, Anne-Sophie Mutter, STRAUSS (Death and Transfiguration, Opus 24) and then RAVEL (La Valse). — 9 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.1

NV (2018 fruit); Last bottle! 🙁 Still delicious and prior notes apply.

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our conductor Andris Nelsons and pianist Paul Lewis collaborate on the third of three concerts encompassing all five of Ludwig van Beethoven’s piano concertos in one weekend. Today's program includes OGONEK (Starling Variations, 2022; world premiere), FARRENC (Symphony No. 3 in G minor, Opus. 36) and BEETHOVEN (Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, Opus 73, Emperor). This weekend has been an auditory pleasure, enjoying all five of Beethoven's piano concerti, and what a finale today! — 2 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.3

No notes, a quiet celebration for my wife and me as I have successfully ticked another box in the years-on-planet category today. Feeling older...I think.

Cailleze-Lemaire Eclats, Lot No. 0514; A newer bottle than what was previously in the cellar. I'll capture notes on a future bottle. Palate seems a little subdued from prior lot, perhaps more time in bottle is deserved.

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On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our Conductor Anna Rakitina (BSO’s Assistant Conductor) is leading Elena LANGER (Figaro Gets a Divorce, Orchestral Suite), RAVEL (Piano Concerto in G) and ELGAR (Opus 36, Enigma Theme). The soloist for the piano concerto tonight is none other than Jean-Yves Thibaudet, our absolute favorite pianist (or piano-player as Emanuel Ax has been noted to say because he thinks the traditional term sounds funny when spoken), a never-to-be-missed event for us whenever he plays these hallowed grounds. (In 2004 Jean-Yves served as president of the Hospices de Beaune, factoid for any wine nerds who are also classical music nerds.) — 3 years ago