17 great acidity and fruit — 2 months ago
Sniffing upon opening, this had me jumping for joy – and I’m not exaggerating. What an introduction! I immediately chose to decant the wine, although in hindsight I don’t think that’s really necessary. The ‘Cuvee Monsignori’, one of the flagship wines from Estate Argyros in Santorini, is 100% Assyrtiko from ancient (~200 year old) vines, the minimal yield of which is then fermented in stainless steel, and aged for ten months on its lees. The island was never affected by phylloxera, hence the vines’ great age. It’s a muscular, chiseled, lean wine with the precision of the very best Chablis and impeccable concentration of fruit. It carries the smoke of the island’s volcanic soils (this is no floral language: it really smells of it), beautiful flinty reduction, depth and harmony on the palate and a long, saline finish. It may count among the world’s finest whites, and all for around £30 (if you can find it). Why didn’t I buy this by the case? I’ll never know. Superb. — 3 months ago
Very fine with freshness and a herbal character. — 2 hours ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The “Cuvée 741” is based heavily on the 2013 vintage and sourced from vineyards in Aÿ, Dizy, Avize, Hautvillers and Oiry. The wine pours a yellow color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of lemons, nuts, brioche and minerals. It seemed to be a bit on the oxidative side right when I pulled the cork but it brightened up after about 30min of air. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. This is a complex, sophisticated Champagne and always such a delight. Drink now through 2033. Disgorged in December 2017. — 5 months ago
National Red Wine Day — a month ago
Lee Pitofsky
169eme continues to be one of the best drinking editions at the moment ! — 3 days ago