Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

The Monastery where Bubbly production all began around 500 years ago. Primarily Mauzac with small amounts of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc blended in. Medium gold color. Aromas of orchard and citrus fruit with hints of white flowers and raw nuts. Flavors of juicy green apples and pears, granite dust and lemon zest. Slight vegetal note on the long palate cleansing finish. Plenty of bubbles but not in a steady stream. Creamy mousse that does dissipate rather quickly. Medium body and texture. Quite lively! Excellent QPR! Love the history. — 4 days ago

Donald Williams

9.6

A year older, but just as beautiful as the ‘14. — 2 months ago

with Bonnie

Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

This was the Rosé of the Cremant. It’s got plenty of apricot and other stone fruit on the nose and in the mouth. Complex and interesting. Beautiful in the glass. A great sparkling wine at a good price. — 6 months ago

Vin d’Ottawa

8.9

A funky juicy mix of Tokaj & Chardonnay — 9 months ago

with Gillian

Brendan Powell

9.1

Great value! Would buy again. From LCBO — 3 years ago

David Walser

9.1

At La Gazzetta Italian restaurant for the second time. The first wine we tried here last time we didn’t like so we tried a different, more expensive one this time. Much better experience by spending a few more Euros…22.50€ on the wine list but the only charged us 18.50€ because we told them we didn’t like their 18.50€ wine. Nice gesture…one that will bring us back. — 4 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Never heard of Tempranillo Blanco. Is that a grape? Golden, straw colored. Smells like Albariño or a French Rhone type white. Honey, sweet baked goods, sage, carrot seeds and oak. Flavors are strange and unfamiliar. Crisp, zesty, with a streak of tart green apple. Some honey, but not sweet at all. Just a hint of that CA chard stuff with the oak flavors. But it’s not really like any white I can place. Most resembles Rhone white blends. It’s a fun wine to try, and it’s nice. Complex and just a bit funky. — 5 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2021 vintage. Tasted via Coravin. So the deals definitely afoot in Napa (and elsewhere in CA) currently. This was light-medium/medium body. Not the biggest Cabernet footprint on the delicate palate. But wow...immediately engaging and intimate simultaneously. Having tasted the late 60's, some 70's, most of the 80's, and nearly all of the 90's-2010's vintages of this at some point...actually feel like this is the wine this property has always wanted to make since inception. It's pure, authentic, and pared to the bone. Zen-like. No fluff, no fat. Tasting a Cabernet like this reminds me (yet again) how bastardized things have truly gotten along CA Hwy 29. Picked up two 6-packs and we'll see how it does. Leaner and biting-playfully. So unlike nearly all Napa cabs these days so it comes across as a huge palate/Napa Cab market reset now. Have been able to take or leave BV over the decades compared to Phelps, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Dunn, Diamond Creek, Mondavi, Mayacamas, Heitz and the rest of the really old guard but blind taste this against any 2020 or newer Napa Cab and/or Bordeaux and see where it slots for you. 8.5.26. — 8 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2022 vintage. From Coravin. The same vintage Overture shows better currently and likely for quite some time. 2022 a fairly pilloried Napa vintage. Feel this could be similar to the 2011's that are finally showing to the best of their abilities now. Give this a decade and a half but don't expect it to eventually show top-notch like the 1987, 1994, 1997, 2001 or 2012. 6.24.26. — 2 months ago

romo

9.1

Called Aglianico. Brambly med+ acid but a bit clumsy. — 8 months ago

Brian Nickerson

9.1

Strong and consistent tannins merry my favorite grapes that came from a mountain! Can you believe it? — a year ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

Top Notch for a sub $20 bottle — 3 years ago

with TwiLea

David Walser

9.1

€15.90 on the restaurant wine list. The wine list said it is a blend but the bottle only mentions Tempranillo. Pleasant enough to order again. Restaurant will be changing name/venue soon. Enjoyed our meals here overlooking the boardwalk & beach. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The Seasonal Grand Opening of the D&S Lounge. That’s going to require some BSR to celebrate.

As well, going to detail notes of this with my new Riedel Vintage Sommelier flutes, center picture. I’ve been wanting to write notes on this Champange in the new flutes as I wanted to do it one I am very well acquainted. As @Paul T- Huntington Beach & @Severn Goodwin have pointed out the many times I have posted it.

The nose is definitely more vibrant. Tangerines lead where they haven’t in my previous notes now using the new flutes. More pink rose petals, blood orange, pink grapefruit, leaner; strawberries, watermelon, warmed, creamed raspberries, apricots & cherries, liqueured marmalade, hints of scorched rhubarb, lemon/lime aid, chalky powder, delicate, grey volcanics, sweet, sea spray, bread dough, baguette crust, touch of brown sugar/molasses light, haunting, dry herbs, limestone and bouquet of; white, red, pink & orange roses.

The body is round with some gummy or gluiness. Everything about the mouthfeel is more delicate and softer. The bubbles smaller & more refined. Pink rose petals, blood orange, pink grapefruit, leaner; strawberries, watermelon, warmed, creamed raspberries, apricots & cherries, liqueured marmalade, hints of scorched rhubarb, almost a date presence on the long set, chalky powder, delicate, grey volcanics, sweet, sea spray, lighter intensity of white spices but, still has the heat & palate penetration, bread dough, baguette crust, touch of brown sugar/molasses light, haunting, dry herbs, limestone and bouquet of; white, red, pink & orange roses. The acidity is all fresh & lively with this cuvée. But, even that seems better. The finish is as always; well knitted & balanced, polished, fresh, persistent and never disappoints.

Photos of; the best room in our house for 6+ months of the year, our backyard. Aka, the D&S Lounge on Memorial Day Weekend 2020. — 6 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2018 “S” pours a slightly hazy garnet/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of pomegranate, cranberry, strawberry, licorice, purple flowers, green herbs and crushed rock. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. I love me some Lapierre. Drink now through 2038. — a month ago

Conrad Green

9.6

A gorgeous nose. Soft sweet corn, brioche, confit lemon, limestone and a light saltiness. In a lovely place right now — 3 months ago

with Rick and Gregg

Jennifer

9.0

I’d forgotten how very yummy Amarone was. Italian restaurant in Rome - they didn’t have the primitivo I wanted so tried this Classico 2020 instead. Very quaffable, rich notes went well with my lasagna. Bit like a warm hug and relatively low tannins. Now to see if I can find anything similar back in UK. — 8 months ago

jesus g

Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards

9.7

I’m a sucker for these 90’s low alc cali cabs — a year ago

R Bl

9.1

Closed fruity/ mineral nose. Palate at first closed, even dilute; then stronger white fruit, good acid, sturdy minerals; improves after an hour. Then fruit (citrus/ stone fruit/ star fruit) and saline minerals; finishes with star fruit, a bit of oak, a hint of anise. Might expect more development in a few years. — 3 years ago

Brian S

9.5

Red and blue fruits, fermented orange peel, cocoa, dark chocolate, espresso, boot strap leather. This wine is a beast! — 5 years ago

with Ellie