The majestic 2010 Raveneau vintage. 2010 Butteaux is just electric after a few hours in the decanter, showing right at the intersection between youthful vigor and secondary character as it’s starting to develop that magical Raveneau waxy texture that comes with age. It’s deeply aromatic, layered and impeccably balanced between creamy yellow fruit density, stony Chablisen minerality and piercing lemony acids driving everything home. Raveneau is just in a league of its own and 2010 will be one of the best vintages ever for the Domaine and a true classic, terroir driven expression. My favorite since 2004. — 5 months ago
LC17 Fac-Simile is evolving beautifully in bottle with a multidimensional expression of smoky red berry fruit, chalky minerality and sea spray-like salinity with a savory Meunier edge. One of the most distinctive and recognizable Rosé Champagne’s in the biz and growing more elusive by the day. — 6 months ago
Fantastic! Great fine mousse. First impression: big yummy yeast and not much fruit. Med+ acidity. After opening up for 45 minutes, less pronounced (but still significant) yeast, apple, pear, bell pepper, honey and cinnamon. Complex and very nice. — 7 months ago
Opened and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1996 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is developing and loaded with currants, pencil lead, earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and super grippy; slightly bitter and earthy. A lovely, classic expression of Bordeaux and drinking well in its prime. Drink now through 2046. — 12 days ago
94-95
My first Gonon StJo…unfortunately, I loved it. Wish these were easier to find at good prices!
At 8yrs, this was so perfumed out of the glass. At 90% whole cluster, it shows typical green/stemmy aromatics but it’s not the dominant note, trending toward green peppercorns, violets/potpurri, olive, and black cherries. Mineral notes, pepper, mix of red and black fruits, mocha, and so much verve on the palate, absolutely buzzing both days. This wine is floral and herbal but with so much power and balanced fruit…kind of a wild-ness to it that I loved. What a beautiful expression of Syrah. Killer.
Day two showed the whole cluster aromatics fade a bit, but it also showed the palate bulk up. So good. — 5 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2019 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherries, red roses, tangerine, pomegranate, talcum powder, dried sage, truffle, and dried stony earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. A lovely expression of 2019 Barbaresco. Drink now with patience and through 2049. — 4 months ago
The 2004 Cos d'Estournel has an impressive bouquet with black cherries, hoisin, rose petals and blood orange scents, all mixed with melted tar and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied, with a strong menthol element on the entry that rather dominates the terroir expression. It is very spicy on the finish, with cough candy on the aftertaste. It may be a bit bombastic considering the vintage, but it will continue to age in bottle. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 7 months ago
An absolute gem. This is a fabulous wine. Perfect for investing, more perfect for drinking. — 8 months ago
Erik Longabardi
So young but so balanced and beautiful. Divine Bordeaux — 12 days ago