Lee Pitofsky

9.8

(Disg. 12/14) One of the best bottles of Selosse in recent memory, the coveted 2008 base Initial is an absolute stunner, still incredibly fresh and vibrant with off the charts complexity and captivating Selossien aromatics, a rich, powerful and textural palate with layered minerality and a finish that just doesn’t end. Amazing wine. — 5 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

My new Favorite white, just love mountain fruit! Named for mountain range dividing Napa & Sonoma, old stone winery dug into side of dormant volcano crater in 1889, remained in production ever since. Pale lemon with aromas of Tropical and stone fruit with complex spice and floral notes. On the palate flavors of apple, pear and citrus with light oak and nutty tones, fresh and vibrant, well integrated. Long finish ending with fruit and flinty mineral characteristics. Long aging potential. Nice! — 2 years ago

Neil Blaze

9.2

I'm not typically a big fan of Chardonnay, but this one was delicious. Crisp, fresh, and clean, though the flavors took a while to open up. A couple hours after opening, I tasted some nice yellow apples and ripe pears with just a touch of oak. 100% Chardonnay. 1/30/22. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Pale lemon in color with a light golden hue.

Ripe citrus fruits on the nose with earth and spices.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with mild complexity.

Showing apples, ripe citrus fruits, apples, earth, herbs and vegetables.

This 4 year old is drinking very fresh right out of the bottle. Soft, smooth and elegant.

Needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food, and gets more complex as it opens up.

A good quality wine, but I expected a little more at this price point.

A great sipping wine, balanced and elegant.

I paired it with cheeses and crackers.

Trebbiano grapes were aged in used large oak barrels for 12 months.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$150. — 7 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2011 Insignia is superb. Deep, layered and so expressive, Insignia is without question one of the wines of the year. Had I tasted it blind, I would have never guessed it is a wine from a challenging year. Still fresh and vibrant, the 2011 is such a pleasure to taste today. Hints of sage, tobacco, spice, menthol and pine add lovely aromatic top notes to a core of inky blue/purplish fruit. The 2011 has turned out even better than I had originally expected. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022)
— 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.

100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.

Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Bright honey gold with fine frizzante bubbles and a thin white mousse. Wildly aromatic with white flowers, ripe red apples, and fresh white peaches. Medium light palate confirms the nose giving layers of pome, stone fruit, honeysuckle, and honey. Bright, balancing acidity. Long finish. Excellent as a light sipper; shines with spicy dishes, fresh fruit, or sweet barbecue sauces. Drink now, of course. — 9 months ago

Conrad Green

9.0

Shiny and fresh. Good bright fruit. Apricot, apples. With time in glass it’s developed a slightly candied finish — 3 years ago

emilie cycz

10

Vibrant, and fresh. Flavor has that of fresh apple and berries. Amazing — 3 years ago

with Maggie

Christy N

9.5

Celebrating tonight with this beautiful bottle of champagne - the first time I’ve ever bought myself champagne! Are they all like this? :) Beautiful golden hue, fine velvety bubbles, with a lovely richness and weight. An engaging depth of aromas and flavours including baked apples, lemon, fresh bread, almonds, with some minerality, salinity, smoke and spice. — 3 years ago