G Miller

9.0

Delicious! 12 months in French oak. Reminds me of burgundy Pinots. — 4 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Haven’t sipped this in quite awhile. 375ml to refresh my palate memory.

40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier. Varietals fermented separately in stainless steel vats. 5 to 10% of wine is vinified in old Burgundy oak barrels.

Texture is round and elegant. The fruits are; both peach, mango, apricots, slightly oxidative white citrus-lime hovers the edges & pineapple juice. Nougat, marzipan, toasted nuts, brioche, saline, crushed chalk, white spice that presses into the palate, notes of cheese cloth, limestone marl, moist, pulpy, grey volcanic minerals, yellow lilies with spring white flowers, jasmine blooms, round, soft acidy and a well; balanced, structured & tensioned finish that lands squarely on mid minerality and lasts 90 seconds.

Photos; Charles Heidsieck signage, Charles Heidsieck, chalky tasting area in their cellar and Cote de Blanc vineyard. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.2

It’s been about 6 months since I last checked in on the 2016 vintage of Terre Nere’s Rosso di Montalcino. I was very impressed with the wine on release and I’m falling for how this wine is developing! Popped and poured; consumed during the duration of our Tuscan-inspired dinner. In the glass, a bright ruby with medium viscosity. Medium+ intensity. On the nose, waxy bing cherry fruit, flower shop, medium-aged Manchego cheese, bergamot, and dusty attic. I could smell this wine for hours and be satisfied! On the palate, a mix of red and dark cherry fruit, Earl Grey tea, tomato, orange citrus rind, and dusty earth. The freshness of this wine is simply awesome. Loads of structure for an RdM (some Brunellos may be jealous)…but it could also just be 2016 being 2016. The finish is long and as it lingers, comes across slightly saline. A fabulous wine with a long and exciting future. — 4 years ago

James Gourley

9.6

This wine is aging gracefully. Secondary and tertiary notes coming to the fore. Floral/spicy nose that is so fragrant. The cherry has turned dark, supported by more spice, clove, cinnamon. Truly an excellent wine. — 4 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Powerful yet elegant Aussie Shiraz. Dark ruby color. Aromas of raspberry, eucalyptus and cocoa. Palate is rich with plum and raspberry fruit along with notes of root beer, baking spices, black licorice and Earl Grey tea. Hint of vanilla on the long and lingering finish. The tannins are concentrated but well integrated. Plush, rich and intense but beautifully balanced. Aging nicely. — a year ago

Sean Lyons

9.5

I hate to say it, but this stuff really is a higher class of vodka. No off, medicinal notes. No cloying artificial sweetness. It just tastes like the cleanest, purest spring water was made magically alcoholic. — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Well...this was one hell of a week. There is only one way to wind it down. Reach for an excellent bottle of vintage Champagne.

My first thoughts are how delicate this is on the palate. Further, how unbelievable it will be with another 8-10 years in bottle.

The nose shows; slightly sour lemon, the good parts of lemon Pledge, lemon meringue, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, brioche, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanilla, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies.

The body is light on its feet and dances on the palate. Delicacy abounds. Its soft, gorgeous mousse right there with the best money can buy. Slightly sour lemon, lemon meringue, green & with more bruised golden apple, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, touch of apple cider, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, ginger ale into cream soda, brioche, nougat, toffee notes, lighter nuts without skin, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanillin, marzipan, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies. The acidity is mellow yet lively, gorgeous and as good as it gets. The finish is all luxury. So well knitted & balanced, elegant, rich but not overpowering and gently persisting several minutes.

Photos of; The House of Taittinger, their caves so chalky white and built on the famous Crayères Cellars of Reims: 2.5 miles of tunnels (they own 1/4 to 1/3 of it) cut out of chalk by the Romans, the portrait of Thibaud IV who was a king, lord, manager, singer, conqueror, explorer & 11th century Crusader all rolled into one from which, this Cuvée was the catalyst creation and part of the 600 plus hectares they own in Champange.

Some producer notes; Taittinger's history can be traced back to 1734, when it was originally known as Forest-Fourneaux, founded by Jacques Fourneaux who worked closely with local Benedictine monks to learn how to produce wine. They were just the 3rd Champange house.

The estate was bought by the Taittingers – a family of wine merchants – in 1932, and thanks to the great depression and subsequent low land prices, the family also picked up huge swathes of vineyard. From 1945-1960, Francois Taittinger established the cellars in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, and after his death in 1960 his brother Claude took over, pushing the estate into a Champagne house of world renown. Such was the status of the label that the Taittinger family soon expanded its business into other luxury goods. However, this eventually led to financial difficulties, and in 2005 the Taittinger brand – including the Champagne house – was sold to the American owned Starwood Hotel Group. The sale was badly received by the Champagne industry, with many fearing the new owners – unfamiliar with the culture of Champagne – would put profit ahead of quality.

Just one year later, Claude’s nephew, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, who had always been opposed to the sale, negotiated a €660m deal with the Starwood Group, and the Taittinger family resumed ownership of the company.

In 2017, Taittinger planted its first vines in England, near a village in Kent, for its venture into English sparkling wine. The first bottle will be ready in 2023.

1/8/21 — 4 years ago

Alison Maddox

8.9

Pretty good after letting it breathe — 7 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Simply great with this age for $45.

2008 was a Sonoma fire year and while this has some smokiness it does seems that it’s from smoke taint.

Ruby, dark, slightly, sour cherries, blackberries, black plum pudding, black raspberries, dry cranberries, blueberry hue’s, touch of baked rhubarb, moist clay with grey volcanics, alluvial limestone, dry rock powder, red licorice/cola, steeped tea, some dry herbs, lightly grilled meats, dark spice w/ a touch of heat, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanillin, dry twigs, fall leaves, withering; dark, red, blue florals framed in violets with hints of lavender, summer rainfall acidity with a lush, elegant, well balanced, mid tensioned/structured, two- minute finish, that falls on earthiness. — 8 months ago

Ron R

9.5

A point of reference. Ethereal. So well balanced. Nose displays almonds, hay and mild citrus notes. Palate is silky smooth with roasted nuts, meyer lemon and a hint of nectarine. Not too much acidity to talk about. This will sail on for years and years.
A superb gift from Joe and Dianna. — 3 years ago

with Diana, David and 2 others