Kurt Schuster

9.6

One of our absolute favorites. Light and living and just effervescent with lemon curd and clean starfruit and just enough acid to keep the structure together. Incredibly delicate and a well done balancing act to get these flavors to exist with just enough yeast to reflect the lees. Absolutely delightful.  — 16 days ago

with Denise

Ming L

9.2

This entry level NV bottling epitomizes Lanson’s house style of long lees aging, non MLF, and high percentage of reserve wine. Delicate balance between vibrancy and finesse. So clean yet so much going on. Long lightly candied and spiced saline finish.
Base wine from 2014, disgorged 2019, with 35% reserve wine. — 2 years ago

Vanessa

9.4

Today we began with a visit to Billecart-Salmon, which has been family owned since 1818. They are 7 generations strong, producing between 2 and 2.5 million bottles per year. We received our informative tour from Jérôme Lafouge. 👏

He explained how Billecart-Salmon grows and manages many of the vines used to produce their wines; they also source grapes 🍇 from other growers, but otherwise own the production process from the pressing of the grapes on… the facilities are pristine and processes are executed meticulously.

Each wine is vinified by vineyard plot. A unique feature of Billecart-Salmon is its decision to have a slow, cool fermentation process for all of its wine - both those vinified in barrels and those in stainless steel tanks - a process that takes 6 weeks to complete.

Each winemaking decision is customized based upon the type and condition of the grapes, e.g., some undergo a malolactic fermentation (where tart malic acid is converted to soft, lactic acid) while others may not, some have a first fermentation in oak where as some are stainless steel, etc.

At the end of our tour we had the pleasure to taste a few beautiful wines (pictured here).

Our favorite was the 2002 Vintage Cuvée Nicolas François comprised of 60% Pinot Noir from Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ, Aÿ, Ambonnay, and Verzenay and 40% Chardonnay from Chouilly, Cramant, and Avize.

This wine was clearly developing lovely tertiary aromas. It also had great complexity retaining its primary and secondary notes. It was disgorged January of 2016, resting over a decade on the lees.

The aromas and palate had caramel, toffee, brioche, pie crust, toast, hazelnut, cream, melted butter, honey, ginger, candied lemon peel, quince, fig, and chamomile notes.

What an enjoyable experience and we loved meeting some new friends on the tour from Savannah, Georgia and Canada.

Santé mes amis 🥂🥂🥂 — 3 years ago

with Deked1

John Chardonnens

9.0

Eerste keer een vintage.
Zoet en iets droog.
Veel fruit. — 4 months ago

Barberry Garden

9.6

It was interesting to compare 2017-based Les Pierrières with 2015-based that we tasted like a month ago. And the younger release is more generous and fascinating. Sophisticated and delicate bouquet of candied fruits, lemon zest, spring flowers, wet stones and almond paste. Precise, medium-full-bodied. It shows a bit of tension, but it only makes the wine more beautiful and nuanced. The aftertaste is just endless. Salinity is wonderful.

Disgorged in 03/2021
36 months on lees — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Gavi comes from small growing area in northwestern Italy located north of Genoa on steep slopes of Ligurian Apennines. White label is La Scolca’s everyday wine, an alternative to their “Black Label”. From Cortese di Gavi grape (younger vines), pale yellow with delicate aromas of stone & citrus fruits. Palate, with extended lees aging shows rich apple & lemon flavors, nutty notes, good mouthfeel. Crisper than ‘17, medium finish, vivid acidity ending with a mineral character. Nice! — 3 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.5

Beautiful light amber color. Very fine bubbles. A framboise funk and praline on the nose. Palette has a rich malt character that dances on the tongue. Disgorged July 2020 after 84 months on lees. — 4 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.7

Fantastic Champagne! This had it all. 8 years on lees. Disgorged July 2015. Just impeccable! Rich, complex, layered, balanced and refreshing! Wowzer! — 5 months ago

Kristine Karlsen

9.7

Not Port wine 😉 but excellent — 2 years ago

with Nelson

Matt

9.5

This has always been up there for desert island wine selection. I could drink this everyday. Missing the prices this used to be at (which was still expensive 😂 for me). Structured yet incredibly refined with this disgorgement. Savory depths abound. Crushed ripe strawberries, peach skin, tangerine, chalk, prosciutto rind, salt, cream, a kiss of cooling brown spice, orchard blossoms. 70 PN 30 CH, 63 months sur lees, 10/2020 disgorgement — 3 years ago