Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Tasted a lot of 2023 burgundies last weekend. Thought I’d try a white with some age.

With aging white burgundy, sometimes it gives you a touch of v/a. This is on nose but not the palate. Believe it is v/a but there is some confusion with the scent of mushrooms. Thought it might be some burgundy cellar funk. But yes, some detectable v/a. Yet, it’s not entirely offensive.

The palate show excellent viscosity. It’s full & round. Golden-green apples, creamy lemons, some lime zest, both stone fruits, not so sweet pineapple syrup & kiwi notes, warm caramel, Brach’s butterscotch candy, gentle but thick honey, their is some unfortunate, faint wet cardboard that comes once it opens up, mushrooms, saline-sea foam, excellent, white spice, oyster fossils, touch of flintiness-gun powder, smooth chalky powder, wet limestone marl, some herbal notes, yellow lilies, white Spring florals set in greens, pleasant, round acidity with perfect balance, mid toned/structured, nicely knitted, elegant, rich finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on spice, chalk and volcanic minerals on the long set.

Unfortunate about the minimal cardboard. I’d add a point, maybe two w/o it.

Photos of; PYCM and Pierre-Yves Colin the eldest son of Marc Colin. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Happy New Year all! 🍾🥂

This 07 outshines/performs the overall vintage.

Outstanding mousse & lively acidity. Lime zest, lemon pulp in juice, grapefruit w/ pith, orange citrus blend with peel, kiwi, tropical melons, white nectarines, excellent white spice, baguette crust, gritty white chalk, dry, crushed limestone bits, grey volcanics, oyster shells, saline/sea spray, light tones of fresh herbs, yellow lilies, spring flowers with greens, excellent acidity, well; structured, balanced, knitted, beautiful finish that is even and lands on minerality & spice. — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Olivier’s craft is impeccable, even in Bourgogne.

Slightly sour Meyer lemons, lime zest, ripe pineapple flesh, green melons, cream, caramel & butterscotch notes, sea spray, oysters, volcanic minerals, shade of mushroom, sea fossils, some ginger, yellow flowers/lilies with greens, round vicious acidity, good balance, well knitted & elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on minerals & spice.

@SevenCaynonsSedona — 8 months ago

Daniel Bloom

9.2

N:Big black cherries,smoky, pomegranates, dried wood.
P: Tar, syrupy, campfire resin*, ha, liquorice, black plums, delicious w all day Pasilla, Ancho short ribs and polenta.
Boo Yah!
As this airs, pronounced chocolate/cocoa appears, mouthfeel definitely gets bigger.
Thanks @kerri& Dennis@Sokolinwines — 4 years ago

Ian Wright

8.9

Melon citrus and leafy fuzzy greens. Vibrant — 6 years ago

Steve Rura

9.6

Wow! This is by far the best Chablis I've had. Amazing white wine. Full at 14.5% abv, and superb with food. Had it with soy-marinated seared tuna steak, mesclun greens, tomatoes, scallions and miso-orange dressing. Great balance, acidity, complexity... everything you're looking for in a summer white. — 6 years ago

barak heller hayun

9.1

this bottle takes me back to Alsace.
i spent a weekend in Strasbourg in 2006 protesting/partying in front of the European parliament that's located there.
no wine was tasted as i sticked to self imported bottle of zubrowka vodka, drops of potent LSD (that were dropped to the tail end of the vodka by a really short vicious smiling man - true story) and local pilsner beer that i remember fondly that's called 'meteor' and came in large 750ml bottles(pretty good ice cold and just ok after the sun warmed up the last 3rd of the bottle).

and now... 13 years later. different tastebuds. but I'm still the same person essentially.

100% pinot gris

off dry officially but feels dry.

14% ABV

pale green 👀

🧀 rind, green apple, pear, very fresh lemon and finely chopped greens👃

full body. I'm guessing the rs helps to build it.
medium plus acidity.

creamy, tart and a bit fruity with added white pepper and maybe even ginger 👄

long lingering pleasent creamy 🎯 like tasty and slightly bitter 🍬

great wine, no doubt about it.
tasty and complex, plays with you and changes every sip, but always superb.

excelent vfm (110 nis). expensive but works hard for your money.

need to try the winery Riesling now.

had it all day on it's own while vacationing.
soft and spicy cheese platter could have helped but I'm too full. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

If you like Ca Chardonnay with firm wood-warmer climate backbone structure, this probably isn’t for you. It is closer to white burgundy, which is why I buy it occasionally. It reminds me of the a leaner, less viscous, 2014/16 Domaine de la Bongran Viré-Clessé Cuvée E.J. Thevenet.

The palate is perfectly ripe; green apple, lemon/lime juicy pulp w/ zest, grapefruit with pith, tropical melon, white stone fruit, marmalade as it warms & opens up, Bosc pear w/ skin & lychees. Honey notes, but less than Viré-Clessé Cuvée E.J. Thevenet, caramel, milk froth, vanillin, dry limestone powered, toast crust, some white spice, grey volcanics, saline notes, yellow lilies, white flowers, jasmine blossoms, mixed in greens, very pleasant acidity, well; knitted, balanced, good tension, medium structure and a smarty polished 90 second finish that settles on spice and minerals. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have enjoyed this producers vineyard over many vintage and this might be the best.

The 22 vintage is stunning and as good as it is, 23 might be better based on a somewhat limited exposure at this point.

The entry is glorious…such balance and wire to wire it doesn’t change much.

Green apple, perfect lemon & lime pulp into subtle candy, grapefruit, white stone fruit, kiwi, tropical melons, pineapple, cream reduction, saline, perfect sea fossils, fine powdery taut chalkiness, crisp volcanics, white spice, grey volcanic minerals, limestone marl, mix of fresh & dry stubble herbs, honeysuckle, light caramel, warm lightly done toast, yellow florals, spring flowers with greens, grand waterfall acidity, beautiful structure-tension, incredible balance with an elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and long sets on volcanic minerals and spice.

Decanted 1 hour.

When I first started buying this bottling, it was $50-$60, now $150. Might be my last bought. My white spend has a more limited range than my red. Don’t think I’m alone.

A property Sofia & I have visited in 2015. — 7 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Yeah, this is really good. From one of the grandest Champagne vintages in a 100 years or so.

The nose is extremely complex. Notes of; mixed orange citrus, overripe golden apple, bruised pear, overripe papaya & mango, stone fruit, just a hint of Meyer lemon, brioche, biscuits, baguette crust, ginger ale to gingerbread, white spice, faint sea fossils, understated saline, limestone marl, soft herbaceous, beautiful, powdery chalkiness, heavy cream, yellow lilies, jasmine and spring flowers in a field of greens.

The palate is gentle, micro lean bubbles, amazingly, soft mousse. Just beautiful, orange citrus, overripe golden apple, bruised pear, overripe papaya & mango, stone fruit, just a hint of Meyer lemon, juicy lime pulp, brioche, biscuits, baguette crust, ginger ale to gingerbread, graham crackers, vanillin, white spice, crushed more pronounced sea fossils, understated saline, limestone marl, soft herbaceous, beautiful, powdery chalkiness, heavy cream, yellow & white lilies, jasmine and spring flowers in a field of greens. The acidity is perfect. The finish is excellent with similarities wire to wire. Lasts minutes.

Photos from my October visit to Billecart and my tasting with Mathieu Roland-Billecart. — 3 years ago

Matt

9.4

Damp earth, chesnut, witch hazel, spring flowers, spring greens, crisp pear, lemon peel, quinche, salted ham, flint, green tea. A riot of acid and waxy chenin richness, impeccable balance. First time getting this wine in the glass with some bottle age 😍 — 6 years ago

Donald Williams

9.2

Didn’t know what to expect from this wine. It’s been in the cellar for a while, forgotten. Grabbed it to have with some BBQ ribs, collard greens, grilled asparagus, butternut squash, and coleslaw. A dynamite choice. — 6 years ago

with Bonnie

Hanna R

9.0

Unbelievable garnet color. Still feels a bit young, but balanced with a hint of acid. Ripe fruits. Can pair with everything from sausage to greens to chocolate. $18.99 CM. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

We started enjoying Davis Estates Chardonnay with their 2014 vintage and now starting to drink their 2016 vintage. Each has been really good with excellent QPR.

We don’t drink a lot of CA Chardonnay as most are over structured and oaked. We prefer White Burgundy on most occasions. The Davis Estates Chardonnay’s are the exception to that rule.

As for this 2016, it’s their best of three vintages we have come to know. It is spectacular!

A number of people love Aubert Chardonnays. We like them too but, for the money, give me this 2016 all day over the Aubert’s. It’s less than half the price! I find some Aubert characteristics & style in each glass of all three Davis Chardonnays vintages we’ve had.

The nose reveals; butterscotch, honey, green apple, slightly sour lemons, lime candy, overripe pineapple, ripe, green melon, white peach, cream, beeswax, vanillin, caramel, toffee notes, light white spice, beautiful, understated chalkiness, hints of saline, soft volcanic minerals, tree bark with drips of sap, mixed greens, spring flowers, yellow lilies and jasmine.

The body is thick, full, round and waxy. It’s simply delicious as it guilds over the palate. Loads of butterscotch, honey, green apple, some golden apple, slightly sour lemons, lime candy, overripe pineapple, ripe, green melon, white peach, haunting banana now & again, cream, beeswax, vanillin, caramel, toffee/creme brûlée notes, light white spice with just the right amount of heat, beautiful, soft, chalkiness, hints of saline & flintiness, soft volcanic minerals, tree bark with drips of sap, mixed greens, spring flowers, yellow lilies and jasmine. The acidity is round and near perfect. The long finish is, lush, ripe, soft, flat out elegant, well balanced and persists minutes. Beautiful CA Chardonnay in every way. Paired with soft white cheese.

Happy Labor Day Weekend everyone! Cheers! 🥂

@Ron R You gotta get some of their 16. Like a case!

Photos of; their Estate vines as viewed from their terrace, tasting room with their kitchen for food pairing in the back, entrance and their rotating water ball just of their terrace. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It has been a while since I’ve opened a Clemence. A favorite of mine & Sofia once upon a time. Still drink it, just not as often as I have moved to mostly Extra Brut. This is a Brut at 8g. Excellent Champagne & value at $44.99.

I believe there are only two resellers you can acquire it, one east coast & one west-K&L. You have to buy it pretty quickly once they get their container. It took several yrs building that relationship as Launois is careful about who they let resell their cuvées. In fact, it is even difficult to get in France. K&L has standing orders from some French citizens they ship back to France once they receive it. Kinda crazy.

The palate has nice mousse with lively acidity and micro oxygenation. Lime/lemon pulp w/ zest, stone fruits-white dominant, grapefruit w/ pith, bruised red/golden apples, Bosc pear, caramel, vanillin, some yeast, baguette crust, white spice, gritty, grey volcanics, chalky bits, limestone marl, oyster shells, yellow flowers/lilies, spring flowers with a little greens mixed in, very good acidy, well; made/balanced/tensioned with a smartly polished, elegant finish that lasts minutes and land on excellent minerality.

If you get to Champagne, visit. They have a huge museum of champagne/wine artifacts that date back to BC. My two pics do not show its enormity. They are about 35-40 minutes south of Reims.

They are the only producer I know of that places a rubber casket attached to the bottom of their corks. So, next to never do their cuvées have cork taint.

Enjoying it with the Jasper Hill Farms - Willoughby, buttery washed soft white cheese. Try with Rainbow Crisp crackers or warm baguette. Also, on apples with and w/o honey. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Consistency is their middle name.

This has just started to shift from fresh to aging.

Bruised red apple/pear, lemon, lime zest, tropical melons, drier stone fruits, whipped cream, ginger, brioche, graham cracker, very light caramel/butterscotch notes, grey volcanics, limestone marl, sea fossils, gritty chalk, white & yellow flowers with greens, excellent lively acidity and a well balanced-knitted, elegant & smartly polished finish that lasts near two-minutes. — 7 months ago

Steven Beishuizen

8.9

On the nose, this is stewed raspberry... On the palate, raspberry, rhubarb, cherry, and beet greens... Medium body and the tannins are quite soft... Pepper in the finish... This feels quite simple, but the peppery finish is actually quite nice. Value. — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Yowza. This is stunning. The secret power of this estate is the GG Riesling. What a nose. Impossibly complex minerality. Just staggering and delicate and so intense at the same time. Confectionary as well. Outrageous. Sweet greens as well. Smells so pure. Palate is just insane. So deep, so fresh, so elegant, so concentrated, so crystalline pure that you try so hard to find a flaw on that diamond but you can’t. This is a flawless diamond. Power without weight and just incredible density and structure. Just unbelievable. As this airs the nose gets to a 9.9. It’s so floral, so airy, so complex. Jaw dropping aromas. This is so delicate yet powerful. The marriage of density/minerality/sweet tart fruit on the mid and finish is all woven together like the finest silk. — 4 years ago

Susan Hanners

9.2

Would be great with bacon wrapped spicy pork and apples with butter greens — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Pretty sure I haven’t had a better bottle of Champange at $24.99 and even some higher.

The nose reveals; bruised green apple & Bosc pear, lemon meringue, overripe & slightly sour pineapple, lime zest, nougat, vanillin, soft honeycomb, oysters, sea spray, baguette crust, grey volcanic, pleasant chalkiness, whiffs of herbaceousiness, spring flowers, mixed greens and yellow lilies.

The entry is clean, fresh, rich and lively. Bruised green apple & Bosc pear, lemon meringue, golden apple, overripe & slightly sour pineapple, lime zest, nougat, vanillin, caramel, soft honeycomb, sea fossils & spray, baguette crust, nice white spice with some palate heat, grey volcanic, pleasant chalkiness, whiffs of herbaceousiness, spring flowers, mixed greens and yellow lilies. Crisp lively acidity. The finish is refreshingly delicious, well balanced, good, seamless, delineation, nice polish and persists with spice for several minutes on the long set.

Photos of; The House of Baron Fuentes, grapes at harvest, Proprietor Eric De Brisis and one of their Grand Cru vineyards. — 6 years ago