Alvaro Bustillos

9.6

Viaje WS 🇮🇹 @ villa verde — 2 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

It’s no secret anymore how stunning these wines are. The second release of “Lieux de Vie,” 100% Chardonnay from multiple old vine parcels in Avize, is showing wonderfully, layered with clean and defined orchard fruit, white flowers, fresh brioche and wet stones. The palate is incredibly vibrant, textured and pure with a mouth filling pillowy mousse, killer fruit density and chalky mineral core. Extremely exciting things happening at this Domaine. — 7 months ago

Martinez

9.4

One of Usseglio’s top cuvées, Mon Aïeul (“my granddad”) is 100% Grenache from some of the estate’s oldest vines (about 85 years of age) in La Crau, La Guigasse and Les Grandes Serres lieux-dits – each with a different type of soil.

Situated on an elevated plateau to the east of the village, La Crau is perhaps Châteauneuf’s most famous cru, known for its distinctive “galets roulés”, large, rounded river stones deposited here by the Rhône millions of years ago. To the south of the village, Les Grandes Serres is a very warm site on gravelly alluvial soils (and the source of the estate’s biggest wine, the 18% ABV “Not for You”). La Guigasse, on the other hand, is a cooler, sandier site with hardly any galets located on the northeastern part of the appellation, near the famous Pignan and Rayas lieux-dits (Chateau Rayas)

Mostly unoaked, it was brought up in concrete vats, with 15-20% in demi-muids. Ruby red color. Intensely perfumed, with notes of red and dark fruit (strawberry, raspberry), licorice and herbs. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and concentrated. Ripe fruit (cherry) and white pepper, smooth and creamy on the palate. Long, velvety, quite tannic finish. Hedonistic wine. — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

Disg. 2/14…Always my favorite of the Lieux-Dits and without question one of the very best Blanc de Blancs Champagnes on the planet, it’s particularly special to have with some bottle age. It’s stunning today, rich and powerful with crazy depth to its layers with a deep, complex core of caramelized orchard fruit, roasted nuts, old rum barrels and candied white flowers, all seamlessly integrated. The palate is generous and detailed, with racy acids, waves of saline laced, chalky Le Mesnil minerals and a finish that stays with you. A BdB benchmark for my tastes. — 5 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Amazing what a decant can do sometimes. Typically my favorite Roulot Lieux-dit that often easily performs at 1er cru level, 2013 Tessons begins a bit flabby and exotic tonight, showing more of the vintage than I’d like. But with aeration it gains focus and energy and really comes together beautifully taming its ripeness with layered minerality and just enough acidity driving all of its flavors home. Great turnaround. — a year ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Jean Marc Roulot has always been a champion of showcasing individual terroir diversity with his terrific village lieux-dits, and the excellent 2017 vintage which has turned out so well for both red and white burg, is just perfect for it. Les Luchets is fantastic tonight, wafting from the glass with layers of white orchard fruit, lilies, hazelnut, spices and attractive matchstick reduction. The palate is pure and vibrant with a crystalline minerality, an elegant texture and notably impressive length. Really great bottle. — 2 years ago

Colin Cahoon

8.9

Dark red fruit, oxidative notes, stewed fruit, plum, pencil lead, cola, molasses, and ripe black fruit. Medium plus body, high tannins, high alcohol, high acid, and long finish. Drink now with all the tertiary stuff going on, which surprises me given the vintage is only 5 years old. — 5 months ago

Joe Fischer

8.9

Dark garnet color with aromas of tobacco, apple, dark cherry, plum, and green vegetables. Smooth with cherry, stewed fruits, and tart spice notes. — 8 months ago

Dan

8.9

Darker apple, lemon, heavy cream and modest toast. Lots of acidity, lime, good mineral finish. — 2 years ago

Thijs Hendriks

9.8

Deg 30 jan 2017 — 2 years ago