Shannon

9.3

We liked it with grilled meats especially lamb chops — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Dark ruby red color, some purple edges, with aromas of dark fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with vanilla, cedar and cinnamon spice. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, cedar and spice. — 3 months ago

GaryWEdwards

9.8

I can now understand the wine critics who proclaim this among the best ever for Lynch-Bages. Ample dark fruit which opens after a short decant and provides a very long satisfying finish. Approaching 35 years and just hitting stride. — 4 months ago

with Logan

Vanessa

9.7

A special BIRTHDAY treat for this Champagne lover and my #1 guy!!  

Krug is a Champagne House specializing in producing “prestige cuvees,” which are the product of strict and meticulous practices in the vineyard and winery, designed to promote utmost quality even at the possible detriment of a lower yield and lengthier (more costly) production process.

In Champagne, a “prestige cuvée,” or “tête de cuvée,” signifies the producer’s top, most exclusive wine, which could be vintage-dated (fruit from a single year) or non-vintage (blend of fruit from multiple years).  

This particular cuvée is called “Ode to Nature,” like liquid poetry paying tribute to the 2002 vintage, which was notably generous with its warm, relatively dry conditions (in an otherwise marginal climate), supporting a healthy grape ripening process.  

It’s a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay, and 21% Meunier – all harvested in 2002 - and was aged in the cellar for 13 years before release.

Julie Cavil has served in the important role of Cellar Master (Chef de Cave) at Krug since 2020, after an early career in public relations and business, followed by years of education in oenology, positions with other producers in Champagne, and 14 years in the cellar of Krug leading up to her current role. Her story is inspiring to say the least!

Now on to our (abbreviated) tasting note… This wine has a gorgeous golden hue with a fine, persistent mousse. Aromas and flavors show depth and complexity with notes of lemon curd, baked yellow apple, desiccated white rose petals, cream, toast, brioche, marzipan, pie crust, and almond. It has a creamy texture on the palate and long, elegant finish. It’s drinking so well right now.

Cheers to sharing wines you love with the people you love!
— 10 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

100% tempranillo, aged in oak for 2 years. Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with notes of oak and black pepper notes. Fine soft tannins, great balance with acidity, long finish ending with fruit, vanilla, oak and slight earthy spice character. Will age short term! — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.4

Deep purple in color with a short purplish rim.

Beautiful nose with lots of chocolates and light earth notes.

Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco, vanilla, dried figs, raisins, licorice, light earth, peppercorn, cola, spices and dark chocolates.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and crushed peppercorn.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Big and bold. Spicy and tangy. Showing nice complexity at this point.

This 6 year old is drinking beautifully now. Rich yet elegant. Extracted and easy drinking. Well balanced and really delicious.

A beautiful surprise. I had the 2016 a few years ago, and this is drinking much better now. I did not expect it from the 2017 vintage.

Good right out of the bottle, and good by itself as a sipping wine. Robert Parker 93 points.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$110. — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Dark ruby in color with a very short reddish rim. Not showing age at all.

Strong fruity nose with cedar, vanilla, chocolates and black fruits.

Full bodied, elegant and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and very fruity, with black currants, plums, tobacco, cedar, leather, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, herbs and light alcohol.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This 28 year old is still drinking beautifully, but was probably better a few years ago.

Nicely balanced and elegant with nice complexity.

Needed 90 minutes of airtime to open up properly.

Robert Parker 96 points.

I Had this vintage almost 2 years ago, and it was even better then.

A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 22 months.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$200. — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Inky in color with a short purplish rim.

Strong nose with black fruits, cedar, licorice, chocolates, light vegetables, wild flowers and peppercorn.

Full-bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black cherries, currants, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, herbs, licorice, dark chocolates, light earth and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Napa Valley is already delicious.

Rich and engaging. Powerful and dark. Still a little unforgiving. Spicy and fruit forward.

Much earthier on the nose than on the palate. Only after 2.5 hours it balances out, so be patient.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years, and has good potential to become a 94+ point wine. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

I Had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food. Will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. Grapes were handpicked and aged for 18 months in mostly French oak barrels.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$95. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.4

Let's go out with a bang!
Byeee 2023!

Deep purple in color with a short purple rim.

Strong fruity nose, bold and fruit forward.

Full bodied and dry on the palate, with medium acidity.

Showing blueberries, blackberries, black currants, black cherries, raisins, dried fruits, figs, dark chocolates, cedar, coffee, vanilla, earth, spices, pencil lead, eucalyptus, cola, light mint, bell pepper, herbs and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Napa Valley Bordeaux blend. Very fruity on the palate with great complexity and mouthfeel.

This 14 year old feels and drinks like a young wine. Rich and extracted. Opulent and very complex already.

Fruit forward with lots of earth and green notes. Very interesting stuff. Feels like a blend of Napa Cabernet and Left Bank bordeaux.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of air time, when tannins come in and show more structure. After 2 hours of airtime the tannins become very grippy.

I tried the 2001 vintage a few years ago, and it was so much better. A good quality wine that will continue to age nicely in the next 20+ years.

Robert Parker 97 points. Wine Spectator 96 points.

A great wine to share with friends and talk about.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$1000. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Thought it would be fun to check in on the 2017 "Classico" while I patiently wait for my 2017 Riservas to arrive (long story). Popped and poured; enjoyed over several hours out of Burgundy glasses. In the glass, the wine is deep ruby color with a transparent core. Medium+ viscosity with no obvious staining of the tears. On the nose, ripe cherrys with tar, herbs and organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium++ tannins and medium+ acid. The fruit set is confirmed and despite the firm structure, comes across almost round and chewy. She thicc. Long finish. The 2017's are drinking well right now and noticeably better than my last note. Have confidence these will drink well through 2032. — a year ago