Gage Orion

9.2

Crisp, refreshing, light. Controlled acidity, good effervescence. Pears/ apple taste. Better than veuve imo at a better price point for a grand cru. — 9 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Served blind, I had it as seriously high quality Vosne, like that of CLB. Its perfect prep of a decant for 3 hours and then back into the bottle for 1 hour before serving bypassed the Domaine’s typical smoky reduction and allowed its fruit purity and floral bouquet to take center stage. At this point, it wafts from the glass flaunting a red fruited and fresh violet profile with Vosne-like spices and an elegant, lifted and palate caressing texture. It continued to beautify and expand itself over the course of the night, never shutting down, and showing just how special Madame Tremblay’s wines can be. Chambolle with Vosne flair 👌🏻👌🏻 — 4 years ago

Koen Straesser

9.0

A bit too much stable smell, but filthy in a lovely way. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Happy President’s Day Weekend. 🇺🇸 I hope you all have the day off tomorrow and can enjoy an extra night of wine indulgence.

Every time I open a bottle of the Launois Veuve Clemence, all I can’t think about is, I still haven’t had a better Blanc de Blanc Champagne at this price point and many others at higher price points yet.

The nose is fantastic...Meyer lemon, lime, grapefruit, ripe pineapple, green melon, green apple, cream soda, lemon meringue, whiff of ginger, soft, understated white spice, sea shells & diary, baguette crust, light volcanic minerals with spring flowers, fruit blossoms and yellow lilies.

The palate is rich, reductive and so fresh. Micro beads with near perfect acidity. Meyer lemon, lime, little bit of orange with a touch of rind, grapefruit, ripe pineapple, green melon, green & golden apple, cream soda, honeysuckle, lemon meringue, caramel notes, whiff of ginger, soft, more pronounced white spice on the palate that really penetrates the palate, sea shells & spray, baguette crust, light volcanic minerals with spring flowers, fruit blossoms and yellow lilies. The finish is rich, elegant, beautifully balanced and persists for minutes.

If you can have wine shipped from a California retailer, you owe it to yourself to try a bottle at only $44.99. Its worth twice that price. K&LWines.com.

Photos of, one of their Grand Cru vineyards, two areas in their champagne museum that represent everything about Champagne and winemaking since its beginnings and part the cellar buildings.
— 7 years ago

David Watts

8.9

For the price point, fantastic. Ignoring price, still a very good bottle — 9 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.5

LGD departs more from the style of VC's non-vintage than any other tete-de-cuvée I can think of from a big house. This is delicate to the point of vanishing subtly and if you aren't paying attention it is easy to miss the mastery here! It is composed of 53% PN & 47% Chardonnay. Mr. DeMarville explained that this is the highest percentage of Chardonnay on record for LGD due to the warm conditions in 2006. — 10 years ago

Daron Watson

9.5

"Of all the Saint Estephes, Calon Segur remains most faithful to the traditional style of long-lives wines that are slow to evolve and blossom" Madame Gasqueton
The '95 definitely lives up to this statement as it is blossoming and will be fun to enjoy for another decade or two! Give it a couple hours in the decanter at this point. — 11 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

I’m a “fanboy” of Dehu’s Pinot Meunière and once again he doesn’t let me down. I love grower champagne and good Asian fusion. Ripe, toasty, juicy red delicious apple. Lip-smacking and lucious with Thai wide noodles and fried chicken dumplings so crispy that you hear the crack when you bite. To the point that I don’t feel comfortable w/o 6 Dehu and 6 Egly Meunière in my cellar. Wait… forget those names…I meant Orange label Veuve. Move along; nothing to see here! — 3 years ago

Leigh Betancourt

9.0

Had on thanksgiving with Dustin - definitely better than veuve for price point — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Been awhile. I love this cuvée. Certainly one of my favorite blancs and favorite for its quality & Its price point.

If you can receive shipments from CA retailers, you need to order the widow (translated) from K&L Wine Merchants. For $45, it seriously over delivers.

Reposting this so the guy that hacked into Delectable via one of their other entities can give me a false like on it. 🤣

Happy Friday! Cheers! 🍾🥂

Previous notes will stand.

Photos of; one of their Grand Cru vineyards, House of Launois and two views of their enormous Champagne museum. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

I’ve avoided this Rosé Champagne from Veuve Clicquot like the plague. However, time to try it.

It’s classic Rosé style but, light all the way around. It’s quaffable but, at this price point, I’m not giving up my BSR, Ruinart, Drappier etc.. There simply is no wow factor here. For me, all of their cuvées just don’t deliver the quality like other producers in and around their price points.

However, they have a beautiful property and amazing caves. — 8 years ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.2

NV. Very floral and fruity with orange blossom water, quince, apricot, white grapes, guava, tangerines. Sweetness is definitely there, but it's well-balanced. First time having a demi-sec at this price point...a great gift! — 8 years ago

Melindamari

10

Light. Not fruity, not too dry. Good price point.
— 11 years ago

Darci Jordan

10

Apples and oak! If an amazing Chardonnay was a delightful champagne, this would be it! My favorite champagne ever, hits every point. — 11 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.0

Cranberry tea, portobello, wet tobacco, mineral, light body. Faded burgundy in color. You can see your fingers clearly through a full glass. Will age another 5-10, but lacks the structure for more. — 4 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.4

2021/6/2 with pasta al ceppo Amatriciana, pan-roasted asparagus and red mizuna salad. À point, with a balance of nutty mature notes, crisp apple, cream and steely minerality. It could go on but is delicious now. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Allen Brothers Lava Cakes/Soufflé & 1977 Port. Pinch me!

Whenever I have wine this old, I always ask the people I share it with, what were you doing in 1977?

The beautiful thing about really old Port is how it softens all the edges & the elevated ABV. Smooth as silk.

This was a 375ml and farther along than a 750ml. The color was more Tawny than Port at this point. Wine on the leaner side. The fruits were; Thompson raisins, dates, figs, prunes, and some dried blackberries. Caramel, molasses, melted brown sugar, Cognac & Brandy presence, subtle wood shaving, nuts, butterscotch, graham cracker, dark withering flowers with beautiful acidity. The long finish was; rich, polished, well balanced, smooth and persistent for minerals.

If we had gone out for this dinner, it would have been $2500 plus tip & it wouldn’t have been this good which, is why we choose to cook rather than go out.

Cheese Course $25 pp
Salad $18 pp
Allen Brothers 6oz Ribcap $85 pp
Carrots $9 pp
Crispy Potato Wedges $12 pp
Soufflé $20 pp
Launois "Veuve Clemence" Brut Blanc de Blancs N/V Champagne $150
Glass of 2017 Pierre Boisson Bourgogne Blanc $25 pp
2018 Enderle & Moll Pinot Rose $75
1967 Bertani Valpolicella Amarone $625
2003 Chateau Lascombes $325
1977 Dow Port 375ml $275
Glass of Ruinart N/V Rose $35 pp
$2591 plus tax and gratuity
7 Hour Dinner

Nor would the music & ambiance been as good.

Interesting exercise penciling it all out.

Photos of; the boats used to transport Port from Douro to Oporto called a “Barcas”, grape stomping in a Lagare and our Allen Brothers Lava Cake/Soufflé. — 6 years ago

with Sofia, Christina and 1 other

Neil Valenzuela

9.9

Robert Parker - 91 points, Wine Enthusiasts - 92 points- amazing color! A copper with pink, almost blood orange colored. Tons of small, delicate bubbles, aromas of strawberries, biscuits, raspberries and flint. Smooth, amazing underripe strawberry and tart cherry flavor. Simply superb! Well done Madame Clicquot Ponsardin! — 8 years ago

Saray Tappin

9.4

It's lovely and an amazing price point. Just the right balance of fruit and dry — 10 years ago

Marty Winters

10

Tonight I was lucky to be able to try a wine that I will never forget. 1945, (my fathers birth year) was a year of turmoil for the region of champagne, occupation of the region would have been lifted at some point during the growing season due to the end of WWII. Most of the vines of cultivated by the wives and children who's husbands and fathers were at war. This bottle consigned by Britain and its Dominions by H.M King George VI, is a living piece of history. The wine was absolutely magnificent, still bright in acidity with meyer lemon, golden apples and quince on the palate. The finish went on for minutes. Humbled to be able to enjoy a small bit of this bottle. — 11 years ago