Martin G Rivard

9.8

It’s in a gorgeous place right now. It’s drinking perfectly @Ted Mandes I found a pic of our missing wine puzzle piece!
lol!! What a night! — 8 years ago

with Kirk and Ted

Martin G Rivard

9.8

@Ted Mandes @Christine @Steve Colanero I've been fortunate to meet Victor Blanquart on several occasions. He's an awesome guy, great brand ambassador and every time I've met him he's holding a bottle of Louis for us to taste!! I'm thinking of inviting him over for dinner 5 times a week!! All kidding aside, Louis is by far, my absolute "Go To" cognac for any occasion that I want to remember forever. The story of how it is made is amazing. Breathing it in ever so gently from the length of your arm will begin your journey through a field of flowers, as you approach the nose it transforms, deepens and reveals more of itself layer by layer for what appears to be an endless harmonious concerto. A single drop will literally create an explosion of tastes which again appears to go on endlessly. I scored it a 9.8 since I've never had the pleasure of tasting their legendary Rare Cask or their black pearl. I can even begin to imagine how this bottle could be any better!! Its that good and every time I enjoy a few ounces I consider it a privilege. Truly amazing. — 9 years ago

with Steve and Christine

Martin G Rivard

9.6

@Ted Mandes @Steve Colanero @Christine Christine's WOTN. Such an elegant example of a superb old world wine. This was next to an Aubert PInot and the differences were amazing! Balance, harmony, integration, beautiful subtle notes vs. the Aubert Pinot. Christine stated that she preferred this to Aubert! Amazing bottle. I'm not sure how much evolution can be gained from further aging. I think it reached its max. Stunning! — 9 years ago

with Steve and Christine

Martin G Rivard

9.4

@Ted Mandes @Steve Colanero @Christine It was great to do a side by side next to the Batard Montrachet. The stylistically different wines were each awesome in their own right. This Napa monster was a beauty. Everything about it was big and huge in comparison to the harmonious notes the Batard was playing. Christine is a huge Napa Chardonnay fan but I heard her say last night that she prefers the balance Of the Batard. I was stunned! Shit., looks like my inexpensive Napa Chardonnay days are over!! All kidding aside. This wine showed truly well and is a phenomenal example of a great Napa Chardonnay. — 9 years ago

with Steve and Christine

Martin G Rivard

9.4

@Ted Mandes Happy birthday Ted!
A super Tuscan like no other! The only way it could have been better is if it was 10 years older. — 10 years ago

with Ted and Christine

Martin G Rivard

9.8

Sorry guys, I'm a few days behind posting these. This was the first line of the evening on Monday. It was Simply simply awesome!
Shared this 100 pointer with our good friend Ted Mandes. It did a great job getting rid of everyone's Monday blues! The bottle was a 2010 Haut Brion and not a "La Mission Haut Brion" as Identified
— 10 years ago

with Ted and Christine

Martin G Rivard

9.8

It was stunning!!@Ted Mandes I found a picture of it!! — 8 years ago

with Kirk and Ted

Martin G Rivard

9.8

@David L @Joe Lucca @Ron R @Mike R @Shawn R @Shay Aldriedge @Lexi Rivard @Terri Walker @Ted Mandes @Renee Chevalier @Drew feinberg @Jim Trobaugh @Ryan Callahan @Monica O @Kimberly Anderson @Jody Scharf @Kimberly Anderson @Bill Bender @Paul Treadway Huntington Beach Native I

The only thing better than this Bressler today was the company of my friends, family, gorgeous wife, daughter & grand daughter!!! Wine truly encapsulates an event and I could not think of a better way to highlight this Fathers day than to uncork a beautiful vintage that I've been saving for a special occasion. I killed 4 bottles of Bressler today. It was my 1st time tasting his 2013. Absolutely freaking amazing. Big, bold, Rich and opulent. Bob Bressler is a master at his craft. I've never lead any of you wrong before in regards to wines that I am passionate about. No Bullshit: buy this. Freaking amazing! I was snapping necks all day!! People would immediately turn and say "Holy shit, what is this!?!?!". I've said this a thousand times but I'll say it again: Bressler flys under the radar. Snatch up as much as you can right from the winery at a great price. Bob is a badass winery owner and loves it when you call!! Call on Tuesday since I'll be calling on Monday for another case and want to be sure that he has capacity!!!! Believe me., you won't regret it!!
This was the wine of the day and everything else we enjoyed was such a distant 2nd that I won't even post them! Bob deserves today's title of being the "Bad ass in a glass " wine of the night! Bravo my friend @Bob Bressler !!!!! — 9 years ago

with Lexi and Ryan

Martin G Rivard

9.8

@Ted Mandes @Christine @Steve Colanero This was my WOTN: Incredible Nose,. As if you are walking through a forest with fresh Mountain Dew on the forest floor. I love the slight "Barnyard" notes, extremely well balanced wine with a finish that goes on forever. Thank you Sir., may I have another?!?! 😍👏👏😍 — 9 years ago

with Steve and Christine

Martin G Rivard

9.4

@Ted Mandes @Christine @Steve Colanero Great example of a great Napa Cab. I did not say awesome example since I was a little disappointed. Definitely a lot of fruit on the front palette, the mid palette was non-existent and the back palette & finish was very short. I was expecting to be marveled prior to tasting but I think this was overshadowed by its rivals this evening. I'm not sure that it will benefit from further aging??? I'll be curious to see what others think as they comment on this vintage. — 9 years ago

with Steve and Christine

Martin G Rivard

10

Simply., freaking AMAZING & enjoyed with my gorgeous wife & THE Chairman of the Board for the Palm a Beach Wine Auction - Ted Mandes.
It takes a LOT to impress Ted but I think this bottle did it!!!! 😜🍷🍷😜Love you Ted! — 10 years ago

with Ted and Kirk

Martin G Rivard

9.8

Our buddy Bill Derrick on the left with the one and only David Page!!! Opened this 63 port from his cellar for us to enjoy at the end of a glorious evening. You can’t help but have a continuous shit eating grins when you are hanging out with these 2!! Great times., great times!! The one & only Ted Mandes structured this evening at David’s home and brought a team of culinary experts to prepare the feast. @Ted Mandes What Ted was able to structure was nothing short of AMAZING!! I believe 4 chefs were in attendance whom all created an individual course. Spectacular to say the least!! — 9 years ago

with Christine and Ted

Martin G Rivard

9.3

@Ted Mandes @Christine @Steve Colanero One of my go to California pinots. It's a great example of a superb California Pinot. You definitely see the Terroir & stylistic differences between this and Old World. Everything about this was on overdrive vs Elegance. Bigger fruit, bolder notes, shorter finish. Great but not awesome in comparison to Old World. We found ourselves tipping our hat to the Old World competitors all night long. Shit, this experience will be costing me a lot of money!! Lol 😂 — 9 years ago

with Steve and Christine

Martin G Rivard

9.5

@Ted Mandes @Christine @Steve Colanero @Ted Mandes Such Elegance in a glass. Great balance, beautiful nose. — 9 years ago

with Steve and Christine

Martin G Rivard

9.5

@Ted Mandes @Christine @Steve Colanero Incredible Palmer!! Still such a baby and blew the socks off of Harlan. Dark fruit black cherry fruits., graphite notes., Floral notes. Christine did not care for the floral notes but I found them intriguing. Minute + finish. Needs a lot of time to integrate and develop but what is being shown Napa w is amazing nonetheless!
— 9 years ago

with Steve and Christine

Martin G Rivard

9.8

@David L this is the back of the bottle. — 9 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.6

@Ron R @Mike R @David L @Howard Greenfield @Kirk Alexander @Joe Lucca @Carl Fischer @Paul T @Bill Bender @Ted Mandes @Jim Trobaugh @Monica O @Terri Walker @Steve Colanero My amazing friend Steve Colanero is a retired chef. We enjoyed an amazing dinner in his home this evening and opened these 2 beauties. Becklyn Reserve and a private propriety blend called "M" by Ted Mandes.
I opened and reviewed the Becklyn Reserve last night as well. You all know how I felt about it. Extremely solid and I rated accordingly. My opinion hasn't changed. It's an awesome wine. Thanks again David for introducing me to this Beauty!! — 9 years ago

with Ted, Steve and 1 other