Aaron Tan

9.9

One of the best evenings of wine I’ve had this year, and it was just focused on this duo. Opened as inspiration for this year’s red pick at Miao Lu (a name to remember for those reading. I’ll say it here first - some of the best Pinot’s and Chard’s in the world will be coming out of this project high up in Yunnan!), and they both gave great context to the task.

When I harvested with Klaus-Peter in 2017, the vineyards bore the scars of hail, every last one of them. The damage was manifest in what we came to call "hail berries" (misshapen berries). To my untrained palate, they tasted perfectly fine. Naturally, I asked KP why we were discarding them, and his response, while not entirely unexpected, was still astonishing (paraphrasing of course): "I don't need to know precisely what they do," he said, "but if there's even a chance they might diminish the wine by 1%, they're gone. And these? They look capable of much worse."

That unyielding spirit of his was, I must admit, my torment at Abtserde, the vineyard hit hardest by the hail. We spent an entire day sorting and picking a single row - granted, the rows were long, but the pace was glacial. The true enemy, though, wasn’t the relentless sorting, but the wasps. Those little demons made an already grueling task even more daunting, dodging their stings as we plucked berries one by one, like selecting pearls from a troubled sea. What we ended up with were, quite literally, tiny gems - "caviar" berries of purity. By day’s end, the sight was something to behold. Despite the torment, the hard work was unquestionably worth it. The 17’ Abtserde is my wine of the vintage.

I’ve had the 17’ Abtserde on numerous occasions but this takes the cake as the best (note to self: best to decant a young Abtserde hard). It is a marvel of purity and depth, with its nose evoking Meyer lemon, iodine, chalk, and flint. These aromas reappear on the palate with a nearly overwhelming intensity, blending piquant brightness and mineral-rich concentration. With more air, a floral, bittersweet herbal note very typical of the vineyard appears (smells like the place even). As the evening unfolded, the wine seemed to grow younger, each glass more lively than the last. The final sip was almost painfully austere, like drinking pure limestone, its explosive palate held together by sharp acidity and a palpable, phenolic grip. The finish seemed endless. One of my best Keller experiences this year. — 2 years ago

Evan Bloom

9.1

Nice champagne, though not the best QPR. Granny Smiths are very present, thought not as laser focused as I’d like. Yeast, brioche, check. Finding it an easy drinker with fine pearls, but not mind blowing. — 7 years ago

Paula Strebig

9.0

Lovey pale gold color with a hint of leaf green. Medium body, Pear and honeysuckle on the nose. Pit fruit, floral notes, & mild juicy acidity with subtle, unidentifiable minerality on the finish. (Grilled rubbed pork chops, cauliflower pearls, w/ truffle & asparagus cream sauce) — 8 years ago

with Tim

President Obama

9.5

Pineapple and pearls — 8 years ago

President Obama

10

Wow. Burnt sugar, nutty. @pineapple and pearls — 9 years ago

Andy Tam

9.0

Picnic with goodies from Grand Epicerie de Bon Marche, the food Fantasyland. Good string of pearls, semi dry. Wished we were at Musee Rhodin garden but didn't have enough time — 9 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.0

Something different and unexpected - equal parts Marsanne and Roussanne, with 28% Viognier. Lightly colored cream shaded pearls with delicate oak laced aromas and a surprisingly full body.

More floral than fruity - Peach, lychee, and white flowers. A restrained elegance that doesn't quite equal up to the sum of its parts. — 2 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Ooooooooold Skool burgundy.

Nose is cherry cranberry flower.

Palate is crunchy cranberry.

So un obvious. Pearls before swine. — 4 years ago

Mark Howard

9.3

Aromas of dark black fruits - blackberry, plum, blueberry. Bold and big, with soft integrated tannins that draw you into the inner sanctum of the grape varietal. A tinge of age at the ends, but not in the fore front. Nice lovely finish lasting over 30 seconds before it breaks down. Definitely at its peak of performance. Paired well with the bolognese. Even better with the veal chop with figs, pluots, and watermelon radish. As Elizabeth says, this is a gorgeous wine. “It’s a grown up, but not old”. Or as I like to say, like a 40 year old classy lady wearing an evening gown and pearls - just stunning! — 6 years ago

with Elizabeth

Lucinda Guinn

9.2

Pineapples and pearls served with seafood lasagna — 7 years ago

President Obama

9.6

Pineapple and pearls — 8 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.2

2001 Red Car “The Dreaming Detective” California Red Wine. “Unable to crack a tough case, the detective dreamed he fell out of a high window. He floated past a string of pearls, a jigsaw puzzle, a glass key. He drifted past a woman whose hair was ablaze with red rosebuds. She smiled, handed him a cracked mirror and said “pay attention to what you don’t see.” The next day he went to the crime scene and found the missing clue. He never told anyone about the dream.” I seem to recall that there were a series of these, but this chapter was hiding all by it’s lonesome in the back of the cellar. If anyone has the rest of the story, please report. The wine itself is pretty darn tasty. Glass staining garnet hues with some long legs. A nose of fresh baked cherry pie. On the palate, more cherries, nutmeg and some toasty oak. Decent finish. Pretty darn tasty actually, and a nice start to a long Holiday weekend. My guess is that there will be a few more bottles. — 9 years ago

Max Kappl

9.1

Nice pearls, decent ripe apple taste, refreshing minerals. Great buy, very happy! — 3 years ago

William Paley

9.3

soil rinse, petticoat fruits, diamonds and pearls….clarion finish — 4 years ago

with Jess

Zack McDonald

8.9

Diamonds and pearls drinking deep with my girl — 4 years ago

with Zorica

Joe Kaiser

9.4

What a pleasant surprise, had this to kick off a friends retirement, and 4th. of July weekend, what a pleasant surprise, one bottle turned into two! What a lovely expression of Champagne, it was almost as beautiful as the ladies we were celebrating with, class, refined, soft, & elegant! I usually discount Dom, but it I was like the lady in the corner with the black dress & grey mikimoto pearls just inviting you to take another glance / Taste! Plus the Mrs. is still speaking of it. — 7 years ago

with Debbie and bill

President Obama

9.2

Pineapple and pearls — 8 years ago

President Obama

9.5

Pineapple and pearls — 8 years ago

Vinny Eng

9.1

Beautiful pearls. — 9 years ago

Jeff D.

9.6

So elegant and light on the palate, this '11 had notes of wet stone and green apple and got a creamy texture as it opened. Great with the oysters and pearls at FL. — 9 years ago