Lee Pitofsky

9.8

(Disgorged 2/15)- Always and forever my number 1 Lieux-Dits and without question one of the very best Blanc de Blancs Champagnes on the planet, tonight it is extra special with its coveted 2008 base and 2015 disgorgement. Always with imposing power, drive and crazy depth to its layers, it unfurls in a Burgundy glass to reveal its complex core of rich orchard fruit, roasted nuts, gun smoke, toasty oak and candied white flowers, all with seamless integration and balance. The palate is generous and detailed, with ripping citrusy acids, waves of saline laced chalky Le Mesnil minerals and a finish that just keeps going. For me, a BdB benchmark. — 2 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

My first bottle opening of a 2009 Bordeaux. We’ve tasted a number of 2009’s, this is the first one we’ve opened. Showing the glory of 2009, even in a lesser bottling. I’ll say it again, for the value buyer of Bordeaux’s, buy good producers second, third or other wines. 2009, perhaps, the best Bordeaux vintage since 1982.

Good first look to judge better more expensive, quality producers of 2009 Bordeaux wines for when to best open your first. I would say those need another 8-10 years more in bottle to have them fully shine to buying expectations.

Family member from the Jean-Michel Cazes family that brings us Lynch Bages.

The 2009 shows better on its own than with our Wagyu Ribcap.

It simply shows the elegant beauty of the vintage. It brings similarities to 1982.

It shows velvet tannins with ripe, ruby fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, poached strawberries & raspberries. Bay leaf, wet clay, dark spice with heat, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, soft cinnamon & understated vanillin, black licorice, dry twig, spearmint, tough leather, dry tobacco, graphite, oak barrel shavings with fresh & slightly withering; dark, red, purple florals. Acidity for days. Straight up; lush, well knitted and balanced finish that persists nicely for minutes.

Photos of; Chateau Ormes de Pez, Saint-Estephe vineyard, inside the Chateau-breakfast room and their barrel room.

1/15/21 — 4 years ago

Patricia Schnitzer

9.2

May 30, 2020. Birthday celebration w/ Jack D & KK. Jack D brought the wine. This was bottle number 2. Ah, Pauillac, how I love thee. Deep purple. Very aromatic — leather, cocoa, anise, stewed black fruit. We decanted 1-2 hours. Although young, very drinkable. Will be even more awesome in 5-10 years. — 4 years ago

Martinez

9.1

Jaboulet’s top white Hermitage. Blend of 2/3 Marsanne and 1/3 Roussanne, from 35 years old vines on limestone soils. (For a number of years, there was a cuvée of 100% Marsanne known as La Chapelle blanc, discontinued since 2014). Partially fermented and aged in concrete eggs and some 600-liter oak barrels. Elegant, complex nose with aromas of pear, some citrus and lots of minerals (crushed stones). Beeswax and floral notes. Full-bodied, oily, enough acidity, good freshness. — 3 years ago

Ryan Breau

10

Always a number 1 choice for wine for me. Just enough bubbles with more juicy undertones and less wine flavour. Lower in alcohol but wouldn’t deter me. — 4 years ago

Mario Vaillancourt

9.0

I miss the tastings with this semi-confinement we are still in and stole the idea of @Benoit Duhamel here, so we made one at home with my son and my wife who are both wine fanatics as I am too. We chose 6 red Burgundies Villages 2017, 3 Côtes de Beaune and 3 Côte de Nuits and we tasted these blind, each of us giving ranks and points for each wines. Tasting blind usually doesn’t lie and it can bring numerous surprises which it did in that case. All wines were fo a good level here, no bad wines and all were fun and good indiviually but the results were pretty clear cut in terms of the Côte de Beaune winning this battle.

1- Chassagne-Montrachet villages 2017 Jean-Claude Ramonet 32 pts
2- Volnay Vieilles Vignes 2017, Henri DeLaGrange 28 pts
3- Auxey-Duresses Très Vieilles Vignes 2017, Alain Gras 26 pts
4- Chambolle-Musigny Les Véroilles 2017, Bruno Clair 20 pts
5- Gevrey-Chambertin 2017, Lucien Boillot 12 pts
6- Gevrey-Chambertin 2017 Les Évocelles, Louis Boillot 8 pts

DelaGrange: spices and a touch animal too on the nose. Vivid acidity with a nice medium bodied structure, very balanced, good length and delicious finish. My number 3. 90-91


On s’ennuie des dégustations et j’ai bien aimé l’idée de @Benoit Duhamel , merci Benoit. Alors s’en est fait une à la maison à trois (en respectant les règles bien sûr). Nous avons choisi 6 Bourgogne Villages Rouges 2017, 3 Côtes de Beaune et 3 Côtes de Nuits, nous avons dégusté à l'aveugle et accordé des points à chaque position, il n’y avait aucun mauvais vin dans le lot et tous étaient très bien si bu individuellement, mais la dégustation à l’aveugle ne ment pas et les résultats peuvent être surprenants, les vins de la Côte de Beaune ont remporté la palme facilement ici, alors pour s’amuser un peu, voici le classement que cela a donné :
1- Chassagne-Montrachet villages 2017 Jean-Claude Ramonet 32 pts
2- Volnay Vieilles Vignes 2017, Henri DeLaGrange 28 pts
3- Auxey-Duresses Très Vieilles Vignes 2017, Alain Gras 26 pts
4- Chambolle-Musigny Les Véroilles 2017, Bruno Clair 20 pts
5- Gevrey-Chambertin 2017, Lucien Boillot 12 pts
6- Gevrey-Chambertin 2017 Les Évocelles, Louis Boillot 8 pts

DelaGrange: Fruits noirs, épices, une touche animale aussi. Belle structure de corps moyen avec une acidité vive, bel équilibre et assez long en bouche. Mon no 3 personnellement. 90-91 — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s 1/2 bottle n/v Billecart evening.

This is a more appropriate color of rose for the Rosé color of this champagne.

My go to n/v Rosé Champange for a number of reasons…quality & 1/2 bottle availability are right up there.

Blood orange, black cherries, Rainer cherries, lean strawberries, pomegranate juice, hints of raw rhubarb, grainy, grippy, sharp chalkiness, crunchy volcanics, limestone, sea fossils, baguette crust, deep white spice, orange lilies, peach roses, excellent, lively acidity with a rich, well balanced smart finish that starts clean, ripe fruits falling onto perfect minerality. — 3 years ago

Mario Vaillancourt

9.4

Tasted blind, 3 very different wines but all 3 were excellent and showed their character well.
At first the nose is more discrete but opens up to gorgeous red and dark fruits, some cinnamon and spices, earthy slightly too. The palate is gorgeous, medium plus bodied and more but with such class and elegance, a slight noble oaky feel but nothing too much, fresh, elegant, great balance and a long grippy yet classy finish. Number one for all 3 tasters. 93-94

Dégustation de 3 magnifiques vins différents en semi aveugle.
Nez discret au départ pour se révéler ensuite avec du fruit rouge et noir, de la cannelle et des épices avec un côté légèrement terreux. Une bouche sérieuse, puissante et équilibrée, le fruit est magnifique, frais, élégant malgré cette puissance bien présente, une finale très longue et délicieuse. Numéro 1 pour les 3 dégustateurs, superbe vin. 93-94
— 4 years ago

Patricia Schnitzer

9.5

June 6, 2020. Dinner w/ J2 and Jack D. Amarone night. This was number 1. Purchased at the vineyard May 30,2019 after a tasting there. This wine is so good. Deep red, raisin, cherry, smooth tannins. A beautiful Amarone. Need to return to Fumane for more! — 4 years ago

EatSommThings (Jimmy)

8.9

6/15 blind tasting wine number 1 - — 5 years ago

with Diana