Severn Goodwin

9.3

Nose has black cherry preserves, ripe mulberry, dry garden soil, slight tin notes, washed blueberries and damp leather.

Palate has light ripe (sweet) cherry, dried raspberry, dried tart cherry, dried leaves/leather, rose hip tea and moist soil. Lingering finish, acidity still present.

Cork pulled for slow oxidation at 10H, then double-decanted and 2H rest. All these bottles have been wonderful, glad to have more, ullage continually better.

Paired to asian-style rub, mesquite smoke, reverse sear (120°F slow heat, 10m rest, then high heat sear to 145°F internal), pork tenderloin. Perfection. — 15 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2017 | 25-30 hl/ha, 80 years old vines. Beautiful minerality, citrus, playful wine with concentration — a day ago

Willie Carter

8.9

Another old friend. The tag old reliable doesn’t quite do it justice because it’s much more than that. It’s so classy and beautiful.

A rather subtle, paler shade of pink. Bubbles are sparse in the Riedel Veritas champagne glass. Full and creamy with a lovely bouquet. Blood orange and a whiff of passionfruit to start with. This is not a powerhouse nose that blows you away. It lulls you into a sense of security and warmth like a familiar lover. The memory of her and the scent of this turns you wistful. Lemon rind and faded strawberries along with crushed herbs. By letting it sit in the glass for a bit you’ll be rewarded with greenery and autumn flowers and her.

As is typical for a Bouzy champagne, this is predominantly Pinot Noir with 20% Chardonnay. A hefty amount of still red wine added to the blend which lends it viscosity and character. Incredibly engaging and charming, this is not another run of the mill rosé. There’s power here but the grace and lithe nature steal the show. Juicy red berries on the attack matched by vanilla and dare I say it, a touch of sexy funk. Warm, toasted biscuits and tart acidity. Please don’t think of this just as another pink sparkler, it’s a cut above. It dances in your memory. — a month ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2018 | Jean Paul Schmitt is a winegrower that makes wines of character in Scherwiller. Biodynamic. All of one plot, the Rittersberg with granite terroir. This cuvée ZEN appeals to me. It is a ‘gemischter satz’ (blend) of five winegrapes. Friendly, flint, good body, citrus and good acidity. Fine effort. — a day ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2015 | @Delectable this is the reserve personelle Very pure, nice bitters, elegant and slim. Good tension. — a day ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2018 | Selection de Grain Nobles | Nectar. Happiness. For special occasions. — a day ago

vinokeeno

9.4

2020 vintage. So so elegant and beautiful. One of the lightest California Pinots I’ve had in three decades in pursuit of the holy grail. That strawberry/raspberry finish just keeps going. — 24 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

An intoxicating nose - savoury earthy and mineral with spicy black fruits. The medium bodied palate shows black plums - flesh and skins, a note of liquorice finishing with fine gravelly tannins. Barb was convinced this was Australian when tasted blind. — 3 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2018 | 24 hl/ha. Blackberries. Brushwood. High acidity. Not easy to make, the vintner told us. If there are few unripe or moldy grapes in the grape must it effects the whole cuvée. — a day ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2019 | Muscat ottonel. Perfumed, very expressive smell, dry vinified — a day ago