S.S. Mandani

9.0

From Niagara — doing an “Unexpected Regions” tasting. R&D

Plum in the glass.

Dewy, maid of the mist dare I say, black currant, cassis, cloves.

Tart, cherry, cola like.

It’s cool, a little different, light, casual drinking. — 2 years ago

romo

9.3

A beautiful pearl in a sea of overpriced CA Cabernet at an American steakhouse. — 2 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Actually a blend of 80% Pinot Blanc and 20% Pinot Auxerrois. Nice Cremant d’Alsace from a producer with quite a history. Year and a half to two year process. Light yellow color with green highlights. Fine pearl-like bubbles. Aromas and flavors of green melon, mango, nuts and minerals. Soft mousse and beautiful texture. Powerful body and lemony acidity. Fresh, complex and clean. Great pallet cleanser! — 5 years ago

Vanessa

9.2

We visited Champagne Ayala today, located in the grand cru village of Äy, Champagne. 🇫🇷

This champagne house is now part of the Bollinger family 🏠 ; it has a distinct and marked personality, leaning especially towards Chardonnay with a light, elegant, and focused character. 🌸

We had the pleasure of touring the grounds and cave with @carledmundsherman where we learned about the history of Ayala, the subsoils and topography where grapes used to make this wine were grown; we rode an elevator with crates of bottles that had been riddled, and we even caught a glimpse of wines being disgorged, dosaged, and corked in action. 🤩

It was a memorable, educational, and delicious experience. 💕Here is a lineup of wines we tasted - mostly blends of predominantly Chardonnay (with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and a Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay).

All of these wines were lovely, though our favorite was the Vintage 2012 La Perle — ‘The Pearl’ — prestige cuvée, due to its richness, aromatics, and complexity. 👏👏👏🍾🍾🍾

Santé!!🥂🥂🥂🥂 @champagne_ayala — 5 years ago

with Deked1

Richard Shin

9.0

Very nice. Unusual. More Chardonnay like than Riesling. Darker, richer, and a bit of caramel. But also some grassy or herbal notes. Only 11.5% al. Great balance. — 6 years ago

Victor Hsu

9.8

This anejo tastes like brandy! Maybe they all do; I’m no tequila expert. To me, however, it was a revelation. After keeping the bottle entombed in its special painted box for a decade and a half, my wife Dreama and I enjoyed this nectar with terrific sushi at Pearl Dragon in Pacific Palisades, sharing it with Ryo, Johnny and Eric, the superb itamae/server crew who always takes care of us there. — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Another producer to inherit some vineyards from Verset was Thiérry Allemand who purchased Noëls holdings in Reynard. That vineyard is the cornerstone for this wine. The 1999 Allemand “Reynard” is still full of fresh brambles, some cow pasture, and beautiful purple flowers. It’s sanguine with inorganic earth and gentle spices. Bangin’ with venison, umami bomb, potato and pearl onion. This is gorgeous and should be outstanding through 2040+. — 2 years ago

Joe Fischer

9.1

Liquid Gold! Strong minerality with citrus and mild butter aromas. On the bud, it’s smooth with citrus notes and a bit of tartness on the finish. Great with Smoked Salmon and Bok Choy. It’s a really nice winery to visit in a remote location ! Great service and the coast is spectacular. — 3 years ago

Brandon Thiessen

9.1

Light, super clean and transparent, Rosemary, juniper, damsen plum, little bit of characteristic Cab Franc pencil lead, slightly oily but not weighty. Juicy punchy delicious. — 5 years ago

Randall Brater

9.0

I aggressively disagree with the ratings for this wine. Deep purple in color. Graphite, plum, and green pepper on the nose. An initial hit of sweet and fruit on the palate that then finishes with medium tannins, a bit of oak, and a good earthiness on the finish. Pair with salty, rich food. — 5 years ago

Martinez

9.0

Burgundian blend of Cabernet Franc, Gamay with some Pinot Noir. Wild strawberry, green pepper — 6 years ago

Paul Maranzan

9.2

This one was all sorts of awesome. Bit funky, soft fruity flavour. Pyschodaddy — 7 years ago

Karl Yost

9.0

Solid, lots of berry. — 8 years ago

Raushan Adayeva

9.2

Good frivolous prosecco with an impressive pearl. Freshness of a green apple, yellow plum, white flowers, grass. Sufficiently acidic with an average body. Most Italian dry or semi-sweet sparkling wines are made in this Charmat-Martinotti way. I liked it very much. — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

First, the Gentaz and now, Verset?! Be still my beating heart! Noël Verset is a freaking legend. His first vintage was during the period of peace between the first and second world war which means, for most of his career, Cornas was a tough place to make a living making wine. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that things began to turn around and by that time, Noël was in his 70’s. Talk about perseverance. By the time he made this 1996 vintage, he had already started selling off some of his vineyards and by 2006, he was done making wine altogether. 

And this 1996? It is lighter in color than the other wines in the Cornas line-up; almost a pale garnet with a transparent core. The nose is just crazy. I just wanted to smell it for the rest of the night. Wild mixed berries, dried purple flowers, garrigue, tobacco, and coffee. This was a Cornas of elegance and thinner on the palate relative to the Allemand and Clape. Long finish. Divine with venison, umami bomb, potato and pearl onion. Drinking very well now and could hold for longer but why? — 2 years ago

Austin Hohnke

9.0

Great texture. Just a pearl of residual sugar. Seashells and sand. — 3 years ago

Martinez

9.0

Made with Otskhanuri Sapere, a rare “teinturier” variety from western Georgia (genetically unrelated to the much more popular Saperavi, but similarly known from producing very dark colored wines). From a vineyard in the village of Obcha, in the Imereti region in western Georgia. Fermented and aged in qvevri. Almost opaque, deep ruby color with purple hues. Intense aromas of wild berries, herbs and some earthy notes. Cherries, pomegranate and lollipop flavors. Fresh, juicy, delicious. Structured, grippy tannins, high acidity. Wild, fascinating, — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Haut-Bailly Dinner in SF with Veronique Sanders of Haut-Bailly.

The 2012 is living up to its reviews. It’s good & well priced. The dark fruits are ripe, juicy, cola notes, menthol, dark, moist, turned earth. Drinking nicely now but, still a hold for another 5 years plus.

Served with Coq au Vin. Baby Carrots, Mushrooms, Pearl Onions & Red Wine Sauce. Mathilde French Bistro

Photos of; Clyde Beffa Owner of K&L Wine Merchants & Veronique Sanders, dinner menu & pairing & dinner guests. — 6 years ago

Craig Daniels

9.4

What can you say; these guys really know what they're doing. Irreverence is such a lovely blend with so many unique flavors.
You can note the wild yeast in the nose, and taste all the goodness in the sip.
You really should try this. Absolute stars of Ontario wine making. — 6 years ago

Lindsey King

9.5

Big words: best red wine PM has ever made. So joyous and energetic! The kind of wine that takes you out of conversation to remark on how delicious the wine tastes at every sip! Light sparkly texture is right up my alley personally. Lovely tart fruit and some forest notes. I would find it hard to grow tired of this wine, could drink a bottle every day. — 8 years ago