Ivor

9.1

Intense white with a wide profile ranging from intense orchard fruits through nuttiness ending in a minty mineral finish. Good acidity as well. Time brought some more complexity but this one van go on for several more years. — 3 months ago

Aravind A

9.3

Stunning orchard fruit mixed with solid salinity and density. Absolutely amazing acidity keeps things lively. Starting to show a touch of secondary: nutty notes and a hint of lanolin. — a year ago

David Shaw

9.2

Last bottle of the 2020 vintage, 130 cases made. Orange with a hint of pink, excellent clarity. Floral and stone fruit aromas, subtle. Lactic, citrus and subdued orchard fruit flavor. Some skin astringency on finish but less than you would expect after a 72 cold soak before fermentation in used wood. An orange wine with finesse, or at least a light touch. Refreshing — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

Disg. 2/14…Always my favorite of the Lieux-Dits and without question one of the very best Blanc de Blancs Champagnes on the planet, it’s particularly special to have with some bottle age. It’s stunning today, rich and powerful with crazy depth to its layers with a deep, complex core of caramelized orchard fruit, roasted nuts, old rum barrels and candied white flowers, all seamlessly integrated. The palate is generous and detailed, with racy acids, waves of saline laced, chalky Le Mesnil minerals and a finish that stays with you. A BdB benchmark for my tastes. — 4 months ago

Brendan Baker

9.1

Bright citrus and orchard fruit, mineral, med + acid, crisp ✨ — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Albeit young, 2008 Cristal is drinking very well at this point in time, even if unsurprisingly not yet showing all that it can be. Drank solo over the course of 3 hours in a Burgundy glass, it had plenty of time to evolve and express. 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, 08 Cristal flaunts a gorgeous bouquet of fresh white flowers, yellow orchard fruit, baking spice, vanilla bean and crushed seashells. The palate is searingly intense with ripping citrusy acids, incredible elegance and pin point precision in its delivery before giving way to a saline and mineral infused finish that just keeps going. Again, very young, no doubt, and while already terrific, it’s easy to see what the fuss is about and how special the vintage will be down the road. But in my opinion there’s no harm in drinking now if you accept and enjoy the stage it will be in. — 2 years ago

Winton Sweum

9.2

Light straw gold; nice nose of yellow fruits, even including dried apricot; ripe and rich in the fullish mouth with orchard fruit but barely enough acidity to be Chablis. — 6 months ago

Conrad Green

9.7

Today notes, some sour apple, a sweetness of orchard fruit. Lovely balance, complexity and acidity.. delicious — 7 months ago

with Jean-Francois, Tony and 2 others

Mike Saviage

9.4

Tasted blind. Light gold color. Fruit forward nose, almost tropical. Notes of green apple and orchard fruits, wet river stone, apricot, white flowers. Notably younger in its evolution than the first two bottles today, with a slightly lower heaviness and depth. I go with a guess of 2000 Leflaive Pucelles. Nice to see a young 02 Leflaive sans premox, with a lot of upside in front of it. 94+ — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

I remember the days when Maillons BdN could be found btg! That ship has certainly sailed and the UC band wagon is officially full, but rightfully so. 2015 base with 60% reserve wines from 2014 and 3/19 disgorgement is ripping tonight, and simply complete with a seamless combination of freshness and oxidative complexity with layered aromatics of rich yellow orchard fruit, wildflower honey and toasted almonds. The palate is electric, particularly so for the warm vintage, with racy acids, textural elegance, killer concentration and multidimensional depth of fruit which give way to a long, vibrant and mineral inflicted finale. The wines of Olivier Collin are hard to beat. — 2 years ago