Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Interesting vintage bubbly. 50/50 Blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Dark golden color. Yeasty aromas of mushroom, burnt caramel and orchard fruit. Flavors of bruised apples and pears, mushrooms, caramel sauce, hazelnut, quince and brioche. Hint of salty lemon zest on the long and drawn out finish. Quite fresh tasting despite its age. Lively bubbles and creamy mousse. Quite complex and well developed. Might be a bit past its prime but still delicious. Thanks for bringing this New Year’s Day bubbly, Ron B! — 6 months ago

Mark S.

9.1

Honey rich citrus pear. Ample aroma. High density, volume. Acidic. Slight Oak. Chinese quince. Meursault La Vigne de 1945 21 @19800, Dmar, 250424 — a year ago

Douglas Braun

9.0

2018 Vintage - nice pear / quince , wet wool , honey , dry, medium minus body, medium acidity — 4 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.6

Finesse, delicacy, complexity and focus
Quince, cedar and thyme tea
White pepper, almond spread and white choc
A field of flowers(mainly yellow)
Lemon curds, dill, breadcrumbs and more and more
Seaweed and strongly marine
Whispered rather than shouted class
Every swirl is a discovery, a subtle win of aromas
Toffees and cappuccino coming out of the glass with the rising temperature
It goes without saying the fun
So long aftertaste
12% in alcohol
This is the gotha of the Italian white wines
Still decades ahead i am sure
It could easily rank a Grand Cru status
Grab it if you can..and then age it — 5 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.6

Medium lemon with Medium (+) intensity developing aromas of straw, pear, quince, apple, toast, blossom and honey. Off-dry, with medium alcohol, high acidity, medium (+) body and medium (+) . This is so beautifully balanced with flavors of quince, apple, pear, toast, straw and honey. Long finish; drink now but has potential for further aging. Outstanding quality. — 7 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Needs time revisit in 3-5 years! Quince,apple, sour Kiwi, Mexican lime. This will age to a beauty. — 8 years ago

Maximilian Lukas Köcher

9.9

@ lyles london — 8 years ago

with Adrian

Michael Chelus

9.0

Apple, honey, pithy lemon, quince, oak, hay, almonds and dried apricot. Good acidity and balance. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Something for the Jasper Hill Farms, “Willoughby.”

I am not much for Brut these days. Prefer Extra Brut. But I had this 375ml left before I shifted gear’s.

Having said that, this is still very sound and consistent. Think I enjoyed it more once upon a time. It seems sweeter now having a steady stream of EB.

Nice mousse. Lemon, lime pulp w/ a bit flesh, Bosc pear, red apple, yellow stone fruits, tropical fruits, quince, ginger, whipped creams, graham cracker, nougat, light & soft volcanic minerals, nice chalk powder, sea fossils, gentle saline, yellow flowers & lilies with hints of jasmine, pleasant, lively acidity, good balance, structure-tension & a smartly polished elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on white spice-ginger.

Excellent pair w/ Key Lime Tart.

@SimplyRedVirtualLiveHamburg — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Significantly better on Day 2 as the wine completely opened up. The 2021 Amador County pours a pale yellow color with medium+ viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is clean; developing with notes of golden apples, quince, lemon verbena, white tree flower, lanolin, and wet stone. On the palate, the wine is dry with super sneaky, high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with a woolly texture. Lovely stuff. Drink now with patience and a lot of air otherwise better after 2026 and should be great through 2035. — 2 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.2

A surprise. Has some kerosene excellent very bright plenty of acid. Austere. Quince. Touch bitter. Cardonnay’ish. — 4 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.6

Swoon. Smells like an artisan bakery early in the morning... there’s that really fruity pungent sourdough starter smell, mixed with a whiff of bread that’s just started to brown in the oven. Then it’s just an insanely fruity, pretty, complex nose, with hints of pear, quince and raspberry. Palate is absurd; spot on acid, enough chalky minerals to keep it interesting, but it isn’t austere at all.

In fact, it’s one of the most seductive young champagnes I can remember trying. The sweetness on the finish is perfect and so natural. A real stunner. Would not think twice about paying 2x what this sells for. Disgorged 2020. — 5 years ago

Jonathan McCarthy

9.5

Graham cracker, ripe golden apple, and bruised quince. Like blossom, wet sandstone, and low tide. Really looooooooong finish. Candied tangerine rind, marcona almond. All damn day. — 7 years ago

Esther Garcia

9.5

Pale-golden. Quince, herbal.
Minerality with an acidic lift. — 8 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.0

Excited to taste modern Chenin from a top-tier South African producer. A little taken aback initially by the new oak character, but it mellowed after a couple of days and revealed a bit more varietal character. The wine retains freshness, acidity and nice core of apple and quince but is not clearly delineated as true Chenin Blanc. Lacking the delicacy, floral and subtle herbal notes that pure Chenin tends to express. Any debate about this wine is a matter of style, not quality. — 8 years ago

Vanessa

9.6

Where do I begin… this wine is stunning.

It is positively golden in color with concentrated notes of caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, creme brûlée, dried apricot, yellow apple,peach, nectarine, yellow cherry, kumquat, baked quince, lemon curd, honeysuckle, butter cream, lavender,, dried herbs, fennel, beeswax, honey, chamomile, hazelnut, praline, honey, & wet stones…

It’s textured!!! Waxy & mouth coating, full bodied, round, & opulent.

Alcohol is high at 14.5% ABV — it’s warming but balanced and integrated with the deeply rooted flavors and elevated, vibrant acidity. Yum!!!!!
— a year ago

with Deked1

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Star bright yellow gold. Inviting nose of quince and white pepper. Medium full palate confirms the nose adding an earthy mineral (at once) note all supported by firm (medium plus) acidity. White rose(!) on the lengthy, palate continuing finish. This 50/50 blend of Gouvelo and Voisinho makes an excellent upper entrée into Portuguese whites; a category most have yet to explore. It's a great pair for roasted fowl or pork and of course most Iberian fare. Drink now through 2026. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Pardon the label. A humidity malfunction in one of my wine fridges. Luscious and sweet on the front palate yet finishes dry with diminishing acid and an attractive acidic bitterness on the back palate. Quince, nectarine, peach and apricot with that moreish bitterness. A beautifully made new world Pinot Gris which is dangerously moreish. I will now open an Alsatian Pinot Gris to compare. I’m tipping the Dry River to prevail. — 4 years ago

Severn G

9.4

Just can't get enough of this bottle, best QPR in Champagne, for my palate!

Prior notes apply; Nose is toasty brioche and a minerally quince jam. Ultra clean, creamy palate reflecting the same notes.

I love this wine! Thank you @Lyle Fass — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Happy National Champagne Day in France. My wife tells me I would give up my US status for French as I love & drink more French wines than any other, which is true. So, why not a little 2007 Bollinger La Grande Année?

On the nose; perfectly ripe red & green apple, pineapple, lemon, lime, quince, touch of ginger, caramel, cream soda, grapefruit with pith, sea spray, beautiful soft chalkiness, some white peach, spring flowers, jasmine and yellow lilies.

The body is rich, creamy, beautiful and heavenly over the palate. The micro bubbles are tiny and delicate. Length is just how one would like it. The acidity is near perfect. perfectly ripe red & green apple, pineapple, lemon, lime, some white peach, quince, touch of ginger, caramel, cream soda, grapefruit with pith, green melon, guava, sea spray, beautiful soft chalkiness, deep palate penetrating grey volcanic minerals, spring flowers, jasmine and yellow lilies.

Photos of; House of Bollinger, their oak barrel room; which I believe this cuvee sees. Slumbering cellar bottles and one of their Grand Cru Vineyards. — 8 years ago