Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have wanted to do this producer side by side with Alban with well seasoned Tri-tip. Tonight is the night.

The crowd that leans California liked the French better.

I have always thought Alban in the new world mimicked Rostaing’s style.

Both phenomenal and I enjoyed both for slightly different climate & soil reasons.

These two producers do Syrah without the heavy smoked meats & bacon fat of say Cayuse. — 10 months ago

Ellen Clifford

9.3

I tend to hoard Grenache because it’s not like, the variety that’s just out there hanging out everywhere. But I love it so much maybe I should buy lots so I can enjoy freely.
This one is like Pinot Noir but hulked out in a good way (ps have you watched She-Hulk it’s brilliant if you don’t like it for the reasons a lot of incels I’ve heard don’t then you are a bad feminist and I stand by that) oh wait hi wine.
It has oodles of ripppppe red cherry, coupled with a spicy peppery nature I think is born both of Grenache’s inherent white peppery/floral vibes and a decent amount of stem inclusion giving it notes I personally like to call “vine-y”. It’s a big wine in many ways but so smooth and light on the palate. Like a structured jacket made of soft, supple, lightweight material you are almost confused how it can warm you so. Body and soul. — 4 years ago

Somm 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. — 5 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.4

I gotta say that this was probably wine of the night. Probably the pork tenderloin with mole is one of the reasons. A heavier Pinot Noir than most with a smooth velvet roll across the tongue. Nice sharp fruits and a relaxed acidity. Darker color than most other Pinot Noirs as well. The color immediately tells you that this is going to be a different Pinot experience. — 7 years ago

with Abby, Beth and 1 other

Shay A

9.3

In the name of science, a few champagnes/sparkling wines were sampled today in an effort to help a friend for comparative research reasons. Hard way to spend a Monday...

Total surprise and up there for my favorite of the day. I know nothing of this producer, so I’m not sure if my notes are due to it being vintage, but this was like a cross of the Vilmart & the Bollinger. It took the best traits of each and combined them...the ripe and sharp acidity green Apple and pear from the Vilmart with the toasted oak/sweet nougat & ginger from the Bollinger. Wonderful. Thanks @Jeff Meyer — 7 years ago

with Jeff, Weston and 1 other

Bill Bender

9.4

Massive fruit and impeccable balance. It shows no hint of its 15.6 ABV. Very “iron fist, velvet glove” in style. Not unlike SQN for obvious reasons. Roasted game meat is there but no old world characteristics. Very modern style and ramped up viscosity done extremely well. Still youthful. — 8 years ago

Ericsson

9.0

Revisiting this disruptive wine as I often do. This time 24 years after it’s initial release, and much has changed since since it’s inception. The wine is still exciting, maybe for the wrong reasons, maybe for the right reasons but exciting nonetheless. It’s still a big and bold beast of a wine, no matter the vintage. — 2 years ago

Holly Gamblin

10

@Estiatorio Milos in Miami enjoying this lovely Sancerre with our Dover Sole and Branzino. This has got to be the lightest, feathery Sancerre we’ve ever had. Sancerre is my favorite for many reasons. Just a beautiful wine for any time of year but beckons you to the beach and a warm breeze. — 3 years ago

Daniel M

9.3

After a 2 weeks pause for (very mild) health reasons I thought it would be good to pop a bottle I had kept on the side for such occasion.
Cola, cherry, hay and an irony thing one the nose, very inviting. The palate is superlative. Massive acid backbone, superb juicy cherry fruit all along, great width, soft mouthfeel, a little bit of cherry liqueur on the sides too, ample mid palate with a slight drying effect like a subtle brush and a finish with those same cherry juice and cherry liqueur notes. This is so beautiful... — 5 years ago

TwiLea Fletcher

8.9

Dammit David. I think he has trackers on our vehicles.
For the comparison to the Trione... two very different wines. And equally good for different reasons. This was crisp. — 5 years ago

with Neal

Matthew Davis

8.9

This one is 100% Cab Franc, perhaps one of the reasons I like it so much. Light strawberry or raspberry mixed with flinty brightness on the nose and palate. Bubbles are tight and small, has a longer lingering taste on the palate compared to other sparkling wines, and is still relatively low alcohol. — 7 years ago

Bailee Barfield

9.3

This is the first wine I had after having to refrain from alcohol for a year for medical reasons. My parents took me to a vineyard to celebrate and I went for this baby with gusto. It hit me like a dream, and I admit I may be biased based on the emotional connection of my first time and place with this wine but it is delightful. Deep bodied, peppery and just the slightest hint of sweetness. — 7 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2010 - there are multiple reasons why I love #bourgueil let me explain. When I just discovered wine as a real passion - at the age of 18 - I adored the raspberry smell no other wine offered so generous. I like the name: Bourgueil is by far the most beautiful AOC name. My wife and I fell in love with the great dishes of Madame Debacker and the #Loire region on our honeymoon. This #cabernetfranc is deep black in the glass. It has character. Even at this age the wine shows a bit harshness, and an austerity that is found in Bordeaux often. But the raspberry and cherry smell reminds me of Cru de Beaujolais. It has also flint and mineral expression in smell, hints of leather, tobacco, clove. On the tongue it has a velvety structure. Bourgueil can be complex and frivolous at the same time. / Partnered it with Bavette from bbq and cauliflower mousse. — 8 years ago

Mark S.

9.0

Oak, deep, with dignity. Black currant. Completely different from 2011 tasted in 2016. Enough decanting is also one of the reasons. Château Cantemerle 2017 @6930, Academy D, 240323 — 2 years ago

David Shaw

9.0

A little age on this one. Pale white, excellent clarity. Pineapple and lemon peel on nose, pineapple, lemon flavors, grapefruit rind with slight malic finish. Light crispness. Reminds me of soda pop for reasons I can’t make out. But it’s dry, fruity, refreshing — 3 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.4

Have not had this producer since the 2005 vintage so I was happy to see it on the list . TBH one of the reasons I selected this was I knew the other diners at my table would likely enjoy it more than I would , once again I assumed and you know the rest. Right from the first sniff I was very happy. A nose of violets, mushrooms and earth. In the mouth a word I do not often use , savory. What pleased me the most was the lack of “heat” and the wonderful balance of fruit and acid. Tannins were close to resolved. The greatest feature of the wine was the complexity that developed on the nose and palate. . A characteristic I find lacking in many wines. — 5 years ago

Shane Rische

9.3

One of the many reasons I miss Howard’s store so much. No, it’s not a classified bordeaux but being able to pick up a nearly two decade old bordeaux for $45? Can’t do that at Binny’s. Fantastic experience if not the most complex but loved it from the first sip to the last. — 6 years ago

Kurt Schuster

9.1

Drinking this is like coming back to an old girlfriend. There still a lot of the reasons there why you fell in love with her in the first place. Drinking it and exploring the taste you can get with fruit and cheese is always an adventure. Honey and caramelized peach flavors with not a cloying finish in sight. — 7 years ago

Ron from VA

8.9

This is the moment when I realized that I can really enjoy and 89 point rating wine… There are technical reasons why this is not 90 points or greater for me, yet it was DELICIOUS! The beauty of this wind is it’s delicate treatment and the patience to let it air rate and open up like a gorgeous rose on the summer morning. There is a sensual Pinot like element that requires you to not expect the varietal correctness of Malbec. Rather, remember that it’s from Round Hill Virginia and the skill of Michael Shaps is at play here. This is one of those germs that you are glad you discovered and were thoughtful enough to buy more than one bottle ;) it will be exciting to see what 16 and 17th and it just taste like!! — 8 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

Successful comedy show performance calls for solid wine. And I love Ravenswood. I reviewed the lower price point recently and to be truthful I love both for different reasons. This wine is a rather boozy and also acidic with medium tannins so actually think it could use a couple more years—maybe. It is so much dried cherry, dried vanilla bean and a fistful of earth. — 8 years ago