Lee Pitofsky

9.5

It’s no secret anymore how stunning these wines are. The second release of “Lieux de Vie,” 100% Chardonnay from multiple old vine parcels in Avize, is showing wonderfully, layered with clean and defined orchard fruit, white flowers, fresh brioche and wet stones. The palate is incredibly vibrant, textured and pure with a mouth filling pillowy mousse, killer fruit density and chalky mineral core. Extremely exciting things happening at this Domaine. — 6 days ago

Willie Carter

9.2

Spectacular Grand Cru grower Chardonnay from Chouilly. Medium gold in the glass. Meager, medium sized bubbles that dissipate rather quickly. Very zippy and lively from the jump. The nose is terrific with a little salt and herbs along with some toffee. Really nice citrus fruit leaps out of the glass. Buttered brioche and spice compliment.

Single vineyard Grand Cru fruit from a tiny plot called “Le Fond du Bateau”, the bottom of the boat. Bottled in June of 2010 and disgorged in May of 2018 with a dosage of 1 g/l to let the terroir truly shine. So bold and so full of personality. Racy acidity and distinctive minerality throughout. Nice depth and complexity here.

This really does get better and better as it evolves in the glass. The beautiful citrus expresses itself initially with peaches and green apples. Pears, apricots, and a nice bit of spice. Bold but oh so elegant simultaneously. This is long and very posh. An instant favorite and will be so much better down there road. — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

It’s no secret Rousseau absolutely nailed the vintage, and this 2013 Ruchottes-Chambertin was exceptional. Deep, vibrant and with soaring aromatics. High toned red fruit preserves, exotic spices, integrated sous bois and pixelated minerals.

There is exhilarating energy, seductive texture and an alluring freshness, along with impressive concentration for the vintage. The acidity is focused and kept in check, and the tannins are present but unobtrusive.

It expands on the midpalate with great complexity, depth and delineation, leading to its superbly long, elegant and lifted finish. So open and expressive now, and with the backbone and substance to age for decades more. ✨✨
— 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.8

2019 vintage. Calicem might well be Saint-Emilion's best kept secret. Tasted it several times and was always blown away. This time I tasted it alongside the extraordinary Larcis Ducasse 2019, which proves my point that Calicem is definitely of Premier Grand Cru quality ( in case the classification is still a thing after Cheval Blanc, Ausone and a few others left). — 4 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Around the world with cabernet tasting. Jay Fletcher, MS...Donald Patz, winemaker...Ashley Houseman,MS...Gillian Ballance,MS.

2018 Mt. Brave, mt veeder
2019 Daou, soul of a lion, Paso Robles
2018 Deville Cellars, Grand Ciel, Washington
2015 Lapostolle, la Parcelle 8, Chile
2018 Vasse Felix, tom cullity cab, Margaret river,Australia
2014 Xanadu, reserve, Margaret river, Australia
2014 Villa Maria, ngakirikiri, New Zealand
2018 Bindi Sergardi, particella 9, Tuscany
2018 chateau Cantenac Brown, Bordeaux
2018 Secret Door. Sage ridge, St. Helena

2018 Mt. Brave and 2018 Deville Cellars are the BOM. For you Bordeaux fanatics buy Margaret River Australia wines, sooooooo Bordeaux like. Cheers! — a year ago

with Brenda

Philip Dobrin

9.4

Don’t want the secret to get out but an amazing wine that bucks the reputation of its vintage. — 5 years ago

Zack Hall

9.2

Soft. All dhondt wines showed soft. Did evolve. We’re good. But not show stoppers. — 6 months ago

James Everhart

9.2

The label now says this is entirely Sauvignon Blanc. Pure stone fruit. not a fantastic finish. At first blush thought it was more like a chenin Blanc. Quite interesting. $15. — 10 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2016 vintage. Espresso, black olive, cassis and mint in the nose. Big dark cherry exclamation point in the middle of the proceedings. This one needs a solid five years + to properly evaluate...tastes like it’s hiding a deep dark delicious secret to be revealed at the proper time. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

The welcome bubbles for the Downs Club Grand Cru Burgundy evening. Apparently the actual blend is a secret but most of us there including the importer felt that Pinot Noir was in the majority. Very toasty and full bodied with a mineral/saline streak. Rambunctious like the man himself. Jancis used the word “burly”. Great intensity and length - drink now to 2030. — 4 years ago