Dan Appenfeller

8.9

Deep, rich color like 14-carat gold (orange wine? white wine? so mysterious!). Aggressive aromas leap from the glass: candied orange peel, roasted tropical fruit, orange blossom, jasmine tea. You can smell it from arm’s length. Full-bodied with medium acidity and a bit of sweetness. Reminiscent of Virginia petit manseng, tastes a lot like it smells…call it dried apricots and white flowers for the sake of variety. A lovely first bottle in a new home. Here’s to many more! — a month ago

Myles Keyt

9.1

With a delightful crispness and a mesmerizing lemon lime citrus character, the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015 is a true gem to behold. At a modest 12.5% ABV, it exudes elegance and finesse. Its extra dry nature, with only 5 grams of sugar, ensures a refreshingly zesty experience. In the glass, it presents a pale yellow hue, inviting you to explore its aromatic and gustatory wonders.

The nose immediately transports you to a realm of sophisticated indulgence. Aromas of toasted hazelnut weave harmoniously with the bright zest of lemon, intermingling with the inviting scent of freshly baked brioche and a hint of straw. This aromatic ensemble exudes an air of refined luxury, setting the stage for the sensory journey that awaits.

Upon tasting, the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015 continues to captivate. Its crispness mirrors that of a chilled lemonade, invigorating the palate with every sip. The finish is long and gratifying, leaving a tantalizing citrusy impression that lingers. The presence of green apple adds a delightful fruity complexity, while a subtle touch of salinity brings an intriguing dimension to the wine's profile.

For those fortunate enough to enjoy this exquisite vintage, I wholeheartedly recommend savoring it in the sun-soaked ambiance of Épernay, preferably in the company of dear friends. Its refreshing nature makes it an exceptional choice for an aperitif, arousing anticipation and setting the stage for a memorable experience. Its ability to stimulate salivation attests to its inherent quality and ability to capture the senses. With these merits in mind, I assign this remarkable wine a rating of 95, recognizing its greatness and unquestionable allure.

Indulge in the splendor of the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015 and allow it to transport you to a world of refined sophistication and harmonious citrus notes. Cheers to a truly magnificent wine! — 9 months ago

Saray Tappin

9.0

Rising sun JUNMAI GINGO great with salty - — 3 years ago

S.S. Mandani

9.2

Color: actually copper like, amber, orange like the setting sun

Aroma: light light apricot, a bit of brown sugar

Tasting Notes: super well balanced, honey, caramel, stone fruit (apricot)

Texture: slight twirl of tannins and acidity but in a nice congruence, a nice balance , bouncy texture, like drinking clouds of sunset — mouthwatering — 4 months ago

Brian Hearty

9.3

I’ve enjoyed a lot of sake, and I thought this bottle was great! My brother had never tried chilled sake and after a few small pours, he was definitely on board. — 8 months ago

Kirs

9.3

Orange October wine three 🍊🍊🍊🍊 — 3 years ago

Jenks

10

Ate some mush with friends and smashed this on a beach in Kauai as the sun was setting, the rating reflects the experience. — 3 years ago

Wulf Losee

9.4

Normally I would never describe a white wine as being chewy, but this wine is chewy. It’s got some lovely velvety tannins from the Semillon. And the Sauvignon Blanc give it sparkle. Meyer lemon and limes on the nose. Vanilla and hint of brown sugar on the front. The medium tannic structure adds an understated solidity to this wine. Grapefruit high notes on the top of the palate and on the finish, with a return of the vanilla as I swallow. This is the setting sun in the glass that Emily Dickinson wrote about. — 3 years ago

S.S. Mandani

9.3

Honey and yellow flowers, but of lavender. Clean, floral, the flavor of sun and river.
— 5 months ago

Vanessa

9.2

Tonight, we’re sipping a delicious Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (2012).

The vineyards of Poggio Antico are situated on some of Montalcino’s highest hills (>1,500 ft elevation), overlooking the beautiful, sun-soaked landscape of Tuscany.

In a warm climate, high altitude sites like this benefit from a comparatively lower air temperature, greater diurnal range (warm days, cool nights), and enhanced solar intensity, particularly when vines are planted on hillsides, angled towards the sun.

These conditions (among others) are important for quality winemaking, for example, the intense sunshine promotes grape ripening (sugar accumulation; development of flavors, tannins, color), while the cooling influences help retain acidity and more delicate aromas in the grapes; they also enable a longer ripening period overall, setting the stage for a well-balanced, concentrated wine.

It was interesting to learn that Poggio Antico vinifies and matures its Sangiovese according to detailed soil units, leveraging what it calls a “geological symphony,” as a significant part of the terroir expression. It later blends (or “harmonizes”) these units with the aim of creating balance and complexity.

As a Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, this wine must be 100% Sangiovese and could not be released from Poggio for at least 5 years from the harvest, during which time it aged for at least 2 years in oak. Poggio exceeded these legal minimums by aging this wine for 4 years, including 3 years in traditional Slavonian oak barrels and one year in bottle.

We paired this wine with a homemade Bolognese. The spices of the sauce lent symmetry to the spice (nutmeg, clove) notes in the wine, which didn’t compete, but, rather, complemented each other. Also, the fat in the ground sirloin (along with the salty parmesan and decade+ of maturing) helped smooth the high tannins of the Sangiovese, enhancing our palates’ experience of other delicious dimensions.

It was molto bene! Cheers! — 10 months ago

with Deked1