Lee Pitofsky

9.6

One of the most singular Champagne’s in the biz. Great to have with some age. — 8 days ago

Tom Barras

9.0

In addition to its unique bottle shape and colorful, eye catching label, the 2023 Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle, is
also known for being produced at Europe’s highest vineyard: the Valle d’Aosta region in the upper northwest of Italy, on the borders of France and Switzerland, just a chip shot from the Summit of world-famous Mont Blanc.

The clear, light straw appearance is followed by persistent lemon/lime/floral aromatics and flavors. It is sourced from pre phylloxera rootstock of the indigenous Prié Blanc grape.

It is well balanced and structured with ample fruit and acidity; Light bodied, but somewhat fleshy, with a lingering touch of skin contact (oak?) at the long mouth coating finish. A most unique wine from a singular site. Worth a try if you can find it. — 3 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Served blind—called 2018 Vatan Clos de Neore! 07 is unbelievably youthful and delicious. The most singular expression of Sauvignon Blanc. A shame that with age, it’s so rare to have a pristine bottle like this. — 6 months ago

Peter Sultan

9.2

My 2nd or 3rd tasting, & my love grows: think the fuller, rounder body of Muscadet aged on its lees, & then enter this field blend of Avesso, Arinto, Alvarinho, and Malvasia. So not the green, spritzy Vinho verde of one’s youth. All kinds of white flowers & fruits, w emphasis on the former. Still quite delicate in the mouth but voluminous at same time. Soares importer, who doesn’t mess around. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

I have posted a number of older vintage Jones Family Cabernets. Many 20 yrs and older. Three to four 97’s…none better than this one. I give few wines a score above 96. This is different. It is so close to perfect. Some might give it a 100. I struggle to give a wine a perfect 100. I have only done it 4 times in an estimated 25k wines tasted or bottles I’ve enjoyed. One was a port made before 1886 and tasted in Oporto at Taylor Fladgate’s tasting room in 2015, it was their Scion. Only sold there and at the time 5k at bottle. You end up there purchase the Scion taste regardless of the current cost. They put on a tasting show for you. I am half tempted here to give out a 100 but will refrain.

I am not sure what to add to that but will attempt to do so.

The nose is a beautiful, perfectly evolved Napa Cabernet. Nothing overpowers any of its singular components. I think the word I am looking for is harmony. Lush, plush, ruby dark currants/cassis. The best, mid, subtle/gentle/soft, dark spice box I certainly can remember, lush blackberries, both plums, dark, not quite liqueur cherries, a mix of subtle purple fruits, poached to baked strawberries, some light hints of raspberries, dark sweet tarriness, melted dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, steep fruit tea leaning into black tea, sweet/soft leather, moist tobacco, sandalwood, dark, rich forest floor, sweet graphite, hints of dry twig, a flutter note of eucalyptus, dry, withering & slightly candied florals that are; dark, red & blue & framed in light lavender with more pronounced liquid violets.

The palate wire to wire is even & stupidly, gloriously, grand. It mirrors the nose very closely. Lush, plush, ruby dark currants/cassis. The best mid, subtle/gentle/soft, dark spice box w/ some light palate heat, best I certainly can remember, lush blackberries, both plums, dark, kirsch not quite liqueur cherries, a mix of subtle purple fruits, poached to baked strawberries, some light hints of raspberries, dark sweet tarriness, melted dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, steep fruit tea leaning into black tea, beautifully layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanillin, caramel, sweet/soft leather, moist tobacco w/ a hint is ash, sandalwood, dark, rich forest floor, dry, crushed rock powder, dry top soil, crushed limestone powder, sweet graphite, hints of dry twig, a fluttering note of eucalyptus, dry, withering & slightly candied florals that are; dark, red & blue framed in light lavender with more pronounced liquid violets, perfect, rainfall acidity, extremely well balanced, even & subtle tension-structure that stands up on the long set, refined elegance with a finish that goes on and on and eventually lands on spice & beautiful, refined earthiness.

What a bottle! 98 that leans into 99. I paid somewhere between $80-$90 on the secondary market for this bottle. — 22 days ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

#parraleta #somontano red with 12.5% — a year ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

The Selosse flagship that uses a solera style blend with vintages dating back to 1986. May 2016 disgorgement is just superb, explosively aromatic and infinitely layered with magical depth of Selossien flavors and such a singular texture that you just can’t forget. It wraps around the palate with incredible volume and concentration before giving way to a salty mineral laced finale with stunning length and persistence. — a year ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

The first “ah ha” Selosse wine for me many years ago. The south facing La Côte Faron is particularly “Selossien” and therefore particularly singular, with its oxidative complexity, textural richness and generous sun kissed ripe fruit expression. Like all Selosse wines, it’s layered and particularly aromatic for Champagne with intense caramelized red berry fruit, licorice and wildflower honey. The palate shows tremendous volume and intensity with a powerful, full bodied and satiny texture and a long, vibrant, mineral finish. So good. — 2 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Truly one of the most singular wines in the world attaining mythical-like status, it’s wild and vibrant with a captivating strawberry-spice and floral bouquet with a deep, exceedingly elegant palate and a scintillating finish that goes on and on. Amazing wine and the most perfect summer red. — 5 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

Marie-Courtin was established in 2005 by Dominique Moreau, who named her winery after her grandmother – a “woman of the earth” – surely an inspiration behind Dominique’s unwavering commitment to organic & biodynamic viticulture. She’s among the few (but growing # of) producers pursuing organic / biodynamic practices in Champagne, a notoriously challenging climate for mildew & rot.

Champagne Marie-Courtin is a Grower producer located in the village of Polisot in the Barséquannais, specializing in compelling terroir expressions, using a low intervention approach in the winery, with wild ferments and minimal (if any) dosage…

This wine fermented and aged in used (neutral) French barriques, allowing delicate oxygen influences w/out the oaky flavors. It spent 36 months aging sur lie (on the lees).

The result is a precise and chiseled wine with toasty notes next to layers of blossom, lemon peel, bright raspberry, strawberry, peach skin, kumquat, ripe pear, oyster shell, saline, blanched almond, bread dough, pastry, and baked red apple.

This wine represents a singular expression of a particular year, vineyard, and variety – it offers a sensory glimpse into a specific place and time. A magical & lovely wine. Cheers! — 10 months ago

with Deked1