Robert Stackowiak

9.4

Great balance. Subtle apple on the palate. Tiny bubbles as you would expect in a premium champagne. December 2024. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.4

From magnum, the 1996 Grande Année pours a brilliant pale gold color with a persistent mousse. Initially, the wine showed more oxidative notes but it freshened up considerably with air (in fact, a tiny amount was leftover for the next morning and it remained brilliant, racy even!). On the nose, notes of almond, citrus, honey, chalky minerals and brioche. On the palate, wine is developing with absolutely brilliant acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. The 1996 vintage is simply amazing. Here we are, 28 years past vintage and this bright and full of life! Granted, it’s a magnum, but still. Drink now with patience or enjoy through 2046+. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.0

The wines of Marc Hebrart are always punching above their weight class which made this a perfect choice to celebrate Holly reaching a new professional goal as she too, routinely exceeds expectations.

This bottle of “Cuvée de Réserve” was disgorged in October of 2019 and made exclusively with 1er Cru fruit from a variety of vineyards. As usually, predominately Pinot Noir with a dollop of Chardonnay. In the glass, it’s a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, there are slightly oxidative notes of apples, brioche, meringue, and nuts. On the palate, the wine is dry and the bubbles are tiny and almost creamy. Confirming the apple fruit, but also with some peach, toasted nuts and and hit of lemons and minerals on the finish. Everything is very nicely balanced and satisfying. To me, this is a way more interesting alternative to Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Pale lemon in color.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity and tiny bubbles.

Dry on the palate and elegant.

Showing limes, grapefruits, yeast, spices, brioche, minerals, light earth, sea salt and herbs.

Tangy long finish with limes and light almonds.

This is a delicious Non Vintage Champagne. Showing a great mouthfeel with nice complexity.

Wine Enthusiasts 92 points. Robert Parker 91 points. Wine Spectator 91 points.

Good right out of the bottle and better with some air time.

Nicely balanced and rich. Good by itself or with food.

A blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.

12% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60. — 2 months ago

Larry McKenzie

9.2

Great wine to enjoy with a friend or alone!
Before I opened, refrigerated for 20 minutes and The more I let it breathe the more I enjoyed the wine. The Tempranillo grape used for this wine, made it a wine I would definitely drink again. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

12 months of sur lie aging in barrel, bottle aged an additional 24 months prior to disgorging, wine was finished with no dosage.Pale lemon with aromas of stone fruits, blossom and yeasty notes, fine creamy mousse and tiny rapid bubble flow, full-bodied, ripe apple and pear on the palate, citrus and some spice, nice acidity, well balanced ending with toasty mineral notes. Nice! — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a tasty one from Mount Veeder.

Deep ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black plums, black currants, dark coffee, oak, spices, pencil lead, vanilla, tobacco, licorice, earth, light herbs and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, coffee, vanilla, spices, cola, licorice, mint, black pepper, bitter herbs, vegetables and earth.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins, cranberries and peppercorn.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is starting to drink nicely now, although it needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.

Showing nice complexity, elegant and spicy, with lots of earth notes.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

Smooth, elegant and tangy. Feels like a young Bordeaux, and will age nicely in the next 10 years.

Good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with BBQ Meats. I paired it with a Brie cheese and crackers.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged for 30 months in French oak barrels (50% new). A tiny production of only 125 cases.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$95. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

From 100% Wente clones that get max hang time, large and tiny berries packed together, pale lemon with subtle aromas of citrus and stone fruits. On the palate flavors of apple, lemon and lime flavors, crisp acidity, long finish ending with rich mineral character. Perfect now! — 9 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.2

Gorgeously floral nose. Unreal mid season cherries with such lift and clarity. Wow. So clean. Gorgeous spices as well. Palate is juicy and clean. Sappy, pure and clean. Just a great and classic bottle of Liaison. Wispy tannins. Excited to see how this develops. After 24 hours nose is so deep and has great roses and violets. High toned mid season cherry. Really pretty. Terrific spice and only a tiny VA that just adds and does subtract. Palate is juicy and lean. Clean and classic. So linear and clear. Such great mid season cherry fruit. Nimble and not as powerful as recent vintages. — a year ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.

100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.

Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little. — 3 years ago