David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Second Sauternes pairing with my homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Didn’t use the additional crushed pineapple this time. Both preparations are very good. I think I prefer it w/ less pineapple.

In 2014 I attended the Bordeaux En Premiere. One of the six days, we toured 8 Chateau’s tasting multiple vintages at each in Sauternes & Barsac. Then, went back to Chateau Guiraud for dinner. Before the dinner, Bill Blatch then arranged for a Sauternes tasting after tasting at 8 Chateau’s in Saternes & Barsac. We tasted 50 Sauternes in basically in 60 minutes. After that, my hand was like Winne the Poo in the honey jar from dumping. After, my wish wasn’t necessarily for the forthcoming dinner, but rather wished to go to a Dentist for a teeth cleaning I had so much RS in my mouth. None the less, dinner was fantastic and started with warm Foie Gras & gravy. Perfect as is w/ the Pineapple Upside Down Cake tonight.

This 05 is everything that you taste in the Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Perfect paring. Newly a quarter century and no fading in its evolution.

Dry; stone fruits, pineapple, orange citrus, pineapple. Marmalade, caramel, saline, limestone, honeycomb, beeswax, coconut, vanilla, saline, round acidity with yellow florals, toasted nuts with round acidity for days. Elegance, balance, structure and round, rich polish that goes in and on. Coravined from 375ml.

Bill Batch (who worked for Cristy’s & owned his own negotiate company) has somewhere around 5,000 bottles of Sauternes. He does a Sauternes & Sausage party bi-annually. Good luck getting a well sought after invitation. There are more people in Bordeaux who want to attend then there are available invitations. — 3 days ago

Lori K

9.4

Great fruit, well balanced, very pleasant — 9 months ago

Joe Christenson

9.1

Tasty and traditional. Toasted brioche, ginger, and toasted almonds. Well balanced, tight bubbles. Not quite finessed but delicate and approachable. — a year ago

Charlie Tapp

9.4

Toasted marshmallow / marzipan / meringue driven by the toasty oak. Tangerine, orchard fruit, candied ginger, pear, honeydew and green fig. Dense, concentrated and decadent.

And yet not flabby.

Plenty of good years left. — 5 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

It’s Miller time. Well…actually Billecart time. I like this more than I buy it. One of good cuvées easily found in 375ml.

The body creamy, layered, nice c02, bruised golden & green apple, ripe Bosc pear, pineapple flesh, tropical melons-mango driven, lime & lemon zest, cream soda, cream, white spice-ginger, bread, yeast, brioche, soft but grainy moist chalkiness, sea spray/fossils, slightly chard sourdough toast, wet/softened alluvial, limestone, wet river stone, notes of flintiness, yellow lilies, white orchids, fruit blossoms, jasmine, rainfall acidity, excellent balanced fruit & earth, tension, structure with a juicy two-minute polished finish that falls onto beautiful minerality.

BTW, home grown tomatoes with Companion Bakery wheat sourdough, lightly toasted w/ olive oil, burrata, Tondo balsamic (stunning), olive oil & fresh basil never gets old. — 7 months ago

Gary Marek

9.2

Fantastic unoaked Chardonnay- grapes shine thru! — 10 months ago

Carolyn Patrone

9.6

Wonderful nose, toasted almond, sherry, lemon, ripe pear. Oxidation is just right- not overwhelming, but adds to complexity and character. Slightly orange color, full bodied. Would love to know actual alcohol, label says 11-14%, but tears indicated higher alcohol, but very well balanced. Disgorged 14 November 2019. — 5 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Love LC19. It’s killer tonight, even more expressive than the last time I had it flaunting deep, powerful layers of ripe orchard fruit with smoky minerals, toasted hazelnuts and exotic spices. The palate is impeccably structured and concentrated with a satiny texture and vibrant energy that gives way to a saline and mineral laced finale. Pinot Meunier from the master, it just can’t be matched. This is the best release since LC13. — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

A blend of a tad more Chardonnay than Pinot Noir, nice lemon yellow color with golden edges, aromas of fruit, spice and brioche notes, nice mousse and bubble flow. On the palate flavors of fresh fruit, peaches, pineapple and ripe lemon with hints of toasted nuts and citrus zest. Long finish ending with rich briny yeasty mineral character. Drinks well now but will go another 10+ years! — 8 months ago

John Malcolm

10

Fabulous bouquet. Deep, rich, and full- bodied. Silky smooth, sexy, and elegant. Citrus, honey, and mandarin, with a bit of toasted almond and pear. Stunning! — 2 years ago