David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Drinking pretty well for such a young Chablis.

Mouthfeel is nicely round & creamy. Ripe, Meyer Lemon, green apple, pineapple, lime pulp with some skin, topical melons, guava, chalky power, saline, sea fossils, limestone, touch of caramel, hint of white spice on the long set, yellow & white spring flowers, cool, round acidity, nicely balanced and well polished finish that last nearly two-minutes landing squarely on white spice.

A conversation was shared with me from Ralph at K&L who has been there 40 plus years that he had with their Burgundy buyer who just returned from his market trip to Burgundy. Ralph asked him what vintage he would compare the 2022 Burgundy vintage to. His reply was, the only vintage I could compare 2022 to is 1959! That’s a huge statement. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened about two hours prior to service and allowed to breathe. Two bottles were opened tonight from the same cellar and both corks showed some saturation but only through the first 1/3. No formal notes. The 1999 Flaccianello pours a youthful ruby color with a slightly garnet rim and some signs of sediment though nothing I would describe as unusual. This is an absolutely delightful Flaccianello that I would still describe as “developing”. A mix of red and dark fruits with dried herbs, black tea, espresso, leathe and dried earth. The tannins are still firm and the acid is zippy yet everything is in perfect balance and well integrated. This was paired with a deconstructed BLT highlighting the produce from local area farms and salmon rillettes with turnips, fennel and orange. I don’t have a lot of experience with Flaccianello (or Fontodi for that matter) but this is a wonderful representation of Chianti Classico (although not designated such) and if the two bottles opened tonight are representative, this vintage has a lot left in the tank! Drink now with a little air to stretch its legs and over the next 10-15 years, no cap. — 10 months ago

Rhonely Boy

9.2

9.2+ 🎄☃️🍷

Stones, humus, plum, rose, cocoa. Fine tannin, reflective of stone & humus terroir.

Very tasty now with 3 hour decant, worthy of visiting in two years.
— 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Fruit for this Pinot comes from two of the coolest, most coastal parts of this appellation, linked by the influence of the Pacific’s cool marine air, which delays ripening. Ruby with berry fruit, citrus and floral spice. On the palate, strawberry and cherry, tangy, with cedar notes and earthy tones. Bright acidity, soft expressive tannins, long finish ending with tobacco and woody spice. Very nice, drink now & over next 5 years. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Many of you that see my posts know I don’t open a Napa Cabernet this young. However, this was selling at my Costco for $69.99. K&L Wine Merchants $99.99. Delectable at $115. So, I had to buy a four. I coravined this bottle for a Somm friend last weekend who likes his Napa reds young. 🤷‍♂️

While this has seen a bit of bottle evolution, it still needs another 6-8 yrs before I open another and has the potential to pick up another point or two then.

Nose shows; brambly blackberries, stewy black plum, black raspberries, darkest cherries, boysenberries and strawberries off the glass edges. Dry tobacco, leather, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon notes, vanilla, anise, dark, rich, turned earth and withering, dark, slightly candied flowers.

The palate expresses some evolution. It is rich, ripe; brambly blackberries, stewy black plum, black raspberries, darkest cherries, boysenberries, hints of blueberries and strawberries off the glass edges. Tarry, dry medium plus tannins. Dry tobacco, leather, dark spice with a touch of heat, mixed darker berry cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon notes, vanilla, black tea, anise, mixed fresh & drier herbs, dark, rich, turned earth, barrel shavings/dust, a hint of black pepper, moist, grey clay, dry top soil, dry river stone and withering, dark, red, slightly candied flowers with violets, very round, phat acidity with a well; balanced, big structured, tensioned, lush, elegant and nicely layered & polished finish that lasts a full 90 seconds. Still kind of in its primary stage.

This is made by Chris Carpenter who also makes; Lokoya, Cardinale, La Jota, Hickinbotham (Australia) made at Yangarra. Sofia & I tasted at Yangarra and after tasted his Hickinbotham with him in 2017.

Photos of; staff picking on Mount Veeder, Chris Carpenter in the cellar and scenic shot of Mount Veeder. — 2 months ago

Christie Pearce

9.4

K and I shared this over two nights. We both really enjoyed it! — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2016 vintage. A brooding hulk of a wine currently. Nose chock full of baking choc(k)olate, rose petals and earth. Big, tannic front door. Smooth (but dry) and lengthy back door. Medium/medium-full bodied. Will pick up a few more and cellar one or two. Monolithically delicious. — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The Ariston Aspasie Cépages d'Antan is a blend of one grape that is nearly extinct in Champagne, Petit Meslier and two rare grapes that get blended into Champagne. It parses into 40% Petit Meslier, 40% Arbanne, and 20% Pinot Blanc. None of the three main grapes; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier

Crazy good body and super soft mouthfeel. There is soft precision in the palate. Excellent micro oxygenation. Shades of the 2007 Taittinger Comte’s. Leads with the white citruses.- lime, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi, some pineapple juice, tropical green melon, what softer than soft powdery chalkiness, limestone, volcanics just as soft, spring flowers for days, perfect acidy and a purely beautifully balanced, knitted, length that has length and a singing finish that goes on and on. @ K&L Champagne tasting. — 5 months ago

Paul K

9.3

92-93 2016 style - plush and approachable but not simple. Cherry and tobacco. Has great tannins that should help the other bottles age beautifully. Excited for the future of these!
@James K i might be hurting on our ride tomorrow! 70 miles in last two days and this is too good to keep for later! — 10 months ago

M F

9.3

2013 Red Car Zephyr Farms Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Coast ... I don't usually like Chardonnay ---- this wine redefines Chardonnay for me. Two thumbs up. Delicious. Wish I had more. — 4 years ago