Kelley Raymond

9.2

Creamy yet bright - really enjoyable on its own — 18 days ago

Doug Powers

9.2

Absolutely lovely cool climate Shiraz with just a little Viognier, the “LSV” stands for, I think, the first initial of the winemaker who made it, with the S for Shiraz and the “V” for Viognier, medium-long finish, not exported. — 5 months ago

with Jim

Michael Younkins

9.4

Straw color, fantastic dry cremant!! — 8 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Photos of the D&S Lounge taken at night with all the candles on my friends iPhone 11. Not there yet...waiting for a 5G phone. Our weekend oasis!

Ruinart one of our favorite n/v Rosé Champange’s. A great way to start any night.

The fruits are always ruby & rich. Black cherries, strawberries, Rainer cherries, tangerine, grapefruit with pith, watermelon, dry yeast, baguette crust, grey volcanics, granular chalk, saline with red flowers, red & pink roses. Lively acidity. Excellent balance and a smartly polished long finish. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

As Rhône or Nôwhere 2.0 concluded, our heads were spinning. Spinning not only due to the consumption but from the out-of-this-world lineup. As we tried to gather ourselves, a bottle of 2011 DRC Romanée St. Vivant was generously opened to toast the evening’s frivolities. I mean, wow. The 2011 R-S-V pours a bright but deep ruby with no signs of age. It’s dark fruited and slightly green, probably still needing another decade+ to flesh out. There is some beautiful use of oak with gorgeous baking spices. Way more closed than the 2011 DRC Echezeaux we enjoyed a couple years back. Clearly amazing. Clearly a baby still. Afterwards, a friend with more experience than (in respects to DRC) mentioned that Echezeaux usually shows well when young while R-S-V typically needs the most time. Something that I’ll keep in mind. To my palate, this will be best after 2030 and should be excellent through 2050+. It’s got that kind of guts and balance.
— a month ago

Shay A

9.2

I’m between 92-93 here. I bought this at the same time as the Marguet Shaman 17 I opened two weeks ago and wanted to try them fairly close together for comparison sake (both are grower, zero dosage), and the V&S wins (more body/richness).

Jan’21 disgorgement. Gold in the glass. I’m not a fan of decanting champagne, but I do love drinking champagne from wider bowl glasses to air them out gently, which this benefitted from. Doesn’t have that really brisk Carmex aromatic I get with many lean grower champagnes. It sports a gently oxidative flair with golden pear, red apple, and honey roasted cashews. The palate has a distinct bakers yeast note along with classical chalky limestone too. It was a match made in Heaven with lobster corndogs! Will purchase again. — a year ago

Zachary McCool

9.0

complex leaves you wanting to learn more about its maker — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

One of my favorites in the in Bourguignon-style of Beaujolais are those of Thibault Liger-Belair. What I adore about Thibault’s approach is that his winemaking philosophy seems to suit M-à-V so well. Popped and poured; no formal notes. The 2016 “Moulin-à-Vent VV” is full of the undeniable dark fruit and structure and yet, incorporates a funky charm that seems to bridge Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaujolais perfectly. To my palate, these 2016 VV’s are just entering the early part of their drinking window. I still think this is developing and it will take another few years before the secondary characteristics begin to show and that’s when the magic really starts to show with these wines. All of the pieces and parts are there…all that is required at this point s a little more patience. Good now but better with a little patience and after 2026. Should be awesome well through 2036 — 8 months ago

Michael Ochsner

9.1

Beautiful sweet tree fruit and a little stone fruit. Clean. $12.50 S — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s Friday night, time for Champagne. It’s been a number of weeks since we had one of our very favorite N/V Rosé Champange’s.

One of the last nights in the D&S Lounge before we close it up for the season. It’s getting into the 50’s at night with fog hovering. But, it’s 75-77 degrees inside our propane fray. Rainy season is coming as well. 😞

Plate & Bottle dinner tomorrow night. 😋

Have great weekend everyone! Cheers! 🍾🥂

Numerous previous notes apply.

Photos of; the sunset over one of Billecart’s Grand Cru vineyards, inside the House of Billecart and the beautiful manicured grounds of the Billecart Estate. — 4 years ago