Veuve Alban
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
Vintage Brut Champagne Blend 2002
This is their 2002 Vintage Brut but the top of the bottle reads 250 ANS? Maybe, an anniversary bottling. I do seek out Veuve Clicquot as much of what I’ve tried from them hasn’t to my liking. There are simply producers I enjoy more at or under their price points. But, this was quite good & the best offering I've had from them. Enjoyed it. Better than all the vintages of Grande Dame I've had. Having said that, it is not on the same par as the 02 Rare and 02 Billecart.
It was showing the right spot to starting drinking it. More reductive than oxidative. Lively, fresh acidity. Citrus blend, some of both apples, a little white stone fruit, nice brioche, soft playful yeastiness, excellent fine chalkiness, alluvial limestone, spring flowers and well done, balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant and not overly polished finish that lasted 90 seconds.
Pour at the Saturday Pebble Beach Food & Wine walk around “From the Cellar” dinner — 2 months ago
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
La Grande Dame Brut Rosé Champagne Blend 2008
Delicious. Notes of raspberry and light wild strawberry. Great minerality. Pretty accessible now. — 3 months ago
Alban Vineyards
Central Coast Viognier 2023
2023 vintage. More fruit than mineral driven. A big spearmint note. Fresh, delicious and a great price. Apparently, the Roussanne vineyard is disease-ridden and out of commission for at least 3 years so this could be it for Alban whites for a spell. They are supposedly not buying fruit any longer. 5.9.24. — 20 days ago
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
La Grande Dame Brut Champagne Blend 2004
Popped and poured to celebrate a pretty cool personal and professional achievement; enjoyed over a two hour period. This particular bottle has been stored in my cellar since release. The 2004 “La Grande Dame” pours a brilliant yellow color with medium+ viscosity and a persistent mousse of fine bubbles. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of golden raspberry, Meyer lemon, some apple, some brioche and nuts; just a touch oxidative. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. However, I feel compelled to share that this gave me the overall impression of a sort of liquid lemon-raspberry custard croissant with shaved almonds on top. It was awesome. The finish was long and there is some palpable density in this wine. So much so that I think these easily have another 10-15 years in them. That being said, this was yummy and I wouldn’t hesitate to enjoy now. — 2 months ago
Veuve du Vernay
Ice Rosé Blend
refreshing, fruitful, hints of strawberry and raspberry, sweet — 3 months ago
Alban Vineyards
Alban Estate Vineyard Roussanne 2021
When you want something different. I think Alban across the board is underrated. — 23 days ago
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
Yellow Label Brut Champagne Blend
[Tasted on April 6, 2024 at Home with Linda and Joel]
Blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier. Mandarin orange, apricot, pear and red fruits, with honey, ginger, vanilla and toast. — 2 months ago
Veuve Ambal
Veuve Ambal Crémant de Bourgogne Grande Cuvée Brut
Enjoyed 2/10/2024 — 3 months ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Top 3 new world producer of nearly a 100% Ganache and or Syrah.
This w/ a 4 1/2 hour decant after a meal falls into black plum pudding.
Ripe, nectar driven; blackberries, plum pudding, dark cherries, black raspberries, poached strawberries, blueberry pie, dark berry cola, black licorice, dry stem, dark rich forest floor with leaves & dry twigs, pipe tobacco, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry herbs, dark, mid spice, some black pepper, top soil, steeped tea, some me baking spices, baking spices, fresh herbaceous notes, dark, red, purple, blue, withering flowers, perfect acidity and a well balanced, knitted, softly tensioned, elegant finish that lasts two-minutes.
Aged in 300-liter puncheons for 43 months. — 12 days ago