Gina Gechter

9.0

A gift from a friend. I like it. — 17 days ago

Dennis Gastineau

9.0

Dinner with friends at Byzantium in Taos. Lovely smooth mildly oaky Chardonnay. 2017 vintage August 2019. Had a second bottle. — 2 months ago

Mike Laba

9.1

Very, very nice. Maybe a touch to sweet fruit on the front for me, but that’s a minor comment on an otherwise lovely wine. Need to add some of these to the collection. — 2 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.1

Nose has distant baby diaper, wet lavender, moist garden soil, over-ripe black cherry and partially dried black currant. There is a trailing note of alcohol.

Palate has ripe blackcurrant, black raspberry, minor wood influence, faint leather, licorice and light green herbal notes. Medium level of tannins, this bottle has plenty of life ahead, likely better in several more years, 2023-2026.

This Bordeaux-style from South Africa had me at a crossroad, the nose is so distinctly different from the palate. When I first decanted it (~2 hours) it was much more stinky than it is now, I wasn't sure if it would live to enjoy this evening or be destined for tomorrow. But a corner had turned, nose mellowed and it's becoming quite enjoyable.

50% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot — 2 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.9

So glad I waited on one of these bottles. This is just perfect right now. I’d love to taste this beside some merlot from Bordeaux. Pencil shavings, cherries but with some darker fruits, hint of cocoa, dried herbs, and perfect balanced tannin/acidity. Would love to get some more bottles. — 2 months ago

R Bl

9.1

Tasted 4 years ago and was impressed by taste profile pairing 80% Sangiovese tang with mellower elements of Malvasia Mera, Merlot and Cab Franc. Bought a few bottles... excellent again a couple months later, first tried again now. Deep rich mouth with only minor Sangiovese character; the blend speaks as one and is very good. But it would have been better to my palate a few years ago - this is a bit too soft, as I like the varietal notes. I’ll wait another few years for the last bottle - might it evolve more fragrance and enjoyment? I doubt it but we’ll see. — a month ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this final afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest conductor Giancarlo Guerrero (Nashville Symphony director) is leading SCHOENBERG (Friede auf Erde, Opus 13 (Peace on Earth), for unaccompanied chorus) and BEETHOVEN (Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Opus 125).

The 9th by Beethoven is always bittersweet for us, as it marks the end of the official Symphony and Pops season for the BSO at their Summer home. It is a wonderful and singularly emotive moving piece, with the full force of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus at 250+ singers, conveying the message of a divine spark of joy that makes all people one.
'Freude, schöner Götterfunken!' / 'Joy, beauteous, godly spark!'

Nose of warmed pear, light toasted brioche and wet limestone.

Palate has warmed lemon curd spread on lightly toasted bread, chalky-saline mousse and honey over yellow apple. Finish is med-long, a beautiful effort.

Disgorged 7/2017, blend of '13/'14 with a 50/50 blend of Chardonnay & Pinot Noir. Noted improvement with some additional bottle age since our prior experience (same disgorgement). — 2 months ago

Big Wave Dave

9.0

Very fresh nose but with a strong deep aroma that is hard d to define. On the palate there is caramel at first, then a steely mineral smokiness. Then there is citrus. All in a minor tone. Good and more complex than a regular chablis, but not great p/q — a month ago

with Racquel and Rocket

Brandon Boesch

9.8

2018 is singing! Chablis in Cali. Lemon, melon, minerals, and a great acidity and saline quality on the finish. — 2 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this final afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest conductor Giancarlo Guerrero (Nashville Symphony director) is leading SCHOENBERG (Friede auf Erde, Opus 13 (Peace on Earth), for unaccompanied chorus) and BEETHOVEN (Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Opus 125).

The 9th by Beethoven is always bittersweet for us, as it marks the end of the official Symphony and Pops season for the BSO at their Summer home. It is a wonderful and singularly emotive moving piece, with the full force of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus at 250+ singers, conveying the message of a divine spark of joy that makes all people one.
'Freude, schöner Götterfunken!' / 'Joy, beauteous, godly spark!'

Nose has ripe yellow apple, lightly oxidized green apple peel, baked phyllo dough, partially aromatic white flowers and damp rocks. I always get a natural wine vibe here, without the vinegar-like profile, but it seems alive!

Palate has baked green and yellow apple pastry, crisp acidity yet dense, candle wax begins on the finish and ends with dry granite. Great balance, very lengthy finish, clean and not cumbersome, superb vintage, long life ahead. We love you Jean-Jacques. — 2 months ago