Senator Tommelier

9.0

Damn son. Peppa bojangles dingle dangle — 8 months ago

Emily Gorney

9.3

Pretty good — 2 years ago

Jodie Jackson

9.7

What a fantastic wine selection by my son, we wanted a little something to go along with Shrimp and Grits and Biscuits @Callie’sCharleston Biscuits. This wine has beautiful notes of berries, ash, minerals maybe even apricots. So delicious. Big thanks — 4 years ago

with Merritt

Aaron Tan

8.9

Distillery: Hebei Sanjing
Name: Shilixiang Baijiu

Fun apparent fact - Baijiu is the most consumed spirit in the world. But gosh... How little does the Western society know of this spirit. It's so difficult to find information on these bottles that are not in Mandarin (in English basically).

This distillery has to be king of the Hebei province (right outside Beijing). Signboards and ads are plastered everywhere with this very nicely branded disillery (love the bottle).

That said, this was pretty good. Alcohol on the lower side (40% abv). Sorghum and wheat based. It's on the "sweeter" side, even on the nose. Smells a touch musky, herbal and quite smooth on the mid-palate, finishes sweet and strong, but not necessarily harsh. Still burns unlike the Shandong Baijiu, but heck... It's Baijiu. It should burn. In my mind, this has sort of a richness, but not quite like Maotai's style and density. Still learning, so forgive the botched notes. — 5 years ago

Brennan Roy

9.0

Gift bottle from my son. Dark fruit and tobacco. Solid tannins. Excellent! — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous 2 notes. Showing ripe grapefruit on nose and palate with high quality French Oak as a component and not dominating. Good palate concentration and just an outstanding Chardonnay in any company. Welcoming our son Hugh home temporarily from NYC and Georgie from Copenhagen. Hadn’t seen either of them for 3 years. Went well with a kilo of Mooloolaba Prawns. As in a previous note I will have the 2 remaining bottles in 2023 and 2024. — 2 years ago

with Georgina

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Thought we’d try something new. Recommendation from the the Champange Buyer at K&L, Gary Westby.

The nose reveals; green & golden apple, apple cider, overripe pineapple juices, lime, lemon, kiwi, Bosc pear, understated, apricot liqueur notes, candy bar nougat, walnut skin, hazelnuts, bread dough, yeastiness, soft; chalkiness, sea fossils, grey minerals, yellow lilies, lilacs and spring flowers.

Green apple leaps onto to the palate followed by; golden apple, apple cider, overripe pineapple juices, lime, lemon meringue, cream, kiwi, Bosc pear, understated, apricot liqueur notes, delicate mousse, micro-micro bubbles, candy bar nougat, walnut skin, hazelnuts, bread dough, yeastiness, chalkiness is a little more gritty than the nose, sea fossils, grey minerals, soft, white spice with just a touch palate heat, yellow lilies, mixed greens, lilacs and spring flowers. The acidity is gentle & quite nice. The finish has nice finesse, well balanced, polished & persists minutes.

Smartly priced at $29.99. Buy it while it’s in, doesn’t last more than days.

Photos of; Gary Westby with the father-Daniel Thibault & son winemaking team, Daniel Thibault and a Marne vineyard vista.

Producer notes: Daniel Thibault, the chef-de-cave of Charles and Piper Heidsieck for over two decades. After inheriting two hectares of the family vines over 15 years ago, Thierry decided to produce his own champagne from them.

Champagne note: this is a blend of equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier from estate-grown fruit in the Western Valley of the Marne. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Smoky with brief notes from me. Not as peaty as you would expect from the western isles. Had a tour of this distillery some years ago on the Isle of Skye which is the spiritual home of the Clan Donald ie McDonald. Probably prefer the peaty styles of Lagavulin and Laphroig. — 2 years ago

Francis le cave

9.0

Méchante bombe de fruit, très générique, hyper riche et aseptisée, mais pourquoi bouder son plaisir. C'est bon une fois de temps en temps. Pas une ride! — 4 years ago

Bob Irwin

9.0

Virtual joint tasting with daughter and son in law, full, great nose of blackberry, plum, and smmootthh. — 4 years ago