Ming L

9.1

Englishman Jonathan Maltus (of La Dome) Napa project. Nose shows blackcurrant, plum, cassis, pencil shavings, and clove with a herbaceous undertone. Juicy with medium to full body. Velvety tannins. Stylish, but lacking a bit of depth and complexity. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This 09 was upgraded to 100 points by Lisa Perrotti formerly of Robert Parker in 2020. I didn’t taste a 💯 & the first time she & I have been this far apart.

This 09 was velvety, smooth, beautiful & elegant with nicely ripe fruits. But, it really lacked the depth & complexity I have come to expect from this producers bottling.

Touched into 94 with a few sips. Decanted a 1 1/2 hours & enjoyed over the next two hours.

@NepentheBigSur If you haven’t been there, well worth the time to visit. — 8 months ago

David Nicewicz

9.6

There are clarets and then there are clarets - this is the latter. Intoxicating Perfume of currants and tobacco gives way to a palate that is like a time capsule - loads of currants, cassis, cedar, truffle and sous bois. Tannins completely melted. Apart from a touch of phenolic notes in the first 30 mins or so, this is just gorgeous and what a perfectly aged claret should be. — 4 years ago

David White

9.3

This is the third bottle each two years apart and this opened very nicely after about an hour or so
I’ve increasingly liked this wine although given it the same rating
It’s well structured aromatic and just an all round good expression of well made Central Otago Pinot
Probably open the next three each with a year or less further age — 4 months ago

Bryan Florendo

9.0

Not Lina’s fave. — 8 months ago

Maureen O'Leary

9.2

Smooth and tasty. — 2 years ago

ESF

9.3

Old School Meritage style, opulent, just flat out fantastic and punches way above its weight class. At 6 yrs old it is still a baby - going to find more to age — 6 months ago

Thijs Hendriks

9.8

Wow! Still young, with a lot of character. Seducing, intoxicating, a revelation. — 8 months ago

Bill Morgan

9.3

Full bodied with soft tannins — a year ago

Willie Carter

9.1

An immediately attractive light gold color in the glass. A fine, persistent mousse with a terrific amount of tiny bubbles. Very fresh aromas on the nose with honeysuckle, apricots, and plenty of chalk. Roasted nuts are dominant here after some time with fresh cut flowers joining in.

100% Chardonnay aged up to five years on lees. The 8 g/l does show itself but never in a cloying manner. The 40% of reserve wine from Mesnil sur Oger and Avize also clearly show. This is a very mature and earnest champagne. The minerality and exquisite tension set it apart from so many others.

Nice integration and structure here. The high acidity is balanced by the softness of the fruit and the more savory characteristics. The palate follows the nose closely with more toast, citrus, and nice chalk. Long finish that you really don’t want to end. — 4 years ago