Willie Carter

9.6

Italy in California, and it’s gorgeous. A particularly attractive shade of yellow straw in the glass. A touch of haziness. The nose is enticing with pretty white flowers and a touch of spice. Citrus aromas are dominant with the addition of fresh cut grass. There’s a faint hint of dried herbs here that is nice.

A blend of Ribolla Gialla, Riesling, Friulano, and Malvasia Bianca from the Russian River Valley. Full bodied and distinctive, this is a seriously fun wine. The Riesling here shows very well but the Ribolla Gialla is fantastic. Melons and mango on the palate along with more herbs and apples. Utterly delightful, a terrific wine from a new winery. — 6 days ago

Willie Carter

9.3

These champagnes simply do not miss. Clear salmon in color with particularly active, attractive bubbles. The nose is so immediately pleasing and oh so clean. All the red berries that you would expect along with semi sweet bread and rose water. Chalk is a superstar here.

One of the more impressive rosés I’ve tasted. Composed of 90/10 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, this is a smoother champagne. Elegant and rather substantial, this has nice weight to it. Nicely restrained acidity throughout with the terroir singing.

Immensely drinkable and bright. Vibrant red fruits abound. Spice on the tongue that elevates this. And some exquisite chalkiness. That’s what truly makes this a top notch wine. I will definitely have to get more of this. — 2 months ago

Willie Carter

9.1

One of my great loves, serious rosé. A pale salmon color in the glass. The nose explodes with a cacophony of aromas. Strawberry jam and fresh red cherries. There are autolytic notes with brioche bread and an innate creaminess. Herbs and a touch of spice for good measure.

With a whopping 63% of Chardonnay in the blend, this is a very different kind of rosé. Fun and flamboyant, yes but also well heeled and full of character. Quite vinous, it’s a more thoughtful wine compared to others of its ilk. Well balanced with pleasant acidity and body.

Youthful and intense on the tongue. A burst of red berries initially. Almond slivers and dried herbs. Citrus acidity and a nice, long finish. A really nice champagne from a great house. — 3 months ago

Willie Carter

9.7

Beautifully golden in the glass with vigorous effervescence. Crisp and inviting immediately. You can easily tell this will be a stunning wine. Citrus notes are dominant on the nose with lemon zest and white peaches. Almonds and dried herbs with a touch of warm brioche. Wet rocks, pears, apples, and a hint of nutmeg. Gorgeous.

Full bodied and intense, this is a superb champagne just now beginning to come into its own. Bright acidity and well balanced, there’s depth and complexity for days. The mouthfeel is nice and the attack sensual. More citrus and brioche on the palate with a plethora of apples. The finish is long and strong. Pure delight in a bottle. — 12 days ago

Willie Carter

9.5

Ethereal and gorgeous, not your average rosé. A medium crimson color in the glass with effusive perlage. All the pretty red fruits on the nose. Strawberries, raspberries, and cherries, no doubt, but pineapples join the party too. Sweet brioche and beautiful floral notes complement.

From Les Riceys, the cross section of Champagne and Burgundy and it shows. Vinous, vibrant, and deep. The acidity is high and lovely along with terrific balance and weight throughout. 100% Pinot Noir with a nice combination of fruity and savory. The palate closely follows the nose with more sumptuous red berries and biscuits in the mouth. Oak on the long finish. A powerful champagne and one of my favorites. — 2 months ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Pure crystalline in the glass with effusive perlage. Energetic and vibrant immediately. Tension and drama from sip one. A distinct chalkiness runs throughout this along with yellow flowers and toasted nuts on the nose. Vanilla creaminess and peaches. There’s a slightly ethereal salinity here which is wonderful.

Pure Chardonnay from Mesnil. Aged for five years. There’s a semi sweet quality but the acidity is still beautiful and zippy. Fresh and lively but a decant does this champagne well. After an hour or two the palate will present vivacious citrus fruits and some wonderful chalk. Apples and lemons with pears and just a touch of peaches. Long and gorgeous.
— 2 months ago

Willie Carter

9.1

Light ruby in the glass with thin edges. Despite the age, the nose still presents fresh aromas. Dark red fruits dominate at first but after plenty of time and air other elements will start to sing. A nice mix of oak and herbs with a pleasant touch of old leather. There’s the faintest hint of Beautiful Burgundian Funk going on, which always sets my heart ablaze.

A simple, entry level Burgundy can be fun but one from a terrific producer can definitely rise above. Soft, yet rustic and charming. The age has certainly improved the wine and it still has years to go. Plenty of dusty cherries and wild strawberries on the palate. Chocolate and more oak with spice and dried herbs. Mushrooms and earth with stewed plums on the finish. A seriously fun wine. — 3 months ago

Willie Carter

8.7

A really nice burgundy color in the glass with no signs of bricking. The nose is a bit shy upon opening but it does eventually blossom with cherries and cranberries. A bit of oak, a touch of leather, a dash of cinnamon. There’s a green element here that grows on you.

A nice Burgundy with depth and structure. Nothing shoe stopping here but it doesn’t need to be. Well made and very traditional. Very pure with nice acidity throughout. The palate is superb with more red fruits and some earthiness. A Burgundy for everyone. — a month ago

Willie Carter

9.1

A truly beautiful pale lemon colour in the glass. Clear, crystalline, and clean. The nose is a real feast with pineapples, golden apples, and melons. Smoky with moist stone and a wonderful smear of honey. After a good bit of time there are plenty of floral notes and orange zest, for good measure.

Rich, with nice balance and weight. High acidity and sharp, on day two things have mellowed out a bit but there’s still plenty of vim and vigor throughout. Medium viscosity and nice depth. Drama and love on the attack with deep citrus fruit and apples for days. A touch of jasmine and butter. Sea spray, minerality, and beautifully fresh herbs. The finish is long and lusty with the hint of vanilla. A lovely Burgundy. — 2 months ago

Willie Carter

9.1

A beautiful dark ruby robe in the glass. The nose is lush and decadent immediately with blackberry and black cherry aromas. There’s a nice bit of earth and vanilla happening here along with black pepper. Cocoa and old leather are really nice here.

Napa Zinfandel can be many different things to many different people. For me, it’s typically overblown, overdone, and overwrought. Not so this! Smooth with a dash of elegance. There’s a restraint shown here that is uncommon and very welcome. Still quite intense but not overblown with nice balance and weight.

The palate shines with black fruit and more leather. An inherent spiciness kicks up after some time along with tobacco and a touch of oak. A nice, long finish with just a tad of smoke. A very nice wine. — 2 months ago