Tasting group meet up with many of the regulars not able to attend . I knew the organizer invited someone whom we had not tasted with in about 15 years . He certainly made an entrance bringing this, in magnum no less. When poured it showed a fine mousse but it faded quickly. A very broad nose that hinted of some age. In the mouth it was like a sports car traveling a highway. Almond , brioche and some oxidative notes sped thru my mouth. The flavors accelerated only to linger similar to when you take your foot off the accelerator. Coasted effortlessly with no need to step on the brakes — 8 months ago
Wonderful nose, toasted almond, sherry, lemon, ripe pear. Oxidation is just right- not overwhelming, but adds to complexity and character. Slightly orange color, full bodied. Would love to know actual alcohol, label says 11-14%, but tears indicated higher alcohol, but very well balanced. Disgorged 14 November 2019. — a year ago
Cheers to top quality bubbles from the Anderson Valley of the North Coast of California!
This wine is made with a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
It’s beautifully balanced with layers of autolytic characteristics like toasted almond, pie crust, brioche, biscuit, marzipan, nougat, thanks to 5 YEARS on the lees…
It has a creamy mouthfeel maintaining freshness with notes of white peach, apple, raspberry, lemon zest, white blossom…
Mousse is fine and persistent. — 13 days ago
A wine of astounding complexity, a shape-shifter. Immediately in the glass, nutty roasted almond, funk (a little reductive), musty books and turpentine. Iron/sanguinous aftertaste. Little acidity up front, a bit flat in texture. Peach pit, yellow peach, honeycomb. — 8 months ago
Just enough fruit and full body, not overwhelming like many zins. — 10 months ago
2022 vintage.
From limestone and clay rich soil in the municipality of Santo Stefano Roero.
Average vine age is 30 years.
Pale straw yellow. Dry, medium bodied and unoaked.
Fresh, floral, citrus and melon with hints of almond, honeysuckle and a crisp mineral finish. — 2 months ago
This wine is STUNNING.
Its nose offers notes of pear and apple tart with toasted almond, nougat, marzipan, brioche, lemon curd, raspberry coulis, pie crust, dried white rose, chalk, oyster shell …
On the palate this wine is creamy with vibrant acidity adding lift and balance; it has a fine-beaded and persistent mousse and a long, elegant finish. Flavors are consistent with the nose.
Special Birthday bubbles for the ultimate Champagne lover, @Deked1 🥂💕 — 5 months ago
From magnum, the 1996 Grande Année pours a brilliant pale gold color with a persistent mousse. Initially, the wine showed more oxidative notes but it freshened up considerably with air (in fact, a tiny amount was leftover for the next morning and it remained brilliant, racy even!). On the nose, notes of almond, citrus, honey, chalky minerals and brioche. On the palate, wine is developing with absolutely brilliant acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. The 1996 vintage is simply amazing. Here we are, 28 years past vintage and this bright and full of life! Granted, it’s a magnum, but still. Drink now with patience or enjoy through 2046+. — 8 months ago
Andrew Cullimore
Medium lemon colour . Lovely lemon, buttered pastry nose , still so fresh and lively . Mineral with a honeysuckle note , touch of blanched almond . On the palate quite rich and complex , with high acidity and mineral , honied , brioche notes , still quite fresh though with lots of creamy lemon hints. Long mineral tinged finish . Lovely now and over the next 5-10 years . — 6 days ago