Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I’ve had this once but that was some time ago, revisiting. Launois Champagnes are imported I believe exclusively by K&L Wine Merchants. It took K&L 5 yrs of relationship building to gain their trust/relationship. Launois is very selective about who represents their cuvées. BTW, K&L now has a small NYC shop. I believe the reason they opened in NY was for the additional shipping. So, if you couldn’t order from CA retail and could from NY, K&L is another option for you. I believe if they are the best retail shops in America, certainly top two or three.

Note the cork has a rubber seal. So, no wine contacts the cork. Launois is the only producer I’ve experienced that does that.

This cuvée is 60% Chardonnay & 40% Pinot and hails from the Coteaux du Sézannais and Côte des
Blancs. 7g.

The nose is pronounced & beautiful. Gently bruised Bosc pear-red & golden apple, just ripe pineapple, white citrus blend w/ a grapefruit lead, tangerine/blood orange, brioche, graham crackers, vanillin, frothed cream, chalky notes, lifted white spice, sea spray, elderflowers & white spring flowers.

The palate shows: bruised Bosc pear/red & golden apple, just ripe pineapple, white citrus blend w/ a grapefruit lead, tangerine/blood orange, brioche, graham crackers, vanillin, frothed cream, chalk bits,, volcanic minerals, limestone, lifted white spice that burrows into the palate with some heat, saline, sea fossils, elderflowers & white spring flowers, lively, crisp acidity, rich, well structured/balanced and an elegant finish with long length, two-minutes. — 9 days ago

Bassel Sommelier

9.1

Needs decanting but after a while it opens up — 8 years ago

Colene Osborn

9.4

Colene had this 8 years ago

Trent Fletcher

9.1

Pop and pour after 30 minutes of air; initial nose of funk; too much for my liking; re-corked; Day 2, completely different...beautiful nose of cherry, dark cherry, roses, herbs and spice; palate is light, beautiful, pure, cherry, minerals, dustiness; solid tannin structure and good acid; very enjoyable. — 9 years ago

Jeffrey Long

9.0

Best reaction to a wine in Havana. — 10 years ago

with Haw, Guangshan and 4 others

Hasan Mannan

9.0

Big bold white. Crisp n clean full taste — 11 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

This showed beautifully. My 3rd time having this wine. All have been excellent. — 4 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.3

This is a great wine, perhaps one of the best Beringer’s I have had. Much less fruit forward than most CA cabs with an awesome smokiness and tartness that comes together nicely. Was a steal at $100 a bottle and definitely a re-buy. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Follow up wine to our 07 Bartolo Mascarello on Friday night. Vacuum sealed and re-stored enough to write notes today as we had friends for dinner.

The nose reveals, floral, slightly creamy, candied with hints of stewed fruits; blackberries, blueberries, black plum, dark cherries, plum, boysenberries and dark cherries. There is a little smoke here but, if they named this wine and vineyard because their is ash on the nose and palate, it wouldn’t surprise me. Soft volcanic minerals, some anise, dark rich, turned earth, vanilla, cinnamon, hints if clove, dark spice, limestone, sweet tarriness, used leather, wood shavings, light peppery notes, light mintiness with dark red, fresh & withering dark floral and violets.

The body is full. The tannins are soft, round and velvety. The structure, tension, length and balance have hit a high point but, there is 8-10 years of life ahead. ripe; blackberries, blueberries, black plum, dark cherries, plum, boysenberries and dark cherries. Some smoke, cigar ash, soft volcanic minerals, some anise, dark rich, turned earth, vanilla, cinnamon, hints of clove, very dark spice with palate heat, limestone, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, sweet tarriness, used leather, wood shavings, light peppery notes, light mintiness with dark red, fresh & withering dark floral and violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is rich, lush, ripe, well balanced and persists a very longtime.

Photos of, The Venge with Estate vines, inside their tasting room, Winemaker-Owner Kirk Venge and their Bone Ash Vineyard in late Winter or for us in CA, more like Springtime on a non rainy day. — 7 years ago

Keith Watson

9.3

Osteria da Ugo - Verona — 8 years ago

Ben Edwards

9.1

Bright fruit, mineral, and salt. Big summer quaffer for cold salad, seafood (raw?) and appetizers. Drinks way above its weight (re: cost), if you're into floral, fruit. — 9 years ago

Francesca Ciancio

9.0

Moscato d'Asti Docg Vite Vecchia 2010 è il Barolo dei Moscato d'Asti ! — 10 years ago

Forget Internet

9.0

Ай яй яй. Неплохо для 50 центового вина. — 11 years ago

Erik Michielsen

9.1

Half bottle hiding on the menu = found and re-ordered. Beautiful orange/brown Barbaresco on the swirl, lovely floral nose and arm in arm buds with the roast duck — 4 years ago

with Debbie

Chris MacLean

9.3

Probably my favorite Valpolicella producer after Quintarelli (and maybe Monti dei Ragni.) Elegant and mouth-filling. — 6 years ago

with Sarah

Deb Dellaposta

9.0

Only grown in vulture. Very yummy! — 8 years ago

Liz Howng

9.4

Delicious - rose petals, raspberries, light and refreshing with just a hint of sweet — 8 years ago

Daniele Prato

9.8

Amarone della Valpolicella 2011. La vita. — 8 years ago

Ed Reynolds

8.9

This was the less bold newer version of a Tuscan as a follow up to the Super Tuscan before. Nice and mellow wine. Had with Frank and Mariane in Carmel by the Sea. Go figure... Italian in CA? — 9 years ago

JKT

8.9

Subdued nose of earth and leaves. Acidic balance that'd goes well with food. Short finish. Might be just over the hill. Better next day. Suppose needed time for it to open up. Nose floral and with earthiness. Good balance and be good with food. Good medium finish. — 10 years ago