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. — 17 days ago

Adam Gäfvert

8.9

Gul frukt, päron, nötig, örtig, vitpeppar. Lite rivig textur som känns jästbetonad. Fin mineralsälta i avslutet. — 5 years ago

Rolf Bigler

9.3

Preis: CHF 88.- — 7 years ago

Darren Sherburne

9.1

Lemon, lime, green apple and lavender. Paired with Salmon & lentils for lunch. — 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

Hasan Mannan

9.0

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

Fabio Franchella

9.0

Frischer als erwartet. Viel steinobst und auch mineralik. — 3 months ago

with Xenia

Byron Hewett

9.3

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

John W

9.4

Serego Alighieri-Casal dei conchi 2016- recioto Classico- dark ruby coloration. On the nose, cherry and vanilla. Some plum. Very soft and smooth. Cherry liquor. With the cheese pairing - so delicious. Italian Blue cheese. — 5 years ago

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

Keith Watson

9.3

Osteria da Ugo - Verona — 8 years ago

Daniele Prato

9.8

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

Francesca Ciancio

9.0

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

Peter Prizio

9.0

Lovely with oysters — 2 years ago

Jess

9.2

Pale lemon color.
Aromas of baked lemon meringue, floral.
Dry. Flavors of lemon, dried herbs, rosemary, floral, crisp minerality.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 2/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 4/5 — 3 years ago

Severi Brandt

9.0

Very balanced, little ananas and fruit. — 4 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Juicy, refreshing, lipsmacking salinity and dense mineral complexity.
Beautiful wine! — 5 years ago

Liz Howng

9.4

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

Martin W

9.0

Till lax och sik. Mycket god. — 8 years ago

Jeffrey Long

9.0

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

with Haw, Guangshan and 4 others