Shay A

9.3

I’ve enjoyed Henri Giraud’s champagnes for a while, and was able to visit last Nov. This ratafia champenois was quite fun and worthy of a few bottles being brought home. From a solera of 1990-2016 vintages.

Followed over a few months (love that the wine comes with its own dedicated stopper to help preserve).

First whiff reminds me of some Cognacs I’ve had with a combo of sweet concentrated fruit (raisins) and heat, before showing a honeyed profile. There’s no nutty Sauternes like profile, but the palate is texturally similar without being cloying. Orange marmalade and golden raspberries dominate the flavors. Little bright herbal-flair, but this still shows some Cognac type flavors without the ABV punch. The oxidation is balanced and not detracting. Really enjoyable. — 22 days ago

Tayler Walters

10

Grand wine — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

You know you’re drinking Meursault from the first sip with the chalky minerality and saline. The body is round, thick & waxy. Green apple w/ plenty of skin, lime zest, lemon, tropical melons, grapefruit & white stone fruits. Some honey notes, crumbled chalk, sea fossils, sea spray, limestone marl, mid white spice, honey notes, white field of spring flowers with greens, round, rainfall acidity and a round, lush, well balanced, elegant finish that lasts two-minutes falling on minerality, excellent white spice and soft used barrel notes.

Another point or two with cellaring. — 4 months ago

Doug Powers

9.6

Wow, violets and floral up front, quite youthful still, fruit is very, very effusive and expressive, excellent balance and acidity, long, lingering finish, great aged Pomerol, a WOW wine!! — 5 days ago

with Jim

Duane Mason

9.3

A beautiful older Bordeaux. Nice balance of fruit and age. A hint of cedar. Just plane good. — 2 months ago

DUSTIN SUGASA

9.3

Very good. Outperforms expectations. — 5 months ago

with Katie

Mike Evans

9.0

A little natty funk, it didn’t really resonate with me. — 11 days ago

Mike Evans

9.2

Nutty oxidation but not overwhelmingly so, with good acidity, probably past peak but not too far over. — a month ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Very nice Pomerol in this so-so vintage!
Cherries, pomegranate, brown spices and freshly cut herbs. Although the tannines still are slightly coarse, IMO, this is drinking very nicely now. — 2 months ago

Gladys Xiques

8.9

Minerality and refreshing. — 6 months ago