Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 2012 J. Lassalle Special Club is made from 60% Pinot Noir & 40% Chardonnay. The vines average 50 yrs old. Hails from Chigny-Les-Roses. Winemakers Chantal Decelle-Lassalle and Angéline Templier farm using the practice of Lutte Raisonnée, which means they fall just short of organic. Sustainable but use minimal chemicals. Rain during and at the end of the season when Mother Nature doesn’t dry the grape clusters, chemicals are often necessary to prevent mold. This isn’t Sauternes!

Texturally, it is quite nice. Beautiful fine mousse and micro oxygenation. Lively but not aggressive acidity.

Green & golden apples, pear, pineapple, lime/lemon with zest, orange citrus blend, green melon & kiwi. White spice, bread dough, nougat, limestone bits, thick chalky powder, graham cracker crust, melted caramel, vanillin, saline, sea fossils, unstated herbaceous notes, fruit blossoms, spring flowers with an elegant, smartly polished, well balanced, nicely structured-crafted finish that lasts 90 seconds & lands on volcanics & spice on the long set.

You could make case for 94 here. Perhaps fully with a few more yrs of bottle age.

Pairs well with the Jasper Hill Farms Limited Edition of their Champagne washed Harbison soft white. — 15 hours ago

Shay A

9.3

Another tasty JSchram. While the prices keep climbing, these are very consistent US sparklers with a big house feel (vs the grower profile sparkling wines like Westborn, Haliotide, older Ultramarine, etc).

81% Pinot noir, 19% Chardonnay; 8g/l dosage

I’ve been enjoying the JSchram wines for a long time and a character I always get from them is a distinct cheesy/leesy aromatic. Roasted honey nut cashews, spiced apple, pear, and toasty vanilla. Richly balanced on the palate with honeyed tropical fruit, sea salt, and finishes slightly yeasty with a truffle note. The dosage, while on the high side for what I enjoy, brings out nice texture and length. Well made and ready to go.

I enjoy the JSchram Noir (formerly Schramsberg Reserve) on the younger side and the JSchram Blanc with a little age. — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Deep Ruby color with aromas of red berry fruit and sweet spices. On the palate flavors of ripe black cherry and blackberry flavors, with some dried fruit notes, toasty oak, cinnamon spice and cola tones. Fine tannins with balanced acidity, medium+ finish ending with fruit and spice. Will age a little. — 2 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.7

50th wedding anniversary! Tasting great. I’m shocked at the cherry fruit that is still vibrant, a lot of raisin, wood, caramel, vanilla, tobacco leaf. So surprised at how good this is tasting — 5 months ago

with Randy

Thien Bui

9.2

I stand that this is the first vintage of J Lohr of Hilltop its still a life of 29 years a well made wine love it — 6 months ago

with Robert

Humberto Petit

10

Amazing after using a decanter — 7 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Nose is a spice bomb. Dried, desiccated leaves. Some mid season cherry, wet earth and everything about the nose says aged but with some youthful vigor. Palate is lush and rich, really good, with great concentration and freshness. Nimble and with wonderful acidity and such purity. Velvety sweet tannins and so focused. This is drinking so well. Terrific sweetness and love the classical structure. Long finish and still got some fuel to burn. Even better in 5-8 years. With air this gets so juicy and the energy really shines through. Wow the elegance shines through after 2 hours. 9.5 now. — 4 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

+1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A wonderful dark ruby red color. On the nose: jammy plum/dark cherry, floral, graphite, sandalwood, crushed stone. Taste: drinking great...silky, opulent, balanced wine with blackberry jam, cherry, earth, currants, and a peppery, saline-mineral long dry finish. YUM! — 5 months ago

with Brenda

Paul J

9.3

Very nice! No “wow” factor, just a solid Riesling for a great price! — 6 months ago

with Brooke

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Have not had in 3.5 years and wow this is drinking so well. A superstar. Nose is all wet earth, decay, sweet spices and macerated cherries. Palate is a wonder of juicy cherry fruit, freshness and layered complexity. Dead leaves, buoyant acidity and a long, lingering finish. Needs some time to open but man is this great out of the bottle. As this airs the palate complexity is so compelling. The tannins are so oh so fine. This after many hours was so elegant and fine. Meaty and pure. This is drinking perfectly now after an hour open. — 7 months ago