Jess

9.0

Medium ruby-purple color.
Aromas of blackberry, raspberry, cherry, violet.
Dry. Flavors of blackberry, raspberry, cherry, cola, violet, black tea. Medium-soft, supple tannins.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 2/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 8 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.6

Wow! So complex. Part of a foreign cinema 2014 burgundy explorer tasting. It had a wonderful earth, fruit, popcorn, creamy texture that evolved over the hour. It went great with a creamy cod and toast course. One of my favorite Chardonnay’s I’ve had. — 3 years ago

Andrea Watt

9.1

Fig, tangerine, and honey. Rich and sweet. — 4 years ago

TwiLea Fletcher

9.4

This improved greatly when opened in a 2020 ST Ford Explorer because the office keys were forgotten. — 4 years ago

with Neal

Rolf Bigler

9.2

Preis: CHF 35.- — 2 years ago

Norma Normington

9.0

Picked this bottle up at Costco and was intrigued by the year and price. I’ve always enjoyed PNW wines, so why not? The cork had a vinegar odor and I was afraid it had already turned, but poured a nice glass anyway; much better bouquet but light and a touch sour. On the palate, a delightful cab bursting with unexpected flavors cranberry, tart cherry, and a hint of white chocolate. Not as big a red is normally gravitate to but definitely a great value. — 2 years ago

David White

9.2

Excellent wine for the price
Soft tannins on palate, nice flavours with good length and aftertaste A well balanced package — 4 years ago

Josh Armenta

9.0

Easy to drink. — 5 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Label calls this ‘The Explorer’ not ‘Reserve’. Also ‘Canoe Ridge Vineyard’. I think the label is a bit too much with a canoe theme. Wine is dark rose 🌹 colored and smells like essential oils and flower petals. Not much fruit on the nose. Flavors are fruity. Dense fruit though. Something cooked and concentrated. Nice licorice bite in there too. Hint of smoke. Kinda an abrupt finish though. It’s nice stuff. Not as complex and lingering as the best of them, but did not disappoint. — 2 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Well...this was one hell of a week. There is only one way to wind it down. Reach for an excellent bottle of vintage Champagne.

My first thoughts are how delicate this is on the palate. Further, how unbelievable it will be with another 8-10 years in bottle.

The nose shows; slightly sour lemon, the good parts of lemon Pledge, lemon meringue, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, brioche, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanilla, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies.

The body is light on its feet and dances on the palate. Delicacy abounds. Its soft, gorgeous mousse right there with the best money can buy. Slightly sour lemon, lemon meringue, green & with more bruised golden apple, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, touch of apple cider, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, ginger ale into cream soda, brioche, nougat, toffee notes, lighter nuts without skin, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanillin, marzipan, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies. The acidity is mellow yet lively, gorgeous and as good as it gets. The finish is all luxury. So well knitted & balanced, elegant, rich but not overpowering and gently persisting several minutes.

Photos of; The House of Taittinger, their caves so chalky white and built on the famous Crayères Cellars of Reims: 2.5 miles of tunnels (they own 1/4 to 1/3 of it) cut out of chalk by the Romans, the portrait of Thibaud IV who was a king, lord, manager, singer, conqueror, explorer & 11th century Crusader all rolled into one from which, this Cuvée was the catalyst creation and part of the 600 plus hectares they own in Champange.

Some producer notes; Taittinger's history can be traced back to 1734, when it was originally known as Forest-Fourneaux, founded by Jacques Fourneaux who worked closely with local Benedictine monks to learn how to produce wine. They were just the 3rd Champange house.

The estate was bought by the Taittingers – a family of wine merchants – in 1932, and thanks to the great depression and subsequent low land prices, the family also picked up huge swathes of vineyard. From 1945-1960, Francois Taittinger established the cellars in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, and after his death in 1960 his brother Claude took over, pushing the estate into a Champagne house of world renown. Such was the status of the label that the Taittinger family soon expanded its business into other luxury goods. However, this eventually led to financial difficulties, and in 2005 the Taittinger brand – including the Champagne house – was sold to the American owned Starwood Hotel Group. The sale was badly received by the Champagne industry, with many fearing the new owners – unfamiliar with the culture of Champagne – would put profit ahead of quality.

Just one year later, Claude’s nephew, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, who had always been opposed to the sale, negotiated a €660m deal with the Starwood Group, and the Taittinger family resumed ownership of the company.

In 2017, Taittinger planted its first vines in England, near a village in Kent, for its venture into English sparkling wine. The first bottle will be ready in 2023.

1/8/21 — 4 years ago