Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Deeper , less garnet , narrower rim . Quite meaty , coffee and dark fruit , blackcurrant nose . On the palate more soy , coffee , cassis and black fruits , more fresh and vibrant than the G de L , higher quite raspy tannin too . Refreshing acidity , still quite young , needs time in decanter . Nice balanced finish , showing more fresh cassis and dark cherry . This could go further , and I feel there may well be better bottles out there that maybe more fruit driven .. 91? — a year ago

Riccardo Arrigoni

9.1

Ais lupetti. Vigne di oltre 40 anni. Base vendemmia 2017. 50% vins se reserve (30% 2016, 20% 2015). 40 mesi sui lieviti. Deg. Nov 2021. Dosage 1 g/L.
Molta mollica, crosta di pane. No malolattica. Meglio in bocca. — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.0

My goodness is this thing singing a song I do want to hear. Medium straw with a fine mousse. Fine, tiny bubbles that go on and on. The nose is delicate and gorgeous. Apple pie, lemon tarts, and green apples. Toasted rolls, nuts, and butter. After it transforms in the glass you’ll find floral and herbaceous notes along with a healthy dose of chalk.

Solera method. While 70% of this Blanc de Blancs is from the 2015 vintage, the rest is from a perpetual reserve dating back to 1986. Straight out of Cuis in the Cote des Blancs. Two years on lees and disgorged in late 2018. The acidity is electric and the champagne is brawny in spots but never sheds it’s ballerina like poise. Extra Brut dosage with 2 g/l and the terroir speaks so clearly and honestly here.

Everything here is very clean and very precise. Minerality and salinity with a twist of lime initially. Creamy and inviting throughout, the fruit is lively. Terrific balance and depth with a long finish. A most harmonious champagne. — 3 years ago

web bond

9.1

Assemblage: 50% 2018 & 50% Reserve wine
Disgorgement: Summer 2021
Dosage: 3 g/l — a year ago

Riccardo Arrigoni

9.7

100% PN, origine uve tutte Ambonnay dal lieu dit Les crayeres. Base vendemmia 2014. Fermentazione 100% barrique. Vins de reserve 40% 2013. Maturazione sui lieviti 74 mesi. Deg dicembre 2021. Dosage 2 g/L un frutto stratosferico morbido scattante teso ma levigato. Bellissimo — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.0

Light shimmering gold in the glass with a plethora of small, profuse bubbles. Primarily Pinot Noir and that’s clearly evident on the nose. Peaches and plums with a strong infusion of dried strawberries and red cherries. Apples aplenty with cinnamon rolls and toasted nuts.

One of the more esteemed growers, Paul Bara produces nothing but exemplary champagnes including this entry level bottle. Unmistakably Bouzy, their wines always represent the terroir and terrain so very clearly. 80/20 PN/CH with a dosage of 7 g/l and disgorged in September of 2020. The kicker here is the 50% of reserve wines they use for the final blend. Just astonishing and makes a huge difference.

The acidity here is tight with a bit of zip but mellows out over time given air. Nice harmony and balance, as usual. Apples and cherries dominant on the tongue. Creaminess abounds with medium spice and hazelnut. Amongst entry level grower champagnes, there just aren’t many better than this. Always an instant buy. — 3 years ago

Heather Powell

9.5

Hermann MO — 3 years ago

Mark S.

8.9

Juicy, cherry, plum and forest flavor. 2020 @400/G, wine o’clock, 230326 — a year ago

David Kline

9.6

Jumping spider eye bubbles mass in a parabola foam while smaller bubble sheens fill the bursting absences, until the whole becomes an espresso foam, and equally oiled. Unction lacings lean Hebraic but ultimately are the dream fonts writ by the hand of G-d. Mene Mene Tekel Parsin they seem to say before fluttering away as constellations on a starling’s back. Fair warning as this is a heavy purse to carry. Six years in and taking stock. Figs, dates, treacle, raisins, carob, caramel, vanilla bean, sweet potato casserole, bacon fat, mincemeat. Rich on the palate with milk chocolate, molasses, Turkish coffee, gingerbread, candied date, and espresso-tobacco finish. Gloriously integrated and complex complexions.



#oldstockale #oldstock #2016 #northcoastbrewing #bièredegarde #agedbeer #bier #beer #birra #biere #cerveza #northcoast — a year ago

Willie Carter

9.0

Light straw with just the faintest hint of green flecks. Impressive perlage with a plethora of tiny, effusive bubbles. A remarkable and delicate bouquet upon opening. Lovely, lovely expressions of pears and honey, lemons with a twist of lime, apples and dried peaches. Pretty flowers and toasty brioche bread.

When it comes to Larmandier-Bernier elegance is always a major factor. Consistently plush and a notch above. Pure Chardonnay aged on lees for two years with 40% of the blend coming from a perpetual reserve dating back to 2004. Extra Brut with a dosage of 4 g/l. This bottle is a more recent disgorgement that will benefit from more time even though it’s non vintage.

Despite this being their entry level bottle the purity is almost shockingly excellent. Sharp acidity and wonderful tension. That delight and immaculacy transfers to the tongue with chalk and salinity. Lemon curd, mushrooms, and roasted nuts. Medium long finish that you wish lasted for just a few heartbeats more. Beautiful, as always. — 3 years ago