Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

If this was poured blind, 95% of all Somm’s would call it Burgundy. For me this is better than white Burgundy as it is far less expensive than Premier Cru or Grand Cu Burgundy and just as good.

A bit tricky to find and this was in the higher $40 range. When I can find it, I generally get six.

Still a bit young, but gorgeous.

Central Otago still had the long even cool climate that is slowly escaping Burgundy, which is key for excellent acidity.

The body round and a touch waxy. Mildly Meyer sour lemons, lime pulp, green apple, some white stone fruit, pineapple, caramel, honey comb, limestone, sea spray, almond sliver’s, butterscotch, soft volcanic mineral powder, hints of gun flint, dry river stone, yellow & white flowers, excellent acidity, beautiful structure/tension, endless balance with an elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on white spice.

Photos of; the Felton Road property and my walk of it with owner Nigel Greening. — 3 days ago

Brian Montgomery

9.1

Fruit forward with super clean finish — 2 months ago

with Jessica

Des Adams

10

Project pinked Gala wine pull — 3 months ago

Irish MASMS

9.4

Hey, a non mineral unoaked chardonnay
Some sweetness, fruity, grape flavor — 3 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

LF always impresses — 3 months ago

Big Wave Dave

9.6

Outstanding block 5. Much more concentration and power than precious vintages. Strawberry, raspberry, pepper, wood spice. The power of the very best from Central Otago but with an elegance.
Really great pinot.
— 5 months ago

David Dorn

9.2

Bug wine and first Tempranillo outside of Spain I’ve had- really good stuff! — 7 months ago

Ryan Colthorp

9.0

Super dark. Cocoa and baking spice on the nose. Plum. Stewed fruits. — 9 months ago

Erin Tompkins

9.7

From Nancy’s moving party. Opened for a 46th Birthday celebration. Delicious as always. Slightly more fruity than expected. — 15 days ago

Paul J

9.6

Nearing the end of Rose season. This always rocks! I love aged Rose. See previous notes on previous vintages. — 2 months ago

with Brooke

"Odedi"

9.3

Light golden in color.

Beautiful nose of honeydew, apples, honeysuckle, tropical fruits, spices and melons.

Full-bodied with high acidity and long legs.

Sweet on the palate with apples, citrus, mangoes, spices, honeysuckle, herbs, honey and light earth.

Long finish with sweet honey notes.

This delicious 9 year old Sauternes is drinking beautifully now. Complex and interesting. Elegant and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Feels very fresh, but a bit subdued and earthier right now, compared to other vintages. Will continue to age nicely in the next 40 years.

Loved the nose more than the palate here. So expressive.

Wine Spectator 96 points. Robert Parker 99 points.

A blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. Aged in all new French oak barrels for 24 months. Drank from a 750ml bottle.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$450. — 2 months ago

Tracy Byrnes

9.1

Vibrant acidity, citrus and melon. Refreshing on a hot summer day! — 3 months ago

Steve Somermeyer

9.2

Opened a bottle 2 years ago & it was excellent but a bit of tannin bite on finish. Today this bottle retained the fruit aromas & palate feel but it’s finish softened so I found it bit better. — 5 months ago

Paul J

9.6

Held its own versus the 2018 Schrader and 2022 VHR. My friend blind tasted all three, got them all, but it was a struggle. — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Hopefully Delectable will allow me to write a complete note. Here we go ….
Dark Ruby with a crimson rim. Closed on the nose initially. Straight from the bottle - should have decanted it. Rich on the palate. Latent power with much to give. Dark cherry with dried herbs still to come with further cellaring. This is the first of 5 bottles. In the early days Block 3 was the undisputed best Pinot in NZ but now Block 5 is considered along with other contenders from around NZ. Have the next one in a year. Many good judges think this is the best ever Block 3 up to this point. — 7 months ago

Vanessa

9.5

Let’s talk about SAVENNIÈRES!!!! 📣📣

Savennières is a small but mighty appellation (AOC), located in the Anjou subregion of the Loire Valley, France and specializes in still, dry Chenin Blanc wines. 🇫🇷

Its growing environment is apt for producing concentrated and ripe fruit, translating into wines with strong aromatic and flavor intensity and higher alcohol potential. 💪🏻 It’s no wonder this appellation is all about Chenin Blanc; Chenin has naturally higher acidity, which can help lend structure and balance to the final wine. ⚖️ 🙌🏻🙌🏻

The combination of these factors sets the stage for winemakers to produce some truly powerful and age-worthy whites that can improve, gaining complexity (and softening) with some time in the bottle. 🤔 🧐 Savennières has a reputation as a more serious, cerebral wine that is meant to be savored, especially when paired with a creamy seafood dish like Coquilles Saint-Jacques! 😋 🥘

🌿This particular wine is the Nicolas Joly, Clos de la Coulée de Serrant AOC (2019) hailing from the prized enclave of Coulée de Serrant AOC (within Savennières AOC), owned exclusively and farmed biodynamically by the renowned Nicolas Joly.

This wine is surely capable of aging for decades but tonight we opted to sip this golden wine during the golden hour with unseasonably warm, summery temperatures here in Minnesota.

🐝 🍯 In the glass, we found concentrated, layered notes of honey, beeswax, yellow apple, ripe apricot, quince, chamomile, dried & crushed white rose petals, toasted almond, hazelnut, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, acrylic paint, wet stones, salted caramel, & butterscotch.

It has texture (and finish) for days and a coating mouthfeel.

🫣 Its alcohol by volume clocks in at 15%!!! But it’s well-integrated and balanced by a crisp acidity and robust aromas and flavors. 👌 — a month ago

with Deked1

Elle Scorcho

9.0

Beautiful wine! On first sip I thought it might be a bit past its prime (it’d been Coravin-ed), but with my spaghetti it’s absolutely incredible (surprisingly). Notes of milk chocolate, subtle raspberry & blackberry, and a smooth ash & tar finish. Gets dustier and drier on its own. — 3 months ago

KP

9.0

Super translucent. Bright nose. Very mellow on the palate. Low tannins. Short finish. Cool it down and it’s a nice easy drinker for summer nights. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Unmistakably Central Otago to my palate. Red plums and raspberries. 20% of the grapes were whole bunch. Also aged in 27% new oak. I must mention Neil Martin’s famous Quote, “ Whenever there is a tasting designed to challenge the supremacy of Burgundy, it is usually Felton Road that is ushered into the ring”. Very much on allocation these days and can be difficult to source. — 5 months ago

Magnus Hovet

9.2

Really smooth. A lot more dark plums, and softer tannins. Earthiness, small amount of spice and looong aftertaste — 7 months ago