Grenache Blanc

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 2005

2005 vintage. Decanted and tasted immediately and over the course of 4 hours. Medium body with a continually morphing nose. Super-impressive bouquet throughout the night. Overt fruit fallen off the framework and replaced with secondary attributes/complexities. @Bill Bender remarked twice about a lack of “heat”since the usual CDP ABV range seemed underwhelming One might think that would present issues but, rest assured, it did not. Great wine possibly at its’ zenith/top of the bell curve and living its’ best life now. Backed up the hype and then some. Tied for WOTN along with the 2006 Krug Clos du Mesnil Champagne (missed a picture for that one) for both myself and @Shay A 09.21.25. — 11 days ago

Shay ABill Bender
with Shay and Bill
Scott@Mister, Shay and 25 others liked this
Jay Kline

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Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Effing banging. Thank you @Bill Bender !!

Cloudy Bay

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Light lemon color with aromas of citrus, tropical fruits and floral notes. On the palate flavors of grapefruit, green apple and pear fruit flavors, slight grassy tones, lively acidity. Medium+ finish ending with fruit, herbal, floral, citrus and mineral notes. Do not over chill so you can experience all of the nuances while you sip this fine wine. Nice, consistent. — 24 days ago

Dave, Dawn and 6 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Sounds great, thanks for the review!

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2010

Ich mag Tondonia! Immer!! Alle!!! Die weissen fast noch mehr als die roten!!! Und den Rosé sowieso!!! What should I say. Getrunken in einer der geilsten weinbars ever!!
Ja ich weiss….viele ausrufezeichen! Aber so fühlt es sich grad an !!!!!!!!!!!
— 8 days ago

Dave and Ira liked this

Whitehaven

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Pale straw color with green edges and aromas of citrus and tropical fruits adding floral herb notes. On the palate apricot, peach and pineapple with lemon zest, classic New Zealand SB. Lively acidity and spice complement this wine, well balanced ending on medium finish. — 5 days ago

Andrew, Paul and 2 others liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2006

Ah yes, what I needed after a long week. Crisp and clean like this Chardonnay champagne should be. Hits the mark — 20 days ago

Ira, Jonathan and 1 other liked this

Schramsberg Vineyards

Napa Valley Brut Blanc de Blancs

Go 9ers!
Great wine to start the season, loads of Chardonnay flavors, brioche and biscuit on the finish.
— 25 days ago

Tom, Bob and 11 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2016

First time having the pleasure. Ok, I get it. Unctuous and thicc. Searching every corner of my palate for one more ethereal drop of elixir. Grilled peach and apricot drizzled with vanilla extract. Is that sugar I’m chewing on?
The money though?
— 17 days ago

Bob, Jonathan and 7 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

If you can find it, try Château de Fargues for Sauternes.

Domaine Tempier

Bandol Mourvedre Blend 2016

Decanted for 7h.
Nice aromatics of spices & leather. As expected, fruitless. Brilliant purity here with freshness & precision
Pure, austere & linear on the palate. With a firm tannic frame and brilliant, juicy acidity. Love the precision and the (firm) frame.
The complete opposite of plum & plush Languedoc or Rhone, but so nice.
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love Bandol!
— 13 days ago

Ira, Daniel and 2 others liked this

Château Suduiraut

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2003

Château Suduiraut – Sémillon 2003 (Sauternes)
Graves, Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷

Overview
Crafted primarily from Sémillon, Château Suduiraut is one of Sauternes’ premier estates, producing wines shaped by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). The warm 2003 vintage gave concentration and richness, while time in bottle has deepened its complexity. (Educational note: Sémillon’s thick skins make it particularly susceptible to botrytis, producing the honeyed intensity Sauternes is famous for.)

Aromas & Flavors
Opulent notes of dried apricot, candied orange peel, and golden raisin layered with honey, saffron, and caramelized pineapple. Secondary tones of almond, vanilla, and beeswax show the maturity of two decades.

Mouthfeel
Lusciously full-bodied, with velvety sweetness cut by balanced acidity. The palate is rich and textured, gliding into a lingering finish of dried fruit, spice, and honeyed depth.

Food Pairings
A classic match with foie gras or blue cheese. Also pairs beautifully with fruit tarts, crème brûlée, or even spicy Asian dishes for contrast.

Verdict
A magnificent aged Sauternes — decadent yet balanced, carrying the warmth of 2003 with elegance. Honeyed, textural, and endlessly layered, this is a benchmark for botrytised sweet wines. 🍯🍷cheers!

Did You Know?
Sémillon makes up the majority of Sauternes blends, often complemented by Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. Its thick skin and natural waxiness make it ideal for noble rot, creating the world’s most legendary dessert wines.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Château Suduiraut, a Premier Cru Classé estate from the 1855 classification, produces limited amounts of Sauternes each year — with older vintages like 2003 increasingly rare treasures in the market.
— 10 days ago

Andrew and Ted liked this

Salon

'S' Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut Chardonnay 2007

Quite light lemon yellow , quite difficult to judge the perlage in this glass but apparently fine and persistent, though on the palate the bubbles are quite discreet in nature . On the nose this is quite aromatic and rich with toasted lemon sherbet , sea shell , camomile and some buttered brioche . On the palate this also shows good richness and density , with more of the lemon peel , chalky , oyster shell character , with some buttered brioche notes on the finish . This is quite intense and long on the palate , though the perlage does subside quite a lot it is integrated. Fresh chalky acidity. Very much shows like a grand cru white Burgundy with bubbles. Still quite youthful and fresh but showing well , energetic but focused . From now and over the next 10 or so years . — 6 days ago

Tom, Jan and 6 others liked this