Vanessa

9.2

If you’re looking for a beautiful expression from the Côte des Blancs, the Champagne Robert Moncuit ‘Les Grands Blancs’ is an outstanding option.

Moncuit is a grower producer, first established in 1889, with Pierre Amillet (fourth generation) at the helm since 2000.

It is 100% Chardonnay made with a blend of fruit coming from two of the six Grand Cru Villages of the Côte des Blancs – Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger.

The wine was vinified in oak, lending a very delicate oxidative character and richness. It’s extra brut, so very dry with zero dosage added, just the natural residual sugar left over from the second fermentation.

It is precise!!! With bright citrus and orchard fruit notes, a nervy acidity, next to pastry, toasty, mineral qualities and a creamy mousse that fills the palate. It has a beautiful balance across the board.

Cheers to champagne season (which is every season)!! 🥂🍾 — a month ago

with Deked1

Bob McDonald

9.4

The 2nd of two vintage Cape Mentelle wines for Sunday lunch. A medium plus crimson red in colour. Notes of mulberry and herbaceous Margaret River characters. Even at 15 years a whiff of French oak. With time in decanter sweet red and black fruits revealed themselves on the medium plus bodied palate. Finishing with velvety tannins. A classic Margaret River Cabernet from a good vintage - the first of 4 bottles from the cellar. Loved this with a Porterhouse Waygu score of 4. Cape Mentelle was one of the early stars of Margaret River, with David Hohnen at the helm they won 3 Jimmy Watson trophies in a row in the early 1980s. Nowadays owned by LVMH. Had another 52 weeks later on 7th January 2024 with consistent notes. Still have 2 left. Have next in 2025 and then the last one anytime up to 2028. I ended up having the 2nd last one on 8th June 2024 with consistent notes as previous. — 2 years ago

Travis W

9.0

Top shelf Riesling. Aging beautifully. Drank over two days. Love aged Canberra district Riesling. Generally I've found that they need at least a decade to integrate. Balance of citrus fruits and talc. So different from Eden and Clare. This will go another decade easily. — 2 years ago

Kevin

9.3

Fantastic cooler graves vintage. Tertiary aromas really coming through with wet leaves and leather taking the helm. Backed up by the primary black fruit all sitting neatly on a clean peppery, vanilla oak. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Happy New Year! 🎉🎊🎈🎆 🧨

1997 Jones Family, the year prior to TRB taking the helm and yet still a fantastic Napa vintage that is singing.

For me, this is classically styled Napa Cabernet. This is still not descending. Has another 5-8 years of good drinking and perhaps beyond.

Showing dark, meaty, dry, velvety tannins. Dark currants-blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, raspberries, plum pudding, chocolate mousse/cake, caramel, mocha powder, dark spice, dry top soil, dry, crushed rocks, anise, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, used leather, graphite, dry stone, volcanic clay, withering, dark, red, purple flowers, excellent round acidity and a well made, balanced, nicely tensioned, elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and falls onto earth & spice. — a month ago

Vanessa

9.4

These are the perfect Birthday bubbles!
 
They’re brought to us by one of our favorite “grower” producers – Paul Bara – situated in Bouzy, a grand cru village in the Montagne de Reims ⛰️ region of Champagne.
 
Paul Bara owns the entire production process from beginning to end, carrying forward seven generations of family history and tradition, with winemaker Chantal Bara now at the helm.

This is the 2016 Paul Bara vintage special club rosé.  It was made with mostly Pinot Noir (70%) along with some Chardonnay (30%) for brightness.  

It is pale salmon 👁️ with medium(+) intensity of lemon peel, mandarin pith, white peach, green apple, raspberry, strawberry, toast, pastry, and blanched almond 👃🏻 👄 . The mousse is fine-beaded and well-integrated. It is dry with a creamy mouthfeel and elegant finish.

It’s positively delicious!

Cheers to another trip around the sun ☀️ and Happy Mother’s Day to all of the amazing Mamas! — 9 months ago

with Deked1

Chris McClellan

9.1

Great way to end the nite…plush merlot, black cherry cake, surrounded by American oak….merlot is always winner with Ridge at the helm… — 3 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

We’re very sad this is among the last of Kitá Wines on the market… Yet we’re also very grateful to still have a couple of bottles to sip and savor over time.

Kitá Wines was situated in Santa Ynez Valley AVA, within the broader Santa Barbara County of the Central Coast of California, where conditions can range from cool and foggy to warm and dry, depending on your proximity to the coast.

The winery was founded in 2010 by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians with renowned Winemaker Tara Gomez (a Chumash descendant) at the helm of day-to-day operations. Kitá Wines closed in April of 2022, leaving an indelible mark on the wine industry with a lasting (and award-winning) reputation for impeccable quality and deliciousness.

This wine is the 2014 Kitá Wines “Kalaš” red blend, comprised of 48% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot, with 13.5% ABV.

It had a medium garnet hue and vibrant notes of black cherry, blackberry, black currant, plum, violets, green bell pepper, cedar, nutmeg, vanilla, leather, tobacco, and graphite. — 8 months ago

with Deked1

Peter Sultan

9.1

First vintage without the merkalbach brothers at the helm, & I’m not bothered at all- in fact has that blend of mouthfeel intensity, lithe & substantial still going for it. I think this drinks more like the sweeter kabinetts out there (that’s a compliment).For about 20$ a screaming bargain as well. — 2 years ago

Johnno Harris

9.4

Stunning. So linear, light and bright and impeccably balanced. Delicious. — 3 years ago