Jérôme Francois
René-Jean Dard & Francois Ribo
Hermitage Syrah 2022
@Lyle Fass @Peter van den Besselaar @John Van Trijp nice bottle… — a month ago
Francois Gaunoux
Le Clos des Chênes Volnay 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2016
From a bottle that had been opened earlier in the evening. The 2016 “La Clos des Chênes” pours a ruby color with a slightly watery rim and a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart red fruit: strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, sous bois, red flowers, some animale, mushrooms and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with a medium+ finish. A Volnay of good character. Drink now through 2036.
— 10 days ago
Jérôme Prévost
La Closerie Fac-simile Extra Brut Pinot Meunier Rosé Champagne
Not sure if anyone’s noticed, but lately, my tasting notes here have been a little scarce. Not for lack of tasting - trust me, the bottles have been opened, the glasses filled, and my palate put to work. But so many have been uninspiring, fleeting, forgotten before the last sip. And then, boom! A bottle like this.
Popped in the morning, savored through the evening. Great at first, but by dinner, it had truly unfurled. The nose? Cherries, plums, warm spices, rose hips, pink peppercorn, chalk, and orange zest, with a whisper of apricot. The palate? Plush yet precise, broad yet focused. Biscuity richness and an electric minerality. A saline, vinous, full-bodied stunner that lingers impossibly long.
This just reaffirms what I think about this wine - one of the best pink expressions from Champagne, period.
NB: In my mind (and admittedly, limited experience), the best champagne rosé’s include:
Selosse Rosé - haven’t had it in ages, but many bottles had in the past have brought great joy.
Bouchard Enfer - honestly, my sample size is too small, but both times were really impressive; though it must be noted that my company then thought it was more intellectual than pleasurable (too phenolic and soft).
Bereche Remensis - best value rosé? Consistently delicious and complex.
I have heard from friends that the DP P2 and P3 rosé’s deserve to be high on any list. Hope to try them one day.
— 4 months ago
Domaine Francois Bertheau
Chambolle-Musigny Pinot Noir 2015
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2015 pours a ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. In typical Francois Bertheau fashion, this was initially quite shy on the nose but with about 30min of air in the glass, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart red fruits: strawberry, cranberry, red flowers, chanterelles, forest floor and a gentle mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Never one to shout above a crowd to announce its presence, instead, the wines of Pierre e Francois Bertheau allow their quiet confidence to make the statement; an increasingly rare characteristic. An elegant, ethereal beauty. Drink now with some patience and time for deliberation and enjoyment, through 2035. — 9 days ago
Jay Kline
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2020 “Aux Boudots” pours, a deep, ruby color with a nearly opaque core; medium viscosity, with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of ripe red and some black fruits: raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, red flowers, forest floor, licorice, gentle warm spices, and ferrous minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. I think this vintage of Chezeaux’s 1er crus, regardless of vineyard, still need time. Better after 2030 and probably good through 2045. — 10 days ago