Louis Raynald

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2009

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour or so. No formal notes due to the setting. The 2009 seems to break from the reputation of the vintage with a freshness and verve that surprises. The typical quality of Cristal is there with its persistent mousse and attractive texture. Good acid too. Pretty tasty stuff and I’m not sure I would ever turn down a glass of this. Drink now through 2039. — 3 days ago

Lyle, Jeroen and 4 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

L'Hermitage Syrah 1990

Ooh. Super fresh. Dark tangy fruit with a slightly medicinal edge. Plum and iodine. Dried herbs and a bloody, feral intensity. Amazing — 13 days ago

Walker StrangisDavid Schachter
with Walker and David
Jay, Jan and 9 others liked this

Louis Jadot

Clos Vougeot Grand Cru Pinot Noir 1558

first pass at this party. lots of alcohol. not sure — 4 days ago

Louis Roederer

Brut Premier Champagne Blend

My last 6pk out of multiple cases purchased in 2014. Fresh with notes of lemon, citrus, green apple, ginger & brioche — a month ago

Lyle, Jan and 9 others liked this

Louis Jadot

Beaune 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2018

This is a nice surprise. When I hear the word Beaune, I get a taste in my mouth, and this is the taste. A very soft medium drinker, with bright cherries, raspberries, pomegranate, a little spice, and the tiniest funk. Friendly acidity and tannins. Classic Beaune at a great price.
Listening to a bunch of 90s country.
— 2 hours ago

Serge, Tom and 2 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Blanc Marsanne Roussanne 2015

Where do I begin… this wine is stunning.

It is positively golden in color with concentrated notes of caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, creme brûlée, dried apricot, yellow apple,peach, nectarine, yellow cherry, kumquat, baked quince, lemon curd, honeysuckle, butter cream, lavender,, dried herbs, fennel, beeswax, honey, chamomile, hazelnut, praline, honey, & wet stones…

It’s textured!!! Waxy & mouth coating, full bodied, round, & opulent.

Alcohol is high at 14.5% ABV — it’s warming but balanced and integrated with the deeply rooted flavors and elevated, vibrant acidity. Yum!!!!!
— 12 days ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Lyle and 21 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Sounds like an experience 😊
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Dave Clinton It was! The opposite of a patio pounder 😂 as much as we love those, too. But damn, it was a wine to sip and savor slowly.
Dave

Dave

😀

Domaine Louis Michel

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2021

Ted
9.2

Soft hints of lemon. Really enjoyable. — 18 days ago

Jeni
with Jeni
Andrew, "Odedi" and 6 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2004

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a brilliant, deep ruby color with a transparent core and some rim variation; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and faint signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a heady perfume of mostly ripe and some tart fruit: mixed brambles, black cherry, purple flowers (lavender?), animale, some pepper, a touch of olive, a touch of leather, some green herbs, fine warm spices and rocky earth. I believe this has seen oak and it’s beautifully balanced and smells expensive. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium+. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is grippy. This is delicious.

Initial conclusions: this could be Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Gamay, a Grenache-based blend or possibly Syrah; from Italy, or France. Immediately after I was presented the glass, I liked this being Sangiovese, however, there was too much new French oak for me to feel comfortable. Besides, the florals were too purple to be Sangiovese anyway (never mind Grenache or Pinot Noir). Then there were the non-fruits: it could be justified by whole cluster Pinot or Gamay…or was this a really impressive Syrah? This wine seemed familiar to me. This could be Chave. I did think this had some age based on color and rim variation. Final conclusion: I’m calling this Syrah, from France, from Northern Rhône, Hermitage, with 20+ years of age, from a decent vintage like 2004. And for the hell if it, I called producer: Jean-Louis Chave. Boom. Bottle No. 3981
— 11 days ago

Dave, Tom and 19 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Lyle Fass I wonder if climate change has something to do with it? Anyway, I’m holding out hope that the 2021 vintage brings it back to the old school. First impressions seem promising
Lyle Fass

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@Jay Kline the greeks say he got modern starting in 2005.
Jay Kline

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@Lyle Fass they seem well enough placed to know. Dang.

Louis Bouillot

1877 Perle d'Aurore Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Pinot Noir Rosé

This is an excellent Cremant. An explosion of red berries on the tongue, lots of bubbles. Very much like champagne, finishes dry and clean. Great price for such an outstanding sparkling wine — a month ago

Tom, Ron and 2 others liked this

Château de Montfaucon

Baron Louis Cru Des Côtes du Rhône Lirac Red Rhone Blend 2010

Really lovely Lirac, Grenache and Syrah show mostly, the proprietor (Rodolphe des Pins) (in my opinion!!) dragged his feet too long in joining the Lirac appellation, but his wines have LONG been undervalued and are fantastic at their pricepoint, I personally have more bottles of this, which I expect to age well!! — a month ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Bob and 4 others liked this