Jay Kline

9.4

A pull from the cellar to toast my son’s (our first) graduation from High School! The 2006 La Grande Dame pours a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is autolytic and developing with notes of ripe and tart orchard fruits: Bosc pear, green apple, strawberry, raspberry, lemon curd, toasted brioche, marzipan, honeysuckle and chalky, limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and creamy. These are in a fabulous spot. Drink now through 2036+. Disgorged October of 2016. — 6 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

A wine from Jorge Ordóñez and his winemaking team. Pale lemon color with crisp stone fruit and citrus aromas. On the palate flavors of apple, pear and melon with lemon citrus, consistent offering from La Cana. Medium finish ending with fruit, spice and mineral tang. Nice value. — 2 months ago

Alexandre Czesnat

9.1

Green apple, citrus pear, honey, pineapple, outstanding aromas, vanilla, little butter, well balanced, bold and medium acidity, great wine — 5 months ago

Jane Nuss

9.2

Pale golden in the glass with fine, persistent bubbles. Aromas of green apple, orange peel, pear, and peach, layered over rich notes of brioche and toast. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and complex, with a creamy texture, energetic mousse, and toasty depth. High acidity. Vibrant and refreshing with a long, satisfying finish. Consistently well-balanced, reliably delicious. A standout non-vintage Champagne. — 5 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.3

Drank this from a magnum at a paired dinner. Smooth and rich with lemon, pear, and a touch of brioche and jasmine. Round and warm. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Pale lemon color with stone, citrus and tropical fruit aromas and herb floral scents. On the palate flavors of apples, grapefruit and pear with lemon citrus and chalky notes. Good balance with pleasant lively acidity, medium+ finish ending crisp with mineral, citrus, floral and wet stone nuances. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Presented double-blind. The wine pours a light straw color with medium viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is developing with tart and ripe notes of apple, pear, underripe pineapple, lemon curd, nuts and minerals. I felt like there was some deft use of oak. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+, bordering on high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and chocked full of minerals. My immediate impression was Bourgogne Blanc and I was having a hard time getting away from it. So I called Chardonnay, from France, Burgundy, Chassagne-Montrachet with 3-5 years of age. Gosh dammit! Margaret River strikes again!!! Blind, I always seem to call these Chablis or some other high quality white Burg. And I adore the Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnays. They always impress me. Drink now through 2036. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

The final wine at the First Growth Bordeaux Lunch at the Downs Club last Saturday…. and what a great way to finish a wonderful lineup. I recall Apricot and Pear on a palate of profound intensity which delivers on the powerful nose. An obviously sweet palate with enough racy acid to keep things interesting and fresh. Will last until the late 2030s at least. Terrific! — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Established in 1997 by the partners of Far Niente. Medium lemon color with aromas of tropical and stone fruit with citrus and toasty oak notes. On the palate flavors of apple, pear and peach, lemon zest, vanilla oak and wet stone notes. Nice balance with tangy acidity on long finish ending with fruit, oak and rich minerality. Classic, very nice! — a month ago

Peter Sultan

9.2

Every New Years I try to drink and/or to gift. Elegant, near bone dry pear goodness in its most articulate essence. Truly life affirming. — 5 months ago