Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Out of mag and shipped from the property was in fine shape. Really good.

@Pebble Beach Food & Wine. — 14 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The last of the 2002 in mags brought from the property. Delicious. I would have thought these would have been saved for their member parties. So, a nice surprise.

From The Cellar event at Pebble Beach Food & Wine. — 14 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This is their 2002 Vintage Brut but the top of the bottle reads 250 ANS? Maybe, an anniversary bottling. I do seek out Veuve Clicquot as much of what I’ve tried from them hasn’t to my liking. There are simply producers I enjoy more at or under their price points. But, this was quite good & the best offering I've had from them. Enjoyed it. Better than all the vintages of Grande Dame I've had. Having said that, it is not on the same par as the 02 Rare and 02 Billecart.

It was showing the right spot to starting drinking it. More reductive than oxidative. Lively, fresh acidity. Citrus blend, some of both apples, a little white stone fruit, nice brioche, soft playful yeastiness, excellent fine chalkiness, alluvial limestone, spring flowers and well done, balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant and not overly polished finish that lasted 90 seconds.

Pour at the Saturday Pebble Beach Food & Wine walk around “From the Cellar” dinner — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Welcome to Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025.

2012 in Bordeaux is a great memory as Sofia & I had a great 5 year anniversary trip to Italy where we were married, ending in Bordeaux. Picking Mouton Merlot for a day, lunch with the Baroness, having steak and sipping 82 Mouton. Pinch me is what I said to Sofia.

Saint Julien is the elegant region on the Left Bank. While 2012 was an ok to good vintage it will always be packed with great memories.

Branaire-Ducru in grand vintages is still a great value. Always elegant with this kind of bottle age and more.

Hour decant starting notes.

Tonight smooth, ripe, round, juicy; brambly blackberries/black raspberries, dark cherries, cherries, black plum, some strawberries, raspberries with blueberry tones. Dry tobacco with ash, leather, spice box with some heat, lightly grilled meats, volcanics, moist clay, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, light vanillin, mid berry cola, dark chocolate bar, forest floor with leaves, sandalwood, steeped black tea, bay leaf, dry thyme, mocha powder, dry caramel, crush, dry rock/limestone, dry river stone, bright red flowers mixed with dark withering flowers, nice round acidity and a balanced, smartly tensioned, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds & lands on herbs & earth. — 16 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Their Russian River is always pleasant. Needs 3-4 more years in bottle to integrate. 92+ with that kind of age.

The Truffle Mac & Cheese was a big hit with the crowd, I’m allergic to mushrooms.

At Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025.

The ticket to this event has a pretty big price tag. But when you consider what a Napa etc. tasting or two and lunch would cost you, you are pretty much there and there is so much more than that. It ends up having great value. It’s wine, spirits and food candy land. — 9 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

The dished luncheon at Pebble Beach Food & Wine featuring Robert Hall wines.

Kanpachi - RH Sauvignon Blanc
Vindaloo Braised Pork Cheeks - RH Artisan Merlot
NY Strip - RH Artisan Merlot
Coconut Layer Cake - RH Grenache Blanc Sparkling — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

One of my go to producers of Tempranillo. Still a bit early on their 2016, but showed shades of their excellent 2010 I had about 8-9 months ago.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025. — 13 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The Crown Gap has never been my favorite from them. Still solid. Also, needs 3-4 more years in bottle to integrate. 91+ with that kind of age.

The Truffle Mac & Cheese was a big hit with the crowd, I’m allergic to mushrooms.

At Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025

The ticket to this event has a pretty big price tag. But when you consider what a Napa etc. tasting or two and lunch would cost you, you are pretty much there and there is so much more than that. It ends up having great value. It’s wine, spirits and food candy land. — 9 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This was one of the treats of the festival. It was in perfect shape and somewhere around its precipice.

The comment made by the women representing it was, she stopped pouring it to many as they simply didn’t appreciate and or understood what they were just poured. If you understand how this is made and the extra process to make good examples, you develop #respect

Not a wine for everyone, but amazing with this kind of age and older.

@Pebble Beach Food and Wine, From The Cellar event. — 14 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2024 back after the Covid lapse.

Decent Cabernet Franc from Chappellet. Would have gotta better score but it lacked some punch. A little lean. — a year ago