Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

70% Merlot & 30% Cabernet Franc. Decanted 2 hours and enjoyed over the next 2 plus hours. Cork near new.

I have waited patiently nearly 20 yrs to enjoy this 2005. While it is delicious tonight, it still has not hit its precipice. Might be another 8-10 yrs for that.

This is the second wine of Chateau Ausone. If you are not familiar with this producer, if they redid the 1855 Classification, their first wine would most certainly be a first growth and at the very least a second growth.

I remember reading the first/original review of the 2005 Ausone from Robert Parker. It read, “if you are over the age of 55, you have to decide whether or not to buy this wine.” It went on to a glorious 💯 point review. However, that original review was taken down some months into it. Was it taken down at the behest of Chateau Ausone? The review was reworded to take out the anticipated drinking window of 2040-2080. Most of Chateau Ausone buyers are older, higher income. Would that drinking window prevent them from purchasing it as Chateau Ausone is not an inexpensive bottle price? Not for the younger incomes. Question for the ages but it inspired me to buy three bottles of their 05 Chapelle d’ Ausone.

About a yr ago, I had their 02 Chapelle d’ Ausone. Strangely, that night it showed better than this 05 tonight. The 02 vintage was not a lauded vintage. Yet on that night, the perfect time to open it. This 05 needs more cellaring time and will ultimately be a better wine with another 7-10 yrs.

The nose shows; beautiful, ripe, somewhat floral fruits that are; dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, sweet blueberries and raspberry notes. Mid berry cola. steeped fruit tea, gently baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & beautiful vanillin, soft pepper, mix of dry & fresh herbs, tobacco, leather, graphite, volcanic ash, moist clays, limestone, amazing dark & red florals set is violets.

Medium plus resolved, powdery tannins. The palate glides with freshness and ripe, floral, juicy fruits that are; dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, sweet blueberries and raspberry notes. There is no bite or a stringency, Mid berry cola, steeped fruit tea, gentle baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & beautiful vanillin, soft pepper, mix of dry & fresh herbs, excellent mid, dark spices w/ some palate heat, anise, dark chocolate baking bar, coco powder, tobacco, leather, graphite,, limestone/sandstone, dry crushed rocks, grey volcanic ash, rich, sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, moist clays, limestone, soft cedar to sandalwood, amazing dark & red florals set is liquid violets, amazing rainfall acidity, still has firm structure/tension, well balanced, great length and a finish that is w/o end and long sets on dark, dry tannins, heated, dark spice florals, earth and tarriness.

Add two points in 7-10 yrs. I look forward to my next bottle then.

Photos of; Chateau Ausone and owner-Alain Vauthier. That short rootstock featured center is around 25+ yrs old. — 21 hours ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The nose shows tangerine, thinned yellow peach, golden/red apples, lemon/lime pulp with a hint of zest, pear, whiff of lemon meringue pie, ginger-ale, graham cracker crust, baguette crust, caramel notes, silvered almonds, some light brioche, pink roses & yellow flowers.

The palate entry is beautiful, ripe, rich with lively crisp acidity at first and softens in the glass. Some light oxidative presense. Tangerine, some marmalade yellow peach, golden/red apples, lemon/lime pulp with a hints of zest, pear, lemon meringue to custard, ginger-ale, graham cracker crust, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, vanilla, caramel notes, silvered almonds, some light brioche, beautiful, soft, chalk/sea fossil powder, crisp, grey volcanic minerals, pink roses & yellow flowers. It is extremely well made, balance for days with an elegant softy rich finish that last nearly two-minutes and lands on soft earth & minerals.

Disgorged 7/25, 2g making it really a Nature. 36 months on lees.

Photos of Egly-Ouriet and Owner and Winemaker Francis Egly. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I will say straight up, I am very disappointed that LVMH bought this historical Napa property. I imagine that Joseph isn’t happy about that. What was the family thinking? First guess, is they lacked their fathers passion & just wanted the money. Maybe, future climate played apart? 🤷‍♂️

I have had the 95 a couple-three times. Again, sounding like a broken record, these are good young, but not great until they are 13-28 yrs in bottle. I’ve had plenty of older JP’s to know.

Once again, I count bottle yrs, not from vintage creation. Human life doesn’t is not counted until birth. Wine for me is no different.

The nose shows slightly brambly fruits, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, hovering raspberries, mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, black tea, soft leather, dryish tobacco, dry twigs, softly layered baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, understated, dry spice-sage/bay leaf lead, dark, rich, slightly sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, dark, fresh/withering, dark, red, flowers, red roses framed in lavender.

The palate shows resolved, mushy, thick tannins, insanely fresh, ripe, juicy, brambly fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, hovering raspberries, mulberries, goose berries, red to mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, black tea, soft leather, dryish tobacco, dry twigs, dark, rounded spices, incense, softly layered baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, understated, dry spice-sage/bay leaf lead, dark, rich, slightly sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, limestone powder, dry crushed rocks, dry river pebbles, moist, grey volcanic clays, dark, fresh/withering, dark, red, flowers, red roses framed in lavender and liquid violets, insane, summer rainfall acidity, the balance, length are off the charts, soft spoken tension is still apart of this cuvée with lush, elegance for days that lands gently on fruit, clay and spice.

This 95 is not tired and, just, and, I mean, just the other side of its peak with a very drinkable decent over the next 5 yrs.

Glorious evolution & style! 94+ a bit. Cork near perfect and some sediment. — 8 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

A cuvée I have not opened in quite awhile. Found some 375ml’s and since it was one of the few 375ml Extra Brut’s available, easy to grab a few. Enjoy this cuvée from Bouzy.

The is 80% Pinot Noir & 20% Chardonnay. Disgorged 1/23 @ 1g, making it technically a Nature on the champagne sweetness scale. For its quality, still nicely priced with ever increasing champagne pricing.

The nose reveals; ripe & macerated yellow & white stone fruits-apricots, peach, vanillin, notes of honey. Marmalade fruits, melange of white citrus’s, lime zest, very ripe pineapple, orange/tangerine blend, raspberry tones, cream, almonds with skins, brioche, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, toast with a little butter, saline, sea shells, limestone, chalk, yellow lilies and withering white spring flowers.

The mousse is pleasant, creamy, theirs a ripe richness in the fruits. Macerated yellow & white stone fruits-apricots, peach, mango, vanillin, notes of honey. Marmalade fruits, melange of white citrus’s-Meyer lemon lead, lime zest, very ripe pineapple, orange/tangerine blend, raspberry tones, cream, soft, chewy, warm, caramel, almonds with skins, brioche, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, toast with a little butter, white spice, dry twig, saline, powdered sea fossils, limestone/chalk powder, grey volcanic minerals, used oak tones with withering yellow lilies and withering white spring florals. Lively, crisp, rainfall acidity and a well; knitted, balanced, toned, elegant finish with smart and not overly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on an even blend of stone fruits, citruses and volcanic minerals.

Photos of; the champagne house of Pierre Paillard and owner/winemaker-Quentin Paillard. — a day ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose shows, melange of orange citrus, green/red apple, Bosc pear, slightly, dryish yellow & white peach, Meyer lemon to meringue pie with crus, lime with zest, overripe pineapple/cantalope, cream, soft, white spice, vanillin, graham cracker, brioche, saline, chalk & limestone marl, yellow lilies/flowers & pink roses.

The palate mousse is rich, round and elegant. Melange of orange citrus, green/red apple, Bosc pear, slightly, dryish/candied yellow & white peach, Meyer lemon to meringue pie with crus, lime with zest, overripe pineapple/cantalope, cream, marmalade tones, hints of honeysuckle soft, white spice, vanillin, touch of mint, graham cracker, brioche, saline, grey volcanic, minerals, crisp chalk & limestone marl, yellow lilies/flowers & pink roses with greens. Excellent rainfall acidity, nice structure/tension, well balanced, elegant, smart, polish with a minutes finish that lands on beautiful, softened minerality.

Disgorged 7/25, 1g making it really a Nature. 48 months on lees.

Photos of Egly-Ouriet and Owner and Winemaker Francis Egly. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose show slightly oxidative notes, blood orange, orange zest, tangerine, bruised, Bosc pear, red apple, a melange of light white citrus, marmalade fruit bits, brioche, baguette crust, ginger-ale notes, chalky limestone marl, withering withering white/yellow lilies & white spring flowers.

The mouthfeel is elegant, ripe & juicy. Pronounced blood orange, orange zest, tangerine, bruised, Bosc pear/red apple, a melange of light white citrus, just ripe yellow peach, pineapple juice, marmalade fruit bits, brioche, baguette crust, graham cracker, malt, ginger-ale notes, chalky limestone marl with some teeth, white spice, sea fossils/spray, withering white/yellow lilies & white spring flowers, lively crisp acidity that softens in the glass, incredibly well balanced-knitted, perfect; tension, length and 90 second elegant finish that long sets on apple/pear and beautiful minerality.

Disgorged 7/23, 2g making it really a Nature. 36 months on lees.

Photos of Egly-Ouriet and Owner and Winemaker Francis Egly. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

From Coravin.

The waft of oak and big layered baking spices top the nose. Espresso, dark core of currants, black licorice, ruby, lush, almost liqueur; blackberries, both plums, black cherries, strawberries, black raspberries, mulberries, dark chocolate, caramel, mocha, coco powder, black tea, dark berry cola, fresh, perfumed & candied florals that are dark, red & lavender framed in liquid violets.

The palate shows; velvety, dusty, M+ tannins, ripe, lush, black currants, blackberries, both plums, black cherries, strawberries, black raspberries, mulberries, dark chocolate, caramel, mocha, coco powder, shaved coconut, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, anise to black licorice, black tea, dark berry cola, fresh tobacco w/ ash, leather, dry twig, dry crushed rock, sandstone, limestone, dry river stone, scorched earth, sweet tarriness, fresh & dry herbs, moist clays, fresh & candied florals that are dark, red, lavender framed in liquid violets, very round acidity, well balanced-structured-tensioned, good length and a rich, elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on earth & minerals.

Add a point with proper aging. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Delectable took a powder while trying to post the rose’. Surprising huh. So..,post notes.

The palate had nice strawberries, cherries, raspberries & some light blackberries. Nice chalk, sea fossils, baguette, pink roses and excellent, crisp acidity and an elegant, well balanced minute long finish.

This just didn’t stand out as anything special considering the price point. For me, their slightly oxidative style just doesn’t play out that well with Rosé the same way as their other cuvées do. I’ll take the Billecart Salmon Rose and a few others for less.

Disgorged 7/25, 1g making it really a Nature. 60 months on lees.

Photos of Egly-Ouriet and Owner and Winemaker Francis Egly. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose shows tangerine, thinned yellow peach, golden/red apples, lemon/lime pulp with a hint of zest, pear, whiff of lemon meringue pie, ginger-ale, graham cracker crust, baguette crust, caramel notes, silvered almonds, some light brioche, pink roses & yellow flowers.

The palate entry is beautiful, ripe, rich with lively crisp acidity at first and softens in the glass. Some light oxidative presense. Tangerine, some marmalade yellow peach, golden/red apples, lemon/lime pulp with a hints of zest, pear, lemon meringue to custard, ginger-ale, graham cracker crust, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, vanilla, caramel notes, silvered almonds, some light brioche, beautiful, soft, chalk/sea fossil powder, crisp, grey volcanic minerals, pink roses & yellow flowers. It is extremely well made, balance for days with an elegant softy rich finish that last nearly two-minutes and lands on soft earth & minerals.

Disgorged 7/25, 2g making it really a Nature. 36 months on lees.

Photos of Egly-Ouriet and Owner and Winemaker Francis Egly. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I will sound like a broken record, but this is a Charles Hendricks made wine. As I have stated, in my opinion, a very underestimated Napa Cabernet Winemaker.

Patriarch is my second favorite Regusci red wine made by him. The first is Angelo’s.

I love Napa & Bordeaux history. This family were farmers before they made wine. The farmstead cart pictured is their homage to that family history. You’ll see it every late summer as you walk up to their tasting room. Definitely buy some of their homegrown vegetables when there.

The nose reveals a dark core of currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin aplenty, plum to pudding, black cherries, baked strawberries, baked blueberries and circular raspberries, dark chocolate to cake, baking spices-cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, dark spice, mocha, caramel, dry leather, oldish tobacco, graphite, crush rocks/limestone, dry top soil, dark, red, withering flowers, red roses framed in lavender & violets.

The palate entry is round, ripe, lush fruits with rounded, velvety M+ dryish tannins. There is, like the nose, a dark core of currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin aplenty, plum to pudding, black cherries, baked strawberries, baked blueberries and circular raspberries, dark chocolate to cake, mocha powder, caramel, baking spices-cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, pronounced dark spice, anise to black licorice, mocha, caramel, dry leather, oldish tobacco, graphite, crush rocks/limestone/sandstone, dry, grey volcanic clay, dry herbs, dry top soil, mint notes, dark, red, withering flowers, red roses framed in lavender & violets, beautiful, round acidity, still has nice, evolved tension/structure, excellent balance with a flowing, elegant finish that last two-minutes and long sets on clays, earth and spice.

A coravined bottle and relaid in storage from last weekend. Cork perfect with plenty of sediment. Will hold another 2-3 yrs and drink well an additional 5-6 yrs. — 8 days ago