Willie Carter

8.8

A really pretty clear straw color in the glass. Ripe yellow fruits immediately on the nose with a nice kick of spice. Butter, bread, and a good amount of oak. After some time and air, apples become more prevalent.

An equal blend of the three main varieties, this is a creamy and fun champagne. Crisp and precise, there’s a nice level of complexity going on here. A bit shy and restrained at this early stage but the foundation is definitely there. Concentrated and balanced and stands to improve mightily over time. Plus, you know, the sensational label. Buy these and let them sit for a while. — 2 days ago

Willie Carter

9.1

Talk about over delivering. Drinking well above its price point and the designation. Medium intensity on the nose with green apples and flint initially. Citrus and floral aromas then come to the forefront after some time.

Well made with terrific balance and structure through and through. Nutty and citrusy with far more depth than you’re expecting for an entry level bottle. Expressive grapefruit and pears on the palate. Chalk, vanilla, and a smidgeon of butter complements. A really, really solid Chablis and an outstanding value.
— 16 days ago

Willie Carter

9.0

A very pretty that definitely needs a good decanting. Rich and bold immediately, the nose features some floral accents to go with the lively blue and black fruits. A touch of leather, a dash of spice, and a bit of dark chocolate.

Needs decanting to truly blossom but when it does you will be rewarded. Rich and full but not overbearing. Smooth, velvety tannins with a luscious mouthfeel. Delicious notes of raspberry, cherry, and a touch of boysenberry on the palate. Dark chocolate and a little new leather. The finish is moderately long with an added kick of black pepper to boot. Such a nice CdP but it really does need time to age and to breathe. — a month ago

Willie Carter

9.1

A big surprise here. Expected a nice, steady Burg but this definitely over delivers. Medium bodied with so, so much fruit on the nose. Raspberries and cherries galore. A touch of blueberry and smoke. Black olives and a hint of mushroom. There’s a really nice tapenade element here that is just splendid.

From a Premier Cru vineyard in Givry in the Côte Chalonnaise and punching well above its weight class. Graceful yet earthy with plenty of refinement and emotion. Silky mouthfeel and very pure. The fruit is dominant on the palate with white pepper, oak, and earth. Truly a wonderful Burgundy. It delivers now but will be even better in a few years. — 2 months ago

Willie Carter

8.7

You just have to love these Bouzy champagnes.
A pale copper color with plenty of tiny bubbles. Another serious rosé with plenty of potential down the road. The nose is so fun with day old biscuits, faded cherries, and the faint hint of beautiful, glorious dirt. Intense strawberries and smoke just for good measure.

Though it’s from Pinot Noir dominated Grand Cru village of Bouzy, this is 60% Chardonnay with a large dose of still red wine. I prefer my bubbles low dosage and acid heavy but the sweetness here is just right. This is a very expressive and deliberate champagne. One not to miss. — 8 days ago

Willie Carter

9.4

Well this is quite stunning. Medium gold with effusive perlage. Seriously these bubbles are tremendous. The nose is a tad shy at first but when it blossoms you’ll get some nice dried cherries and red apples. The toast and especially the brown butter aromas are just splendid here. There’s a subtle floral aspect here that just plays in the background coquettishly and is so nice.

Pure Grand Cru Pinot Noir from Bouzy and Ambonnay. A low dosage of 2 g/l and intensely pure. An innately grower profile, no one would confuse this with a big house champagne. Zippy acidity but not quite austere. Still obviously a baby of a wine but drinking so well today.

With all that said, this is just a delicious champagne. Even better on day two with more pronounced fruit. Reminiscent of White Burgundy, just with bubbles. This jumps high on the list for wines of the year for me. — 23 days ago

Willie Carter

9.2

Aligoté ain’t Chardonnay but it shouldn’t be ignored either. Especially not when in the hands of a master. An explosive nose featuring apples and citrus immediately upon opening with violets and other floral accents. A touch of lemon peel and vanilla for good measure.

Punching well above its weight, this is a lovely wine that’s perfect pretty much anytime. Edgy with high acid and a ton of character, sans the deep complexity. Not for contemplation, for consuming. Fruity and generous on the palate. Smoke, apples, and dried herbs. This is not a bottle that lasts very long once it’s opened, so stock up. — 2 months ago

Willie Carter

9.2

A decidedly attractive crystal gold color with magnificent fast perlage. On the nose there’s plenty of citrus aromas along with soft vanilla and a trace of oak. Delicate floral aromas and butterscotch. Terrific.

Everything that you want is right here. Everything. Still very young but ready and well developed. The 2014 vintage is looking tremendous so far and this is another example. Very, very pure and absolutely singing. 100% Chardonnay from one of the few Clos in Champagne. Bright acidity, well defined character, and sharp precision.

The attack is intense and immediate. Chalky and citrusy for days. Hot buttered brioche and orange blossom. A bit of spice on the long finish. Complex and exciting with oh so much potential. — 8 days ago

Willie Carter

9.5

Sexy. Luscious. Captivating. A beautiful typical Saignée color in the glass. The fruit is wonderfully powerful on the nose with deep strawberry and cherry aromas. Tea and rose petals along with a little bit of forest. Aromas of an early Autumn afternoon spent with her and fruity biscuits with apples and spice.

Pure Pinot Noir from a single plot in Bisseuil. Very vinous and Burgundian. The mouthfeel is electrifying and the balance is just right. Stunning and divine and a definite step above similar champagnes. More fruit on the palate with the addition of a touch of mint. Toast and apples and a certain magnificence in the mouth. Long finish that lingers and lingers and lingers a little more. Simply stunning.
— a month ago

Willie Carter

9.6

Stunning, absolutely stunning. A crystalline gold color with an impressive amount of bubbles. Oak aromas are dominant upon opening. Quite saline on the nose with minerality and moist limestone. Just a bit of earth and brioche. Beeswax and pineapple with lemon peel.

Pure Grand Cru Chardonnay from the village of Oiry. No dosage so the terroir is highly expressive. The high acidity is electric and lovely. Dry, oh so dry, but approachable and warm. Medium bodied with all the finesse you could ask for. The fruit explodes on the tongue with citrus but apples soon takeover. The finish is long and pleasing. My favorite from Marguet so far. — a month ago