Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Pale yellow color. Aromas of stone fruit, white flowers and citrus. Very interesting flavor melange of pear, lemon, orange and pineapple. Slight stony note on the long lasting finish. Very crisp acidity and an interesting slightly creamy texture. Elegant, fresh, crunchy and lively! Very solid for its price point. — 3 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. — 10 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A pale lemon yellow in colour - quite youthful looking for a 12 year old Chardonnay. Aromatics of white peach - mealy and nutty notes, still with a nice acid cut at the finish. Drinking at its peak. Fuller than some Marg River Chardonnays I’ve had lately like Xanadu and Fraser Gallop. I have had richer Art Series Chardonnays but personally I love the balance in this. Tasted in May 2025 the first bottle. Had my 2nd last bottle on 20th September 2025 and it was utterly delicious. Stone fruit and dried pear character to the fore. I will have my last bottle in the coming summer or early 2026 and will make a fresh Delectable note. — 6 months ago

Joe Fischer

9.3

Liquid Gold! A beautiful California sparkler with aromas of brioche, yeast, and pear. Nice body and slight tartness. — 10 months ago

Marissa

9.2

Crisp, lots of large bubbles, anjou pear with a light kumquat finish. A great everyday champagne. — 4 years ago

Weston Konishi

9.3

V18 disgorged 4/20, so still a young wine that shows that way. Still, very intriguing. Almost no bubbles and is quite dry, almost like an extra brut. There is pencil like minerality that overshadows the subtle pear and apricot finish. This style probably isn’t for everyone but it’s a serious wine with great potential. — 5 years ago

Mark Mannebach

9.1

Smooth and soft apple tones and some pear and honey. — 3 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This had rich lemon, citrus, pear with good intensity, wet stone, saline & floral notes — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Pale yellow with pleasing aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, adding in spice and some biscuit notes. On the palate complex palate of flavors, fresh fruit, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, peaches and Asian pears. Slight earthiness with a smooth and creamy well balanced finish ending with a gentle yeasty character. Very nice! Consistent quality! Will age well! — 5 months 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. — 10 months ago

S T

9.2

Aromatic pear and apple, crisp, fresh acidity. — 3 years ago

John W

9.9

Pale straw color. On the nose, young, unripened apple and citrus. On the palate, young, unripened apple, citrus, lots of lemon, acidity still potent, transitioning to a fullness, butteriness with hints of oak and a very long finish of ripened apple, lemon, ripened pear and yeasts. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Starting the long Labor Day weekend in Big Sur the right way with a little N/V Krug Grande Cuvée. @Nepenthe

Happy Labor Day weekend all! 🍾🥂

Noses reveals; heavy bruised red apple, Bosc pear, overripe pineapple, lemon meringue, tropical melons, lime zest, white spice, sea fossils, deep crisp chalkiness, grey volcanics, yeast & bread dough, nougat, baguette crust, limestone, caramel notes, cream, vanillin framed in yellow lilies, white & spring flowers & mixed greens.

The palate is, ripe, lush, fresh and lively. The mouthfeel all Krug beautiful. Bruised red & golden apple with hints of cider, Bosc pear, overripe pineapple, lemon meringue, tropical melons, white stone fruits, lime zest/candy, white spice, sea fossils, crisp chalkiness, grey volcanics, yeast & bread dough, nougat, baguette crust, limestone, caramel notes, cream, cream soda, vanillin framed in yellow lilies, spring flowers & mixed greens. The acidity is near perfect. The long, elegant, well knitted & balanced finish is gentle until the long set when you get a full presence of white spice and minerality that persists for minutes.

This bottle was composed around 2011 and is made from over 120 different wines that span over 10 years. It is 47% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay & 17% Pinot Meunier. — 5 years ago

Scot Walker

9.1

Melon & pear in the nose. Melon, pear & peach in the palate. Paired better with Parmesan than Brie. — 4 months ago

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. — 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! — 6 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.5

I love this wine. Crisp citrus and oak with round pear and vanilla. Holds up well to food but enjoyable on its own. — 10 months ago

Matt Perlman

9.3

This Freddy’s ready. Deep straw gold color, nose has classic petrol, lemon, pear, apricot, quince bouquet, palate is bone dry, stony and racy — 3 years ago

Joe Christenson

8.9

Very very light and diluted straw color. Lemon & honeysuckle on the nose. Palate is a bit heavier than I anticipated. Plenty of lemon citrus, white peach, nectarine, some green melon, underripe green pear, and some mineral notes. Tart, but lingers on the palate. I dislike using this word but it’s very quaffable, as they say 🙃. A crowd pleaser. — 5 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

Love this stuff. Fantastic Pear Cider. Tastes like a juicy pear. 5.5% abv. — 5 years ago