Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2012 vintage. Courtesy of @romo (nice to see you again). Cork needed very little coaxing for removal. Tasted after 30 minutes open. Savory fragrances. Less acidity than expected given the product/producer but tasted temp was in the upper 40's-low 50's. Light-medium body. A little crisp but not crispy. Could swear there was some Earl Grey in there somewhere dancing with impunity. No overwhelming, final boss component ultimately responsible for the accolades; it was more of a compendium of Etsy subtleties coming across as a hand-crafted effort. This is absolutely firing. And now. Cellar it as expected if you like but not 100% necessary as befitting a few previous vintages over the last three decades. 11.8.26. — 6 days ago

Vanessa

9.5

Prior notes continue to apply…

When we visited Billecart-Salmon in October of 2021, we received a tour of the stunning estate. Along the way, our guide, Jerome, paused near a traditional “Clos” (a single vineyard, enclosed by a wall) on the property. 

We could see a beautiful stone wall, surrounding a tiny 1 hectare parcel of “Clos Saint-Hilaire,” named after the Patron Saint & local church in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, where Billecart-Salmon is located. 

Although we didn’t go into the Clos, we learned about how special this parcel is to the family; how it’s exclusively planted to Pinot Noir with vines dating back to 1964; how work in the vineyard is performed by hand and horse-drawn plows; how this parcel is farmed according to an age-old savoir-faire, adhering to principles of sustainable viticulture.

The wine is pale gold with a prominent bouquet of yellow apple, Anjou pear, raspberry, lemon curd, white peach, white blossom, desiccated white rose, wet stones, biscuit, brioche, almond paste, marzipan, crusty croissant, pie crust, toast, creamy texture and persistent, fine-beaded mousse and long elegant finish.

This is a 2005 “Blanc de Noirs” Champagne, comprised of 100% Pinot Noir, all coming from Le Clos Saint Hilaire, vinified entirely in oak casks to lend texture and body, and aged over 13 years sur lie prior to its recent release.  Due to the vineyard’s small size, production is very limited, and wine only produced in the best vintages.

Cheers to beautiful wines expressing a singularity of time and place!

Billecart-Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire (2005).  — a year ago

with Deked1

Will Stanley

9.6

I’ve been itching to try Il Poggione’s 2015 Brunello since buying a case this time last year. I could count on one hand how many Brunellos I’ve had in the past, so this was exciting from the POV not just of this being a very highly rated wine, but from it being a new experience and foray into the world of Tuscany.

It has a translucent crimson robe, with aromas of dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, iron, beef blood and from somewhere an aromatic lift of lavender.

The palate is defined by vivacious acidity, mouthwatering tannin and a core of candied cherry, walnut, dark chocolate, espresso, all cut to a very savoury tune.

Very, very long life ahead. Would love to taste this alongside Produttori del Barbaresco’s 2016 Barbaresco in ten years’ time. — 6 years ago

Scott Soren

9.1

This was quite a surprise. While not the giant backbone you’d expect from a Cali cab, it had a nice Viscosity on the pallet and a longer finish. The tannins not fully integrated for its age, with a higher acidity level. Drank more like a Bordeaux blend. — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.0

* appearance: dark purple
* aromas: blackberry, black olive, vanilla, cracked pepper, smoke
* palate: very dense, black fruit, black olive
* structure: full bodied, medium+ acidity, medium tannins, 14.7% ABV
* finish: long, peppery
* winemaking: 100% Syrah blended from three vineyard: Les Collines Vineyard (44%)/Lewis Vineyard (41%)/Stoney Vines Vineyard (15%), aged for 17 months in 15% new oak and 85% older oak barrels
* cost: $45 — 8 years ago

Raj Harb

9.6

Flight 2. This was probably my favorite Chablis of the night. Some recent experiences w 1er cru 2010&2011 raveneau left me feeling like I pulled the cork way too early as the wines were wound too tightly to really enjoy. This, on the other hand, was in a very nice spot. A laser...bright acidity, very fine delineation of flowers, citrus, and crushed rock. Electric stuff — 8 years ago

Mark S.

9.0

Yellow. Oak vanilla nutmeg. Ample fruits. Peach Apricot roasted. Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M+ Acidity M+ Bitterness M Body M Finish M Rich 13.5% Bird in Hand Chardonnay 22 @, HNDJ1, 251216 — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Produced from the "mosto flor" ("free-run juice") of sustainably grown and hand-harvested grapes. Ya means "yes!" in Spain. Straw yellow with good flow of tiny bubbles and light mousse. Stone fruit aromas with a vanilla nut fragrance. On the palate peach and citrus flavors, good balance, plenty of acidity and lingers nicely. — a year ago

WC Fields

9.0

Always a fun ringer in a double blind. Hard to call Chardonnay. — 2 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.3

Another amazing wine from MJ’s cellar, and this time a rare bird made by another Selosse disciple. Almost an antithesis of the voluminous and opulent 80’s Krug Grand Cuvee, this was filigreed, precise, and pure. Not austere though, which these descriptors can sometimes allude to. This had concentration and ripeness, yet remains fresh and airy. Ripe citrus fruits balance some oxidative hazelnut and toffee characters, all framed in a deep mineral and acid cut. Perfect aperitif to the evening and a wine I’d like to try again if it weren’t so difficult to come by. — 4 years ago

Sterling Miller

9.5

Honestly such a delicious and subtle red to pair with cheese or an evening with friends. Keep a few bottles of this one readily on hand, it fares well in so many spaces. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Established in 1987, DD Oregon is owned by famed Burgundy producer, Maison Joseph Drouhin. Hand-crafted by fourth generation winemaker, Veronique Drouhin-Boss. Ruby with fruit and sweet floral scents, very French in style. On the palate cherry and blueberry with pepper and earthy notes. Young but integrated tannins, well defined, elegant with underlying richness, long finish.
— 8 years ago

Mike Beltran

9.2

Visited the winery in Walla Walla and this wine is a winner with full strawberry aromatics and solid acidity. Can use more time in the bottle but is hard to resist drinking now. Well made from quality fruit. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Clos des Lunes “Lune d’Argent” 2023
Bordeaux Blanc, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic white Bordeaux blend of 70% Sémillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. The estate is known for showcasing the nobility of Sémillon in dry form — rare in Bordeaux, where it is often associated with sweet Sauternes. Here, Sémillon brings waxy texture, depth, and honeysuckle complexity, while Sauvignon Blanc adds grassy aromatics and a zesty lift.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive notes of ripe citrus, white peach, honeysuckle, and subtle herbs, framed by hints of wet stone and fresh-cut grass. The interplay of ripe fruit and grassy vibrancy creates both richness and freshness.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a supple, almost waxy texture from the Sémillon, balanced by Sauvignon’s crisp acidity. Clean, mineral, and refreshing on the finish, with good persistence.

Winemaking Notes
Harvested by hand and vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel with partial maturation on fine lees to preserve both aromatic intensity and structure. This process highlights both varietals’ best traits.

Food Pairing
Perfect with seafood gastronomy — oysters, scallops, grilled prawns, or sea bass. It also pairs beautifully with goat cheese, light poultry, or herbed vegetable dishes.

Verdict
A refined Bordeaux Blanc that balances richness and freshness, showing why Sémillon deserves more attention in dry blends. Stylish, versatile, and perfect for the table. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nose of red and black fruits with light wood, tobacco and chocolate notes.

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, light oak, licorice, chocolates, spices and earth.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Grenache blend is starting to drink very nicely now, with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

Elegant and rich. Interesting and engaging. A very traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape in style.

Well balanced and good by itself as a sipping wine. Will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of all 13 allowed grapes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but mostly Grenache. Hand picked and whole cluster. Aged for 2 years in large French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$110. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

At the Filipino dinner at the Downs Club. Definitely an aged Riesling with a whiff of Kerosene. Aged in the Rockford Cellars. Still some citrus evident with low acid. — 5 years ago

Evan McKenzie

8.9

Darker yellow appearance, very light aromatics, minimal oak, lemon, high acid, medium + minerals, 13.9% EtOH

2016 crop of Wente Selection Chardonnay hand-harvested on 9/23 with a yield of 1.05 tons per acre. Whole-cluster pressed and cold fermented in seasoned French Burgundy barrels. 147 cases produced. — 7 years ago

Jeff Hasmann

9.3

Holy ****! This is good. Move over Oregon! Tart raspberry, strawberry, and forest floor to the max balanced by tremendous acidity and smooth tannins. Clusters are hand selected from 65 year old vines and aged 14 months in neutral oak. The structure and character remind me of some higher end Oregon Pinots but with more concentration. Decant for 2 hours to let it open up - then enjoy. 2017 vintage on Jan 17, 2019 — 8 years ago

saga

9.6

Loistava viini seurusteluun. — 8 years ago

Johnno Harris

9.5

Such a good drink! Everything in its right place. Perfect Tuesday night drink with a roasted bird. Superb structure and flow. — 9 years ago