Mike Saviage

9.5

Decanted for 3 hours, for a dinner that didn’t play out, so stopped and stored overnight in a fridge. Took to sunset gathering next night and, wow, this was singing a magical Raveneau song. Medium gold, heavy in the glass. Killer nose. Notes of a cool sea breeze, sea shells, white stone, apricot and citrus, some tan spice and a dollop of honey. Really big and powerful impact in the mouth. Long finish. This juice used its long aeration to show its very best. Give it air if you drink now. Will likely hold in this position for a long time to come. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Light gold. Looks young. Took 5 hours to open up and show its stuff. In hour 6 this was cruising. Saline and sea shells, wispy lemon fruit, some honey, some white stone. The guesses from the fellas were 2002 Rav Clos and 1996 Rav Valmur. Shows how these properly stored aged Raveneaus can age effortlessly. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Four day weekend. Gotta get it off to a good start. Been awhile since we had our 375ml of Ruinart.

The nose shows, ripe, slightly candied; black cherries, strawberries, kirsch cherries, rich, summertime watermelon, touch of orange citrus family blend, pomegranate juice, hints of fruit roll up & haunting apricots. Sea fossils & spray, a little bread dough, grey volcanics, chalky powder, orange, spring flowers with fresh & withering, red & pink rose pedals.

The palate is full & touch gummy/candied. Fruits are well extracted, deep, ruby; black cherries, blackberries, strawberries, kirsch cherries, rich, summertime watermelon, touch of orange citrus family blend, pomegranate juice, hints of fruit roll up & haunting apricots. Ghostly, not quite fruit brandy or fruit liqueur character, sea fossils & spray, a little bread dough, not quite medium, white spice with hints of palate heat, grainy, grey volcanics, chalky powder, orange, spring flowers with fresh & withering, red & pink rose pedals. The acidity lively and crisp. The round, well balanced & polish finish is always consistently satisfying and lingers for minutes.

Photos of; the House of Ruinart, Dom Thierry Ruinart, nicely light caves and rolling, hillside, Grand Cru Vineyard.

Not quite sure where “D” gets $83 when you can buy this all day at just under $65. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

What a really nice Rosé Champange from Drappier and an extraordinary value at Costco at $39.99. I’m not giving up my Billecart Salmon Rosé but, this is pretty close to Ruinart. At this price point, it’s being well added to rotation.

The nose reveals, ripe; black cherries, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, watermelon and orange rind citrus. Fruit blossoms, pink rose petals, nice, soft chalkiness, sea spray, sea shells, volcanic minerals and a touch of white spice.

The palate is fresh & lively. Nice micro bubbles. It’s thick and rich. The fruits are ripe and deeply concentrated. Ripe; black cherries, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, watermelon, orange rind citrus, nice, soft chalkiness, sea spray, sea shells, strong presence of gritty volcanic minerals that press deeply into the palate, a fair amount of dark spice on the palate with fruit blossoms, pink & red rose petals. The acidity is really good...lively. The long, rich, beautiful, well balanced finish persists several minutes.

Photos of, the Champagne House of Drappier, wide & really chalky caves, different oak vats they use for fermentation and one of Drapper’s Grand Cru vineyards. — 6 years ago

Michelle Connely

9.0

Consumed 12/2017. Full rich flavors of berry, Cassis and black cherry with hints of vanilla in the background. Aging with French oak adds complexity and depth, resulting in a high-quality Cabernet with great value. For me, this wine has to breath for a couple of hours before I like it. — 8 years ago

Eric Grasser

9.0

Young and chewy at the moment. One hour of air shows violets on the nose with black and bing cherry, granite, sea salt and a pop of grenadine in the mouth. — 8 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Light gold color. Killer Chablis nose comes on after 3 hours of air. Notes of apricot, wet river stone, citrus, honey, white Kimmeridgian clay, sea shells, and tan spice. Has nicely developed secondary notes, and this is just starting to hit its stride. Rich and powerful. I think with about 5 more years the 2002 Raveneaus will start hitting their mark in a big way. — 4 years ago

Galen Hasler

9.2

2016. Dense structured best on day 2. Classic PN fruit black raspberry, forest floor bacon — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The White Burgundy was excellent but, still have to have my BSR 375ml. It’s been awhile for us.

It is a little better tonight following the Burgundy & soft white cheese.

The nose on this bottle really flows out of the glass tonight. Beautiful lean fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, cherries, strawberries, watermelon near the rind, blood orange, orange & tangerine & some pomegranate. Crisp volcanic minerals, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, vanillin, whiff of caramel, soft white spice, pink flowers and rose pedals.

Everything on the palate sings just a little louder tonight as well. Fruits are even a little richer than normal. Ripe & slightly gummy not as normal leaner fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, cherries, strawberries, watermelon near the rind, blood orange, orange & tangerine & some pomegranate. Crisp and grippy, volcanic minerals, beautiful softer, powdery chalkiness w/o quite the sharper edge it normally has, soft, hints of Provence herbs, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, vanillin, whiff of caramel, soft white spice, pink flowers and rose pedals. The acidity is crisp, lively and dead on as alway. The long, rich, well balanced finish is deliciously refreshing and persists minutes.

Photos of; one of their Grand Cru Vineyards at sunset & inside and the Estate grounds of the House of Billecart, — 5 years ago

Manya Perkins

9.1

Delightful. Well balanced, with a heady bouquet and a dry, lingering finish. — 6 years ago

Brett Francis

9.3

This was the stand out of the night’s wines. It was elegant and easy to drink, but very interesting and well balanced. It was great with the Porterhouse Steak we had and had its own flavors of smoked meat, black pepper, and umami a bit on the nose. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

NYE =‘s Krug Rosé. I can’t say I completely agree with what the Krug fireplace mantel suggests, but it’s certainly very delicately delicious and will put a guaranteed smile on your face! The mouthfeel is entirely feminine. The micro bubbles are unmistakable Krug and made with great precision. Fruits of; black raspberries, black cherry, cherries, watermelon mid way to the rhine, strawberries & understated citrus notes with pink grapefruit dominating the blend. The fruits are so restrained but are perfectly styled on the leaner side yet so ripe, juicy and delicious. There’s brioche but it comes fresh from the best of Parisian bakeries. Sea spray, minerality that is so soft & delicate, it’s hard to call it minerality. Krug Rosé reveals the very best, smooth, silky, velvety chalkiness that can be found on this planet. Pink roses/florals for days. Perfect acidity and a glorious, long, rich, beautiful finish that doesn’t end. If you enjoy wines that show pure elegance, perfect finesse and haven’t had Krug Rosé, treat yourself to a bottle or a split. The split may leave you wanting more. However, I can’t think of a better wine/way to celebrate the current year and bring in the next. Happy New Year all! May 2018 be peaceful, successful and spent with your family, best friends, prodigious wines and excellent food pairings! — 8 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

From the wine list at Mr Wong in Sydney. Popped and poured. Lt straw color with a gold tinge. Sea breeze, wet river stone, shucked oysters. Some slight hints of honey. Light on its feet at first but with air this has a sneaky richness that grows and grows. Would love to see what this is like in 5-10 years. — 8 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

Opened after an 05 Forets was found to be corked. 3 hours in a decanter. Light straw gold and youthful in the glass. Medium weight. Nice nose. Notes of citrus, white clay, tan spice, some light apricot, some river stones and some sea breeze. Rich and full of energy in the mouth. This is good now but still early in its life. — 4 years ago

Michelle Liebowitz

9.0

Bought Freeport Wine March 2021. Very smooth, dry, Fine, light floral flavor. Buy again — 4 years ago

PussNBeets

9.2

Current and black cherry flavors. Smooth finish. — 5 years ago

with Rusty, Jenny and 1 other

Mike Saviage

9.5

Medium gold color. Heavy in the glass. Leesy nose with notes of lemon, apricot, tan spice and sea shells. With air this really blossomed. Became exotic and later was atypical for a Chablis. Yet it always had great fruit and powerful acidity. (Bday dinner 2/13) — 6 years ago

Shay A

8.9

Wednesday Wine Committee hosted by Dan. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. Tasted blind as usual.

Seemed over the hill to me. Little bit of burnt rubber on the nose, which took me to South African Cabernet or Chinon. Not much acidity. Good bit of pepper. Old black cherry. Not sure how common this is for the vintage. — 6 years ago

with Jeff and Dan

David L

9.2

15’ Montagne Russe Silver and Gold Chardonnay. Holy mother. This is a beast of a wine.
Butterscotch, Banana foster👍, apricots.
Creamy finish with flavors such as caramelized peaches and custard. This wine is not everyone. If you enjoy Rombauer Club Selection Chardonnay $65 .
Bingo you’re a winner. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Dark ruby in color with a brick rim and medium intensity.

On the nose, cherries, black currants, vanilla, licorice, cloves, spices, chocolates, peppercorn, coffee, earth, leather and wet leaves.

Medium bodied with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, strawberries, cherries, earth, cloves, forest floor, spices and peppercorn.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This 11 year old Israeli Syrah is over the hill now, but still enjoyable by itself or with food. Not balanced anymore, but showing nice complexity.

This Single Vineyard Syrah was good right out of the bottle and died down pretty quickly.

100% Syrah grapes Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels and bottled unfiltered.

14.8% alcohol by volume. — 8 years ago