Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

This is actually the Stony Run Brut Rose’ Sparkling wine. Blend of Pinot Noir (60%) and Chardonnay (40%) Beautiful copper color! Aromas and flavors of peaches, citrus fruits, melon, red berries and fresh herbs. Hint of mineral on the effervescent finish. Persistent bubbles and creamy moose. 12.5% Alcohol. Relatively dry (hint of RS) and extremely bright acidity. Excellent value. Revisited in April 2025. Bright and crisp. A bit more RS than I remember. — 6 months ago

Paul T HB

9.4

Real Tequila, chilled is a must
Distillery notes as follows.

It can hardly get more pure than this--basically, this is Fortaleza Blanco direct from the still. Distillery tasting notes: "Aromas of fruit, baked fully-ripened agave, green olive, and earth are invitingly present. Slightly brighter and a touch more rustic than the regular blanco, the accents of butter, olive, earth, black pepper, and vegetal qualities in the flavor are enhanced because it comes straight from our small copper pot still, without adding water prior to bottling." — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

The Chichibu Distillery in Hokkaido Japan is boutique in the extreme with just 14 employees and two small copper pot stills. This whisky is a blend of Japanese material blended with Whiskies sourced from around the world including Canada, the USA, Ireland and Scotland. Typical attention to detail has produced a meticulous blend showing more highland grainy flavours than the peaty west coast flavours of Scotland. If I ever return to Niseko for skiing I will make an attempt to visit this wonderful little distillery in Hokkaido. 46% ABV. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.2

I’m in the 91+ territory here, but this is an older NV and the age pushes this up just a touch.

From 375. Easy for my wife and I to enjoy while our two littles run around on NYE.

After the Mousse Fils L’Or d’Eugene rosé from a few days ago, this is totally different. Much more classical versus the unique Mousse. Pale copper colored in the glass. Lots of similarities to Charles Heidsieck’s Brut Reserve rosé with its strawberry shortbread and toasty layers, but the fruit isn’t as layered. Slightly chalk/limestone initially but gives way to Spiced rhubarb, red berries, white peach and an orange marmalade finish (maybe dosage peeking out as well as the age helping channel some depth and richness). — a year ago

Aaron Tan

9.3

I'd still prefer wine after a dry run, but this whiskey sure did hit a spot. The balance and complexity of the Machir Bay is just undeniable, evident from the score achieved here. Fresh, zesty fruits are starkly juxtoposed with pastry-like nutty, creamy vanillin notes. The peat straddles the line between salinity and camp fire smoke. A rockstar finish that just lingers with sweet, malty flavour and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. Needs a little air to sort out some initial aggression, but once that settles, I felt nothing was out of place. Best entry-level Islay for me! 2019 bottling here. — 4 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.4

Color of caramel, copper, and saturated orange. Nose of fermented grains, oak, some apples, some sugar sweetness. Taste follows similar note, a bit thin with addition of spice and zest. Aftertaste is quite zest and some mineral salt. Considering she is 10 yr, very smooth. — 7 years ago

Randy Green

9.0

This is the wine I choose to get me threw February in Pa. Dry skin , copper & theif ! Dark at 4pm , copper & theif ! Fiancé wants me to chip in more with household duties … copper & theif ! Need to run to the dollar store to grab more desatin !! Copper & Theif 😞 — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Not the greatest champagne year, but a wonderful example of a standout champagne that just needed a little bit of age to it. Charles Heidsieck has always been one of my favorite large house producers.

Right away, this showed a strawberry shortcake cookie profile. In the glass, copper color with plenty of bubbles. Sweet cranberry scone, orange zest, black cherries and black cranberries on the nose. Excellent mousse, creamy and absolutely open for business. I believe there is a decent percentage of still red wine here which shows in the vinous character. Ripping acidity. Similar to the aromatics this is mostly bright red/black fruit driven alongside a sweet/salty balance of yeast. Compared to the 2006, the finish is maybe not as complex/lengthy, but that’s a serious nitpick. This 2005 is a total home run for the vintage and will drink in this profile for at least 5+yrs. — 3 years ago

Daniel Hsu

9.1

First batch of whisky from a new San Jose distillery! — 6 years ago

Jason Brater

9.1

Great end to the night. — 7 years ago

with Heather