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

Gregg Congleton

9.4

Simply amazing - golden honey yet balanced with acid and crispness — 6 years ago

Turner Osborne

9.0

Todd’s House — 7 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.3

Cocoa powder, basil leaves, meat, game, smoke, elevated minerality, concentration, acidity, tannin and body lol. Large french oak barrels. Dark ruby. — 7 years ago

Emma Feeney

10

Robust viognier based blend that is heavy enough to please chardonnay drinkers but breezy enough to please the casual wine-o who wants something for a nice summer day on the porch. Loved it! — 8 years ago

Josh Orr

9.3

Can't get enough of this producer. Changed my view on South African wines. — 8 years ago

Marissa A. Ross

Wine Editor, Bon Appétit

9.1

Wax on with zesty lime and green apples, and wax off with a long bitter honeysuckle finish. Pairs well with nutty tomme cheeses, but does well on its own as a Sunday afternoon snack. — 9 years ago

Michael Perry

9.6

Bottled 8/1/2006. First year... And still alive. So amazing. — 9 years ago

Mitchell Mulder

10

One of the all time best IPA's made in the world, Nelson Hops, perfect balance of hops and malt, Outstanding — 10 years ago

Rebecca Loewy

9.9

Friends bring friends Russian River brewing company back in their suitcase.

— 11 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

A blend of 75% Semillon, 23% Sauvignon Blanc, & 2% Muscadelle. Golden with complex aromas, somewhat Riesling like, and adding a tropical bouquet. On the palate this botrytis rich wine shows apple, pineapple and honeysuckle flavors. Lingering finish ending with smoky vanilla notes. Had this at tasting and bought a few bottles! Will contine to age in the bottle. Nice! — 5 years ago

Jeff Lander

9.0

Stage 2 of #tourdefrance 2019. Finishing up our time in Belgium with a classic. Rich and creamy with full body and malty flavor. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Masterclass in San Francisco with Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite. Chateau Rieussec is another property that the Rothschild’s own.

1997 a difficult vintage for reds in Bordeaux. The upside is, when the reds lag, the whites almost always shine.

The nose shows; marmalade, dry peaches & apricots, pineapple, citrus blend, fresh orange peel, burnt almonds, almond cake, nut skin, burnt toffee, honey, caramel, beeswax, waxiness, toast, limestone, gravely stones, fruit blossoms and yellow florals.

The body is thick, gluey and rich. The mouthfeel magnificent. There is almost a dry tannin presence but it is it’s dry, gritty volcanic minerality, marmalade, dry peaches & apricots, pineapple, citrus blend, fresh orange peel, burnt almonds, almond cake, nut skin, burnt toffee, honey, caramel, beeswax, waxiness, toast, limestone, gravely stones, fruit blossoms and yellow florals. The acidity round and splendid. The finish is rich, well balanced, elegant, polished and delicious.

All wines arrived weeks ago directly from the Chateau.

Photos of; the Crown Room on the 23rd floor of the Fairmont where the Masterclass was held, glass of 1997 showing color, Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite presenting and another view of the city of San Francisco/Bay and the Golden Gate Bride in the background.
— 6 years ago

James Forsyth

9.4

Sushi and Champagne is one of my favorite combinations. Indeed, almost all celebrations that @Cara Zimmerman and I enjoy together will include this duo. This was somewhat of a step up from our norm as Sushi Zo is a world apart from our usual delivery order of tuna and salmon rolls (with free edamame). Likewise this 1975 DP was rather more elevated than our weekly fizz.

Dark golden color with rich, brioche and mature elements. A touch too advanced but enormously attractive and retaining terrific purity and energy. Sushi and Champagne has rarely been such a treat. — 8 years ago

with Cara and Daniel

Mark Rosse

9.3

Golden with good mousse. Brioche, mushrooms and great presence. — 9 years ago

Sarah O'Kelley

9.5

❤️❤️❤️peach & golden apple, almond extract, ginger, hay & rocks! — 9 years ago

Katherine Harris

9.2

Hit the spot after a long day — 10 years ago

with Chris

Kelly Robb

9.0

Birthday memories. Delicious Cab/Petit Verdot blend. Now we just need the food to arrive :) — 10 years ago

with Erin

Katy Jossy Simanski

9.1

Haven't been disappointed with Wait Cellars yet. — 11 years ago

Shawn Summey

9.0

Fruity Golden Ale — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.2

This Pa brewery is rocking my world. Close my eyes and taste this, and I drift back to my time when I lived in Waterloo, Brussels. Label says 9.5% abv, but it’s tucked in nicely. Woody notes on the palate, with cardamom, cloves and licorice. Heart-warming as it slips down the hatch. Well done! — 6 years ago

Christina Maxwell

8.9

Nice on a hot day. $11 co-op. — 7 years ago

Eric L.

9.3

I really like the way Mount Eden Chardonnay ages. This was a lovely golden color with beautiful notes of lemon and hazelnut. The nose is a little muted, but the palate is very fresh and lively. — 7 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.6

1988 vintage. At Elystan in London. Deep golden hue - Sauternes like colour. Nose is remarkably fresh, possibly due to recent disgorgement date direct from the House. Almost closed until the wine warmed up, displaying butterscotch and honeysuckle, citrus notes and lemon curd. On the palate, huge waves of acidity keep this wine incredibly youthful. Great concentration and depth to the wine. Long finish. The stand out feature, for such an old wine, is the balance and elegance here - super harmonious. Still has a long way to go - drink now until 2023+++. — 8 years ago

Nate Norfolk

9.4

1985!!! Sherry and golden raisins...amazing w/ mushrooms — 8 years ago

Robert Lim

9.1

A perfumed garden, in particular lilac. — 9 years ago

Matthew Long

9.4

Deep golden colour, caramelised pear fruit and layers of oak aromas. Palate soft, buttery and rich, with surprisingly fresh acidity. Oxidative wood ageing for four years makes a wine that speaks more of oak than fruit - one for fans of Sherry/Whiskey like me! Paired well with umami-rich dish of teriyaki beef and aubergine . — 9 years ago

Eric Egan

9.3

CFE '93 from Magnum is a huge wine. Lovely varnished birch-wood yellow with good bite in the legs; decanted 20 minutes before serving to allow the initial paraffin-like fumes to dissipate - revealing golden apple compote with hints of dandelion, Chinese gooseberries, and a touch of rained-on granite. Acidity tailing off a bit but still bringing it all together nicely. — 10 years ago

Keith Newhook

9.7

2004 vintage is incredible and ready. — 10 years ago

Julia Weinberg

9.5

Dude. Shut the front door. Fantastic. — 12 years ago