Devin Bray

9.9

Goodness gracious. An absolute explosion of aromas and flavors that could knock a person out with its beauty at a distance of 5 feet. Opens first with a heady bouquet of lilies, lilac, lavender, and a bit of a wound-up fusil note before unfurling into glorious ripe red fruits, white raisins, rum cake, dried apricots, barrel spice, toasted nuts, vanilla, and so much more as it continues to evolve and perform a series of dances on the palate. Really, really special - a new contender for best spirit I've ever tasted. Only 60 bottles produced in the world, the spirit inside is a blend of 25-30 year old Cognac distilled from 100% Ugni Blanc and allowed to evaporate naturally to 45% ABV. Very old school and handcrafted by a master, and boy does it show. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid lemon in colour with a fine mousse. Strong yeasty notes touch of Vegemite with Lemon Citrus. On the palate Mineral and over ripe apple - a reasonably powerful creamy palate but retains its balance - a touch of salinity. Wonderful complexity after 7 years on lees and from the excellent 2008 vintage in Champagne. See previous notes from Christmas Day 2018. One of the 1001 Wines. — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.0

A pale gold hue leads to some nice effervescence and tons of small bubbles initially. A fine mousse and highly aromatic on the nose with an abundance of wet stone minerality and fresh pears. The fruit is ripe and expressive with citrus aromas being dominant with the more autolytic notes serving as backup. After some time and air, that nice yeast and floral aspects come to the fore in the form of delicate little white flowers.

100% Chardonnay with 7 g/l that only adds a little softness to the acidity of the champagne. With 30% of the blend coming from reserve wines there is a distinct elegance and refinement happening here. The fruit comes from Grand and Premier Crus from Avize and Cramant.

This is most certainly a pop and pour champagne, it’s ready to go. A silky mouthfeel with crisp acidity which leads to crisp fruit on the palate. Baked apple pie, brioche buns, and mandarin oranges shine. Decidedly lush and fun. Fruity, elegant, and versatile. — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Light gold. Fine tiny bubbles. Notes of citrus, fresh cut apples, white chalky stone, rising yeast and some apricot. At first very mellow but with air this explodes with fruit, acidity and structure. Additional notes of almond paste and green apples develop and a luscious creamy mousse comes on. The nose on this wine is powerful and memorable. — 4 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.5

2014 disgorgment. 12.5% Alcohol. 30% Chardonnay 70% Pinot Noir. Fine stream of tiny bubbles that would not stop. Loved it. — 4 years ago

Jim Sikes

8.9

Bastille Day 2018. Start of a fine celebration. — 6 years ago

Ichiro Kawachi

9.4

Deep pop. Very fine bubbles; creamy mousse. Wet slate, layered on pears/apples. — 7 years ago

Norman Gennaro

9.0

Jason’s cocktails make this a requirement. — 2 years ago

with Amit and Gunja

Sean Lyons

9.0

Perfectly fine brandy, but I expected more from the price. — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.5

This superstar 2012 vintage just doesn’t seem to miss. Especially not when paired with the elegance of Bollinger.

A gorgeous rose copper color in the glass. Plenty of fine bubbles that seem to just go on and on. The approachability of these outstanding 12’s is immediate. Wild strawberries and herbs shine on the nose. Red currant, raspberries, and stewed plums. Some exquisite spice notes along with white flowers. Tangerines and watermelons play a part.

The vitality and sheer energy of this is amazing. 67% Pinot Noir from Aÿ and Verzenay. 33% Chardonnay from Oiry and Le Mesnil sur Oger with 5% still red wine from Bollinger’s legendary Côte aux Enfants vineyard. Terrific youthful tension and balance. Zippy acidity with 8 g/l of sugar. Disgorged in August of 2019 and already showing some maturity.

Pure romance on the tongue. Silky smooth and elegant with fresh red berries and more spice on the palate. Saffron and honey with oak complimenting. The Lehmann Jamesse Grand Blanc provided more floral notes, while the Riedel Dom Perignon showed more ripe fruit and minerality. Both wonderful. Yes this will obviously develop over time and become so much more special but you deserve this now. So do I. Enjoy.
— 3 years ago

Eric Vishria

9.5

First time with the 168. Wow! Fine bubbles, fresh but not acidic. Almost sweet — 4 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.0

Petite & Grande Champagne Ugni. — 4 years ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Really bright and crystalline. Lifted lemon and slate. Tight with acidity fine and high wire tension. Lovely stuff. Young. — 5 years ago

with Major-General, Gregg and 1 other

Jakub Kalinowski

9.4

Toasty brioche, with some floral and intriguing mushroomy notes. On the palate red apples & cream. Nice breadth and richness, with persistent mousse and great length. A very fine wine. — 7 years ago

Charles York

9.4

Fresh stone fruit. Brioche. clean, crips apple. Fine bubbles. Keep going back to this one. Still young, edges should round nicely on this. — 2 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.4

Fine bubbles and straw color. Nose is bread dough and lemon rind. On the palate citrus and yeast predominate with lemon, lemon curd, gunpowder, quince, grapefruit, starfruit, and lime. — 2 years ago

with Susan

Daniel P. Drake

9.1

Tonights wine is the Veuve A. Devaux Grande Réserve Brut NV.

On the nose is green apples, brioche, apricote, peach and yeasty bread dough.

On the palate is green apples, tart strawberry, plum, yeasty bread dough and mineral driven wet stone.

This wine is pinot noir dominant with fine bubbles that are long lasting with a good creamy mousse.

The wine is also medium bodied with a creamy mouthfeel, medium + acidity and a long crisp citrus clean fresh finish. I hope you are having a great week? Please continue to stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🥂🥂🥂🥂 — 3 years ago

Paul T HB

9.7

Post steak 🥩, nice with a cool breeze in the backyard.
Wine Advocate: 98 points

The Tesseron family (currently the proprietors of St.-Estèphe’s Lafon-Rochet and Pauillac’s Pontet-Canet) made its fortune in the Cognac business, and it is one of the few families to possess ancient stocks of great vintages that have not been diluted with water or manipulated in any manner. They released small quantities of Lot 29 (1929), which remains the most ethereal Cognac I have ever tasted. I’m no expert, but their newest release, the 1953, seems close in quality to the 1929. Slightly darker than the 1929, the 1953 is pure silk, which at this alcohol level is very dangerous indeed. The complex aromatics can fill a room.

— 4 years ago

Randall Brater

9.0

Nice, fine bubbles. Grapefruit with a good balance of tart and fruit. A good starter to toast out 2018. — 5 years ago

Tom Hanlon

9.6

Fine bubble, paired well with charcuterie. — 7 years ago