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. — 6 years ago

Kayla Bano

8.9

Had 2 bottles with a good friend ;) — 6 years ago

Jen & Will

10

This was the 1999 Barton Family Reserve zin. Not the big bad wolf. Couldn’t find this in the DB. Amazed it held up. Very soft for a zin, closer to a Pinot, plum, cloves, earth, apricot. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

On the nose; macerated lemon & golden apple, just a whiff of apple cider, overripe pineapple, lemon custard, the citrus flesh in marmalade, lime pith with some flesh, sea spray, chalkiness, yeast, yellow lilies, citrus blooms and white spring flowers.

The body is full & rich. Acidity is sharpe & crisp. Macerated lemon & golden apple, just a whiff of apple cider, a little bit of sour green apple, overripe pineapple, lemon custard, the citrus flesh in marmalade, lime pith with some flesh, sea shells, chalkiness, round grey volcanic minerals, yeasty, doughy, bread, yellow lilies, citrus blooms and white spring flowers. The long finish is rich and is excellently executed.

Photos of; Dom Perignon-Moët & Chandon, the statue of the lengendary Dom Perignon who was given credit for inventing Champagne, but that’s just an Urban Legend, cellar shot of a large cask and aging Champagne bottles and one of their beautiful vineyards. @Delta Sky Lounge ATL — 8 years ago

Linda Halley

9.5

Big and full-bodied. Fabulous with steak and chocolate cake. — 9 years ago

James Gourley

9.7

This wine is amazing. The acidity is still vibrant. The flavors explode on the palate. It's amazing how fresh it still tastes. Just found out these guys are starting back up and I can't wait to taste the new vintage. — 9 years ago

Jusden Aumand

8.9

Quality forward style Paso. Blend produced some interesting complexity and boldness. — 9 years ago

Michael Brooks Jr.

9.5

I visited this winery, bought a half-case, and this is my first bottle at home. I love it. — 10 years ago

with Bryson

Milton Zmijewski

9.1

Grey Wolf Lineage 2011. Six grape blend. Smoky on nose. Licorice and bold fruit. Ruby red color. — 10 years ago

Greg Gratson

9.3

$17 from Berkeley wine. Liked it. — 6 years ago

Fredybeans

9.7

Robe pourpre
Nez très légèrement réduction qui part très vite puis fruit noire olive encens et graphite
Bouche ultra fraîche et délicate je m attendais à un monstre milieu de bouche et finale délicate longue sur des tanins précis avec du zan et du graphite👍👍👍 — 6 years ago

Landon Emory

9.8

This ultra superb '95 Ridge Montebello puts just about every older vintage Napa cabernet to shame with highly complex aromas and flavors of blackberry , fig , scorched earth, violets , cedar and nutmeg on the nose... followed by a perplexing array of red and dark berry, cinnamon, and lavender tea flavors on the palate. This delivered that Wow factor you would expect from a World Class iconic wine. Better than the 2000 and 2003 Montebellos. Its true they say to wait 20-25 years to pop open one of these in most years. Just remember to use a prong style opener rather than a corkscrew on a vintage wine to avoid the cork crumbling into your bottle. — 7 years ago

Scott Taddeo

9.0

Another bargain for those seeking ripely fruited wines. Blueberry, plum, violets, tobacco, dried meat and old oak. Medium acid, medium plus gummy tannin. — 8 years ago

Riccardo Arrigoni

10

At Cuvée Como, 04/10/17 festa Laurea — 8 years ago

Justin Lees

9.5

Went down a treat — 9 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.2

Crisp & fruity with ultra fine, tiny bubbles. Love the purity. — 9 years ago

Kelsi Garrison

9.8

I love this so! — 9 years ago

Kyle Gabriel

9.7

I've been converted to tequila...and spoiled. I only hope that I drink tequila this good again in my life. — 10 years ago

with Laura

Sue Mcmeekin

9.1

Yummy with a nice long finish. — 10 years ago

Nikki Norrell

10

WOW. Amazing! — 11 years ago

Fredybeans

9.6

Robe vieille or
Nez sur l orange la vanille bourbon un côté pâtissier puis devient plus généreux avec l air
Bouche plein et précise avec de la tension en attaque milieu de bouche ultra large et finale longue sur la vanille des notes de vieux rhum et l orangette
Très beau vin semblant a maturité mais dont l’an phase de plateau ne fait que debuter
— 6 years ago

with Pico and El

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I like to thank @Severn Goodwin for his kindness & generosity for sending this beautiful bottle of Champagne.

We shared this with friends and paired this with apple walnut vinaigrette salad last night. Complimented the salad nicely. It was a nice yin and yang balanced tug of war of food & wine.

The body is beautiful in the mouth with nice acidity. Bruised apple & pear, some apple cider, pineapple juice, lime zest & candy, white peach, easy, soft chalkiness, soft, fine, grey volcanic minerals, sea spray, brioche with spring flowers and yellow lilies. Finishes softly, elegant, nicely balanced and persists nicely.

Photos of; the house of Caillez Lemaire, bottles waiting to sold, Current 18th century family Owners - Virginie and Laurent Van Poperinghe and one of their vineyards. — 6 years ago

Ichiro Kawachi

9.7

@Lisa’s. 2007 vintage. Earl Grey tea / silky tannins, leather, muted spices — 7 years ago

David Singer

Sommelier/Wine Educator LibationEducation

8.9

Well named. Hard pressed to not think this was a modern style St Joseph. Ripe fruit, opens up to more tertiary notes and herbs. Well crafted. — 8 years ago

Arun Raniga

9.1

Smooth and soft 2012 vintage on 1 Sept 2017 — 8 years ago

Taylor Leigh

10

Love this dry red wine ❤️ — 9 years ago

Ivy Hover

Marketing Director & Tech Guru for Left Coast Cellars

9.1

Bright citrus, with a soft texture. White pepper heat on the finish. #velv — 9 years ago

James Gourley

9.8

This wine is a stunner. The fruit is vivid but not overpowering. The mouthfeel is silky but weightless at the same time. And the acidity is sublimely balanced with the rest of the wine. A truly excellent expression of pinot noir. — 10 years ago

Leon Aleksander

9.2

Light, fresh red fruits. Pinot noir style. Good summer wine. — 10 years ago

Shiena Fujita

9.5

デキャンター用に選んでもらった一本。デキャンタージュしたせいか、とてもまろやかで飲みやすく好みの味。リピしよう。2700円也。 — 11 years ago