Andrew Belzer

9.0

Round, earth, blackberry — 2 years ago

Gregg G

9.7

This was the Cuvée 740 Degorgement Tardif. Stunning wine. Precise, complex, great texture…could be runner up to the Prévost La Closerie Beguines. — 3 years ago

Brent Young

9.0

Last bottle from the 2008 vintage

Relatively low on pressure when uncorking. Small tight bubbles

👅This is rich with citrus, nuts, and bread. This has some smokiness and it is oxidative. There is nice acidity that remains noticeable through the finish. Finishes with a bitter quinine note and extra brut dryness

This is persistent and drinking well but I preferred this when it was fresher, crisper, and had some florality

Nice wine🥂🍇 — 4 years ago

Connor McMahon

9.6

What an outstanding wine. 85% Merlot 15% Cab Franc. Has a ton of life left in it. Needed at least an hour decant! — 5 years ago

Marta

8.9

Light well balanced. — 7 years ago

Dan C

9.1

Solid night — 7 years ago

Antony Comyns

9.5

Oddbins 2016. Very smooth full flavour. Really liked this wine. — 7 years ago

Olga Foulon

9.5

Прекрасное вино — 8 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.8

Simply stunning…Master of Meunière! Hard to posit something better. Absurdly good seafood…bubbles were better. 60 second finish… pure gold in the glass. — 3 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Great, fresh nose features freshly squeezed lemon juice, dried seashell, and crisp green apple fruit. Light-footed in the mouth, with a nice balance of fruit, acids, and high-toned stony minerality. Round mouth feel. Nicely done. — 4 years ago

with Rebecca

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2019 vintage. A strong effort for this estate, bought in 2008 by the Cuvelier family (Clos Fourtet, Grandes Murailles, Côte Baleau). Much more intensity and complexity compared to the 2015 tasted alongside (but maybe I should try another bottle of the 2015). Cassis, flowers and lead pencil. Medium-bodied, juicy and fresh with very good mineral length. — 5 years ago

Mark S.

9.2

Deep violet color. Red berry mixed to a bit black. Calm and deep. But elegant. 2017 @3450, Kping, 201205 — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Follow up to the Clos Fourtet and to close out the Allen Brothers Ribcap.

The nose reveals, dark, ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries strawberries, black raspberries, black cherries, dry cranberries & blueberries. Steeped fruit tea, anise to black licorice, dark, fruit liqueur, dry crushed rocks, dry herbs, dry twigs, cinnamon, light nutmeg, clove and vanilla, leather, cedar, graphite, dry tobacco to cigar ash, dark spice, sweet tarriness, eucalyptus with candied mixed in with withering, dark florals & red, blue, purple flowers that are set in lavender.

The palate is, rich, ruby and round. The mouthfeel is glorious. This is a perfect window for a first bottle of the 08 Dunn Howell Mountain. The dusty tannins are round and about 50% resolved. This 04 has another 15-20 years of good drinking ahead of it...properly stored of course. Dark, ripe & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries strawberries, black raspberries, black cherries, dry cranberries & blueberries. Steeped fruit tea, anise to black licorice, dark, fruit liqueur, dry crushed rocks, slightly, moist clay, dry herbs-sage, dry twigs, cinnamon, light nutmeg, clove and vanilla, lots of dark melted chocolate, mocha powder, leather, cedar, graphite, dry tobacco to cigar ash, dark spice, sweet tarriness, dry, dark earth, limestone minerals, slightly, moist clay, volcanics, eucalyptus with florals that are candied mixed in with withering. They are dark, red, purple, blue & violets that are set in lavender. The acidity is round and near perfection...Colorado rushing river like. The long, well knitted, balanced, elegant finish lasts minutes.

Just misses 95. It will be there in another 5-7 years and could stretch to 96 at its peak.

The advantage Howell Mountain has is it sits above the fog line (more sunlight hours) and benefits from cool nights giving it slightly longer vine fruit ripening & better acidity.

Photos of; the legend, Owner-Winemaker Randy Dunn, an aerial view of his Howell Mountain Vineyard, barrel room and landing pad to process fruit for fermentation. — 6 years ago

with Christina and James

Tara Rowland

10

Rating for Climax. Only once released. Best ever!!! — 8 years ago

Jay Boberg

9.4

Fresh, sharp and wonderful — 3 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.5

Lunch 🥪

K&L notes as follows, Grand Pontet is an interesting property, positioned in the neighborhood of other stars of the appellation such as Châteaux Canon, Beau-Séjour-Bécot and Clos Fourtet. It is, however, a small estate, a mere 14 hectares, and its prices are much better than some of its more prestigious neighbors. In 1980 it was purchased by Gerard and Dominique Bécot, owners of the neighboring Beau-Séjour-Bécot. They have applied the same high standards to both Châteaux in their possession, and their winemaking team crafts Grand Pontet alongside the Beau-Séjour-Bécot wines. Recently purchased in 2021 by Domaines Clarence Dillon (Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion, et al.), the property was combined with and incorporated into Château Quintus. Full-bodied and luscious, this Grand Pontet is laden with ripe blackberry fruits, savory tobacco, licorice notes, and ripe, softened tannins. It’s seamless and bold, not shy. It’s going to require something decadent to pair with, such as filet mignon or some other black-tie dish with plenty of flavor and rich umami presence. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Without a doubt, my favorite champagne producer. While the Crayeres and VP are my favorites, this was my first time enjoying the all Pinot meunier offering. This was opened alongside Billecart’s Rendezvous No1 and Prevosts’ La Closerie LC 17 (all three being Pinot meunier).

Disgorged mid 2019 after three years on the lees. This screamed Pinot meunier out of those three. The La Closerie (my favorite meunier champagne) has so much cardamom, and espresso coffee tones to it, and the Billecart seemed like a nice, bright champagne yet wasn’t overly expressive. The Egly had so much gummy fruit (like gummy fruit snacks), which I always get with meunier. Extremely expressive. Bright stone fruits on the nose along with spiced pear. Definitely a floral component...tangerine like. The palate is mostly racy at the core but surrounded by rich texture. An excellent representation of Pinot meunier. — 5 years ago

Sue Mohle

8.9

Very crisp with lots of green apples — 7 years ago

Nick Piccone

9.2

Really good Boudreaux - can dominant, not too much bell pepper taste — 7 years ago

with Sarah

Alden Sorenson Derr

9.5

Deliciously drinkable Pinot noir burgundy. Tasted at spirited gourmet. Under $15 for a great bottle. Paired well with chicken. — 8 years ago