Lee Pitofsky

9.3

From one of the relatively unknown and elite producers in Burgundy and a close friend of the illustrious Jean François Coche’s son, Raphael. Even this Bourgogne Blanc comes from old vines in Meursault which clearly evident in the wine. Vibrant energy and acidity intertwines with lemon curd, hazelnuts, a pixelated minerality and a striking intensity. Maybe lacking the depth and length of premier cru burgs, but what a tremendous entry level Bourgogne this is and a true over performer. — 5 years ago

Jamie Lopez Arevalo

9.3

Lemon and bergamot with melon and almonds. Bright acidity with texture. Still youthful and yet older than my son — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Mother Mary of God! It’s a stunning example of why I adore White Burgundy.

The nose reveals; Meyer lemon, Granny Smith apples, pineapple, lime zest, stone fruit, under ripe green melon, beeswax, honeysuckle, touch of caramel, fruit blossoms, river stones, cream for days, gentle white spice, powdery limestone & brilliant, soft gentle chalkiness, steely minerals, some flintiness with jasmine, mixed greens, yellow lilies and spring flowers.

The body is full, rich, lush and waxy. It’s simply stunning as it glides over the palate. It just doesn’t get much better in White Burgundy unless you spend seriously more money. Meyer lemon, Granny Smith apples, pineapple, lime zest, stone fruit, under ripe green melon, kiwi, bruised Bosc pear, beeswax, honeysuckle, vanillin notes, touch of caramel, fruit blossoms, river stones, cream for days, butter, gentle white spice with soft, warm heat, herbaceous, powdery limestone & brilliant, soft gentle chalkiness, steely minerals, some flintiness with jasmine, mixed greens, yellow lilies and spring flowers. The phat, round acidity is like a warm, gentle rain shower. The rich, lush, ripe, polished, well balanced finish is delicious and persists several minutes.

Photos of, Chassagne Montrachet, the old vines of Domaine Pierre Yves Colin Morey, Pierre-Yves Colin the eldest son of the famed Marc Colin and cellar of Domaine Pierre Yves Colin Morey.
— 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

One the nose, a touch of sour green apple, lime zest, ripe pineapple, mango, lemon, touch of mint, stone fruit skin, honey, green melon, limestone minerals, sea shells, yellow lilies & spring flowers.
The palate is thick and rich from a touch extra lees stirring. A touch of sour green apple, lime zest, ripe pineapple, mango, lemon, touch of mint, stone fruit skin, honey green melon, limestone minerals, sea shells, yellow lilies & spring flowers. Good round acidity with a long rich finish that lasts minutes.

Photos; Puligny-Montrachet -Clos de la Mouchere, owner/Winemaker Henri Boillot and their Domaine.

Producer notes & history... Before striking out on his own in 1984 Henri had worked for the family firm but his success in his own right persuaded his grandfather Jean Boillot to persuade him to return to the fold. In 2005 Henri bought out his brother and sister and renamed the domaine name from Domaine Jean Boillot to Domaine Henri Boillot to avoid confusion with his brother Jean-Marc Boillot's company.

The Domaine consists of some 19 hectares, mostly in Puligny and Meursault for white wines where he owns the monopole of Clos de la Mouchere, and in Savigny-les-Beaunes, Beaune and Volnay for reds.

In the vineyard Henri and Guillaume farm sustainably, avoiding artificial pesticides and herbicides, and much hard work in the vineyard means low yields of relatively late-picked fruit at a peak of ripeness. The whites are very gently crushed to avoid bitter flavours and fermented in barrels larger than the norm at 350 litres so that the purity and freshness of the fruit is unencumbered, and bottling follows 18 months or so in barrel. Pinot noir grapes are sorted in the vineyard before being taken to the winery, destemmed, crushed and cold soaked before a fairly long fermentation. 18 months in barriques is the norm before being bottle unfined and unfiltered.

Since 2006, he has worked with his son Guillaume, who now makes the red wines, at their new state-of-the-art winery in Meursault where all the Domaine and 'négociant' wines (under the label of Maison Henri Boillot) are made. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

On the nose; flint/sulfur, cut dry grass, green apple, lemon, lime, notes of overripe pineapple, honeysuckle, green herbs Jasmine and yellow lilies. On the palate; green apple, lemon, lime, overripe pineapple, green dry herbs, flint/sulfur, honeysuckle, Jasmine & yellow lilies, grainy minerals, good chalkiness, saline, nice round acidity and round, rich, long finish. Photos of; Domaine Guy Amoit et Fils, their barrel cellar and Guy & Thierry Amiot and a picturesque shot in Chassagne-Montrachet. Producer notes and history...Domaine Amiot was founded in Chassagne-Montrachet in 1920 by Arsene Amiot when he acquired select parcels of vines or “climats” in Chassagne including Vergers, Caillerets, Clos St. Jean and in what is today Le Montrachet. Under Arsene, Domaine Amiot became one of the first Domaines in Burgundy to bottle their own production. In the 1930’s, the domaine passed to Aresene’s son, Pierre, who continued to add top sites such as Champsgains, Macherelles, Maltroie and their tiny parcel in Puligny, Les Demoiselles. Pierre’s son, Guy, took the reins in 1985 and solidified the reputation of the Domaine for producing wines of exceptional quality from an impressive array of top vineyard sites. Guy’s son Thierry took over the winemaking in 2003 and continues the tradition of expressing the unique character of each vineyard site while constantly seeking to improve the quality of the wines. Les Macherelles is located on the farest side of Chassagne-Montrachet close to Puligny-Montrachet. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Jack and Jamie Davies revived the historic vineyards and cellars in 1965, with a goal to produce world-class sparkling wines. Today, their son Hugh, continues their mission. Coming off their highly successful 2012 vintage, the 2013 is also 100% Chardonnay (true B de B) straw with aromas of stone fruits and lemon notes. A terrific crisp sparkler with crisp apple, apricot and lemon flavors, fine mousse with tiny bubbles. Tangy acidity on a lingering finish ending with some yeasty notes. Nice! — 8 years ago

Toni Zablocki

9.2

The intensity of richness and flavor is *insane* and the drinkability does not reflect the proof. Happy this is back in distribution! — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Jack and Jamie Davies revived the historic vineyards and cellars in 1965. Today, their son Hugh, continues their mission. Coming off their highly successful 12’ & ‘13 vintages, the 2014 is also 100% Chardonnay straw with aromas of floral stone fruits and citrus notes. A terrific crisp sparkler with crisp apple, peach and lemon flavors, fine mousse with tiny bubbles. Tangy acidity on a lingering finish ending with a yeasty creamy character. Nice! — 6 years ago

Sean Lyons

9.2

Absolutely what you want from an Aussie Shiraz. Huge fruit right up front and on the long finish - blackberries, currants, cherries, lemon curd. Some nice oaky notes in the middle. A little on the flabby side, but that comes with the territory. Drinkable now with decanting, might be better in a year or so, but not much longer. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I’ve been staring at this vintage in my collection for some time now. Decided it was time even though further benefits would come with more years in bottle. That’s not to say, we are not throughly enjoying this on a lazy sunny evening.

The nose reveals; lemon custard to meringue, green apple, lime zest, pineapple, grapefruit with pith, amazing honeysuckle, fruit blossoms, honey, flinty notes, some dry herbs, nuts, hints of butterscotch & toffee, some very light vanillin, crushed limestone minerals, jasmine and white spring flowers.

The body is round and voluptuous. The mouthfeel is incredible and creamy. Flat out gorgeous and sexy. lemon custard to meringue that falls into lemon sourness, green apple, lime zest, pineapple, grapefruit with pith, stone fruits, amazing honeysuckle, fruit blossoms, honey, steely & flinty notes, some dry herbs, nuts, more butterscotch toffee than the nose, some very light vanillin, more white spice with a little heat than the nose, crushed limestone minerals, powdery chalkiness jasmine and white spring flowers with greens. The acidity is amazing pure and simple. The long, round, voluptuous, gorgeous, elegant, incredibly well balanced and persists several minutes. Such a great producer! Believe the hype.

Excellent with Brie & white crackers with a drizzle of honey. As well, with the dry white Grand Queso which, has some nice nuttiness that plays well into the wine.

Notes on their vinification. Their viticulture is largely natural, with the old vines severely pruned in winter to reduce yields. After hand-harvesting, the fruit is pressed immediately and settled for half a day. Fermentation is largely in cuve, and the malolactic proceeds at its own pace, followed by a year’s aging in small oak barrels called feuillettes.

The feuillettes, about half the size of a barrique, are one of the keys to the expressiveness of Raveneaus wines. Averaging seven to eight years in age, they don’t contribute new oak aromas and flavors, but serve to gently open the wine during the élevage. This enhances the wonderful perfume and creamy texture that are the hallmarks of these wines, particularly when they are mature.

Their Foret Vineyard is only .67 ha. and the vines are roughly 15 years of age.

Photos of; Owner-Son and half of the winemaking team Jean-Marie Raveneau, Isabelle Ravenea in the cellar and the metal work sign that hangs above their facilities. If not for that sign, you would never know they were there on a quiet back street not far from the center of town. — 6 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

Pale golden yellow. Fine mousse with persistent beading. On the nose, golden delicious apple, lemon curd, and pie crust with a hint of nuttiness. Creamy on the palate with baked apple, chalky minerality, and bright acidity . Christian and son Stephane Coquillette, as seen on the documentary “A Year in Champagne”, made this wine from 100% Chardonnay from the family’s Grand Cru estate vineyard in Chouilly in the Côte des Blanc. This is a lovely, mature vintage grower Champagne. 12% alcohol. $75. — 7 years ago

with Drew, Lisa and 1 other

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Founded in 1882 by Alfred Tubbs. In 1972, under the leadership of James Barrett, replanting began. Today Jim's son, Bo, is now its Master Winemaker. Ripe stone fruit aromas with notes of honey. In the palate crisp pear, melon and lemon zest come forth wrapped in vanilla oak. Lingering finish ending with creamy notes fruit ending with hints of pepper spice. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

We discovered discover this Garnacha Blanca blend during our May 2015 visit to Clos Mogador. Rene's son Rene had us jump in his old SUV and drove us through their steep and rocky hillside vineyards. If you've had their reds and wondered why fennel notes are there, it grows all over their property. After a tour of their vineyards we went back to their patio for a tasting...and what a view. Shown in the photos. We started the tasting with the 2010 Nelin. It was the first time we'd had it. At the time, one of the more unique whites we'd had in a long time. It was bright, fresh, subdued fruity, tangy with amazing crisp minerality. Afterwards, we went to lunch at "Amics" near by Clos Mogador. The best & most original 4 course lunches we had for seventy euros with a bottle of this wine. Great service and unparalleled accommodation. It didn't have a star but it should. The nicest couple from Brazil run it. Tonight's revisit is the 2011 and it's had a little better than 5 years in the bottle. It's definitely changed. It's, more golden now, weightier, thicker, more oily and picked up not quite a petrol quality. The fruits are; peach, apricot, pineapple, lemon & lime juice. Notes of honey, wild fragrant florals, amazing chalky minerality, perfect round acidity and a round, lush finish that we absolutely love. The blend is mostly Garnacha Blanca with some Viognier, Roussanne & Pinot Blanc. Photos of the property, views, and the father & son winemaking team of Rene & Rene Barbier. Producer history & notes...Clos Mogador produces estate bottled wines in Gratallops, Catalonia in the DOQ Priorat. Founded in 1979 by René Barbier III and his wife Isabelle Meyer. With several friends, they began replanting terraces and recuperating old ones to eventually have their first release in 1989 as Clos Mogador. This name comes from a novel written by an aunt named, Élisabeth Barbier called, “Les Gens de Mogador”, “The people of Mogador”; which chronicles the rise and fall of a family from near Avignon in France on an imaginary estate called, Mogador. Clos Mogador is 13 hectares. Six hectares are made of 80 years old Cariñena vines, two hectares of 6 years old Cabernet Sauvignon vines, three hectares of 6 years old Garnacha vines and 2 hectares of 6 year old are Syrah vines. They use mostly organic methods. It is worth knowing that at the winemaking stage, Rene Barbier uses an olive press instead of a normal wine press to extract the juice. This results in an even more intense wine from what are already highly concentrated grapes from low yields. Try the Nelin, it's simply delicious!!! Cheers. — 8 years ago

Glenn Caster

9.5

Anyone who writes off Temecula has no idea what Joe Hart and his son Jim are able to do. This Syrah is huge. Big bold fruit with layers of nuances and a long smooth finish. On par with some of the best Cali Syrahs on the Central Coast and Napa/Sonoma. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Thought we’d try something new. Recommendation from the the Champange Buyer at K&L, Gary Westby.

The nose reveals; green & golden apple, apple cider, overripe pineapple juices, lime, lemon, kiwi, Bosc pear, understated, apricot liqueur notes, candy bar nougat, walnut skin, hazelnuts, bread dough, yeastiness, soft; chalkiness, sea fossils, grey minerals, yellow lilies, lilacs and spring flowers.

Green apple leaps onto to the palate followed by; golden apple, apple cider, overripe pineapple juices, lime, lemon meringue, cream, kiwi, Bosc pear, understated, apricot liqueur notes, delicate mousse, micro-micro bubbles, candy bar nougat, walnut skin, hazelnuts, bread dough, yeastiness, chalkiness is a little more gritty than the nose, sea fossils, grey minerals, soft, white spice with just a touch palate heat, yellow lilies, mixed greens, lilacs and spring flowers. The acidity is gentle & quite nice. The finish has nice finesse, well balanced, polished & persists minutes.

Smartly priced at $29.99. Buy it while it’s in, doesn’t last more than days.

Photos of; Gary Westby with the father-Daniel Thibault & son winemaking team, Daniel Thibault and a Marne vineyard vista.

Producer notes: Daniel Thibault, the chef-de-cave of Charles and Piper Heidsieck for over two decades. After inheriting two hectares of the family vines over 15 years ago, Thierry decided to produce his own champagne from them.

Champagne note: this is a blend of equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier from estate-grown fruit in the Western Valley of the Marne. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

2015 ‘Buisson Renard’ by Didier Dagueneau, is a spectacular effort. Now headed by Didier’s son, Louis-Benjamin, Dagueneau wines continue to set the standard for the Pouilly-Fume region. The wine shows wonderful flinty and damp earth tones with lemon oil drenched sourdough bread on this marvelous bouquet. The rich, almost unctuous texture to this wine, truly satisfies. Lemon zest, beeswax, ripe pear and starfruit flavors with wet stone and smoky mineral undertones all nicely amalgamate on the palate. Intense and showing beautifully in its youth, this dazzling Sauvignon Blanc will have an exceedingly long life in the cellar. Drink 2019-2033- 94 — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

So fresh you would not know it was a 1995 but disgorged in January 2014. Lemon minerality and hints of stone fruit and touch of pineapple. A fine persistent bead. The perfect balance of complexity and freshness. When I first tried this I thought it was rich enough to have a % of Pinot Noir but it is a Blanc des Blancs. Amazingly still available because they “made shitloads of it” said Stephen Leroux. A few hours later a honeyed nuance. Celebrating my 2000th Note on Delectable. I would like to congratulate Delectable for creating such an enjoyable and useable App. I can see what my American and European friends are drinking and try to purchase same. Also celebrating my son Hugh’s 31 st Birthday in New York. If anyone is looking for office space in Manhattan contact Hugh at CBRE. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Stony Hill Vineyard was founded in 1943 when Fred and Eleanor McCrea bought a goat ranch on Spring Mountain in Napa. Today the winery is run by son Peter McCrea, still is best known for Chardonnay. Aromas of stone fruit and citrus. On the palate apple, melon and pear flavors, with some lemon zest and toasty notes. Nice balance with acidity on lingering finish on a gently spicy rich mineral ending. Classic CA Chard, very nice! — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On the nose, green apple, pineapple, lemon, lime, just underripe green melon, peach, notes of honey, hints of flint and yellow florals. The body is full, creamy & a touch oily. I'm guessing some extra time on less with some stirring. Green & golden apple, lime, lemon, pineapple, green melon & peach. Honey heathered, fine chalkiness and powdery fine minerals, beautiful round acidity with a long, thick, beautiful, elegant, polished finish. The more it warms up in the glass, the better it gets. Oliver their Winemaker, made Meo Camuzet before coming back to take reins at Hubert Lamy. This terroir is one of the most underrated in Burgundy and remains one of Burgundies best values. Photos of; the Domaine, the En Remilly and the father and son team of Hubert & Oliver. This may be $82 on Delectable but it's just a shade above $50 on pre-arrival. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

On the nose, green apple, lime, lemon, pineapple, honey, sea spray, beautiful chalky minerals and white & yellow lilies. It's reductive in style. Freshness is apparent as it hits the palate. Green apple, golden apple, ripe pineapple flesh, lemon, lime, underripe green melon, brioche, powdery, soft chalkiness, saline, volcanic minerals, yellow & white lilies and an amazing long finish that does fade. It's just simply delicious! This is $35 at K&L Wine Merchants and to me is the best value in Champagne. Hopefully, you are in a state they can ship. But, when they get their allocation, you had better act quick as it doesn't last but a short week. K&L has standing allocation orders from people in France as it's even difficult for Frenchmen to find in France. If you are buying Veuve Clicquot or similar for more $, you really need to buy & try the Launois cuvées. Photo tour of; their estate, Le Mesnil Sur Oger vineyard, tasting bar and their unbelievably large champagne museum. It a must appointment in your are in Épernay. Producer notes...the history of our family goes back to 1872 when the house of Launois Père et Fils was founded in the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Located on the prestigious Côte des Blancs, which is the home of the very best Chardonnay grapes. Their vineyards are all classified as "Grand Cru": The family's has passed down from fathers to son and daughter through eight generations, Séverine and Caroline Launois. All their grapes are hand harvested and processed with great care. — 8 years ago

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