Jay Kline

9.3

This bottle was a lovely gift from our friend Tim who visited Omaha this past Spring. Our only instructions were to enjoy it together with food; challenge accepted! While I have experienced many wines produced by Foillard, this was my first with his “Cote du Py”. The wine pours a deep ruby color; slightly hazy in the glass. On the nose, at least initially, there are signs of some Brett giving a barnyard characteristic but that sort of blows off (or at least becomes less obvious) with cherries, earth, blackened poblano, underripe plum, and purple Sweet Tarts taking a more central role. On the palate, it’s mostly dark cherry and blackberries showing very little in the way of evolution. Medium+ acid, medium- tannin. The finish was super long. I was really impressed how young this wine was coming across; hardly an indication of anything that would indicate ten years of age. Yet more proof that Beaujolais can cellar quite gracefully. We loved how this paired with grilled rack of lamb and a light salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, garbanzo beans, mozzarella and prosciutto. Grazie Tim! — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

In the name of science, a few champagnes/sparkling wines were sampled today in an effort to help a friend for comparative research reasons. Hard way to spend a Monday...

Probably the most rich out of the lineup and always a favorite of mine. Definitely oxidative in style. Sweet toasted oak, marzipan, honeycomb & key lime pie. The mousse with Bolly is always one of my favorite traits...incredibly smooth with zero tart fruit. Thanks @Dan Fitzgerald — 7 years ago

with Jeff, Weston and 1 other

LM Segal

9.5

Leathery and red floral nose. After 1 hour decant, opulent, lightly spiced and earthy-red palate infused with dried mushrooms, iron and throughout with notes of garrigue. Punching way above its weight in a meh vintage...just entering a window that will last 10+ years. — 8 years ago

Joe Lucca

9.2

Restrained fruit, earth, nice grip. Seemed closed, probably because it was served way too cold. This will get better with time. — 9 years ago

Effie Genovese

9.3

Oh so yummy and smooth. Savour it in front of a fire on a cold night — 10 years ago

Meghan Hamilton

Wine Educator Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.8

Very young but lovely fresh apricots, peaches and pineapple. Honeysuckle and white flowers. What really makes this wine amazing though is the body. It's big and round the whole way through where so many Sauternes fall either in the middle or finish. Lovely. — 10 years ago

Lauren Ross

9.0

Nice way to ring in the new year! — 11 years ago

Jimmy Hayes

Estate Director Mayacamas Vineyard

9.5

Pretty seamless wine. Elegant but in no way meek. Represents both the style of the Chateau and the vintage well. Red and black currants, violet florals and great length. Delightful to taste at the Chateau, while discussing winemaking with Mr. Pontallier! #margauxmoments — 11 years ago

Mark Lindzy

9.0

A magnum of Morgon and CAH are a great way to end a trip to Paris! — 11 years ago

with Christy and Josefa

Mike Mighetto Hoefling

9.4

Way too young! Big tannin structure — 13 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Well...this was one hell of a week. There is only one way to wind it down. Reach for an excellent bottle of vintage Champagne.

My first thoughts are how delicate this is on the palate. Further, how unbelievable it will be with another 8-10 years in bottle.

The nose shows; slightly sour lemon, the good parts of lemon Pledge, lemon meringue, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, brioche, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanilla, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies.

The body is light on its feet and dances on the palate. Delicacy abounds. Its soft, gorgeous mousse right there with the best money can buy. Slightly sour lemon, lemon meringue, green & with more bruised golden apple, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, touch of apple cider, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, ginger ale into cream soda, brioche, nougat, toffee notes, lighter nuts without skin, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanillin, marzipan, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies. The acidity is mellow yet lively, gorgeous and as good as it gets. The finish is all luxury. So well knitted & balanced, elegant, rich but not overpowering and gently persisting several minutes.

Photos of; The House of Taittinger, their caves so chalky white and built on the famous Crayères Cellars of Reims: 2.5 miles of tunnels (they own 1/4 to 1/3 of it) cut out of chalk by the Romans, the portrait of Thibaud IV who was a king, lord, manager, singer, conqueror, explorer & 11th century Crusader all rolled into one from which, this Cuvée was the catalyst creation and part of the 600 plus hectares they own in Champange.

Some producer notes; Taittinger's history can be traced back to 1734, when it was originally known as Forest-Fourneaux, founded by Jacques Fourneaux who worked closely with local Benedictine monks to learn how to produce wine. They were just the 3rd Champange house.

The estate was bought by the Taittingers – a family of wine merchants – in 1932, and thanks to the great depression and subsequent low land prices, the family also picked up huge swathes of vineyard. From 1945-1960, Francois Taittinger established the cellars in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, and after his death in 1960 his brother Claude took over, pushing the estate into a Champagne house of world renown. Such was the status of the label that the Taittinger family soon expanded its business into other luxury goods. However, this eventually led to financial difficulties, and in 2005 the Taittinger brand – including the Champagne house – was sold to the American owned Starwood Hotel Group. The sale was badly received by the Champagne industry, with many fearing the new owners – unfamiliar with the culture of Champagne – would put profit ahead of quality.

Just one year later, Claude’s nephew, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, who had always been opposed to the sale, negotiated a €660m deal with the Starwood Group, and the Taittinger family resumed ownership of the company.

In 2017, Taittinger planted its first vines in England, near a village in Kent, for its venture into English sparkling wine. The first bottle will be ready in 2023.

1/8/21 — 5 years ago

Dave Wood

9.0

Still with some life after 50 years. Nice with hazelnut espresso chocolate pot de creame. Nice way to end the 50th birthday dinner. — 8 years ago

with David

Gil Krakowsky

9.7

Can't say enough about a wine this serious at this price point. Absolutely stunning, elegant, and even (in a chinon way) powerful. Floral aromatic dominate - lavender and a bit of rose. Graphite, dusty chalk, red pepper, some raspberry. Fresh yet not primary. Hints of savory notes as well. Incredible spine of minerality runs through the palate. Great acidity and structure. Coiler and energetic. Finishes long and bright with refreshing pyrazines for days. In an incredible place now, so no fault in drinking but has a long, long life ahead. One of the best values in the wine world. Just exceptional — 9 years ago

Jayson

9.1

To be a 100 points by Parker wine, 2003 latour is way better than 1996. It's just ok. — 10 years ago

Nate Miles

9.3

Early nose was austere, even a bit severe, then giving way to sticks and leaves and wet earth - like walking through the woods early in the morning. Light to medium in body. Stones and mushrooms and earth and sweet red fruit - all you can want in a Pinot Noir. I really like this wine. — 10 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.1

Velvety, plush and deep; hints of plumb and baking spice with an almost chalky mouthfeel. Decanted for 3 hours as per the winemaker's suggestion and turned out beautifully. — 10 years ago

with Krystal

Cody Short

9.2

Fall has finally arrived in Texas and no better way to enjoy it than sitting outside, watching football, grilling and drinking some amazing Champagne from one of my favorite Houses — 11 years ago

Alexis A

9.4

1996. Boom. Amazing. Full on. A wine. Way heavier than the Dom 1996. — 11 years ago

Alejandro Lopez

9.8

Atractive nose of spices, candied cherries, marzipan and leather. A mushroomy background makes it way up along with an intriguing minerality. The length is medium -, a real shame for such a promising nose! — 12 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

Tasted blind. Dark reddish brown color, port-like in color and in the nose. Notes of raisins, molasses, tobacco. What is this? While it seems like it could be Madeira, the impact in the mouth and the tastes in no way resemble that. Someone threw out the guess that it could be really old Bordeaux. Yep. Drinking some history tonight! — 6 years ago

Ryan Allard

9.4

Started off tight and tannic with a lot of green vegetable notes. After about an hour in the decanter all the big fruit came through on the nose and palate. Viscous, but not in bad way. Smooth and velvety finish. — 7 years ago

Kirk F

9.4

Mag. The cork blew up and we had to Macgyver our way out of the dust but the contents were superb. — 8 years ago

K Frech

8.9

Picked up in auction. Label is trashed but decent fill. So deceiving. Nose from bottle yuck. Nose from glass oh my. This is beautiful. Soft. Some tobacco. Some fruit like an old blackberry but not in a bad way. Giving no it a 8.9 bit could move it up a notch. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Had this at a Tapas Bar! The pillars on which the 5 founding families erected a winery in 1890 built a way of living, feeling and producing wines of the highest quality that continue to evolve. Not released until 2015, bright Ruby, complex aromas of fruit, spice and oak. 90% Tempranillo from 3 villages & 10% Graciano from 2 villages. Cherry & blackberry flavors, with a feel of currants around the core, espresso & spicy notes on mouthwatering tannins. Wow! Lingering finish. Will get better over next 15 years — 9 years ago

Stuart Sutton

9.6

This tastes more like a Bordeaux to me than a Cab from Napa, but it is so excellent that I'll let it slide. This is a full bodied wine with strong oak, leather, smoke, and honestly a hint of tree bark (in a wonderful way!) This is close to a perfect wine. Buy all you can. — 9 years ago

David Langstaff

9.4

This wine needed about 3 hours to release. Initially tight with uncomfortable medicinal nose which then totally dissipated. Drinking now next day and you get the age of fully integrated but not fading tannins. Nose has a delightful dark fruit and smokiness. Great fit of nose and taste, meaning - when tastes after smelling the experience is consistent and not jolting. I think the color purple in a subdued way. Very nice. Memo to self: decant and watch for sediment, and enjoy three hours later. — 10 years ago

with Cynthia and Chris

Charlie Beatty

Buyer wineworksonline.com

9.5

Awesome experience a 1991 Caymus Special Selection. Upon opening showing good fruit in the nose. Tannins have dissipated. Thought it might be over the hill? No Way! Tried with WW staff. A gift from Dr Bill! You know who you are. Great 25 yr old bottle of Cab! Big Wow! — 10 years ago

with Anca and Filippo

Christopher Suarez

9.3

This 2008 was cellared for almost five years after purchased in 2012. Consumed Nov 2015, the best way to describe this delight is that "it melts in your mouth". You do not even feel it as it goes down, the taste begins with its scents as soon as it hits your palate. Delightfully fruity with cherry, blackberry and jam. — 11 years ago

Matthew Jauregui

9.4

Great way to finish a tasting a nice champagne blend. Opens very well, in a beautiful pale salmon color. Chalk full of fruit fresh wild strawberries, pairs, apple, and lots of cherries. — 11 years ago

Eric Gardner

9.5

In a magnum, yay bicentennial. The difference between this and the '81 is that the '81 is great but it doesn't taste old, the '76 tastes old in a good way. — 11 years ago