Scot Walker

9.1

Melon & pear in the nose. Melon, pear & peach in the palate. Paired better with Parmesan than Brie. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

The final wine at the First Growth Bordeaux Lunch at the Downs Club last Saturday…. and what a great way to finish a wonderful lineup. I recall Apricot and Pear on a palate of profound intensity which delivers on the powerful nose. An obviously sweet palate with enough racy acid to keep things interesting and fresh. Will last until the late 2030s at least. Terrific! — 6 months ago

Michelle Rockwell

8.9

Pale ruby, black currant, plum, peppercorn. Medium- tannins with a sweet finish. An easy drinking wine. — 9 months ago

Kevin Ferguson

9.5

Had w spring pea ravioli and lemon — 2 years ago

Jocholla

9.0

Peach, mango, full body balanced by bright acidity. Not a lot getting in the way here. — 4 years ago

Bird Cox

9.8

Perfection. — 5 years ago

Jennifer Haralson

9.1

Classic California Chardonnay fruit tones of pear and green apple with a creamy nectarine finish. Elegant like the label. Look forward to seeing how it opens up. Very nice🥰 — 5 years ago

Clyde Archer

9.0

Excellent wine. Paired well with the elk steak I had with it.
— 6 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

A pull from the cellar to toast my son’s (our first) graduation from High School! The 2006 La Grande Dame pours a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is autolytic and developing with notes of ripe and tart orchard fruits: Bosc pear, green apple, strawberry, raspberry, lemon curd, toasted brioche, marzipan, honeysuckle and chalky, limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and creamy. These are in a fabulous spot. Drink now through 2036+. Disgorged October of 2016. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A pale lemon yellow in colour - quite youthful looking for a 12 year old Chardonnay. Aromatics of white peach - mealy and nutty notes, still with a nice acid cut at the finish. Drinking at its peak. Fuller than some Marg River Chardonnays I’ve had lately like Xanadu and Fraser Gallop. I have had richer Art Series Chardonnays but personally I love the balance in this. Tasted in May 2025 the first bottle. Had my 2nd last bottle on 20th September 2025 and it was utterly delicious. Stone fruit and dried pear character to the fore. I will have my last bottle in the coming summer or early 2026 and will make a fresh Delectable note. — 7 months ago

S T

9.2

Aromatic pear and apple, crisp, fresh acidity. — 3 years ago

John W

9.9

Pale straw color. On the nose, young, unripened apple and citrus. On the palate, young, unripened apple, citrus, lots of lemon, acidity still potent, transitioning to a fullness, butteriness with hints of oak and a very long finish of ripened apple, lemon, ripened pear and yeasts. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Starting the long Labor Day weekend in Big Sur the right way with a little N/V Krug Grande Cuvée. @Nepenthe

Happy Labor Day weekend all! 🍾🥂

Noses reveals; heavy bruised red apple, Bosc pear, overripe pineapple, lemon meringue, tropical melons, lime zest, white spice, sea fossils, deep crisp chalkiness, grey volcanics, yeast & bread dough, nougat, baguette crust, limestone, caramel notes, cream, vanillin framed in yellow lilies, white & spring flowers & mixed greens.

The palate is, ripe, lush, fresh and lively. The mouthfeel all Krug beautiful. Bruised red & golden apple with hints of cider, Bosc pear, overripe pineapple, lemon meringue, tropical melons, white stone fruits, lime zest/candy, white spice, sea fossils, crisp chalkiness, grey volcanics, yeast & bread dough, nougat, baguette crust, limestone, caramel notes, cream, cream soda, vanillin framed in yellow lilies, spring flowers & mixed greens. The acidity is near perfect. The long, elegant, well knitted & balanced finish is gentle until the long set when you get a full presence of white spice and minerality that persists for minutes.

This bottle was composed around 2011 and is made from over 120 different wines that span over 10 years. It is 47% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay & 17% Pinot Meunier. — 5 years ago

Jane Nuss

9.2

Pale golden in the glass with fine, persistent bubbles. Aromas of green apple, orange peel, pear, and peach, layered over rich notes of brioche and toast. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and complex, with a creamy texture, energetic mousse, and toasty depth. High acidity. Vibrant and refreshing with a long, satisfying finish. Consistently well-balanced, reliably delicious. A standout non-vintage Champagne. — 10 months ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.0

Deep purple in color; cassis, black cherries, and graphite on the nose; medium minus acidity; high tannins; tastes like black currants, blackberries, and eucalyptus with a long finish. — 7 months ago

Joe Fischer

9.3

Liquid Gold! A beautiful California sparkler with aromas of brioche, yeast, and pear. Nice body and slight tartness. — 10 months ago

Catherine Gmoser

9.2

Full bodied, fruity — 3 years ago

with Liz

Joe Christenson

8.9

Very very light and diluted straw color. Lemon & honeysuckle on the nose. Palate is a bit heavier than I anticipated. Plenty of lemon citrus, white peach, nectarine, some green melon, underripe green pear, and some mineral notes. Tart, but lingers on the palate. I dislike using this word but it’s very quaffable, as they say 🙃. A crowd pleaser. — 5 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

Love this stuff. Fantastic Pear Cider. Tastes like a juicy pear. 5.5% abv. — 5 years ago

Tom Garland

9.0

Raw oysters from Hog Island oysters shucked by me and Hog Island clam chowder recipe with a nice chardonnay...Staying home does not suck sometime!!!

Pop and pour. A lite golden color. On the nose: lemon, toasty oak, floral, tangerine. Taste: apple, lemon, lime zest, pear, grapefuit with a carmel mineral medium finish. A rich and full creamy taste.... good bright acidity helps mitigate the rich/full taste. — 6 years ago

with Brenda