Simone Pizzi

9.3

Beautiful dôle. Natural, earthy, elegant and complex. Pinot aromatics and Gamay sweet spices, good acidiy, well it's pure pleasure. Marie-Thérèse grows her fabulous vines up on the hills of Fully in Valais, she is one of the most iconic swiss "vigneronnes". In spite of the difficulty of working such a land, she follows the biodynamic philosophy and does an impressive work to produce world-class wines in a respectul way. This Dôle is very young and could be considered an "entry-level" red and yet it shows already all of its personality ! Paired well with a roast-beef from "race d'Hérens" beef, roast potatoes and coleslaw. — 6 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.2

I heard something today on IDTT that exemplifies tasting this wine - never explicitly was the term "great" terrior used, but I think it's safe to say that the discussion was about great terrior. A "great" vineyard isn't necessarily better than others in terms of quality... Or even necessarily need to represent the covering GI... but it is "great" because of clarity. It produces a unique expression CONSTANTLY, irrespective of vintage or producer. In short, it speaks precisely of a place... Cliché but truly. And that's Pettenthal! Time and time again I've seen this. With KP, Kai, Gunderloch, Kuhling-Gillot. Pettenthal is great and this wine sealed it for me.

Brought this to blind KP. It was an obvious choice since KP's tiny super plot was once part of FK Schmitt's holdings. Despite the differences with KP's insane 17' auction wine (vintage, style, vineyard size, philosophy), this wine was clearly Pettenthal. That cool and smoky elements that I've learned to associate with the vineyard, fine minerally backbone. Damn! This has to be one of the most tightly focused aged Auslese's I've had in a while. What a pristine bottle - all thanks to Roland's exquisite sourcing skills. Stone fruits, petrol, honey, spice, umami elements. Finish was admittedly one-dimensional. Could be longer. Still, what a lovely #rieslingstudy — 7 years ago

James Forsyth

9.3

Brought this wine along, along with several others, to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend. Here's some bias: we served this at our wedding. It is rich and voluptuous. Some tropical notes but beautifully balanced. For a while some subscribed to the ABC approach to wine selection: "Anything but Chardonnay". This well made, remarkably good value, delicious wine from Sonoma should remind anyone with such a philosophy of the error in their ways. A little gem. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The 14 Chablis are really good. This Louis Michel is no different. An excellent example of little intervention of good fruit. This producer uses no oak; which I really appreciate. After you start to appreciate good Burgundy, CA Chardonnays aren't that interesting. Not that I don't ever drink or enjoy some CA Chardonnay producers, I just prefer the cooler climate Chardonnays that don't use new oak. This 14 was clean through and through. Bright citrus, peach, touch of green apple, soft minerality, touch of saline, creamy texture and beautiful round acidity and ripe, elegant finish. Photos of, Louis Michel vineyard, vineyard heat sources to protect the vine buds during their sometimes difficult Spring weather/frosts, Guillaume Michel (Owner/Winemaker) and their Domaine. Producer notes and history...It was largely believed that Michel family had only been cultivating Chablis since 1850. More on that in a bit. The winery is situated right in the heart of the village with 25 hectares spread over the very first slopes that were discovered by Cistercian monks in the 11th century. 40 years ago, the family decided to stop making the wine in wooden barrels, preferring to create clean, pure and precise Chablis without adding artificial woody tastes. I've said it more than once and I'll say it again, if you have good white grapes, strong wood use only covers up good fruit flavor or hides mistakes either in the vineyard or cellar, baring a stylistic choice. Through this philosophy, combined with the limited yields inspired by organic wine-growing techniques, the Domaine has developed a worldwide reputation for fine wine-making in stainless steel tanks. Today, the Domaine is managed by Jean-Loup Michel and his nephew, Guillaume Michel, who is continuing the family tradition. The importance of their work in the vineyards cannot be overstated. Guillaume Michel is a firm believer in the philosophy that if you do a good job in the vineyard, 90 per cent of the work is done when the grapes arrive at the winery. This statement could not be more true in my opinion. It his grandfather who started the philosophy, Guillaume has only continued it and evolved it with modern changes equipment etc.. It’s a matter of preserving the authenticity of each terroir...working with very pure and clean wines. They understand and like to work differences in terroir. Making it very important to have the same vinification for all the different terroirs. It is important to have an aromatically neutral vinification. Up until recently it was believed that the winemaking history of the family began in 1850, but thanks to Guillaume’s mother and her genealogical pursuits the date has been moved back to at least 1640. Around that time a winemaker from nearby Tonnerre settled in Chablis, marking the beginning of the families venture in Chablis. Domaine Louis Michel covers a total of 25 hectares. A very large part (15 hectares) is the domaine’s premier crus. In addition to that there is two hectares of Petit Chablis vines, six hectares of village Chablis and two hectares of grand crus. Vaudesír is the families biggest grand crus. Vaudesír is interesting because it is actually a valley. One side facing south, very hot, producing concentrated and powerful wines. In Grenouilles, Domaine Louis Michel has half a hectare at the top of the slope. This nine hectare grand cru is just over 7 hectares and is owned by the cooperative La Chablisienne. Vaudesír and Grenouilles are quite similar in terms of soil. Vaudesír has a bit more of clay. Les Clos, their third grand cru, is very rocky. Les Clos is the typical Kimmeridgian soil of Chablis. If you're like me and enjoy your white wine with good clean fruit rather than with oak or too much oak but haven't tried Louis Michel wines, pick up a bottle. I think you'll fall in love with the style and the value as many are under $30.
— 8 years ago

Shannon Judge

8.9

Enchanted with this new discovery, made by Pierre Seillan of Verite acclaim. This merlot-predominant Super Tuscan demonstrates the results of Seillan's micro-cru philosophy. He walks their forests with the arborist & hand-selects trees for their cooperage. Dying to try their next tier up, Arcanum! — 9 years ago

sasha

9.1

philosophy. Ripe fruit, creamy body with slightly tart finish, well rounded. pure chard fruit — 6 years ago

Cody White

9.2

I love Steve Matthiasson. I love his philosophy and everything that he stands for. But I've always struggled with the wines. They are undeniably great. Very well crafted, balanced, technical, and delicious. But they lack that "magical" quality that would otherwise elevate them to top tier status. Maybe too technical? Again, I have absolutely nothing to take away from these wines. Wine "magic" is entirely subjective, but it's always missing for me in these wines. But I'll keep drinking because I believe they're on the cusp and I can't wait until that sip when I find it. — 6 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.7

When I last opened a bottle of Rivers-Marie’s 2014 Panek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a couple months back, I called it a “spectacular Saturday night wine” and “deserved of the spotlight and worthy of much anticipation.” I still believe that to be true, which makes opening it spontaneously on a Monday night all the better. And now that I think about it, that’s not a bad philosophy to live by: Life is better when you open Saturday night wine on Monday night. — 7 years ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.2

I have always wanted to try this guys wines. Very eccentric in his release philosophy, current vintage of the chard is 1999. On this night I got to try 3 different '95s. By far the best of the bunch was the Charles Heintz vineyard which had matured into something unrecognizable in CA chard. Great experience. — 8 years ago

Kevin Cahoon

9.6

The 1997 is in a glorious spot right know. All the components are in harmony. The nose is so intoxicating almost haunting. Notes of road tar, black olive, spy, fennel seed are wrapped with dried black cherry, plum, cassis and blood orange. The tannins are silky with lots of spice and earth tones with the dried and fresh red fruit flavors. Mineral and fruit driven finish. I very minor nit is the mid-palate lacks just a bit of texture. 1997 was a tough year but the Chave philosophy of blending across the lieu fits and a rigorous selection have yielded a gem. From a hedonistic perspective this is a 10. — 8 years ago

Lev Lavrichtchev

9.0

Ready to drink philosophy — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.5

What an unbelievable treat to get to attend a private tasting with Aonair Wines along with founder and winemaker Grant Long Jr. Heard from friends, and confirmed by Grant his self, that wines can only be attained if he has met you in person. Love that philosophy. Grant is a larger than life personality...bearded, boisterous and a hearty laugh. His wines represent him well and though they are young (tasted '13s and 14s) they feel well aged already, which is his goal. His Grenache is the best I've ever had, and his cab (100% cab) and mountain blend are so enjoyable that we joined the wine club due to a waiting list about to be formed. Exquisite wines, along with a unique and personable business model, make this a can't miss. Hello new favorite winery. — 9 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

I like Michael, his philosophy, and in most cases, his wines, but the 2016 Block 5's far too ripe for me. It's dark fruit dominant, very sweet, and although, not much new oak (35%), quite oaky. Chocolatey, spicy, and quite tannic for a Pino. As usual, the structure and density are impressive. For me, this wine's just unbalanced at the moment and it needs time. That said, I don't think even Michael escaped the blistering heat of 2016. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Domaine is one of the leading family-held estates consistently producing high quality Chablis. Michel’s philosophy "Let the wine make itself, as far as possible". In sticking to this philosophy Jean-Loup Michel uses no barrels. A tank fermented Chablis, aromas of white flesh fruits and sweet floral spice. On the palate apple and citrus flavors with great mouthfeel. Smooth, lingering finish ending with wet stone minerality.
— 6 years ago

Michael D

8.9

First time I have had anything from Haywire. Small.production facility well hidden off the main hwy in Summerland. Interesting facility with the philosophy of letting the fermentation and the wine speaks for itself. No oak used in their cellars but concrete barrels and clay. Juicy, aromatic..unlike most pinots I have had. Worth a try and dog friendly🐶😄 — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Started in 1972 with a simple philosophy - to focus production on only one varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon. A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot & 0.5% Malbec. Dark opaque Ruby with aromas of red fruits, oak, sweet herbs and spice. On the palate raspberry and blackberry flavors with notes of cacao and espresso. Fine dusty tannins, satisfying acidity on lingering smooth finish ending with sweet oak tones. Nice! — 8 years ago

T. Berghaus

9.8

Had the wine at the Château with the wine makers daughter. It was such an amazing experience to get to know the philosophy of the vineyard and I can highly recommend every one of the vintages (we tasted 2000,2015,2016). Amazing wine! Out of the norm! — 8 years ago

Sasha Agapov

9.1

This champagne's proven itsef to be somewhat inconsistent in my experience with every bottle delivering different results. I guess that partly reflects David's winemaking philosophy. This particular one was shining — crisp, bright, friendly yet complex. Keeps you interested for sure.:) — 9 years ago

Amir Hammad

10

Had a glass with one of the legends of Champagne today. Anselme's philosophy and contribution to winemaking is unparalleled. Blend of 06' 08' and 09' aged 7 years in small French oak barrels. Life goals achieved — 9 years ago

Jennifer

9.8

Wow. This review is from the heart. It's an old world style but the heart of this wine comes from the symbolism and the reason to create this blend. The name Nurok means diver. This Fairview South African label depicts the precious person (Wulf) bringing harmony between the Christians and Jews. An admirable reason to create a wine and an admirable philosophy #fairview #tolerance #peace — 9 years ago