Anthony Lombardi

9.0

2014 Sandlands Contra Costa County Carignane is rustic, yet completely approachable. Tannic for sure, but has an elegance to it. Sandy Denny & The Strawbs certainly bring Traditional English Folk to the table, but the Strawbs’ love of Bluegrass adds some great layers to many of the pieces on this collection. Pretty stuff here. — 8 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.8

Where do I start with this wine? Perhaps what I didn't like about it. Palate seems unresolved as of now and it didn't deliver as much satisfaction as the nose, but that's just nitpicking. Also a touch too oxidative - hints of sherry notes. However, in a way, this adds complexity to what was already a rich, layered array of aromas. Tasting the Sapience, I think of a warm mille feuille, with baked apples and spices in one layer, salted caramel with nuts in another, chamomile cream with fresh mandarin pieces in the last. This had complexity of the highest order and probably the best champagne I've tasted this year.

Notes: Better to serve it in a bigger format glass. Like Bouchard and Selosse, bubbles dissipates quickly here. The ample use of oak and richness of the wine does make it somewhat table-like. Also, CJ noted that's this could have pulled off as a Selosse Millesime, which I have yet to taste. Mixed info about the wine so will list them all.

From FORCEBERRY on Cellartracker:
This is a brainchild of Benoît Marguet: the world's first "prestige cuvée" by Champagne small growers. Despite labeled under Marguet's name, this wine is not made with Marguet grapes; instead the grapes come from organic producer Georges Laval, who supplied Pienot Meunier (2/3 of the wine) and biodynamic producer David Léclapart, who supplied Chardonnay (1/3 of the wine), all grapes from minimum 1er Cru-level vineyards. The wine is vinified by Benoît Maguet and Hervé Jestin, a man best known as the cellar master of Duval-leroy. The wine is fermented and aged in old barriques for 6 months, after which the wine is bottled and left to age in Marguet's cellars for a minimum of 5 years. This wine is disgorged in September 2012 with a dosage of 3 g/l.

From Planetwine:
Sapience is a collaboration between Benoit Marguet, Benoit Lahaye, Vincent Laval, and David Leclapart. The concept is to craft a Champagne using extreme biodynamic methods. This rendition of Sapience comprises Chardonnay from David Leclapart, and Pinot Meunier from Vincent Laval. The next version will have Pinot Noir from Benoit Lahaye. The wine is made in the cellar of Benoit Marguet, who is one of the most passionate biodynamic winemakers we've encountered. The base wine spends two years aging in Bordeaux barrels before the second fermentation in bottle. More Chardy in blend.

From Pillariwine:

Benoit Marguet partnered with Herve Jestin to create this wine, the first ever certified organic prestige Champagne blended from across the region. They release the same wine with two different labels. One is Sapience/Marguet the other one is Champagne Jestin. Grapes are from the fellows of Hervé Jestin, Vincent Laval(Cumières, PN&PM, Biologic) and David Leclappart(Trépail, CH, Biodynamie). — 9 years ago

with Michelle

LM Segal

8.9

Deft, taut, on the line between light and not. Well made, interesting pieces of bright cherry, florals, but not quite all coming together. Not helped by being served warm with great meal at Sushisamba, Miami. — 10 years ago

Mike Davila

9.2

The 12's were great right out of the box but I think this is going through a bit of a dumb stage right now, it seemed somewhat disjointed. All the pieces are there for a higher score, just not coming together at this point. — 10 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.5

Still, dry Brachetto. Nose is bursting with fresh red berries. Stunning balance of layered bright, then richer fruit. Accents of earth & mineral all tied up neatly with a strong acid backbone. Love this to pieces. — 11 years ago

Klaus Thomsen

9.3

Sweet (but not overly so) and lingering. Loved it to pieces. — 11 years ago

Alexandre Lalas

9.4

Spectacular. Pieces of art by Matías Michelini. Blend of Malbec and Bonarda, one of the best argentinian wines ever — 12 years ago

Latasha Parker

9.8

PuzzlePieces, White, California 5/8 Chardonnay, 1/4 Riesling, 1/8 white field blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, & Riesling. Taste like a fruit cocktail. It goes well with ethnic foods. — 13 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

10

Dynamic pieces: acid, bright complex fruit, richness, super length — 13 years ago

Natalya Pemberton

9.1

This wine is fun, delightful, and restored my faith in the universe. Pink, bubbly, with gorgeous acidity that slowly dissolves the tensions of even the most frustrating day. The finish reminds me of biting into soft pieces of fruit in a high-quality unsweetened strawberry jam. — 9 years ago

Andrew S

9.4

Fantastic big Paso Syrah. This will need some time to settle down. All the pieces are there and is drinking delicious now. — 9 years ago

Gabe Barkley

9.2

Has all the pieces, but not as accessible as the regular Sarmassa bottling right now. — 9 years ago

Patrice Gravel

9.1

I discover theMcLaren vale Shiraz region 4 years ago and this wine is responsable why today 90 % of my consumption came from there : you like a nice bottle with a nice AAA pieces of steak this wine will married perfectly tough structure this wine will wake up the cowboys sleeping inside of you! — 9 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.2

2010 vintage. Aged 54 months in oak which explains the medium golden colour for a wine so young. In Bistro de l'Hotel, Beaune. More of a Chassagne mineral tight nose, than a Meursault nose. Honey and sea shells, ripe lemon pieces and stone fruit. On the palate, high acidity, medium body and alcohol, medium concentration and medium plus finish. Quite elegant. Drink now until 2026+. — 10 years ago

Phong

9.4

It's can be an alternative to a mimosa. Surprise fruit mango pieces inside. Right amount of sweetness and burst of mango scent. — 10 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Dusty pine cone, soggy pretzels, snow iced cream nose. Cut wild lowers and tall valley grass, Coral pieces straight from the sea, covered in living shells. A hint of walnut in cinnamon. Whoa! Absolutely oceanic initially. Send forth the mollusk!! Maybe soda bread, but really just sweet clams pulled from the mud and injested. The idea of cinnamon surfaces often but is not the driving force. You aren't taking the maidenhead for wife, but you can dream. There are no clouds atop this cognac-colored ocean, but the lacing is unbreakable and washes like the ocean around the bowl. — 11 years ago

with Courtney

Beau Carufel

Winemaker/Owner Random Wine Company

9.0

All the pieces are in place, and more importantly, they're in harmony. — 11 years ago

Dan Fredman

Chef Sommelier World of Pinot Noir

9.7

Zowie! Pretty much everything I want in a red wine- dark fruit, smoke, ample acidity and just enough age to meld its pieces together but not so old that it's lost its verve. Great wine accompanying a magnificent hunk of pork. — 11 years ago

with S.

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.8

This is the flagship wine and is Cabernet Sauvignon based made with 100% new French oak with a dense array dark currant and cassis berry fruit with notes of licorice and sweet tobacco spice very forward and seductive. A big and sweet seductive fruit with an array of dark berry fruit 89 CS 6 mr and 5 pv blend. Very big and chewy but has wonderful nuance exotic floral notes very exotic a bit reserved right now but should blossom over time has all the right pieces in proportion. Finish 50+ killer — 12 years ago

Reinholds Zviedris

9.8

Decanted for 10-15 minutes with freshly grilled pork neck pieces - priceless! — 13 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.8

1986 vintage. At Au Fils du Zinc in Chablis - thank you Fabian for picking the best white wine experience of the year. This was a wine that Mr Raveneau didn't release because he thought there was too much oak and sulphur. Only recently did they realise they had a gem. Medium golden hue. Honeyed, white peach, lemon pieces, iodine and crushed rock minerality. Slight bovril note and sea shell with air. Amazing complexity. On the palate, perfect balance between fresh acidity and body, highly concentrated and layers of complexity. Very very long. Outstanding. Still fresh enough to last another 7-10 years at least. — 9 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.2

Amazing complexity with green apples, Mirabelle plums and some gooseberry. Pronounced acidity and healthy dose of spice. Seems unbalanced and strange yet all pieces fall into place. A wonderful wine. — 9 years ago

Michael Washabaugh

8.9

Surprisingly, it paired well with halibut ... served in a pool of puréed pistachios and second pool of puréed celery root, topped with pickled mustard & seed-sized pieces of fried halibut skin. The wine was challenged by the nuts & skin, so a light red held up really well. Delicious — 9 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.0

1971 vintage. P3. Deep lemon hue. Slightly oxidised - mushroom, earth, lemon pieces, stone fruits. On the palate, medium plus acidity, medium body and full concentration of flavour. Good length despite the oxidation. — 9 years ago

David L

9.6

04' Larkmead LMV Salon. The cork broke into sever pieces. The first thing you notice is the color (purple/ dark ruby red). No signs at all this wine is 12 years old . Popped & poured a small sip. Decant this BABY of a wine. It was ready to drink 5 minutes after I poured a glass. After decanting it for over an hour, it was singing !! Youthful, dense, rich & balanced. Layers of black fruits & earthiness to it. The SALON wines always amaze me. One of the best 2004's I've had. 10 + years in it! Might have to go out there for the next Salon release party! Just need an excuse to go out to Napa! — 10 years ago

Chris DeBarr

8.9

The Grolleau supplies the phat, round, warm spice embrace while the Cab Franc gives angularity & Tellicherry pepper, so the pieces of the surprising jigsaw puzzle fit together just so! — 11 years ago

LM Segal

9.6

Kudos to the boys for all calling it CdP, GV even nailed it a Pegau blind. Bramble, tar and hint of garrigue. Rich, distinctive nose. Amazingly still coming together after 3 hr decant, the pieces all there: beef blood, earth, peppery spice, pipe tobacco. Big tannins on the precipice of melting down and perfectly melding it all together. Just a few years before this passes superb on its way to profound. — 11 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.2

2001 vintage. Les Combettes. Pale golden hue. Whiff of consume on opening, honey and honeysuckle and chestnut. There is a salty, seaside seaweed smell on the nose that comes through after an hour of airing. On the palate, fabulous acidity and concentration, candied lemon peel, peach pieces and nutty - maybe a hint of oxidation. The finish is long and satisfying. A complex wine that is reaching its peak. Drink in next 3-5 years. — 11 years ago

Patrick Cranley

9.0

This outstanding wine needs 10+ years in bottle. This 2009 is delicious, but is still closed and its pieces are not yet integrated. — 11 years ago

Nicolas Bazinet

9.1

Beaucoup de chair, super équilibré, vraiment délicieux, coup de cœur. — 13 years ago