Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Pale lemon color with aromas of stone fruits, citrus, vanilla and nutty scents. On the palate flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus rind, well balanced with acidity. Medium+ finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A nice Chardonnay, ‘21 a bit better! — 9 months ago

John Bratincevic

9.3

NOSE: coconut cream, custard, nilla wafers, grilled pineapple, a little mango. Smells like typical aged Suduiraut!

TASTE: the vanilla cookie is strong with this one - plus tres leches. 93.

Sauternes is one of my preferred pairings with pumpkin pie and whipped cream. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! — 2 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Deep gold. Nose and palate yield candied apricot, honey, white flowers, baked peach, and pineapple birthday cake. Perfect balancing acidity. Lingering finish extends the palate. Geez! And this isn’t even a Premier Cru. Drink now through forever. — 4 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.3

really fine riesling—apples, pineapple, hints of apricot, menthol, petrol, a musky hint, all lifted and taut, very long and clean, a long future ahead, developing very well. Love this bottling. 90% of the quality of Clos Ste. Hune for 20% of the price. — 4 years ago

John Maltese

9.0

Dang. This is a pretty complex white. Honey and vanilla on the nose. Loads of tropical fruit up front. Overripe melon. Funky pineapple. But all this dissipates in seconds and gives way to a relatively clean middle with slight boozy astringency. This finishes with a slight pucker. Lime zest. And drying slate. I had this with Thai coconut chicken curry in summer. Paired perfectly. Not sure I’ve had a wine that’s so fruity and then incredibly drying. Fun one! — 5 years ago

with Kim

Eric Grasser

9.5

California white Burgundy of the highest class. Bottle #2174 of reported 102 barrels. Still lively with prominent acidity in its 14th year. Flavors of hazelnut, cashew, pineapple, lime, granite and orange. Spicy wood flavors. Fabulous depth and power balanced by verve and delicacy. Could be at its height of complexity while showing aging colors and the beginning of matured flavors — 6 years ago

Ryan Guy

9.5

Dark golden bordering Carmel. Seductive nose. Ginger root, organic honey, and toasted almond. The oxidation is in a great spot. Medium weight with dried apricot and pineapple. Acidity carries on the finish. In a wonderful place, drink or hold. — 7 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Pale yellow color. Aromas of pineapple, guava, grapefruit, white flowers and fresh herbs. A myriad of tropical fruit flavors with additional notes of peach, lemon curd and pepper spice. Nice saline/mineral touch on the long and crunchy finish. Mouth watering acidity, bright and fresh. A bit of heft due to some lees aging. Thanks for the taste, Chris B! Revisited in August 2025. Even better this time. Taking rating up! — 9 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Double decant and pour. A wondrous lite golden straw color. On the nose: a subdued nose of pear, pineapple, oyster shells, pine, nutty vanilla. Taste: A chalky, oily, layered wine with lemon-lime, apple, limestone, peach, and a mineral dried coconut medium plus finish. YUM!! — 3 years ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.3

Double decant and pour(little cloudy sediment). A wonderful light gold color. On the nose: lemon, pineapple, grapefruit, floral, and a pop of vanilla. Taste: smooth, creamy, good acidity medium plus body wine with lemon, minerals, pineapple, orange peel, and a stoney pear finish. Nice start to the weekend!! Cheers! — 4 years ago

with Brenda

Matt Suder

9.0

Excellent daiquiris. — 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

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Masterclass in San Francisco with Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite. Chateau Rieussec is another property that the Rothschild’s own.

1997 a difficult vintage for reds in Bordeaux. The upside is, when the reds lag, the whites almost always shine.

The nose shows; marmalade, dry peaches & apricots, pineapple, citrus blend, fresh orange peel, burnt almonds, almond cake, nut skin, burnt toffee, honey, caramel, beeswax, waxiness, toast, limestone, gravely stones, fruit blossoms and yellow florals.

The body is thick, gluey and rich. The mouthfeel magnificent. There is almost a dry tannin presence but it is it’s dry, gritty volcanic minerality, marmalade, dry peaches & apricots, pineapple, citrus blend, fresh orange peel, burnt almonds, almond cake, nut skin, burnt toffee, honey, caramel, beeswax, waxiness, toast, limestone, gravely stones, fruit blossoms and yellow florals. The acidity round and splendid. The finish is rich, well balanced, elegant, polished and delicious.

All wines arrived weeks ago directly from the Chateau.

Photos of; the Crown Room on the 23rd floor of the Fairmont where the Masterclass was held, glass of 1997 showing color, Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite presenting and another view of the city of San Francisco/Bay and the Golden Gate Bride in the background.
— 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Presented double-blind. The wine pours a light straw color with medium viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is developing with tart and ripe notes of apple, pear, underripe pineapple, lemon curd, nuts and minerals. I felt like there was some deft use of oak. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+, bordering on high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and chocked full of minerals. My immediate impression was Bourgogne Blanc and I was having a hard time getting away from it. So I called Chardonnay, from France, Burgundy, Chassagne-Montrachet with 3-5 years of age. Gosh dammit! Margaret River strikes again!!! Blind, I always seem to call these Chablis or some other high quality white Burg. And I adore the Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnays. They always impress me. Drink now through 2036. — a year ago

KD

9.2

Deep gold with apple, pear, honey, pineapple with some oak and smoke on the nose. Medium to full body with a fresh acidity that is balanced by the subtle tannins. Buttery but not overly so with apple, poached pear, peaches in cream, kiwi and pineapple with some notes earthy oakiness. Peaches linger in the hot medium long finish.
Paired with southwestern grilled tuna, which worked great! — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Pale lemon with complex aromas of fresh ripe citrus and tropical fruits with herbal mineral notes. Pineapple and orange citrus flavors adding grapefruit, melon & peach tones, great acidity balance, rich & smooth, long finish ending with rich bright mineral character. Nice! Had this several times, consistent quality. Short-term aging will benefit. Just outstanding — 4 years ago

Stacy K

10

So delicious — 5 years ago

Sean Smith

9.1

Lots of tropical notes, pineapple in particular. Great roundness you don’t typically get from 100% SB. — 5 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Rich and full body showing strong intensity and power. Pineapple core, exotic citrus fruits and hints of orange skin and marzipan. Length is exceptional as is its depth. Decant. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Consistently delicious and great value in Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc Champagne.

Fresh, reductive, lively on the palate. Green apple, lemon, lime zest, baguette crust, pineapple, white peach, lanolin, cream, perfect chalk & minerality, yellow & white florals, beautiful acidity and rich polished finish that persists.

Photos of; one of their Grand Cru vineyards, two views of their historical museum of champagne/wine artifacts since it’s beginnings and Launois. — 7 years ago