Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Since 1880, Maison Joseph Drouhin has built a reputation for wines that primarily reflect their individual terroir and vintage. Medium Ruby with pure red fruit on the youthful nose,100% Pinot Noir. On the palate, this dry red has flavors of cherry and strawberry with a bit of licorice. Medium+ acidity with fine soft tannins on medium finish. Good now and over the short term. Nice value. — 7 years ago

Justin Wittkopf

9.3

Love this wine and after having 5-6 over the last year I have to agree with the reputation that there are good bottles of this and there are some spectacular bottles. Last night this was good, not spectacular. — 8 years ago

Richard Gray

9.0

2013 Les Chaumées. Fabulous Chardonnay with light oak and great acidity. Considering it's reputation and 1er cru status, however, I was expecting a lot more complexity. — 9 years ago

Ben Atash

9.9

I tried this vintage once before and was excited to say the least. Upon first quaff, the wine seemed surprisingly reserved compared to my mental notes. I revisited it over a three-hour period, and sure enough, it came to life. A vibrant bouquet of lime and honeysuckle jumped from the glass. Totally balanced with electric acidity and minerality. It definitely lived up to its reputation. — 9 years ago

Brian Grech

9.4

Pow. The reputation is well-earned. Great wine. — 10 years ago

with Ashley, Chi and 1 other

Tai Krueger

9.0

It's good. It's really good. Shows off that bright, confectionary fruit typical of the Santa Lucia Highlands area. Here's the thing though: Sierra Mar Vineyard was only planted in 2008. The vines are still pretty young. The Franscionis have a stellar (and well deserved) reputation for their vineyards, and I'm sure Sierra Mar will get there, but right now I'm just not sure it's showing the complexity I'd like for a $60 single vineyard Pinot. If it's between this and Roar's Gary's Vineyard, Rosella's Vineyard, or Pisoni Vineyard, get one of the other single vineyards. — 10 years ago

Justin Scappaticci

8.9

Gorgeous nose of ripe pineapple, lime zest, petrol and flint. The acidity is very intense but is supported by the lush fruit. Its long finish is indicative of this quality producer and its excellent reputation — 10 years ago

Vic Goel

9.4

Wow. Smooth, silky, ripe fruit, complex. This was my first KB, and although this is their entry level Pinot Noir, it upholds the reputation spectacularly well. — 10 years ago

Dade Thieriot

10

2005 White Burgundies have a reputation as being soft, round and forward, but not at chez Coche Dury--broad on the mid palate with plenty of gentle toastiness in the glorious finish--perfect balance from top to bottom--a ROCK STAR BOTTLE! — 11 years ago

with Petra and Andrew

Oliver Marion

9.3

Cool climate Aussie Shiraz at its best. Certainly lives up to its reputation. Fantastic drop. — 12 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2015 Ramey ‘Hyde VIneyard’ Chardonnay is a simply gorgeous new wine that is one of the best of its kind by superstar winemaker, David Ramey. Set on clay loam soils, the strongly marine-influenced Hyde Vineyard has gained an international reputation for producing outstanding Chardonnay grapes. This Carneros bottling shows intense nutmeg, vanilla creme brulee, macadamia nut and heavy whipping cream flavors that impress. Lithe and rich, this gorgeous bottling will cellar well for the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 94 — 7 years ago

Vijay Parikh

9.6

Second time within the space of a week! Decanted for 2.5 hours the wine initially a bit funky blows off and lives up to its glorious reputation. Next time will try a slightly shorter decant — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

On the nose; flint/sulfur, cut dry grass, green apple, lemon, lime, notes of overripe pineapple, honeysuckle, green herbs Jasmine and yellow lilies. On the palate; green apple, lemon, lime, overripe pineapple, green dry herbs, flint/sulfur, honeysuckle, Jasmine & yellow lilies, grainy minerals, good chalkiness, saline, nice round acidity and round, rich, long finish. Photos of; Domaine Guy Amoit et Fils, their barrel cellar and Guy & Thierry Amiot and a picturesque shot in Chassagne-Montrachet. Producer notes and history...Domaine Amiot was founded in Chassagne-Montrachet in 1920 by Arsene Amiot when he acquired select parcels of vines or “climats” in Chassagne including Vergers, Caillerets, Clos St. Jean and in what is today Le Montrachet. Under Arsene, Domaine Amiot became one of the first Domaines in Burgundy to bottle their own production. In the 1930’s, the domaine passed to Aresene’s son, Pierre, who continued to add top sites such as Champsgains, Macherelles, Maltroie and their tiny parcel in Puligny, Les Demoiselles. Pierre’s son, Guy, took the reins in 1985 and solidified the reputation of the Domaine for producing wines of exceptional quality from an impressive array of top vineyard sites. Guy’s son Thierry took over the winemaking in 2003 and continues the tradition of expressing the unique character of each vineyard site while constantly seeking to improve the quality of the wines. Les Macherelles is located on the farest side of Chassagne-Montrachet close to Puligny-Montrachet. — 9 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.8

Giving absolute credence to the reputation that the wines from the Margaux commune show, both displayed an elegance allied with a subtle power and perfect balance, especially 2005.

2000 had a trace pyrazine note that I found unexpected, and quite frankly not that enjoyable. Outside of that the wine was perfect. The second bottle did not throw it as strong, so not exactly in the clear on this night.

The 2005 was in perfect shape, drink now or age it another 20 years easy, this was so enjoyable and balanced with perfect tannin integration and a seamless, dense and pure finish that sailed on forever.

#margaux #bordeaux #wine — 10 years ago

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

9.3

Steve Peck- Great gumdrops! I really like this wine. Ripe fruit flavors with elegant structure. A legendary wine that actually lives up to its renowned reputation. — 10 years ago

Dade Thieriot

9.7

#2009 was a spectacular year for #dry #German #Rieslings and the #Spreitzer brothers made an #OestricherLenchen that lives up to this vintage's reputation. Creamy, silky, mouth-coating concentration with a fine core of ripe acidity to support its innate opulence--well done! #erstegewachs #GG #Rheingau — 10 years ago

Adam Jesberger

9.7

At first a bit closed and tight. With time the hype became understood. Layers on layers of dense dark fruit with epic length and complexity. Stunning in every facet. The nose contained an inky tone that i love in the high grade napa cabs. Followed by a subtle mint accent that really complimented our prime tri tip with rosemary. Marthas is one martha fuggah. After a couple hours......the menthol/eucalyptus became insane. Like a york peppermint rush on the nose. Almost icy in nature. If i had known, i would have allowed for a 2+ hour decant before touching this wine. This is a wine that really lives up to its reputation. It was a baby, tannins were still super grippy and coarse. This needed about 7-10 more years. I will be finding more to put away! — 10 years ago

with Jenelle

Felix Warners

9.6

This was the 1990 vintage and it was great! Still so young, an amazing wine and it's reputation is well deserved. — 11 years ago

Dade Thieriot

10

If the quality of this bottle is any indication this estate is very close to its former renowned reputation--a triumph! — 12 years ago

with Petra

Henrik Poulsen

9.2

Punching way above it’s class and reputation (in this vintage). — 7 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.6

It smashed away all the rivals at least by miles
It definitely occupies a sweet spot with me, but onestly the liveliness, vibrancy, enjoyment and, least but not last at all, the lenght of the aftertaste together with its cleanness they justify its reputation and fullfil anyone expectation
Young still
5th meeting on Burgundy — 7 years ago

with Claudio, Mauro and 2 others

Mark Martin

9.2

Lives up to the reputation - full and lush without spilling out all over the place. Spice and cassis up front. Cocoa and vanilla as it warms. Let it sit down even longer and enjoy your reward. — 9 years ago

Kojo

9.5

Good, good, good!!! Lived up to its reputation — 9 years ago

Jason Duff

9.6

You see why this has the reputation of being the best. — 9 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.4

This is quintessential 2004- a vintage that I am sure will grow in reputation just like 1988. Composed of 70% Chouilly Chardonnay and the rest Tauxieres and Epernay Pinot, this wine is 100% estate. This has precision and cut that put it up with the best of Blanc de Blancs. It also has creamy lees character and good mouth feel... What a bottle! — 10 years ago

Andrei Shustov

9.5

Smooth, velvety, bold, aromatic; lives up to reputation! — 10 years ago

Steve Alcorn

9.7

Tasted June 20, 2015. A perfect bottle that lived up to its reputation. So hard to find one with guaranteed provenance and not a fake. From the German cellar of Armin Diel, Mahler-Besse. Almost overwhelming chocolate mint, dust, great tannic structure, cherry cola, eucalyptus bark, vanilla, unchanged in the glass for two hours. This wine will likely live another 100 years. — 10 years ago

with John, Ron and 1 other

Zachary Price

8.9

Received the 2011 Reserve Chardonnay from Riverbench in a member shipment a while back and drank it about a week ago. Riverbench, founded in 1973, has long held a very favorable reputation for producing high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay out of the Santa Maria Valley. Their winemaker, Clarissa Nagy, has all the tools to make great wine and this is a great example. ~32$ | #riverbench #chardonnay #santamariavalley

On the eyes: starbright, yellow-gold with light stain and med tears. No gas/floc.

On the nose: very buttery with an oaky nuttiness rounded by melon, guava, and pear.

On the tongue: slightly effervescent with med acid, med tannin, and med+ alcohol, floral notes yielding to lemon, melon, and pear on a nice creamy mouthfeel. There's a bit of spice and unmistakable buttery oakiness on the much appreciated long finish. — 11 years ago

Florian Soler

9.2

High as is reputation but it doesn't worse this price — 11 years ago

Stephen Moore

9.8

The Velvet Glove. What a nose on this one! Dark fruit, tobacco, chocolate, and mint. Lives up to its reputation :) #yegwine — 12 years ago