Lev Lavrichtchev

8.9

Nice and ready for business — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Well...this was one hell of a week. There is only one way to wind it down. Reach for an excellent bottle of vintage Champagne.

My first thoughts are how delicate this is on the palate. Further, how unbelievable it will be with another 8-10 years in bottle.

The nose shows; slightly sour lemon, the good parts of lemon Pledge, lemon meringue, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, brioche, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanilla, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies.

The body is light on its feet and dances on the palate. Delicacy abounds. Its soft, gorgeous mousse right there with the best money can buy. Slightly sour lemon, lemon meringue, green & with more bruised golden apple, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, touch of apple cider, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, ginger ale into cream soda, brioche, nougat, toffee notes, lighter nuts without skin, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanillin, marzipan, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies. The acidity is mellow yet lively, gorgeous and as good as it gets. The finish is all luxury. So well knitted & balanced, elegant, rich but not overpowering and gently persisting several minutes.

Photos of; The House of Taittinger, their caves so chalky white and built on the famous Crayères Cellars of Reims: 2.5 miles of tunnels (they own 1/4 to 1/3 of it) cut out of chalk by the Romans, the portrait of Thibaud IV who was a king, lord, manager, singer, conqueror, explorer & 11th century Crusader all rolled into one from which, this Cuvée was the catalyst creation and part of the 600 plus hectares they own in Champange.

Some producer notes; Taittinger's history can be traced back to 1734, when it was originally known as Forest-Fourneaux, founded by Jacques Fourneaux who worked closely with local Benedictine monks to learn how to produce wine. They were just the 3rd Champange house.

The estate was bought by the Taittingers – a family of wine merchants – in 1932, and thanks to the great depression and subsequent low land prices, the family also picked up huge swathes of vineyard. From 1945-1960, Francois Taittinger established the cellars in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, and after his death in 1960 his brother Claude took over, pushing the estate into a Champagne house of world renown. Such was the status of the label that the Taittinger family soon expanded its business into other luxury goods. However, this eventually led to financial difficulties, and in 2005 the Taittinger brand – including the Champagne house – was sold to the American owned Starwood Hotel Group. The sale was badly received by the Champagne industry, with many fearing the new owners – unfamiliar with the culture of Champagne – would put profit ahead of quality.

Just one year later, Claude’s nephew, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, who had always been opposed to the sale, negotiated a €660m deal with the Starwood Group, and the Taittinger family resumed ownership of the company.

In 2017, Taittinger planted its first vines in England, near a village in Kent, for its venture into English sparkling wine. The first bottle will be ready in 2023.

1/8/21 — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

Dark scarlet center with clear rims. Almost opaque. Wonderful fragrant nose. Notes of blue fruit, earth, violets, minerals, and some menthol. Meaty. Velvet glove in the mouth. Soft rich fruit with a nice balance of acidity that prolongs the finish. Was open for business immediately. RIP Mr Clape and thank you for this. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Founded in 1970, first release in 1975, Marqués de Cáceres the Rioja bodega was established by Henri Forner, whose family has been active in the wine business for generations. Blend of 85% Tempranillo, 8% Garnacha tinta & 7% Graciano. Deep red, ripe fruit, soft spice. Had this a year ago, aged nicely. On the palate blackberry and plum flavors with espresso, cacao & smoky oak notes. Well balanced smooth tannins, lingering finish with lively acidity. Nice value for a Gran Reserva with more room to age. — 7 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2000 vintage. Fully integrated and at the top of the bell curve. Dropped its showier aspects and all about business now with dust, chocolate mint and dark cherries flavors cradled by that quintessential Cos smooth oak in the nose. The oak barely crosses over into the midpalate or finish. It's present in the nose and first impression. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

In 1879, 2 brothers decided to set up a wine business, C.V.N.E., Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (Northern Spanish Wine Company) or la Cuné, as it is commonly known in Haro, created and still kept in traditional neighborhood of Haro station today. Deep Ruby with ripe berry aromas/complex spices, 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. Palate shows blackberry, cherry, sweet currant with herb, leather, oak & pepper spice. Fine tannins, well balanced good depth & structure, long finish, nice value! — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

In 1879, 2 brothers decided to set up a wine business, C.V.N.E., Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (Northern Spanish Wine Company) or la Cuné, as it is commonly known in Haro, was created and still kept in traditional neighborhood of Haro station today. Deep Ruby with ripe berry aromas and complex spices, 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. On the palate blackberry, cherry and sweet currant with herb, leather and pepper spice. Fine tannins, well balanced good depth and structure on a long finish. — 5 years ago

Brandon T

9.4

Year in, year out one of my favorites. 1.5 hours and open for business. Loads of black/blue fruits here. A winner! — 6 years ago

George Doolan

9.1

Much more open than 6 months ago. Good brightness. A bit fleshy at this stage but open for business. Excited to taste more from this producer. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

A great vintage and stupidly good with Hedy’s Melted Racklette Confit Potatoes with smoked olive oil. What a pair!!!

If you enjoy this young, over chill and decant one hour. It needs it and it vastly improves.

Hedy is our good friend and is a chef who would earn 1-2 Michelin Stars should she choose to open a restaurant but, wishes not to do. Check out Hedy’s Pop Up Dinner business @plate&bottle on Facebook.

January 22nd notes apply. — 6 years ago

with James and Christina

Jay Kline

9.1

Initially leather and dark cherries. After an hour, black tea, red plums and bergamot crept into the picture. Ready for business and delicious. Great with mozzarella and vegetable sheet-pan dinner. — 7 years ago

Levi Glenn

9.2

Reasonably ripe CdP, even for a big vintage. Nose isn’t forthcoming, but plush and inviting on the mid. Red briar fruit without great complexity, but plush and seductive. Young, but open for business. — 8 years ago

Henrik Möbitz

Owner/Winemaker Henrik Möbitz Wines

9.7

Ordered on the advice of TA lui-meme: surprisingly open for business, oozes class and joy. I am almost tempted to dig out another one from the cellar... — 8 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Intoxicating nose that can be smelled across the room and one that is quintessential Dujac. It’s juicy with dark fruit and whole bunch spice and there is a surprising level of ripeness and concentration for the vintage. It’s finely detailed and delineated with a silky texture, big structure and excellent length. Open for business. — 4 years ago

Blake Walker

9.3

Served with prime rib. 2 hour decant & open for business. Cedar, tobacco leaf, graphite at forefront, with notes of black cherry, cassis. Tertiary flavors are there but not dominant. Smooth tannins. Medium bodied, a bit lighter than expected, which may be a product of the vintage. — 4 years ago

TheSkip

9.2

Well, after hearing from @Ron R that this was open for business, I decided to take one for a drive. When I last had it, I felt it was a little restrained compared to the Quivet. I think in just those few months, this has opened to make it quite approachable. — 5 years ago

Josh Betz

10

No better wine than “Bond” vintage 2010 to celebrate great bonus awards for myself and team members too! Love sharing this with my bride who encouraged me to write the business plan for Argo Surety over 12 years ago! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Second course...Chestnut Soup with a tiny hint of warmer spices (cardamom, clove, fennel) with a tiny tang and nut flavor with Madeira Cream. One of the best pairings I’ve done in some time.

Notes apply from last weekend.

Check out Chef Hedy’s Pop Up Dinner business @plate&bottle on Facebook. — 6 years ago

with James and Christina

Conrad Green

9.1

Thick dark fruit with a tarry tart note. Very dense and compact. Still tannic- not really open for business. Not enough familiarity with these young ones to know where it’s going, but seems promising — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Liked it so much I had to try another bottle. Founded in 1972 by a group of lawyers and doctors from San Fran turning their passion for wine into a business. A blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 2% Malbec & 1% Cabernet Franc, aromas of dark red fruits, spice and nutty notes. Plum and cranberry flavors with espresso, cedar and cacao tones, good balance. Fine tannins that need decanting first, lingering ending with sweet spice notes. Consistent. — 7 years ago