Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Big weekend holidays call for big wines. Happy Memorial Day weekend.

Time to make the new Riedel Vintage Sommelier flutes really prove their worth.

The nose reveals; golden & green apples, sour lemons, lime juice to almost candy, touch of apple cider, overripe pineapple, lime, tangerine notes, stone fruit-apricot & peach, caramel, sweet, cream butter, vanillin, very beautiful & powdery chalkiness, saline, sea fossils, delicate, grey volcanics (almost ash), bread dough, light yeastiness, chunks of just fruit in marmalade, jam, hints of candle wax, honeysuckle & comb, gentle white spice with yellow lilies, jasmine, spring flowers, fruit blooms with some mixed in cut greens.

The body/mousse is gentle & delicate...super micro oxygenation/bubbles. She shows her beauty as she glides over the palate. More golden apple than the nose, green apple, sour lemons, lime zest to almost candy, touch of apple cider, overripe pineapple, lime, tangerine notes, stone fruit-apricot & peach, caramel, vanillin, sweet, cream butter, very beautiful & extremely, powdery chalkiness, saline, sea fossils, delicate, grey volcanics (almost ash), bread dough, light yeastiness, sesame oil, silvered almonds, chunks of just fruit in marmalade, jam, hints of candle wax, honeysuckle & comb, gentle white spice with the perfect light heat & palate penetration with yellow lilies, jasmine, spring flowers, fruit blooms with some mixed in cut greens. The acidy is perfect and gentle. The finish isn’t quite as good as the 02 Krug we had on my birthday in March but, it’s a close relative. It’s super; refined, delicate, unbelievable knitting, well balanced, elegantly polished like 75 degree sunshine on your face and persists softly like baby skin for minutes.

An amazing cuvée!

Photos of; the Champagne house of Egly-Ouriet, A-frame bottles in their cave, Owner/ Francis Egly (since taking it over from his father in 1982) in one of his Ambonnay Grand Cru Vineyards and vines around the estate.

Producer notes, Elgy-Ouriet was planted in 1946 to Pinot Noir in pure-chalk soil of ‘Crayères.’ Unquestionably one of the finest, south-facing terroirs in Ambonnay. Les Crayères is the top single vineyard of the estate, containing the oldest vines. 100% Pinot Noir from the renowned Les Crayères known for its extremely shallow topsoil and chalky bedrock. Completely barrel fermented, and aged 70 months on the lees. It's a blend of the 2010 and 2011 vintages and was disgorged in July 2018 after 72 months sur lattes. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I like to thank @Severn Goodwin for his kindness & generosity for sending this beautiful bottle of Champagne.

We shared this with friends and paired this with apple walnut vinaigrette salad last night. Complimented the salad nicely. It was a nice yin and yang balanced tug of war of food & wine.

The body is beautiful in the mouth with nice acidity. Bruised apple & pear, some apple cider, pineapple juice, lime zest & candy, white peach, easy, soft chalkiness, soft, fine, grey volcanic minerals, sea spray, brioche with spring flowers and yellow lilies. Finishes softly, elegant, nicely balanced and persists nicely.

Photos of; the house of Caillez Lemaire, bottles waiting to sold, Current 18th century family Owners - Virginie and Laurent Van Poperinghe and one of their vineyards. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The 2008 Launois Special Club might be the best they’ve made in the 2000’s that’s been released. Pronounced (loon wah). My palate tells me part of this was aged in tank and some of it in wood.

It’s made from two plots of 65 year old vines, one in the Grand Cru of Oger called 'Chenys' and one in Mesnil called 'Derriere Maison’. The plots in Mesnil are their oldest.

The nose reveals, bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, touch of nutmeg, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossoms and spring flowers.

The body is full, rich, soft & creamy. Micro bubbles. The palate shows nice backbone of minerals and excellent chalkiness. Bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, white nectarines, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, coriander, touch of nutmeg, graham crackers, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossom and spring flowers. The acidity is magnificent. The long, rich, well balanced, elegant finish astonishes. It’s very good tonight but will wait another 3-4 years before I open another.

Photos of, the House of Launois, two different areas that make up their champagne museum that encompass Champagne’s history and then some, as well as, some of their Grand Cru Vineyards.

This 08 Special Club was/is a steal at $59. — 8 years ago

Scott Stewart

9.0

First time. Ages in rum barrels. Killer! — 9 years ago

Alexis Whitesides

9.3

Dry, tart, nice acidity, really refreshing — 9 years ago

with Andrew

David Kline

9.6

Coconut merengue marshmallow clouds descend upon the funky sea. Bee pollen clods crumble beneath its electrical gale filling your nostrils with dreams of orange-blossom honey. Sip the apple cider vinegar and bitter orange, tart cherry and sweet pickle. The funk spirals like a brine funnel into caperberry and a mesmerizing, frizzante grapefruit soda, persimmon, and Blood orange suspended in iodine with pickled peach and clove. One year old and really perfect. — 10 years ago

with Madeline, Josh and 1 other

Janice Wang

9.2

2012. Gold colour. Whiff of cement dust. Like earthy cider. Sea breeze and mushrooms emerge. Balanced, structured. Some heat. Bitterness. Big powerful energetic wine pent up. Long palate. Rich smooth body. Fine Sinewy tannins. Golden heavy silk. Plays in the mouth for a long time — 11 years ago

Camille Vancil

9.3

Great for summer! Refreshing and light. — 12 years ago

Antoine Pin

Wine Buyer Kroger/QFC

8.9

I believe this May be my first cider in a can and so far, I'm liking it. Like most craft beers in a can, it makes sense. $3 / 89pts — 13 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.8

This is the 2018 coferment with apple cider, Sauvignon blanc wine, and kefir leaves at the end. Excellent cider/wine. Definitely more on the funky cider. This one would be very refreshing on a hot day, but very complex. Tons of lime, grass, funk, apples, pear, an almond/marscapone like flavor as well. Most excellent! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Champagne is for celebrating, not that I need a celebratory reason to open a bottle as I am hooked on champagne. 💉

However, after installing 27 solar panels and waiting an additional seven weeks for my Tesla, I/we have almost erased our carbon footprint. Finally picked it up today. I believe we all need to do our part to save the glorious vines that bring so much happiness to our lives. 🍷🥂👍

As for the Baron Fuentes, the is a very good Champange and is perhaps the best QPR out of Champagne at $24.99.

Bright lemon, lime, grapefruit w/ sugar, bruised red apple & pear, touch of ginger & cider, bread dough, baguette crust, sea spray, white spice with some palate heat, sea fossils, grey volcanic minerals, spring flowers, lilacs and yellow lilies. The acidity is bright, crisp and lively. The finish is smartly polished, well balanced and persistent for minutes.

Whoo hoo! So close to carbon free! 🍾🥂 — 7 years ago

David Shaw

9.0

Peach saison cider, made with “northwest apples and juicy freestone peaches [and] French saison yeast”, 5.6% alc/vol. Not much of a head on pour, a moderate stream of pinpoint bubbles emerges from the cloudy orange-yellow cider. Apple aroma profile on nose with light yeast notes. Apple flavor profile with some peach flavor on finish. Good mix of malic acid from apples and peach fruit acids on finish. Finish is fizzy, creamy and pleasantly tactile, with slightly tart aftertaste of peaches and slightly bitter saison yeast, which I rather liked. Almost dry. Well made, wonderfully textured with layers of simple flavors; another pleasant winner from Two Towns. — 7 years ago

David Shaw

9.2

Pale golden white. Short brief head in pour, moderate carbonation with medium sized bubbles. Label says it’s part of Heirloom Series, 8% alcohol. Pleasant perfumed apple aromas in nose. Expected McIntosh flavor profile in mouth but much more subtle and complex than that. Ever so slightly off dry, slight astringency in finish so very gently pressed. Slight malic snap in finish. Well crafted and superior product — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

A very serviceable champagne for around $35.

On the nose; lemon meringue, sour green apple, golden apple, overripe pineapple, grapefruit with pith, lime, bruised Bosc pear, almond slivers, cream soda, brioche, sea shells, saline, volcanic minerals with yellow lilies and spring flowers.

The body is rich, layered and full. Tiny micro bubbles, touch of oxygenation. Sour lemons, sour green apple, golden apple, apple cider, overripe pineapple, grapefruit with pith, lime, bruised Bosc pear, almond slivers, cream soda, brioche, sea shells, saline, volcanic minerals with yellow lilies and spring flowers. The acidity is lively. The finish is rich, nicely balanced, well polished and lasts minutes.

@AZ Oasis — 8 years ago

Aila Enos

9.5

Berry cider, delicious - get again! — 9 years ago

Matt

9.1

Crazy fizz! Candied peach, passion fruit, apple skin, cider, minerals, and a kiss of funk. Crunchy texture and zippy acid — 10 years ago

Stefanie Jackson

8.9

Lemony, briny, sour take on cider. I really want to like it...
There is smoke and earth and the sea in my glass, pretty stunning for so light (in color and body) cider. Very atypical. Not for everyone. Pair with a bratwurst sausage and I'm sold.
— 11 years ago

Nelson Fitch

9.0

Rich, funky, tart. Nice. — 12 years ago

Andy Bartee

Sales Copain Winery

9.3

Wow, this will change your mind about Cider! — 12 years ago

Kelsey Miner

9.6

Excellent cider. Nicole says it tastes like mine ( a good thing) and also tastes nicely but not too sweet — 13 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

I don’t remember buying this or if it was a gift. However, I have ignored it for sometime. Hazards of loving Champange...especially, Rosé.

This is not really our style as it falls into more oxidation than we like. But, still enjoyable.

The nose reveals, bruised green-golden apple & Bosc pear, some apple cider, sour pineapple, lemon chiffon, white citrus blend, bread dough, baguette crust, nougat, sea spray, crumbled chalkiness, grey volcanic minerals, withering, yellow lilies and spring flowers.

The body & mouthfeel are nice. Bruised green-golden apple & Bosc pear, some apple cider, sour pineapple, lemon chiffon & poppy cake, cream, butter notes, white citrus blend, bread dough, warm toast, nougat with nuts, brown sugar spice w/ a little palate heat, vanillin notes, touch of butterscotch & caramel, sea spray, crumbled chalkiness, grey volcanic minerals, withering, yellow lilies and spring flowers. The acidity is good just not as lively as I like. The finish is rich, polished, well balanced and quite nice, just not outstanding.

Photos of; Domaine Simonnet-Febvre, street sign, stainless steel tank room and Burgundian vineyard.

Producer notes; In 1840, Jean Febvre, a barrel cooper from Montbard, founded the winery that is now Maison Simonnet-Febvre. It was exclusively specialized in the making of sparkling wines using the so-called “Traditional Method”.

Maison Simonnet-Febvre owns vineyards in Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru “Mont de Milieu” and Chablis Grand Cru “Les Preuses”. It produces and vinifies a large range of different wines from the diverse “terroirs” of the Chablis region.

Maison Simonnet-Febvre was purchased by Maison Louis Latour in 2003. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

It’s a little birthday pre-celebration for the birthday girl before we head north tomorrow for a big Bordeaux tasting and dinner to celebrate.

That’s her enjoying the afternoon sun in the D&S Lounge on her day off. Happy Birthday Sofia! Love you.

As for the Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, it never disappoints.

The palate shows beautiful mousse, green & golden apple, pineapple juice, some pear, a touch of cider, lemon & lime zest, kiwi, green melon, notes of caramel, baguette crust, mixed greens, saline, sea fossils & spray, grainy, grey volcanic minerals, low intensity white spice, thick, powdery chalkiness, spring flowers, jasmine, soft, crisp acidity and a well balanced & polished finish.

Photos of; the birthday queen on her throne, her birthday bouquet, long shot of our yard and a nice fall sunset with a glass of celebration nectar. 😜🎉🎊🎂🥂 — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

At the Emirates Business Lounge in Dubai. Not quite the lounge services they advertise in their Business Class Service video in Dubai on their website. Overall, still ok. I was looking forward to the world’s only Moet & Chandon Champagne Bar and some 09 vintage Moet & Chandon but, I guess that is really only in the First Class Lounge. I’ll have to settle for this Imperial. Any good lawyers out there want to sue them for deceptive advertising? 🤣 Also, the shoe shine was not included. It was the most expensive shoe shine I’ve had. And, never actually included black polish! Hmmm? 🤔

As for the Imperial, not bad but, not the 09 vintage I had hoped for! Oh well! 🤷‍♂️

The nose reveals, nice light citrus blend, green apple, bruised red apple to cider, pineapple, a little lime candy, tropical melons, some white peach, cream soda, brioche, soft chalkiness, understated minerality, spring & yellow flowers with greens.

The body full and pleasant. Soft understated mousse and delicate on the palate. Light citrus blend, green apple, red apple with a slight lean into cider, pineapple, a little lime candy, tropical melons, some white peach, cream soda, brioche, soft, fine powdery chalkiness, subtle minerality, sea spray, spring & yellow flowers with greens. The acidity not as lively as I would prefer. The finish is rich, elegant but, lacks a certain wow factor. — 7 years ago

Joshua Crisp

9.1

Seasonal favorite. Like prickly pears and Pink Lady apples having way too much fun in the bottle. Great acidity and sugar. — 9 years ago

Erica Schoonmaker

9.0

High notes of honey! — 9 years ago

Liz O'Neal

9.4

Omg this cider is bomb. Brought to dinner party by Matt - can purchase at Ruby Wine 😍 — 10 years ago

with Hannah

Sergio Licea

9.6

Apple cider, petrol, honeycomb, sea breeze, toasted almonds, creme brûlée, bicycle tire. Beautiful golden color, restrained acidity, soft silky/oily texture, long complex mineral/slightly off dry finish. Pairs well with everything. — 11 years ago

Jaime DeVloo

9.1

Crisp flavour, not too sweet, very refreshing — 11 years ago

Ryan Flinn

9.0

Nose is all apple orchard in the fall. Mouth is almond liquor, tart cider, sea salt ("Fleur de sel" for you fancy folk). This isn't your grandma's Sherry - it's a beautiful wine with many layers worth exploring - oh and less than $20 to boot. — 12 years ago

Joseph Hernandez

Associate Digital Editor Wine Enthusiast Magazine

9.5

This cider = Perfect. More, please. — 12 years ago