Audrey Hiraki

9.5

Ablittlsweet, but smooth, balanced. — 7 months ago

Vanessa

9.2

🤩 Benanti is an iconic, family run estate with a front-seat majestic view of Etna’s terrain, founded by Giuseppe Benanti in 1988, now carried forward by Giuseppe’s two sons Antonio and Salvino. Preserving the heritage of Etna’s unique terroir, the Benantis devote themselves to making wine with local varieties. 🍇

After delicate pressing, the free-run juice underwent fermentation with an indigenous yeast and aged on the fine lees in stainless steel for 30 months with regular bâtonnage (stirring). 😆

📝 The result is divine with a bouquet of harmonious aromas and flavors featuring ripe papaya, mango, cantaloup, white nectarine, kumquat, bergamot, lemon oil, cherry blossom, cream, toast, gunflint, fresh tarragon, sage, crushed stones, oystershell, sea spray & blanched almond notes.

💫This wine has verve & elegance!

😋 On the palate, it’s dry, with electrifying acidity, a medium body, textured mouthfeel, medium alcohol (12.5% ABV) & persistent finish. — 9 months ago

with Deked1

Mike Saviage

9.5

Decanted for 3 hours, for a dinner that didn’t play out, so stopped and stored overnight in a fridge. Took to sunset gathering next night and, wow, this was singing a magical Raveneau song. Medium gold, heavy in the glass. Killer nose. Notes of a cool sea breeze, sea shells, white stone, apricot and citrus, some tan spice and a dollop of honey. Really big and powerful impact in the mouth. Long finish. This juice used its long aeration to show its very best. Give it air if you drink now. Will likely hold in this position for a long time to come. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Light gold. Looks young. Took 5 hours to open up and show its stuff. In hour 6 this was cruising. Saline and sea shells, wispy lemon fruit, some honey, some white stone. The guesses from the fellas were 2002 Rav Clos and 1996 Rav Valmur. Shows how these properly stored aged Raveneaus can age effortlessly. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The White Burgundy was excellent but, still have to have my BSR 375ml. It’s been awhile for us.

It is a little better tonight following the Burgundy & soft white cheese.

The nose on this bottle really flows out of the glass tonight. Beautiful lean fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, cherries, strawberries, watermelon near the rind, blood orange, orange & tangerine & some pomegranate. Crisp volcanic minerals, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, vanillin, whiff of caramel, soft white spice, pink flowers and rose pedals.

Everything on the palate sings just a little louder tonight as well. Fruits are even a little richer than normal. Ripe & slightly gummy not as normal leaner fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, cherries, strawberries, watermelon near the rind, blood orange, orange & tangerine & some pomegranate. Crisp and grippy, volcanic minerals, beautiful softer, powdery chalkiness w/o quite the sharper edge it normally has, soft, hints of Provence herbs, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, vanillin, whiff of caramel, soft white spice, pink flowers and rose pedals. The acidity is crisp, lively and dead on as alway. The long, rich, well balanced finish is deliciously refreshing and persists minutes.

Photos of; one of their Grand Cru Vineyards at sunset & inside and the Estate grounds of the House of Billecart, — 6 years ago

Edward Nelson

9.3

51! Nolan and wife. Waiting on some birthday chicken parm. Cheers! — 7 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.4

Super crisp layers of green apple and citrus and some hints of surrounding some fig and tropical fruits. Very long finish and super well integrated oak. — 3 years ago

with Angelina

James Mosman

9.0

Liked it. Definitely worth another bottle. — 4 years ago

S T

9.2

Heavy, thick, bold pinot noir! Atypical, yet tasty. — 4 years ago

Randy Fillingim

9.5

As good a Pinot - 2009. - that I have had. Seamless. Tannins and fruits in near perfect harmony. Initial taste - amazing. AND it finishes just as good. — 5 years ago

Peter Sidell

9.4

Kind to the palate — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Four day weekend. Gotta get it off to a good start. Been awhile since we had our 375ml of Ruinart.

The nose shows, ripe, slightly candied; black cherries, strawberries, kirsch cherries, rich, summertime watermelon, touch of orange citrus family blend, pomegranate juice, hints of fruit roll up & haunting apricots. Sea fossils & spray, a little bread dough, grey volcanics, chalky powder, orange, spring flowers with fresh & withering, red & pink rose pedals.

The palate is full & touch gummy/candied. Fruits are well extracted, deep, ruby; black cherries, blackberries, strawberries, kirsch cherries, rich, summertime watermelon, touch of orange citrus family blend, pomegranate juice, hints of fruit roll up & haunting apricots. Ghostly, not quite fruit brandy or fruit liqueur character, sea fossils & spray, a little bread dough, not quite medium, white spice with hints of palate heat, grainy, grey volcanics, chalky powder, orange, spring flowers with fresh & withering, red & pink rose pedals. The acidity lively and crisp. The round, well balanced & polish finish is always consistently satisfying and lingers for minutes.

Photos of; the House of Ruinart, Dom Thierry Ruinart, nicely light caves and rolling, hillside, Grand Cru Vineyard.

Not quite sure where “D” gets $83 when you can buy this all day at just under $65. — 6 years ago

romo

9.0

Keep it chilled. Hits the spot with the right (sea)food. — 8 months ago

Steve Goore

9.2

Never been disappointed with this red blend. This 2018 was very well balanced and smooth with light tannins. Full of flavor but not harsh. Great on its own or paired with just about any food. — 2 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Medium gold color. Heavy in the glass like oil. Killer nose. Notes of ripe apricot, tan spice, sea breeze, cardamom, some chalky limestone soil and sea shells. Rich and silky in the mouth. Light and not too heavy. Long finish. In a great spot. — 4 years ago

Arlene Calandra

8.9

Very nice, easy drinking the combination of all the red wines is very smooth — 5 years ago

Gary Nishimura

9.5

Smooth, worth the money. — 5 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

8.9

Pale ruby color. Aromas of bing cherry, cranberry and ocean breeze. Good cherry flavors, not a bad Pinot for the price. — 6 years ago

Sebastien Leger

9.0

Young, needed decanting. Super strong at 14.7% vol, yet nice acidity. Felt tannic, not a traditional Pinot. Very hard to find! — 6 years ago

J Chechik

9.3

Delicious. Huge cherry fruit & long finish. Wonderful treat. . — 7 years ago