Chris Blanchard

9.0

Opened for Thanksgiving 2024 — 5 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

Equipo vaquero — 6 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. — 2 years ago

with Angelina

Joe Weinberger

9.2

Really impressed with this wine. This area of California’s landscape and proximity to the Pacific mimics that of Albariño’s home, Rias Biaxas. Salty, tropical, and mineral with good weight and balance. — 4 years ago

Norman Gennaro

9.1

The nose is wonderful in my view. Of course the wood is there but there is a lot of brown sugar in it fit me. It reads hot on the palate, viscous with a long finish. Not a full mouthfeel but you still want more. — 4 years ago

Brian Grech

8.9

Pleasantly surprised — 5 years ago

with Ashley

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, — 5 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Cloudy garnet color promises the vitality and exuberance of unfiltered #pinotnoir. Ripe cherry, red bramble fruit, strawberry. High-toned acidity on the palate, layered red fruit carries through. Irresistible #sonomacoast bottle that disappears quickly. — 6 months ago

Ed Chin

8.9

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a Sea Smoke and for good reason. Well made for sure just too over the top for me now — a year ago

Matt

9.5

Awesome! Its shed some of the ripe and primary fruit, but still has a warm vintage generosity to it in the acidity. Captures Vaillons charming fruit and oyster shell core. Was expecting more honeyed richness but surprised by the nerve underneath the warmth of the year. Its fresh and gets going. Totally fucked with prosciutto wrapped asparagus, boiled taters and sauce Mornay, one of the top pairing of the year so far. — 3 years ago

Gary Nishimura

9.5

Smooth, worth the money. — 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. — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Popped and poured, and brought out to compare to the 2008. Similar color and brightness as the 2008, which is a good sign. Deeper and slightly more complex nose. Notes of citrus, sea breeze, some hazelnuts, some wet stone. In the mouth it has a bit more weight, and kind of an oiliness to it. Taste lingers for a while. Very nice and sad to later discover this was the last of a 6 pack I had - all of which were in good shape. — 5 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. — 5 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

Equipo vaquero — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Again I had this at a friends tasting last Sunday afternoon. No notes taken but I recall more honeyed and mature than Chablis oyster shell characteristics. I should add that Penfolds 1990 707 in the image to the right was exceptional. Drinking at its peak from a good vintage with still some years to go. 97 points for the 707. — 7 months ago

Michael Hung

9.4

Nose has cherry, leather, herbaceous and spice notes. Medium plus acidity, smooth tannins, full bodied Pinot Noir. Tons of red fruit, with notes of black cherry, young strawberry. Secondary notes of oak and vanilla. Short finish, but works well as a package. Great with food cause it is after all, a Pinot Noir. High 14.5% ABV for a Pinot as well, but it opens up nicely and is not closed off. Very pleasant wine to drink! — 3 years ago

Joseph Lewinski

8.9

Muscadet! Lovely straight sea water mineral lemon goodness. Had with some great oysters Christmas Eve. — 4 years ago

with Ginny

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. — 5 years ago

Brecht Spileers

9.3

Rather muted nose of oyster shell, lemon and flint - awesome evolution on the palate fatty in the middle with a lingering finish. Fantastic. Competes at GC level - this one feels a bit quieter at the start, but its lingering finale completes a perfect picture. Aerate. — 5 years ago

with Charlotte