Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Quite light straw , green hints . On the nose this is quite restrained , some apricot , pineapple , white flower notes. On the palate again restrained , lemon peel , touch of apricot , pineapple, hint of toastiness . High acidity and really good balance , nice lemon peel tinged finish . This will probably age well , now and over the next 7-10 years — 8 months ago

John W

9.8

Pale straw coloration. On the nose, apples and lemon. On the palate, tart citrus, honey, florals, brioche and a very long finish. — 2 years ago

DAL 9000

8.9

Pale straw color. Initial green apples, pears and a touch of honey. Finishes with a toasted honey tartness, if that is possible. Minerals on the back. — 2 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Light straw gold, so much lighter and younger-looking than the 95 Winnie next to it. Great youthful color and energy in the glass. Has a white burg kind of nose… notes of citrus fruit, white stone, some earth, some spice. Great mouth feel. Amazing power. Probably the best Dom I’ve ever had (and that sample size is quite large). (Bday 2 of 12) — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Craggy Range is a family owned winery established in 1997. Pale straw with stone and citrus fruit aromas with hints of honey sweetness. On the palate dry, with lively fruit, gooseberry, lime, melon and pronounced grapefruit flavors with subtle herb tones, vivid acidity, crisp and refreshing. Long smooth finish ending with a mineral tones. Nice value! Ready to drink now! Love the ‘19. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Straw with stone fruit aromas and sweet toasty spice. On the palate crisp green apple, pear and peach fruit flavors with waft of vanilla spice. This wine is medium-bodied, with nice buttery mouthfeel, smooth & creamy. Medium+ finish balanced with lively acidity and fruit adding toasty ending. Consistent quality. — 6 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Intensely flavored and deep with a vicious and concentrated texture. Baked apples and peaches, honeycake and marzipan. Long and balanced finish. — 7 years ago

Angelo Casagrande

8.9

Little straw, Apple, honey. Nice appetizer wine. — 9 months ago

Jay Kline

9.7

Presented double-blind. The wine appears straw in color with medium viscosity and, apparently, there lots of tiny bubbles so there are signs of gas, LOL. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe orchard fruit, red forest berries, marzipan, lemon curd, fresh brioche. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for an eternity. The texture is ever so creamy. Wow…well, I was drinking something special. Had to be Champagne. Maybe vintage? Maybe a tête de cuvée? The style was similar to Krug. Called Champagne from a producer like Krug. OMG…the 1996 Vintage Brut?! Sheesh…someone was feeling generous! Admitted, I don’t often get to drink vintage Krug (for many hundreds of reasons!) so my experience is obviously limited. However, there’s clearly no question in this being true to house style and, now that I know the vintage, this is showing why 1996 is so special. As others have noted, this is fresher than the 1995 I had some months ago (though, that was very special too) and had greater acid. I would like to think this provides a crystal ball for the 2008 vintage that is sure to follow a similar trajectory. Drinking very fine indeed, right now and should continue to do so through 2046…depending on how you like to drink your Champagne. — 10 months ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Star bright pale straw gold. Inviting nose and palate of underripe yellow apple (drinking partner says Granny Smith), a touch of honeysuckle, and a hint of mineral effervescence on the finish. Medium plus acidity balances the Kabinett-level fruit perfectly. It’s Loosen. It’s Mosel. It’s VDP. It’s among the best examples at its price point. Drink now through 2026 with just about anything. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Popped and poured. Light straw color, lots of bubbles and energy. Notes of light citrus, stones, minerals, green apples, cut pears and some quince. Young and vibrant in the mouth. Great texture and a great bottle. I love the 04 vintage… need to find some more as my stash has quickly dwindled. — 5 years ago

Pooneet K

8.9

Nothing wrong with this pouilly-fuisse from Bouchard - good value. Very characteristic white burgundy with straw and lots of minerality. Nice. — 6 years ago

Paul B.

9.0

Wasn’t looking for a CA bubbly but glad I found this. Nice straw colored. Crispy pear and lime dominate but there’s lots of secondary flavors too including a nutty earthy tinge at the end. Rich yet dry and good acidity. I’ll be back. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of Chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, pale straw lemon color with fine frothy mousse and lively bead of bubbles. An aromatic nose of fresh fruit with yeast, nutty notes and floral scents. On the palate flavors of apple, pear and citrus flavors with baked bread tones. Nice balance and acidity, delicate textures, medium+ finish ending with toasty notes, yeasty and chalky mineral character. Nice! — 9 months ago

Jess

9.0

Pale straw color.
Aromas of lemon, green apple.
Dry. Tart green apple, lemon, lemon zest, mineral, subtle brioche.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 2/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 2 years ago

Leo Gentile

9.5

Pale straw yellow without slightest oxidation. Pear and apple in the nose. Delicious pure Chardonnay fruitiness. Drinking incredibly well and can go longer. — 4 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Star bright straw gold. Abundant funky nose of burning citrus and funghi. Medium palate is much cleaner than the nose yielding toasted lemon, white guava, and white pepper with a bit of birch on the finish. Medium plus acidity. Medium finish. A fine example of California Fumé style SB. Okay as a sipper, but built for a meal. Swordfish and scallops come racing to mind, but any white fleshed fish or shellfish should pair wonderfully. Or just upscale your fried chicken. It’s good for that, too. Drink now through 2024. — 4 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.5

Medium straw color. Aromas of brioche, and candied orange peel. Flavors of yellow apple, honey, grapefruit and brioche. Fantastic! — 5 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

8.9

Yes it is biodynamic which I tend to dislike, moreover this wine travels very badly and most of the bottles I drunk in the USA were bad. Surprise this one is really good. Color straw golden (my wife immediately caught on and looked surprised until I told her “bio”. Slightly oxidative, smokey, good mineral content. Warm vintage but pulls it off. Best coulee I ever tasted in NY. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

The Baumard family growing the noble Chenin at Rochefort in the Anjou for centuries, in 1953 they acquired a vineyard in the Quarts de Chaume, & in 1968, purchased acreage in Savennieres. Straw with full fruit and light spice aromas. On the palate ripe apple, pear & melon, complex, with vivid acidity. Lingering, ending with mineral and sweet honey character. Wow. A white that should age well.
— 7 years ago