Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Second Sauternes pairing with my homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Didn’t use the additional crushed pineapple this time. Both preparations are very good. I think I prefer it w/ less pineapple.

In 2014 I attended the Bordeaux En Premiere. One of the six days, we toured 8 Chateau’s tasting multiple vintages at each in Sauternes & Barsac. Then, went back to Chateau Guiraud for dinner. Before the dinner, Bill Blatch then arranged for a Sauternes tasting after tasting at 8 Chateau’s in Saternes & Barsac. We tasted 50 Sauternes in basically in 60 minutes. After that, my hand was like Winne the Poo in the honey jar from dumping. After, my wish wasn’t necessarily for the forthcoming dinner, but rather wished to go to a Dentist for a teeth cleaning I had so much RS in my mouth. None the less, dinner was fantastic and started with warm Foie Gras & gravy. Perfect as is w/ the Pineapple Upside Down Cake tonight.

This 05 is everything that you taste in the Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Perfect paring. Newly a quarter century and no fading in its evolution.

Dry; stone fruits, pineapple, orange citrus, pineapple. Marmalade, caramel, saline, limestone, honeycomb, beeswax, coconut, vanilla, saline, round acidity with yellow florals, toasted nuts with round acidity for days. Elegance, balance, structure and round, rich polish that goes in and on. Coravined from 375ml.

Bill Batch (who worked for Cristy’s & owned his own negotiate company) has somewhere around 5,000 bottles of Sauternes. He does a Sauternes & Sausage party bi-annually. Good luck getting a well sought after invitation. There are more people in Bordeaux who want to attend then there are available invitations. — 2 years ago

Jeff D.

9.4

Cheers! Brioche and toasted hazelnuts for days... — 6 years ago

Verena Souw

9.0

Toasted apple and cinnamon. A little creamy and nutty. A bit thin in the mouth but still quite tasty. — 6 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Disgorged in 2010 with the 03, 04 & 05 vintages. Rich with citrus, green apple & pear with lots of mineral & toasted brioche. — 7 years ago

E & K G

9.1

So fresh and so clean! Always good to give it some time in the glass. Apples, hints of toasted nuts but with laser focused acidity to keep everything balanced. — 7 years ago

Matt Mason

9.3

Whole Foods; C straw yellow; N Apple, pear, citrus; T same with creamy mouth feel; enjoyed with crab cakes — 8 years ago

Rose’s Cafe

9.5

Interesting red blend with a suggestion of blueberry! — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

It’s Miller time. Well…actually Billecart time. I like this more than I buy it. One of good cuvées easily found in 375ml.

The body creamy, layered, nice c02, bruised golden & green apple, ripe Bosc pear, pineapple flesh, tropical melons-mango driven, lime & lemon zest, cream soda, cream, white spice-ginger, bread, yeast, brioche, soft but grainy moist chalkiness, sea spray/fossils, slightly chard sourdough toast, wet/softened alluvial, limestone, wet river stone, notes of flintiness, yellow lilies, white orchids, fruit blossoms, jasmine, rainfall acidity, excellent balanced fruit & earth, tension, structure with a juicy two-minute polished finish that falls onto beautiful minerality.

BTW, home grown tomatoes with Companion Bakery wheat sourdough, lightly toasted w/ olive oil, burrata, Tondo balsamic (stunning), olive oil & fresh basil never gets old. — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Although I find that La Closerie generally needs some bottle age to fill out and come into its own, LC19 is already showing fabulously flaunting deep, powerful layers of ripe orchard fruit with smoky minerals, toasted hazelnuts and exotic spices. The palate is impeccably structured and concentrated with a satiny texture and vibrant energy that gives way to a long mineral inflicted finale. Pinot Meunier from the master, it just can’t be matched. This is the best release since LC13. — 4 years ago

Mario Vaillancourt

9.2

A magnificent Champagne with freshness, very elegant, slightly toasted notes, pure fruit with good backbone, excellent balance and a long delicious finish.

Magnifique Champagne avec beaucoup de fraîcheur, finesse et élégance tout en ayant beaucoup de tenue. Des notes légèrement toastées, des bulles assez fines et une belle finale longue et savoureuse, vraiment très bon. 91-92 — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

20-year tawny a personal favorite. I’m always amazed how good this is whenever I have a glass. Taylor run today from Oporto by descendants of the Yeatman & Fladgate families, both of which have been partners in the firm since 1830s. Complex aromas rich with dried fruits & nutty spice. On the palate apricot and sweet berry flavors with honey and toasted nut notes, well balanced nice acidity. Lingering finish ending smooth with oaky nutty character. Very Nice. Price keeps going up each year. Tasting Sample. — 6 years ago

Hannah Lund

9.2

Very light and buttery. Loved this one! Great solo or paired. — 7 years ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Edition 166. Always nice. Precise with more lemony acid quality than I recall from past editions / bottles. But still plenty of toasted hazelnut / brioche. Delicious. — 8 years ago

Holly Orchard

Certified Sommelier, President of Savvy Cellar Wines Inc.

9.4

A beautiful deep golden color, dried pear and baked apple, rich, nutty, and a bit earthy, as one would expect from a high quality, aged Champagne. The acid had softened, but it was still lively on the palate. Subdued effervescence allowed me to really focus in on the complex flavors and layers. A fantastic pairing with the caviar and toasted blinis- all the richness and savory, earthy flavors blended beautifully. Happy New Year everyone!🥂 — 8 years ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Amber in color, limited bubbles. Pretty stuff- apricot, honey, some sherry notes. Toasted brioche. Definitely aged but lovely and balanced. Probably would have been oak a few years back — 3 years ago

with Tony and David

Joe Christenson

9.1

Tasty and traditional. Toasted brioche, ginger, and toasted almonds. Well balanced, tight bubbles. Not quite finessed but delicate and approachable. — 3 years ago

Claus Bentin

9.9

For me, one of best champagnes I’ve ever tasted..
This 1996 is still so fresh and so much alive..
It’s apples, vanilla, honey toasted bread and a lot of other excellent notes..
I’m very impressed!! — 5 years ago

Bryan Kesting

9.4

Rich and creamy Chardonnay. Lemon, Creme brûlée, and toasted bread as a secondary note. In a perfect spot and drinking beautifully. Good call @Shay A — 6 years ago

with Scott

Ellen Clifford

9.1

I’d go so far as to call it great! Nice work Toad’s Hollow. — 7 years ago

Peter Marks

Master of Wine, Educator Constellation Brands

9.1

Toasted brioche and apple crumble. Gorgeous creamy and rich and definitely needs to be consumed now. — 8 years ago

with Marie and Adrienne