Jay Kline

9.3

Earlier this year when I was first getting acquainted with the 2016 vintage from the Southern Rhône, I made the comment that it reminded me of the 2010 vintage. I’m now more convinced than ever that it is one of the most classical vintages of the last twenty years and will drink well for decades...and 2017 might be nipping at it’s heals. Anyway, let’s talk a little bit about this wine. I’ve never been a huge Vieux Telegraph guy, despite the near universal adoration it received from others. Maybe it’s because it’s such an archetypal wine of the region and therefor sort of bores me. But on its own, in 2016, without other CdP’s on the table, this was really very good and worthy of its merits. Lucious bramble fruit and minerals with black pepper and a lovely lavender/garrigue mix. The tannins are firm but fine, like other 2016’s. And there’s good acid too. Very well balanced. — 6 years ago

Jason Orr

9.2

Cici like. Very approachable, more universal Napa cab. Mild tannins, soft, balanced fruit. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.3

Always reliable amazing QPR NV Rose bubbles @ £30-36 that is our go to Rose next to Bruno Paillard, LP Rose, Billecart Salmon, Perrier Jouet Rose ... oh ok we like too many NV Rose but hey it’s nearly Christmas 🎄🥂 & perfect in Zalto Universal glass 👍

📍 Bollinger Rose NV

🏵 93 points

🍇 62% PInot Noir, 24% Chardonnay & 14% Pinot Meunier with 6% still red

🍷 Peachy salmon glimmering pink

👃 Strawberry cream biscuit w/ raspberry & peach in rock minerals & a citrus mist

👄 Med bodied creamy fresh fine mousse of peach, strawberry, raspberry, red currant & grapefruit w/ red apple & a sweet citrus shortbread biscuit in med acidity

🎯 Long fresh red fruits w/ a dry biscuity grapefruit & red apple finale — 7 years ago

Jack Petras

8.9

Gulpable food wine with unmistakable Italian character, casual, dark berries, leather , like the universal donor of wine — 8 years ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.4

Banging. All natural, very bright, rich and round. Very happy wine. — 9 years ago

Oliver Seaman

9.7

Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you watch a lot of Cartoon Network and drink mid-price Chardonnay at 11 in the morning.

- Conan O'Brien
— 9 years ago

with Ben

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

#verdejo #oakintegrated #tierradecastilla #castilla #gonzalezbyass #qpr can definitely age. Universal in the sense that it's great on its own and with many other dishes. — 10 years ago

Adam

8.9

Smooth and nice. Very universal. — 10 years ago

Stacy Markow

9.0

The universal favorite of the night. A lovely California cab — 11 years ago

BTG Wine Bar

10

To quote one of my least favorite food network stars (Rachel Ray), "YUM-O!" BTG has it by the glass! — 13 years ago

Alexander Vadas

9.4

Mind bending freshness at 15%abv! Venus strikes back! I’m a sea of dead wines this crackles — 7 years ago

A Sherwood

9.3

Not a traditional CDR flavor, but more universal, maybe from the blend. You think it's sweet initially then immediately dry prune and thicker mouth feel. Slight earthiness and nice all-around experience. — 7 years ago

Chris Haywood

9.2

Shone dried leaves black cherry nose. Power tannins! White pepper and menthol more prominent in your trap. Chalky lavendar hints. Pleasingly huge and tight. More brutal, less primary than the 2016, oddly. Down a point as the appeal is less universal even though this is more to my taste. — 7 years ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.2

A savory juicy textured herbal food pairing champ. Like cooking sous-vide with an immersion circulator, what was once a geeky oddity has found a permanent home on our table. Not a universal solution, but really the right tool for the job in certain situations. Like pan seared halibut with fennel or spring vegetable risotto. — 8 years ago

Brent S

8.9

Almost a fishy nose, but the flavor was interesting - in a good way - unlike anything else I've had. Not a universal opinion at the table though. Some hated it. — 9 years ago

Jason

9.4

Wow. Universal applause from all five of us. Light bodied and fruity but with structured balance. Raspberry, citrus, nutty on the finish. Just right with cured meats. — 9 years ago

OW

9.1

Velvety, almost licorice taste. Doesn't seem right to drink it while watching Cartoon Network. — 9 years ago

Neel Master

9.0

Dig it. Bright, mildly tannic, fresh. — 10 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.1

Apple and honey with this one like a tight, dry apple cider. I like it, though that positive sentiment wasn't universal in our tasting group. This might be too dry for some. — 11 years ago

with Anita

Alistair Mudie

9.1

Well balanced quality chardonnay clean fresh and minerally great finish. Food network example of this type of wine — 11 years ago

André Guérin

Manager Ambassador Wines & Spirits

8.9

I can see why the Food Network gave this Pinot so much love. Probably the best inexpensive Pinot you'll get from Cali. Doesn't taste like purchased fruit. Not bad at all. — 13 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.3

Served at red wine temperature. Baked apple was the dominant aroma upon opening but transforms into a sour ale nose with air. A creamy palate of white peach , apricot and a strong saline note. A wonderful accompaniment to all my dinner courses; Parisian ham , beef tartare, and fennel sausage. A unique wine that could divide the table. — 7 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

Drunk for first time out of a new glass-Zalto denk’art universal- holy moly: much more subtle & fresh for a “purple “ wine that I typically would expect. Maybe it’s the glass...but boysenberry, blackberry & lift. Kermit import. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.4

First indulgence of this £59 bubbly white crunchy fancy fizz bucket and it’s rather delish with a bit of white fish we nommed with it 😁 here fishy fishy 🐟 Perfect in a #zalto universal @zaltify your bubbles 😍

📍 Billecart Salmon Sous Bois Brut NV

🏵 94-95 points

🍇 A third equal Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier

🍷 Golden pale straw

👃 Vanilla custard & ice cream smothered over apple crumble w/ torn butter brioche, soft oak, lemon curd, mineral water & honey

👄 Med bodied dry refreshing fine bubbled mousse of creamy butter green apple & citrus pie in caramel custard creme brûlée w/ mineral sprinkles in med acidity

🎯 Long dry rich velvety zingy apple & citrus shortbread biscuit linger w/ lemon peel shavings — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is an elegant, feminine beauty. It's a back to back night of 2003. On the nose, liqueured black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, warm, slightly chard toast, anise, black cherry licorice, baking spices and dark fresh & dry florals. The mouthfeel is resolved, rich and elegant. Fruits of; black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, a blend of black raspberries & raspberries. Bright vanillin, cinnamon, medium spice, toast, bright red florals, violets, dark & milk chocolate, rich, moist loamy soils, touch of crushed rocks, delicate volcanic minerals, mouthwatering acidity and a polished, rich finish that lasts & lasts. This is somewhere around it's peak. It's incredibly delicious! Photos of; their beautiful vineyards, amazing Italian style villa estate and front entrance. Producer history and notes...Blankiet was started by Claude & Katherine Blankiet in 1996 with 46 acres ranging over several volcanic hills above the town of Yountville. I believe Claude made his first big money as the creator of Stone Washed Jeans. David Abreu was hired to develop the land and Helen Turley made their first eight vintages. The winery is connected to a deep underground network of caves and were designed by architect John Lail. Blankiet’s current winemaker is Bordelais Denis Malbec, the former cellar master at Chateau Latour. Blankiet is located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are planted in volcanic soils while the Merlot is planted in gravelly-clay alluvial soils. Blankiet has great Terrior locations and have spared no expense in their winemaking facilities. If you haven't had their wines, they are definitely worth acquiring. — 9 years ago

Amy Yan

9.1

Classic white burgundy served in Zalto universal glass. What is not to like? Paired seamlessly with all the food we had that evening - faro salad, Cesar salad, grilled octopus, mushroom pasta and chicken. — 10 years ago

Sybaritewino C.Lawrence

9.0

Gorgeous layers that take hours to fully unveil their scents & flavours. A #wine to sit with whist pondering universal untruths. #orangewine #italy good #booze — 10 years ago

Kristen Gardner-Volle

9.0

Red Blend. Had at Vivo in Universal Studios Orlando City Walk. — 11 years ago

Stacy Larsen

10

Ladies Network. My lawyer brought this.

Great nose, smooth and complex all at the same time. — 12 years ago

Sybaritewino C.Lawrence

9.1

All around hedonistically pleasing wine. Sipped from the exquisite glasses with differing results. Loved the hi-tones and citrus notes accentuated by Zalto's Universal, but also found the uber flinty accents brought to fore in the Riedel Som Series Montrachet rather pleasing. Palate was incredibly vibrant and tensile while managing moments of indulgently soft tones yet finishing with deft, electrically zing. Yum! — 13 years ago