Jay Kline

9.3

Enjoying this knowing my Cornhuskers already punched their ticket to their first ever Sweet 16 last night in one of the games of the tournament so far.

At this point, it’s a “pick’em” between the Bérêche Brut Réserve and Caillez-Lemaire’s “Éclats” for the title of, “Kline Fam house Champagne”. They just delivery in the way I want/trust/expect and can afford. This is the November 2025 disgorgement. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The Brut Réserve pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of apple, pineapple, raspberry, lemon curd, brioche, marzipan, and a mix of chalk and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and laden with minerals. So easy to love. Drink now but you can hold for many years if you want as well. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Over the years, I have been very fortunate to experience a few unicorns and I guess it’s time to add one to the list. “La Romanée” is the smallest Grand Cru appellation in all of Burgundy. At just a hair over 2 acres, production from this vineyard totals roughly 300 cases per year. In contrast, DRC’s production of the directly adjacent Romanée-Conti is nearly twice that number. La Romanée is actually a Monopole of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair but production was the responsibility of Bouchard Père & Fils for nearly 30 years. That is, until the 2006 vintage. Since then, Louis-Michel Liger-Belair has shifted that responsibility back to the Domaine.

Opened and poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service. The 1999 “La Romanée” pours a slightly deep ruby with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing, intensely sanguine, and beginning to show some signs of secondary characteristics: black cherry, bruised strawberry, roasted meat, mushrooms, and fine spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and has a slightly ferrous quality, again giving off those sanguine vibes. This is phenomenal, old school GC Burgundy. What a truly special treat. Drink now with patience and through 2049+. — 2 months ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Fascinating, after my recent run of so-so to DNPIM (do not put in mouth) CdPs from 25 or so years of age, here’s a “basic cuvée” of CdP (think $18-20 bottle on release) that is punching far above its weight, red fruits, very fine CdP that is drinking great now, long, lingering finish, and shows promise for another 3-5 years of aging!! — 3 months ago

with Jim

Emma Swain

9.4

Just delicious- lovely balance — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

My last bottle of the 2015 Enfant Jesus. Showing better than our last tasting which was unimpressive to be honest. Still tasting somewhat new World in this warm 2015 vintage. A bracken like brambley note coming through together with violet/rose florals. Enjoyable but not worth the money. Cannot see this improving with further cellaring. — 2 months ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.0

2005. Perhaps a bit past its prime. But still excellent. Morphed to a chalky sense on the palate. Still loved it. — 2 months ago

Dylan Thomas

9.2

Xmas champs get’n it started a little late — 3 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.3

Impressive showing. Bursting with apples and pears. Still young...would love to try one of these after longer bottle aging. — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2000 vintage. Great fill and cork. Opened with a Durand and decanted. A little sed but manageable. tasted 40 minutes and 1.5 hours after opening. Medium body. 14% ABV on the label and not questioning it since this effort was throwing nearly zero heat. All secondary and tertiary impressions at this point and they were unified and present. Some dark fruit still but emphasis capably drawn towards the black olive, durty earth, finish. Really knitted together currently. Maybe another 5-spot in this guise? Maybe another decade? Hard to tell but showing beautifully now. 01.28.26. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fresh red berries on the nose with Indian spices and chocolate notes.

Medium in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and complex.

Showing raspberries, cherries, black currants, plums, light oak, spices, chocolates, earth, coffee, wet leaves and herbs.

Medium length on the finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Grenache blend from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is very approachable, and already drinking beautifully, but needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.

Well balanced and tangy, with good structure. Spicy and entertaining. Alcohol is nicely integrated already. Complex and engaging.

I had this wine as a 20 year old, and it was so much better with age.

This 2022 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is already showing its possibilities. Will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years.

Delicious by itself or with food.

A blend of mostly Grenache, from 40 year old vines, with all 13 grapes allowed in the appellation. Aged in used French oak barrels for 12 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$70. — 3 months ago