Dave

9.3

Heavens to Betsy, this is fun. I can't think of a better way to spend $12.
Rocking out to Vince Guaraldi. — 9 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Served blind alongside what was eventually revealed to be a 1997 Freemark Abbey. This was the easiest of the pairings to get our heads collectively around as we felt confident this was Bordeaux and the other was from Napa. Unfortunately, I no longer have my notes for that wine but this was particularly memorable because I had held back a glass of the 1970 Montrose and had a lovely time tasting the two of those wines side-by-side. It was remarkable how much they had in common with one another. In fact, the only real difference between the two was that the 2000 just had more of its structure in tact. Other than that, the Montrose DNA was undeniable with loads of all the darkest, blackest fruits: currants and blackberries with coffee, tobacco, and graphite. At nearly 23 years young, the structure remains positively monumental. Despite all of that, it was ever so winsome. The finish was long with wonderful acid and lovely, ferrous minerals. Drink now with patience and over the next handful of decades. — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Well...this was one hell of a week. There is only one way to wind it down. Reach for an excellent bottle of vintage Champagne.

My first thoughts are how delicate this is on the palate. Further, how unbelievable it will be with another 8-10 years in bottle.

The nose shows; slightly sour lemon, the good parts of lemon Pledge, lemon meringue, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, brioche, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanilla, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies.

The body is light on its feet and dances on the palate. Delicacy abounds. Its soft, gorgeous mousse right there with the best money can buy. Slightly sour lemon, lemon meringue, green & with more bruised golden apple, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, touch of apple cider, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, ginger ale into cream soda, brioche, nougat, toffee notes, lighter nuts without skin, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanillin, marzipan, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies. The acidity is mellow yet lively, gorgeous and as good as it gets. The finish is all luxury. So well knitted & balanced, elegant, rich but not overpowering and gently persisting several minutes.

Photos of; The House of Taittinger, their caves so chalky white and built on the famous Crayères Cellars of Reims: 2.5 miles of tunnels (they own 1/4 to 1/3 of it) cut out of chalk by the Romans, the portrait of Thibaud IV who was a king, lord, manager, singer, conqueror, explorer & 11th century Crusader all rolled into one from which, this Cuvée was the catalyst creation and part of the 600 plus hectares they own in Champange.

Some producer notes; Taittinger's history can be traced back to 1734, when it was originally known as Forest-Fourneaux, founded by Jacques Fourneaux who worked closely with local Benedictine monks to learn how to produce wine. They were just the 3rd Champange house.

The estate was bought by the Taittingers – a family of wine merchants – in 1932, and thanks to the great depression and subsequent low land prices, the family also picked up huge swathes of vineyard. From 1945-1960, Francois Taittinger established the cellars in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, and after his death in 1960 his brother Claude took over, pushing the estate into a Champagne house of world renown. Such was the status of the label that the Taittinger family soon expanded its business into other luxury goods. However, this eventually led to financial difficulties, and in 2005 the Taittinger brand – including the Champagne house – was sold to the American owned Starwood Hotel Group. The sale was badly received by the Champagne industry, with many fearing the new owners – unfamiliar with the culture of Champagne – would put profit ahead of quality.

Just one year later, Claude’s nephew, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, who had always been opposed to the sale, negotiated a €660m deal with the Starwood Group, and the Taittinger family resumed ownership of the company.

In 2017, Taittinger planted its first vines in England, near a village in Kent, for its venture into English sparkling wine. The first bottle will be ready in 2023.

1/8/21 — 5 years ago

Jeff Oconnor

9.0

A refreshing surprise with a balance of crisp flavor. — 10 years ago

The Pretentious Gentleman

9.0

Instantly likeable. Was a friend's introduction to Cotes due Rhone and it did not disappoint. A good example of the wine region. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale lemon color with aromas of stone fruits and floral scents. On the palate flavors of apple, peach and pear with hints of citrus. Medium finish, fine mousse, creamy mouthfeel, light bubble flow, ending with fruit and slight mineral notes. Drink now! — 2 years ago

Natasha Langton

9.2

After a initial rustic funky stink there is an immediate hit of almond and cherry. Very enjoyable, will buy again. — 4 years ago

Matt Sterr

8.9

A real steal for this inexpensive, single vineyard PN from the south of 🇫🇷 — 5 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.8

In 775 the Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, bequeathed his ownership of the Hill of Corton to the Abbey of Saint-Andoche de Saulieu. Corton-Charlemagne is the only grand cru in Cote d'Or that faces west. Since 2008, when Romanée-Conti’s cuvée Duvault-Blochet changed to include 1er crus, Bonneau du Martray has been the only domaine in Burgundy to produce only grand cru.
Opening with a perfumed and mouthwatering toasted sesame oil note that when you prompt yourself to think about what crushed rocks smell like, it instantly changes to it. Mindblown... Next up, imagine the combination of lime oil, juicy peach, and tangerine peel, and then imagine the ‘cream of’ that blend. Lastly, juxtapose that against the racy, minerality-filled finish, that’s really long on energy and focus. It could make a case for the most complex wine I’ve ever tasted, but certainly, Bonneau du Martray’s 2006 Corton-Charlemagne is the best white wine I’ve ever tasted. — 8 years ago

Michael Schamis

9.2

A beautiful, soft fruit-forward red. Round notes of black and red fruits backed by nice acidity, notes of earth and soft drying tannins. A wonderful pairing with beef stew. — 9 years ago

with Kati

Christina Legendre

9.1

First brewing for this abbey of St Wandrille in the north east of France, very nice soft beer with a beautiful ginger "ambrée" colour. — 10 years ago

Les Huisman

9.4

A rare treat. Another case of a brilliant wine that just needs to breathe a bit too open up, but alas is gone too soon. — 11 years ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

Blinded, I honestly didn’t think much of it. It just didn’t have any defining character or complexity to stand out in the line up. Found this note off the interweb, which is relevant:

This is a relatively newly planted single vineyard that formerly was the land of the Monks of Vergy, and is situated along the path they took daily to reach the abbey of Saint-Vivant from Vosne-Romanée. It is at a higher elevation and looks down on the famous Grand Cru sites of Vosne Romanee; the soil here is clay limestone.

The wine is characterized by a dense purple color. The taste of wine is fresh, generous, with crisp acidity and a crisp nuances of oak wood. The finish is a little bluff. Aromatic bouquet of wine abounds with tones of ripe and juicy red fruit. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

In 1865, Jean-Marie Mommessin founded winery. In 1889, Mommessin acquired La Grange Saint-Pierre, ancient buildings in Macon, originally belonged to Abbey of Cluny. Its key, the Key of St. Peter, became famous house emblem. Ruby color with aromas of dark berry fruit with notes of oak and floral. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with oak, floral, spice and earthy notes. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak and mineral character. — 3 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Yum! After a long day of walking around at the happiest place on Earth! — 4 years ago

Chrystal Shanahan

10

So light and crisp! The perfect amount of bubbles and a perfectly balanced semi-dry flavor. Would definitely recommend and buy again! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

If you read my posts, it's no secret I really enjoy their Rosé Champagne. Always consistently great and delicious. On the nose; spring florals, sea spray, chalky minerals, tangerine, black cherry, raspberry, watermelon & strawberries. On the palate; tangerine, black cherry, raspberry, watermelon & strawberries, saline, beautiful sticky palate chalkiness, pink roses, baguette, amazing minerality, finish and acidity. Photos of; their house, vineyard and cellar. Producer history and notes...Bilecart was founded in 1818, by husband and wife Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon. For nearly two hundred years, the Billecart family has been making exceptional champagne. Today the House remains independent and is run by the family’s seventh generation under François Roland-Billecart. The Billecart-Salmon House covers around 50 hectares, and gets its grapes from a total of 170 hectares of land. Meaning...they also have a number of great relationships with grape growers. At the foot of the Mareuil-sur-Aÿ hill, the Billecart-Salmon family cultivates one hectare of Pinot Noir on a single, enclosed parcel; the Clos Saint Hilaire. Billecart uses modern and innovative technology to constantly improve the quality of its champagne. From the Côte des Blancs to the Reims Mountain and the right bank of the Marne River are some of the greatest sites for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. These grapes/sites are all used to make beautiful Billecart champagnes.

— 9 years ago

Adam Baker

9.0

Good southern French Pinot. Bright red fruit, cherry, hint of spice on finish; label also says black currant and hint of vanilla. Good wine for under $20. — 10 years ago