Big White House

Aubert

Powder House Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2024

Excellent. Classic Chardonnay but not as good as some of the other wines — 12 days ago

Tom, Brooke and 1 other liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura 2016

Big winner at dinner tonight — 2 months ago

Alessandro NardiSarah Bignami
with Alessandro, Sarah and 2 others
Doug, Tom and 2 others liked this
Chris MacLean

Chris MacLean Influencer Badge

In a great place

Ovum Wines

Big Salt Elkton White Blend

Great white blend. Nice blend of tart and dry, finishes very clean. Would be better in Summer — 4 months ago

Crowded House

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Enjoy the aromas at different temperatures. Starting with lemon rind and green grass when it's cold, transitioning to lemongrass then green cardamon and Fuji apple. Wonderful for this experience alone. — 5 months ago

Dave, Pooneet and 1 other liked this

Oyster Bay

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025

The lemonade of wines! I am a big sauvignon blanc fan, but my parents never really drink ones from New Zealand, and this made me wish I had known about it sooner. So refreshing and almost makes you pucker with how tart it is. This wine begs to be drank by the pool. Grapefruit forward, but had a grassy and herbal note that kept it grounded. Clean, acidic and crisp. I would serve this colder than class has taught me to because it is a summer delight. — a month ago

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

Yellow Label Brut Champagne Blend

Somm David T
9.0

Not the champagne I had in mind for tonight, but sometimes circumstances play their part.

This is pleasant enough. It will go well with my almond tart later.

The mouthfeel shows nice mousse, somewhat lively acidity, bruised golden/red/green apple to apple sauce, bruised pear, white citrus blend-grapefruit w/ pith leading, quince, touch of brown sugar, some yeastiness, baguette crust, graham cracker, volcanic minerals w/ clay, white spice, caramel notes, vanillin, sea spray, grippy, grainy chalk, sea fossils-oysters, limestone marl, withering lilies, spring flowers, nice acidity and a well balanced, good length, elegant finish that lasts nearly 90 second and lands on mid intensity minerals and spice.

Photos of; the champagne house of Veuve Clicqoit and the widow herself. You see her under the metal gage and plated over the cork.

#DSLounge
— 3 months ago

Jay, Ming and 7 others liked this

De Bortoli

Noble One Botrytis Sémillon 2013

From half bottle. Generally regarded as Australia’s best “sticky “ (dessert style). Colour getting darker (burnished copper). Drank some with plum pudding on Christmas Day and finished it yesterday with Duck Pate and crackers, having returned from a week in Mossman and the Daintree in FNQ. Aromas of Apricot and over ripe pear. A generous mid palate with diminished acid. Time to drink this. Only 10.5% ABV. — 5 months ago

Andrew, Peter and 18 others liked this
Bob McDonald

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@Peter van den Besselaar That’s quite the accolade Peter but I wouldn’t be keeping it for many more years.
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

@Bob McDonald thanks. After tasting 2001 six years ago, I was determined to lay this in the cellar. I bought 2014. Will try this year.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, jealous about your excursion to the Daintree, love that area. There is a tea plantation there that I love called Daintree Tea, volcanic soil, that I’m able to get in California (at one time a SD sales agent, now direct from the estate)!! Thanks for mentioning the Daintree!!

Kongsgaard

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015

We called this as being mellowed with time versus muted. The flavors were great but lacked acidity sharpness. Mom said she was a big fan of this. Very enjoyable with the standard flavors but not as intense. — a month ago

Paul, Jonathan and 3 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne 2016

Elegance in a bottle. Bright, pale straw color, with big bubbles. Nutty, ripe peach, lemon and chalk aromas. Grapefruit, lemon and a mineral finish. Superb!

🏅96 Points - Wine Spectator
— 3 months ago

Billy, Doug and 24 others liked this
Tegan Marriott

Tegan Marriott

Des bulles pour la vie!!!

House of Arras

Méthode Traditionelle Tasmania Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay 2013

Arras — Blanc de Blancs 2013
Tasmania, Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A 100% Chardonnay traditional-method sparkling wine sourced broadly across Tasmania, aged extensively on lees for over five years prior to release, delivering depth, autolytic complexity, and finely tuned balance. Cool-climate fruit precision meets long cellar maturation for serious Champagne-caliber structure and finesse.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive notes of toasted brioche, lemon curd, baked apple, almond pastry, and subtle chalky minerality lead the nose. Layers of fresh citrus peel, pear skin, and gentle hazelnut evolve with air, framed by savory yeast complexity and restrained creaminess. The palate delivers precision rather than sweetness, with purity and tension driving the finish.

Mouthfeel
Creamy yet lifted, with fine, persistent mousse and beautifully integrated autolytic weight. The texture feels polished and expansive without heaviness, supported by vibrant acidity that keeps the wine energetic, linear, and refreshingly dry through the finish.

Food Pairings
Oysters and shellfish. Butter-poached lobster or scallops. Parmesan risotto. Roast chicken with herbs. Triple-cream cheeses or aged Comté.

Verdict
A compelling expression of New World traditional-method excellence, delivering maturity, balance, and serious structural integrity. Rich without excess, nostalgic in its yeast-driven complexity, and confidently positioned alongside high-quality grower Champagne.

Did You Know?
Tasmania’s cool maritime climate and long growing season allow Chardonnay to retain high natural acidity while achieving full phenolic ripeness, making the region one of Australia’s strongest candidates for world-class traditional-method sparkling wines.

🍷 Personal Pick
Blanc de Blancs is my home base, and this bottle absolutely delivers. The autolytic depth, precision, and balance hit exactly the profile I love, serious, expressive, and quietly luxurious. A sparkling wine that rewards attention, not just celebration.
— 4 months ago

Freddy, Ted and 3 others liked this