Bob McDonald

9.3

My last bottle of 2002 Bin 28 Kalimna. More notes to come. First vintage of Bin 28 was 1959. Very much the Penfolds house style. Herbs, dark plums and Choc/mocha aromatics with red and black fruits. Certainly the Penfolds DNA. On the 2nd night initially a whiff of coconut oak. A reliable mid tier well priced Penfolds red which can be drunk young or cellared for many years. Has been a regular purchase for me over the years. — 10 days ago

eduardo

9.0

Vinho leve com DNA italiano — 10 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A dense Ruby in colour. Black currant, dark plum, mocha, dark chocolate, and cigar box. The Penfolds Cabernet DNA if you like. Dense and powerful. This wine at 20 years of age is just a pup. The “Rewards of Patience “ has a window to 2045+. I’ll probably have the next one in 10 years or so. The release price of the latest vintage is now over $600 - too expensive IMO. Apparently substantial material from the old Block 42 in the blend - planted in the 1880’s. — 2 years ago

Mary H

9.1

Sangiovese DNA strong here with tomato and cherry notes, but the other grapes (syrah, merlot) provide a bit of spice, rounder texture, and complexity. — 22 days ago

Matthew Cohen

9.5

Nose : etherial. White flowers. Finely powdered minerals. Mineral fruit explosion. Sexy mineral fruit DNA bonding. Awesome.

Palate: perfect. Minerals. Acid. Elegant stone fruits.

Fass selections — 2 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.2

Young but already so drinkable. Raspberries and strawberries with massive tannins that will no dount evolve beautifully. Vietti just dont make bad wines...goes against their DNA! — 2 years ago

Nicolas Greinacher

9.5

This is the 20th release of this wine and has the Pisoni DNA written all over. Always a bit shy on the nose at first, a few minutes of aeration do the trick and reveal well defined, fresh aromas of violets, red and black cherries, forrest strawberry, dried herbs, cola and wood smoke. The lively acidity balances the fruit concentration and the ripe, fine grained tannins neatly frame this medium to full bodied anniversary vintage. Drink now until 2032. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

A 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and (Pinot) Meunier; mostly sourced from the 2011 vintage (40%) with the balance from 2010 and 2009.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The C. de Pinots NV pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe apple, toasted brioche, split almonds and lemon bar and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. The DNA is there and showing a slightly more oxidative style. Drink now. Disgorged July 2016. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Champagne Drappier – Carte d’Or Brut (Kosher Mevushal), Champagne, Urville – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A kosher mevushal Champagne from one of the most Pinot Noir–driven houses in the Aube. Drappier’s Carte d’Or leans into fruit clarity and approachability, offering a bright, juicy profile that remains true to the house’s DNA while fitting kosher requirements.

Aromas & Flavors
Immediate notes of Honeycrisp apple, ripe pear, yellow plum, and a gentle touch of honey. Fresh orchard fruit dominates, with very subtle brioche and minimal autolytic weight.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied with a lively, soft mousse. Juicy entry, clean mid-palate, and a straightforward, refreshing finish. Acidity is present but rounded, keeping the wine easy and accessible.

Personal Pick Highlight 🍷
This is a kosher Champagne I’d reach for when freshness and drinkability matter more than complexity. Ideal for celebrations, Shabbat dinners, or casual gatherings where you want Champagne energy without heaviness.

Food Pairings
Excellent with smoked salmon, gravlax, sushi, fried appetizers, soft cheeses, or simply on its own as an aperitif.

Verdict
Bright, juicy, and uncomplicated. While it doesn’t aim for depth or long lees-driven complexity, it succeeds as a reliable, crowd-pleasing kosher Champagne with genuine Drappier character.

Did You Know?
Drappier is renowned for its high Pinot Noir content and low-intervention philosophy. Even in its mevushal bottlings, the house prioritizes fruit purity and balance over overt winemaking signatures. — 4 months ago

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9.4

The 2014 Trotanoy has a more complex bouquet than the 2014 Gazin, with more Pomerol DNA in the mix, iron-tinged red berry fruit, black truffle and cedar. Fine delineation and quintessentially Pomerol. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and harmonious, soy-tinged black fruit with white pepper sprinkled over the finish. This has personality and class but needs time (comme d'habitude). One of the standouts in what is an inconsistent Pomerol vintage. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2024)
— 2 years ago