Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

I am re-coravining this 07. The 2007 vintage is generally compared to 97. I would say 07 is slightly better than 97.

I am honest, sometimes to a fault. This is absolutely the most underrated Cabernet producer in Napa Valley, bar none. A TRB made wine since 97.

The nose reveals ripe & lush; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, just a whiff of boysenberries with strawberries & creamy raspberries on the edges of the glass. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, cinnamon, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, touch of butterscotch, understated herb blend, some grey clay, dry top soil, light graphite, very used leather, light fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets.

The palate is heavily magical. The tannins round, velvety & still meaty. Ruby & lush nicely evolved fruits that are; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries hints of boysenberries, cherries, strawberries, pomegranate extract & hovering, creamy raspberries. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, tarriness, dark roasted expresso, anise to black licorice, cinnamon stick, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, dark spice w/ some palate heat, touch of toffee w/ nuts, understated fresh herb blend, lightly grilled meats, some grey clay/volcanics, dark, rich, sweet earth, dry top soil, nice graphite tones, very used leather, fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets, excellent round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that glides from beautiful fruits to spice & gentle earth and last nearly two-minutes. Glorious & stunning the character & depth of this wine!

Jones Family wines only shine this bright with 15 years plus in bottle.

This one has another 3-5 yrs before it starts its slow decent. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The second wine of Chateau Montrose. 91 but if I rounded up with more time in the glass, 92.

Nose not entirely expressive. Not a surprise as this Chateau makes wine for the ages. Nice soft fruits of, dark cherries, blackberries & strawberries. Sandstone, dry herbs, some light non distinct earth with bright red flowers, red roses framed in dark, dry flowers.

The palate is good but is begging to remain in bottle. Nice soft, ripe, fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries. Dark chocolate bar, some chocolate pudding, moist clay, dark spices w/ just a touch of heat, moist herbs-sage, sandalwood, dry tobacco, little in the way of baking spices-clove leading the way, mocha, very little caramel notes, dry top soil, river stone, withering to dry, dark, red flowers with liquid violets, beautiful acidity and a well knitted/made, balanced, nicely tensioned finish that lands on some fruit, clay & soft spice.

Very good value here but would not open one for another 10 years. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.7

Not my kind of Ca Pinot. It has some bubblegum red fruits; which is not all that appealing to me. Especially, after well made 22 red burgundies. Also, not all that complex. Enough said. — 17 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

⚡️⚡️⚡️I ordered more before starting my notes.

I would normally wait on a PGSC for 5 plus years, but wanted to know if I wanted more.

2019 was a challenging growing year in early & mid season but favorable August-September conditions created a quality vintage that should prove to be cellar worthy.

The Champagne Special Club, initially called Club de Viticulteurs Champenois, was founded in 1971 with 12 members. Three of those founding members, Pierre Gimonnet, Gaston Chiquet, and Paul Bara, are still active within the club of now 24 members today. The number of members changes yr to yr.

Beautiful nose of; green apple, lime zest, Meyer lemons to meringue pie, tropicals, stone fruits, kiwi, some heather honey, white spice-ginger, sea fossils/foam, yeasty bread dough, whipped cream, subtle caramel notes, limestone/volcanic minerals, white spring flowers, yellow lilies and whiffs of jasmine.

The palate is dazzling & has everything one would want. Incredible mousse & mouthfeel. It has a slight creamy texture. Simply beautiful in every way. Ripe & rich; green apple, lime zest, Meyer lemons to meringue pie, tropicals, stone fruits-yellow & white peach-nectarines, apricots & kiwi. Heather honey, nougat, some toffee/butterscotch, white spice-ginger limestone/volcanics burro their way into the center tongue/palate, subtle herbaceous quality, sea fossils/foam, yeasty bread dough, cream to whipped cream, caramel, vanillin, crumbled chalkiness for days, white spring flowers, yellow lilies, jasmine, perfect acidity, well; knitted, balanced, tension, structured, polished finish that lasts minutes starting fruit and landing on mineral-spice. So balanced.

This at $112 for Champagne is a good value today.

Bottle data: 4,020 bottles produced. 100% Chardonnay-90% from Croix-Blanche and 10% from Les Roualles. 4g dosage & my personal sweet spot. Disgorgement 9/2024.

Photos; long view of House of Gimonnet & vines, their very old rootstock, Olivier & Didier Gimmonet and their beautiful Chardonnay grapes. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Nose is bright dark fruit and bright red florals. Dark core of black currents, blackberries, dark cheeries, strawberries, black raspberries, raspberries, light baking spices, melted, dark chocolate, baking soda, dry tea leaves, dry pebbles, black rich earth, stems, some mid berry licorice, almost candied dark flowers with red & pink roses.

The palate reveals the elegance of St. Julien straight away. It’s beautiful. Core of black currents, blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, black raspberries, raspberries, light baking spices, melted, dark chocolate, dark spices, clove, some cinnamon, vanillin, baking soda, dry tea leaves, dry pebbles, black rich earth, stems, moist tobacco, used leather, barrel shavings, mix of dry & moist clays, volcanic minerals, some mid berry cola/licorice, dark, almost candied dark flowers, red roses. Excellent acidity with beautiful elegance, well balanced, nicely tensioned/structured finish that lands on florals, ripe fruits and nicely resolved earth.

You can drink now with a good decant and will last 2+ decades. Better things lie ahead in 5-8 years. 92+ in time. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Beautiful noses that shows a dark core, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum skin and raspberries on the glass edges, dark, dryish earth, sandalwood, river stone, red flowers/roses, framed in bright, brilliant violets.

Beautiful fruit entry with dry, soft tannins. Dryish; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries and hints of raspberries. Dark, dry earth, sandalwood, river stone, dark spice, cedar, dry twigs, dry top soil, some dry herbs, dry clay, minimal baking spices, cigar with ash, dark flowers, red flowers/roses, framed in bright, brilliant violets. The acidity is gentle and nice. The finish is 19 elegant & pleasant, mid structured, smartly polished and lasts a full minute.

It has evolved some but still shows as primary. 91+ with some more appropriate cellaring. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose shows some light VA but doesn’t ruin it. Muddled fruits of; blackberries, both plums, black raspberries, stewed, dark cherries & aged strawberries that almost fall into liquor characteristic. Chocolate pudding, dark, rich & slight sweet earthiness with dry leaves, limestone, stems, baking soda, sandalwood and withering to decayed, dark & red flowers.

The palate is gorgeous and shows less VA than the nose. It’s really good despite the VA. Beautiful, ripe; blackberries, both plums, black raspberries, stewed, dark cherries, strawberries notes of rhubarb. Chocolate pudding, dark, understated baking spices, dark spice that presses the tongue, rich & slightly sweet earthiness with dry leaves, limestone, stems, baking soda, sandalwood, used leather, moist tobacco, tea leaves, some cola, withering to decayed, dark & red flowers, excellent acidity and a softly knitted, balanced and elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on spice.

Already throwing sediment with the bottle half full.

Drink now and for another 10-15 years. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

2010 is a vintage to leave to your children if you bought this at 50 years old forward. This is a 50-60 year wine with proper storage.

The nose shows nice ruby, fruits of; dark cherries, cherries, strawberries with a dark currant center, blackberries, black raspberries & raspberries. Chocolate mousse, melted, milk chocolate, light caramel, moist sage, warm, slightly sweet dark earth with withering dark & red florals.

The palate is warm, inviting & beautiful. Easy to drink. Dark cherries, cherries, strawberries with a dark currant center, blackberries, black raspberries & raspberries. Red cola/licorice, dark chocolate, melted, milk chocolate, light caramel, moist sage, warm, oak barrel shavings, moist, dark earth w/ dry leaves, celery, used leather, moist tobacco, with withering dark & red florals. Perfect acidity with an excellently balanced, nicely knitted, perfect tension & structure with elegance for days the falls evenly on ripe fruits & soft earthiness.

94-96 in another 10 years. Outside chance at 97. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The US is now their #1 export market. You would be surprised at what some producers spend on labels. It is more than you think. All those countries, languages and different requirements for what needs to be written on them.

I think this is in a dumb faze or just closed down.

The nose is muted and not all that revealing. Soft blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries with powdery raspberries. Clayish soils, some clove, dark earth, very light herbs, notes of baking soda, sandalwood and dark withering flowers.

The palate is a little flat..showing stubbornness. Ripe but dullish; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries & raspberries. Dry clayish soils, dry top soil, limestone minerals, dark spice, clove, dark, rich earth, very light herbs, notes of baking soda, sandalwood that falls into cedar, soft tobacco with dark withering flowers and violets, its acidity is very good, the finish while balanced, polished, somewhat elegant, lacks some complexity today and lasts a minute.

I would reserve a full assessment of this one tasting it again in 5+ years. It is in need of further evolution. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.8

Going to be brief here. If you like an affordable, easy to drink Napa Cabernet and do not crave great or complexity, this is for you. If you have a flare for truly special Napa Cabernets, this is not for you. — 17 days ago