Austin Hohnke

9.4

Needed 3 hours of air to really open up.
Hour 1 was as inaccessible as Kilimanjaro.
Hour 2 was tightly wound and muscular.
Hour 3 was waltzing with raspberry, blackberry, currant, cedar, potting soil, caramel, mushroom, and green stems. Powerful stuff with a mineral backbone. Looking forward to trying on day 2. — 3 years ago

GaryWEdwards

9.4

Nice combo of deep ruby and commination of both lavender, chocolate with a rich earth thingy. Nicer — 3 years ago

Stefan Lindberg

9.5

This is a wine that need lots of time in the decanter or big ass glass.

Trying to understand this wine from just pouring a glass and drinking it is pointless.

Full bodied (Imagine meatloaf in fight club, may he rest in peace) complex, super tight and vivid yet 18 years young. On the nose I sense tar (freaking new highway asphalt!) probably new and old reused oak. Scent of white spirit in that haze of tar before sweet jammy fruit appears between a rich autumn forrest with leaves that start to decompose in my nostrils. Mineral notes between iron, copper, gravel and a plummers jacket. This is by far a wine that I can’t decide if I like or love I’m intrigued by its mystique and bedazzled by its harsh appearance. These grapes must have grown on vines stuck with its roots deep in some serious steriod soil.
On the palate, long jammy blue fruit, violets, ripe black plum, blackberry, liquorice, tar, rich iron minerality towards licking your own wound. Long lasting finish going to sundried blue fruit, tobacco and jeez this wide palete with its perfectly integrated oak and smooth tannins.

I’m ready to give my verdict after 4-5 hours in the glass, I love this wine so much. — 4 years ago

Willie Carter

9.1

A decidedly lovely clear gold with effusive perlage in the glass. Tiny, persistent bubbles and really nice creaminess. The nose is remarkable and highly expressive with some really nice citrus aromas fresh out of the gate. Kumquat and pears, marzipan and apricots. Fresh brioche bread and a welcome shock of nutmeg and cinnamon. Chamomile after around 45 minutes in the glass. A bit of red berry goodness to top things off.

Always a superstar champagne and seemingly always a notch above other vintage Grande Marque bottles. 65% Pinot Noir primarily from Aÿ and Verzenay and 35% Chardonnay mainly from Oiry and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The acidity is still present and zippy despite the dosage of 8 g/l. But the key here is that signature Bollinger power and grace which shines here beautifully. Such a vibrant and elegant champagne.

A full bodied, lush wine. Truly wonderful balance, structure, and texture. The palate follows the nose with citrus fruits for days. Fresh herbs and yeast with a backdrop of spice throughout. Green apples and cherries absolutely sing. A champagne that’s full of clarity and what it wants to be. While it is drinking so nicely right now it may be worth waiting a few years. You will be rewarded. — 5 years ago

Rick Garlipp

9.5

One of the smoothest reds I’ve ever tasted. Flavorful and light. Very enjoyable! — 6 years ago

Stephen F Laga MD

9.2

Delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, carmenere, Syrah 2015 from Chile but owned by Rothschild. Plums and berries and smooth. No aftertastes — 6 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.3

Rich, intense aromas of black cherry, blackberry, cassis, black olive, tapenade, mint, baking spice, vanilla, cedar, dried violet, leather and earth. Great finesse with plenty of tannin that is silky and polished. The alcohol is well balanced with the pronounced flavors a lovely wine. — 3 years ago

Eric

9.4

Beautiful Pinot. I really enjoy Sonoma Coast and Freestone/Occidental in particular. Steve crafts a fine wine - it’s harmonious. — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.6

2016 vintage. The Jaboulet whites seem to have improved spectacularly under the Caroline Frey reign, as demonstrated by this amazing 2016. Light golden colour. Intense complex perfume of quince, pear, pineapple and lemon confit,intertwined with floral and mineral notes. In the mouth it is powerful and refined at the same time, with layers of fruit and spices, balanced by an attractive almondy bitterness. Impressively long mineral finish. Abv. 14%. — 4 years ago

Martijn

9.8

Beautiful nose with black berries, bay leaf and coffee. In the mouth silky with a lot of fruit and almondpaste. Paired it with a perfectly prepared cote du boeuff. — 5 years ago

Steven Heydemann

Huge wine. Way too young. Super tannic. Tons of graphite on the nose. All grip right now. NYE wine #1 — 5 years ago

Charles Mires

9.2

Excellent. — 6 years ago

Paul A

9.3

In magnum — 6 years ago

with Cassie, Jay and 1 other

Conrad Green

9.4

Very plush and open on the nose. Corn, yellow flowers, lifted acidity. Full bodied and lush. Long but atypical — 3 years ago

with stewart

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Medium straw color. Citrus aromas, lightly floral and raw biscuit. Sexy AF champagne, complex with a racy citrus punch. Could use some salty caviar to balance it. Definitely can go another 8-10 years. It’s a Grande Dame, absolutely amazing! — 3 years ago

Drew Summers

Sales Northampton Wines

9.3

🍕 Pizza Party! 🍕 — 4 years ago

Rachel Retallick

9.5

Robust berry blend with soft finish and beautifully fragrant. 2013 opens up nicely, but would be curious if it tastes even better with more age. — 4 years ago

with JP

David Stein

9.4

A winner. Needs more time but already brooding and powerful. The stuff of legends — 5 years ago

with Bruce

Roy Goble

9.4

Someone said this Sonoma cab rivals Napa. Softer and smoother than I expected. — 6 years ago

Andy Hall

9.6

This wine reminded me why I love this winery’s cabs. Consistently producing balanced wines depth and fruit! This vintage is the best since ‘07. — 6 years ago

with Jerry