The NV Brut Le Mesnil is a terrific Champagne, offering lots of juicy citrus and stone fruits as well as more apple and brioche characteristics with time in the glass. Possessing a medium-bodied, fresh, lively style, with a distinct minerality on the pala...
Pol Roger, one of a few luxury Champagne firms still family-owned, was established in Epernay in 1849. Pol Roger owns 200 acres of vineyards, which provide about 45% of their needs. Pol Roger's cellars extend over four miles of winding chalk passageways on two levels. The second or deeper cellar maintains a constant 9.5º C (50º F), one degree lower than the first level and most others in the region. This lower temperature slows the second fermentation, encouraging a finer mousse or bubbles. Pol Roger Champagne also spends two to three times the allowable minimum in the cellar before disgorgement, or about three years for the non-vintage and up to seven for the luxury cuvées. The long, slow maturation contributes greatly to the complex aromas, which distinguish these superb Champagnes.The Brut Non Vintage blend is traditionally composed from about 30 to 35 still base wines
Bollinger's 2008 La Grande Ann?e is superb, wafting from the glass with aromas of crisp orchard fruit, ripe lemons, honeycomb, warm biscuits, dried white flowers and a delicate top note of walnuts and fino sherry. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, b...
Glass-staining ruby. Powerful, mineral- and smoke-accented black and blue fruit, potpourri, olive and vanilla aromas acquire a spicy nuance as the wine opens up. Offers densely packed cherry-cola, cassis and blueberry flavors that show excellent clarity a...
As the 2015 Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Saint-Joseph had been recently bottled when I tasted it last year and rated it 94 points, I've retasted it and upgraded it a point. Despite being aged in 100% new oak for close to 24 months, it shows only subtle hints of ...
Leading off the 2020s, the 2020 Côtes Du Rhône is ripe, medium to full-bodied, and loaded with charm. Sunny red and black fruits, spice, and garrigue notes define the bouquet, and it's going to drink nicely right out of the gate. It shows the fruit-driven...