Invest a few dollars in a champagne stopper for this champagne, and serve it for two occasions. First, sip it with caviar on New Year’s Eve. The wine is a pale tan-yellow with tiny bubbles in the glass, and there’s a hint of bread aroma to begin the experience. It’s
This is a Champagne for New Year’s Eve. Pair it with caviar or with dinner. A reserved, pale gold-tan color in the glass belies this champagne’s prominent multi-fruit components. Raspberry and strawberry dominate in the aroma and on the palate at first, then orange and orange peel emerge on the
This pale tan sparkling wine has a frothy mousse and a light, fresh aroma wafting up from the glass. It’s peachy but dry on the palate, with nice chalky elements toward the end palate, and hints of almond and hazelnut in the shortish finish. Drink on its own. Recommended as
A good French Pinot Noir for under $15 is a rare pleasure. Cherry, anise, and a touch of milk chocolate come through on the nose. Strawberry and redcurrant soar over star anise and milk chocolate, with a small strip of dried orange peel adding to the finish. Dusty tannins and
Cherry stones, vanilla, and cola show on the nose. The palate leads with black cherry and strawberry, with a tart raspberry twist. Some vanilla comes through on the mid-palate. The finish favors the tart over the sweet. Mouth-feel is soft, tannins mild. Drink with bacon-wrapped pork medallions. Recommended. 87 points.
Pour vigorously, decant, wait, or cellar for a decade or more. Don't pop and pour. If you do, you will be punished by vegetal wine loaded with oak. Give it a day or more, though, and the wine changes completely. Cassis, vanilla, and a touch of mint show on the
This is a big mouthful of wine, but bright and fresh, not jammy. The nose has aromas of blackberries and wood smoke. Blackberries lead on the palate, followed by smoke, vanilla, and bacon, which lingers with blackberries and vanilla on a lengthy finish. Acids are bright, tannins firm and slightly