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Tasted two bottles of this.  They were part of a cellar purchase from which most of the bottles had been in excellent shape.  On opening, this was old and off a bit.  With a couple hours of air, it improved quite a bit although never got to the point of not being past prime.  Depending on one's level of enjoyment from wines with this much age, it seemed mostly a miss among the tasters.  I enjoyed it for what it offered.

Spectacular Champagne.  The P2 series is held back for almost 15 years before being released.  This one is from the excellent 2002 vintage.  The extra time has served to make this a bit fuller and rounder but with all the verve of the original release.  Golden in color with some green hues.  A lovely stream of tiny bubbles in the fluted glass.  On the nose, this is smoky with lemons, salinity and spice (ground coriander?).  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is incredibly smooth and seamless.  Deep.  Notes of lemons, limes, smoke and salinity.  Great balance.  Incredibly long finish.  And, d

This is 100% Pinot Noir from an excellent producer if a bit under the radar.  Light golden in color, with a nice mousse of fine bubbles.  The nose has slate, chalk, apples and Meyer lemons.  Medium bodied with moderate acidity.  On the palate, the  Meyer lemons come thru along with some chalk.  Very tasty.   Good finish.  This is drinking very well now and should continue over the next five to eight years.  It is nice on its own and will work well with almost any food.  

Ruby in color with a touch of browning, clear and bright.  The nose is classic with cherries, slight barnyard and spice.  The tannins seem resolved and this is at peak.  Layers of fruit and tertiary notes.  Complex.  Cherries, earthy dried fruit and flowers.  Good acidity.  Slight barnyard on the palate.  Good finish.  This is exactly what this wine should be at this point.  If you live that, you will love this.  Better with food such as a stew or vegetarian chili.  Drink over the next five years.  

This is a new project of the Maurel brothers of Clos St.

This is 100% Grenache from vines that are over 100 years old.  Incredible wine with only 400 Magnums being released.  Purple in color, slight ruby line at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, slight raspberries, minerals, slight anise and floral notes.  Full bodied.  Incredible texture.  Its a big wine but with so much energy and so light on its feet.  On the palate, this is complex and concentrated.  As it unwinds on the palate, there are black raspberries, lots of minerality, some anise and spice.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is drinking quite well now but just s

Wow.  Incredible wine.  Served from Magnum, this is still young but with some air was singing.  100% Grenache.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, spices, floral qualities but also a bit or roasted meats and herbs.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is concentrated, intense and delicious.  Cassis, lavender, slight black cherry with underlying char and minerality.  Voluptuous texture.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and went very well with Mushroom Agnolotti.  Still young, especially from Magnum, this will make gr

This is one of my favorite Chateauneuf's although not always easy to find and not inexpensive.  It is 100% Grenache from century old vines.  While this is still quite young, it is delicious and intense.  Deep garnet in color, opaque and bright.  The nose opens in the glass to show black raspberries, black cherries, spices and subtle floral notes.  Full bodied with a wonderful texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries with underlying spice and minerality.  Clean.  Great balance.  Long finish.  While no doubt not giving up everything, it is so delicious.  It went wonderfully

My first time trying this (available only in Magnum), it was obviously young and needed some time to open. The  is made from 100% old vine (80 to 100 years old) Clairette grapes.  Very concentrated and unique.  The nose shows almonds, limes, some peach and wax.  Full bodied.  It seemed a bit blowsy.  On the palate, almonds and limes come thru along with some wax.  It is very concentrated yet also has some volume to it.  With every sip my palate adjusted and I enjoyed it more and more.

Tasted from Magnum.  Great showing.  In the world of semi-affordable Champagne, this is one of the top Rose's.  Ruby/copper in color, clear and bright.  A steady steam of tiny bubbles form a pretty mousse.  The nose has strawberries, slight orange peel and just a hint of currants.  Medium bodied.  Nice acidity.  Fresh and clean.  On the palate, the red currants really come out along with a bit of red raspberries.  Nice finish.  This drinks easily and served as a wonderful prelude to a long dinner, both stimulating the palate and working well with Potato Pave.  Drink over the next few years