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Staff Favorites - Chelsea Herholdt
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Reviews
2021 Buehler "Papa's Knoll - Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 08-15-2024
Perfectly ripe quintessential blue fruit and lovely grounding spice jumps out of the glass. The palate has solid concentration, pleasant fruit, firm and balanced tannins, and a lovely long finish of cacao and leather. This is a perfect middle of the road, sure to please fans of more structured Napa wines, as well as those seeking the iconic ripe and expressive fruit character. This is something I would bring to friend's houses and parties feeling confident in the overall straightforward likeability and pure enjoyment. Sometimes, less is more, and the Papa's Knoll fits the bill.
2022 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Review Date: 05-01-2024
What a treat. The nose on this gem is full of fresh finger limes and cheese curds - less overwhelming quintessential Marlborough grassy nature and more pleasant, balanced fruit and stoniness. The palate is lifted with lean acidity, and a surprisingly long, mineral driven finish. Approachable in the best way!
Laurent-Perrier "Grand Siècle" Iteration #26 Brut Champagne
Review Date: 09-14-2023
This is the 2nd time in a week that I have had the pleasure of enjoying this masterpiece of a wine, one of which was side by side with Iterations #25, 24, and 23. This iteration is based on 2012 (mostly), 2008, and 2007 and is 58% Chardonnay. Technical data aside, this is one of the most striking Champagnes I have had in years. The finish lasts for (actual) minutes and I don't want to drink anything else to wash it away. I rarely say this, I see why it received 100 points. It is incredibly aromatic for just being released, with the bones and elegance to age for decades. I'd say that Grand Siecle ages "like a fine wine" but putting it side by side with anything else almost does it a disservice. #23 had just begun to show any secondary character, and the grace in this wine tells me it will slowly evolve into something potentially even more stunning. This is truly in a class of its own - I would grab as many as you can so you can mark the passing of time by opening them for years to come.
Fallet-Dart Brut Rosé Champagne
Review Date: 09-14-2023
Playful, elegant, cheery, and timeless. This rosé is a summer day bottled up and ready for you to enjoy year-round. With the predominantly Meunier (60%) spending 4 years on the lees, any harshness has softened just the right amount, while the remaining Pinot Noir and skin contact style holds everything firmly in place. This makes you want to do a little dance of celebration just for opening it!
Price:
$34.99
Gosset "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 09-14-2023
It doesn't get much more classically Champagne that Gosset. From the blend of mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with 10% Meunier, the 6 years on the lees, all the way to the use of both stainless steel and oak, you get a bright, textured, and somehow strikingly unique wine. The nose reminds me of fresh cut summer melons, while the palate is regal and long. One of the best QPR values in our stores.
2015 A.D. Coutelas Brut Champagne
Review Date: 09-14-2023
2015 was a warm vintage in Champagne, and some harnessed it well, while others struggled with shut down vines. A.D. Coutelas did an excellent job of harnessing the warmth and producing a welcoming vintage wine that is far from a shame to have open now. Candied citrus meets a classic palate with balanced freshness. If you ever wonder what to pair with curries or other spice driven foods, this is your answer.
Price:
Hidden
A.D. Coutelas "Cuvée Louis Victor" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 09-14-2023
I had to look twice at this price. The base blend crosses over a decade of vintages, and it spends 4 years on the lees, gaining both depth and classic brioche character. While the nose is still showing lively character such as finger lime, beautiful secondary character is also beginning to show. The primary citrus has begun to evolve on the palate, making this an incredibly approachable and universally friendly wine. For those that are used to paying high dollar for older vintage Champagnes, this is an excellent wine to have around, as some of that hard to come by nutty silkiness is already showing here. Stunning value.
A.D. Coutelas "Cuvée Eloge" Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
Review Date: 09-14-2023
This beautiful wine, in the best way, does not require food accompaniment or much thought at all, just a day that ends in 'Y'. It is a balanced and lively Champagne, perfect for Chablis lovers, or any and all sparkling wine folks. It will stand up to food if needed, but is enjoyable solo as well. Somehow, classic and modern all at once. I see no reason or time that would not be appropriate to open this gorgeous wine!
Price:
$39.99
Damien Hugot Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
Review Date: 09-14-2023
The difference between this and the Brut version is purely dosage technically speaking, but you'd think they were completely different cuvées altogether. Fresh white peaches, bright meyer lemon, and citrus rind jump out of the glass. The palate is structured and fresh, again a complete departure from the Brut version from Damien Hugot. I'd recommend grabbing the two of them to put side by side for an adventure into the discussion of Champagne dosage.
Price:
$39.99
Damien Hugot Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 09-14-2023
The concentration here from this wonderful bottle is owed partially to vineyards planted back to the 60s. On the nose, candied citrus, baking spices, & honey cake. The chalky northernly site comes out on the palate in a firm minerality backbone and citrus vein continued from the nose. The foudre/solera usage here makes for a wine that has a ton of complexity and coveted Champagne nutty character.
Price:
$37.99
2019 Robert Craig "Estate" Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 08-30-2023
Robert Craig has captured Howell Mountain and the 2019 vintage beautifully in this stunner of a release. Dark red fruits, sage brush, and spice jump out of the glass first. The low yields attained by their 2300ft elevation, ~1.8tons/acre, bring concentration and complexity to the balanced but forward palate. Present and firm tannins, balanced by an acidity and body that keeps the mouth ready for more, are sure to please any Napa lover. However, this will not leave any full bodied red wine drinker behind. I look forward to enjoying this wine in years to come - it runs with the highest quality wines in Napa and is sure to age with them.