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The 2018 Dom Pérignon is explosive, bright and so vibrant in the glass. Medium in body, with layers of understated depth, the 2018 dazzles from start to finish. Lemon peel, chalk, mint and white pepper all open with a bit of coaxing. Readers will find a Dom Pérignon of unreal precision and class. (AG)

The 2018 Cristal opens a new chapter for Roederer. The Cristal estate is composed of 45 parcels. In better vintages, most of the 45 parcels are used for the blend. The 2018 vintage brought with it elevated ripeness and generally low acids. Longtime Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon was forced to cast his gaze wider, to look for parcels that offered a touch of freshness. Lécaillon expanded his palette to 57 parcels. The result is a Cristal unlike any other I have tasted. Orchard fruit, dried flowers, spice, chalk and herbs are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass. Floral and savory overtones are quite distinctive. Lécaillon reduced oak ferments, racked very quickly after fermentation and used all his best Chardonnay lots for Cristal, so much so that there is no Blanc de Blancs. He bottled earlier than normal and chose a crown capsule with a liner that allows less oxygen transfer than the norm here. Taken together, those choices paid off handsomely. In tasting, the 2018 is positively stunning. Its linear energy and brilliance are a bit reminiscent of the 2014, but its flavor profile is completely different from any Cristal I can remember tasting. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. (AG) 98+

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Bevan "Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard" St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon (100IWR, 100JD, 100RP, 96VN). Wine Advocate: "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard was aged for 19 months in French oak barrels, 100% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with flamboyant scents of redcurrant jelly, Black Forest cake, blackcurrant pastilles and rose oil with suggestions of cast-iron pan, pencil lead and tilled soil plus a waft of fragrant earth. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated with firm, exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, it delivers an incredible mineral and perfumed red fruit firework display finish. Fans of Dr. Crane are going to LOVE this expression, masterfully crafted by Russell Bevan—an absolute must-try! (LPB) " (02/2021)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 2-bottles of 2018 Schloss Lieser Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese Long Gold Kapsule and 1-bottle of 2018 Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden Auslese Long Gold Kapsule.

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2018 Amici "Morisoli Vineyard" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon (98JD, 96IWR, 96RP, 95JS). Jeb Dunnuck: "Possibly a candidate for perfection in 4-5 years, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard reveals a deep, dense purple/blue color to go with incredible notes of blueberries, crème de cassis, scorched earth, camphor, graphite, and a Graves-like earthy minerality. Full-bodied and powerful on the palate, it has beautifully integrated tannins, a solid spine of acidity, terrific mid-palate depth, and a blockbuster of a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. Give bottles 2-4 years in a cold cellar, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following two decades. (JD) 98+" (01/2021)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 2018 Feytit-Clinet, Pomerol (96JD, 95JS, (93-95RP), 95VN, 94DC) and 1 2018 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien (100JD, 97JS, 97RP, 97VN, 97WE, 97WS). Of the 2018 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien, Jeb Dunnuck writes: "... Based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, its dense purple hue is followed by an incredible, full-bodied monster of a wine that, despite massive amounts of fruit, tannins, and extract, still stays weightless and ethereal, with incredible purity. Loaded with notions of crème de cassis, spring flowers, tobacco, violets, charcoal, and cedar pencil, it's extraordinarily concentrated, flawlessly balanced, and has a finish that won't quit. This is a legendary wine in the making. Give bottles 7-8 years, a decade would be even better, and it will keep for 40-50 years. Hats off to the Cuvelier family for another extraordinary wine!" (03/2021)

Bid on this bottle of 2018 Peter Michael "Ma Belle-Fille" Knights Valley Chardonnay (98RP, 97JS, 95VN, 94WS). Wine Advocate: "Ma Belle Fille is the highest of the Peter Michael vineyards, located at 1, 200-1, 800 feet. Planted to a field selection of Hudson, Old Wente, Montrachet and Calera clones, it is also the earliest ripening vineyard. The 2018 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille comes skipping out of the glass with vibrant, youthful scents of lemon tart, mandarin peel, green mango and crystalline citrus peel with emerging nuances of wet slate, candle wax and freshly cracked hazelnut. Medium to full-bodied, the palate features a satiny sheen and a wicked backbone of freshness galvanizing the mineral and citrusy flavors into an electrifying finish. (LPB)" (02/2021)

Bid on this bottle of 2018 Schrader "MB (Monastery Block) - To Kalon Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (98JS, 98RP, 97JD, 96WS). Wine Advocate: "... One hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon, it is was aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose is shut down, requiring a fair amount of swirling to unveil pronounced black currant cordial, stewed plums and blackberry preserves scents with hints of crushed rocks, tar, licorice and camphor. Medium-bodied, the palate reveals a lot of energy and tension, offering glimpses of mineral and spice accents among the tightly knit, muscular black fruit layers, supported by a solid wall of firm, grainy tannins. It finishes with great length and a lively burst of freshness. (LPB) 98+" (01/2021)

Bid on this magnum of 2018 Saxum "James Berry Vineyard" Willow Creek District Rhône Blend (1.5L) (99JD, 98VN, 97RP, 97WS). Jeb Dunnuck: "Showing better from bottle than barrel (always a good sign), the 2018 James Berry Vineyard is another stunning wine in a long line of stunning wines from this estate. Based on 64% Grenache, 16% Mataro, 14% Syrah, and the rest Carignan, incredible notes of blueberries, wild strawberries, licorice, new leather, herbes de Provence, and candied violets all emerge from the glass, and it's full-bodied, with an incredible sense of purity and elegance, flawless balance, and a huge finish." (09/2020)

Generous aromas of freshly cut pear, sappy apple, honeysuckle, acacia honey, marzipan and a light trace of coffee and caramel form a complex and inviting nose. The palate follows with a gentle mousse and rounded texture, centering on mineral-driven notes, apple skin and pulverized stone that persist through a long finish. A proper decant brings further definition to its mineral core. (AC)

In 2013, Launois produced its last prestige cuvee through the Champagne Special Club and began working on their "Helia" series. Because of the long aging, the first release was in 2017, but it was only the Blanc des Blanc. Launois delayed production of its prestige rose a year because 2017 was stellar for Chardonnay, but tricky for Pinot Noir and Meunier. They were well rewarded for their patience. The hot 2018 vintage produced lush ripe fruit that gives this champagne an elevated red fruit profile (10% old vine still Pinot Noir added to the blend) to go along with the 90% toasty Grand Cru Chardonnay from Mesnil and Cramant. Think strawberries, cream, and the perfect croissant and you'll get an idea of why the Helia rose lives up to its prestige designation.

The contrast between one of the coldest sites in Champagne and the warmest vintage in the regions history have made for something really special here. The over 40-year-old plot that made this single vineyard wine has given us an example of the fresher and lighter side of Meunier, with clean baguette toast and crisp pear aromas and flavors. Meunier champagnes go great with pâté and mushroom appetizers, and this one is clean enough to go with nothing but a glass and good company.

94+ points. The red 2018 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza is pretty and attractive, fresh and aromatic, floral, the result of a challenging year with lots of rain and high humidity. This is usually the last vineyard to be harvested, and the grapes were picked late, the 26th of October. It's a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo that matured in a combination of oak vats and well-seasoned American oak barrels for six years. It's elegant and clean, young and undeveloped, with very fine tannins and a sleek, polished mouthfeel. It has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.0 and 6.5 grams of acidity. This could be the finest Cubillo in recent times, and it's a bargain. (LG)

I love this- what a great combination of the elegance of Billecart-Salmon vintage champagne inside the bottle, and celebratory fun on the label! This celebrates not only the 200th anniversary of this house, but also 250 years of the USA. I love how the frame of baguette toast and dark cherry Pinot Noir power coalesce on the generous nose of this wine. It has great richness in the mouth without being heavy and features lovely white flowers as well as super salinity. This is a great 2018 from Billecart!

Aromas of blackberries, dark spices, resin, chocolate and leather. Racy, spiced palate with a medium to full body and chalky tannins. Juicy finish with notes of walnut.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is silky and elegant, with lovely aromatic presence and impeccable balance. Sweet tobacco, cedar, dried flowers and mint all give this mid-weight Cabernet lovely complexity and nuance. The 2018 has shut down since I tasted it last year, but that is not surprising given the style here. Today, bright acids give the 2018 energy, tension and a good deal of precision. (AG) 96+

Coming from Verzy and Chouilly, the 2018 Champagne Vintage Brut has 80% Pinot Noir from Verzy and is the last vintage to include Chardonnay from Chouilly. Historically, the Chardonnay was included in the blend to soften the austerity of the Pinot Noir; however, with these recent vintages and warming conditions, this is no longer necessary, as the Pinot Noir is fully ripe and appealing on its own. In the glass, it offers aromas of pure red cherries, fresh flowers, bright spice, and wild raspberries. Medium to full-bodied, it has compact definition, a pillowy mousse, a chalky texture, and mouthwatering tangerine notes on the finish. While I am eagerly anticipating the 2019 release, this holds a fantastic place in the range to enjoy now or over the next 15 or so years. (AF)

Fallet-Dart has been in Charly-sur-Marne, in the far western Marne Valley, since 1611 - that's 13 generations of tradition and know-how! Their historic property and terroir lends itself to Meunier, but unlike other grower-producers in the region, they do not limit themselves to Meunier dominant champagnes. Quite the contrary. The 2018 Extra Brut is 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir - no Meunier! Ripe orchard fruit indicative of the hot but excellent 2018 vintage, along with notes of citrus, minerals, hazelnut, candied pear, almonds, and spices, and a has very toasty autolytic character from an extended 7 years on the lees and the aged Chardonnay.

The classic 2018 Arbois Vin Jaune wafts up with pronounced walnuts, grilled almonds, pastry and hay. Bruised apple adds more aromatic complexity. Full-bodied, powerful and concentrated, the 2018 is a full-throttle Vin Jaune that, despite all its solar heft, neatly maintains its overall balance through steely Savagnin acidity. Nutty complexities emerge on the long, savoury finish. (NG)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2018 Bond "Matriarch" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (OWC - 96JS, 93VN) in original wood. James Suckling: "This is beautiful and very open with blackberry, currant and walnut character. Some fresh flowers, too. It’s full and flavorful, creamy and velvety. Fresh at the end. Hard not to drink now." (06/2021)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Cayuse "The Widowmaker - En Chamberlin Vineyard" Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (95IWR, 95VN, 94JD, 94JS, 94RP, 93WE). Vinous: "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon The Widowmaker En Chamberlin Vineyard is a spectacular wine by famed vigneron Christophe Baron. The beautiful, hedonistic nose features green bell pepper, smoke, black cherry cordial and wild mushroom tones. The palate is silky and elegant, with a bright sense of minerality. Ripe dark fruits combine with black tea, exotic spices and smoky undertones and a rich mouthfeel. Layered and complex, this beautiful effort will continue to evolve well for a decade or more. (OB)" (03/2022)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Sea Smoke "Ten" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (95VN, 94WE). Vinous: "The 2018 Pinot Noir Ten is a classic Sea Smoke wine. Dark, ample and enveloping, the 2018 possesses notable richness and volume right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit cherry, plum, mocha, lavender and sweet spice all meld together, framed by supple, silky tannins that add considerable immediacy and overall appeal. (AG)" (06/2022)

Bid on this bottle of 2018 Domaine Leflaive Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru.

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Sea Smoke "Southing" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (95VN, 95WE). Vinous: "The 2018 Pinot Noir Southing is laced with bold dark-fleshed fruit, menthol, licorice, spice and mocha. A wine of volume and depth, the 2018 offers tons of allure, with plush contours and impeccable overall balance. (AG)" (06/2022)

Bid on this bottle of 2018 Kapcsándy "Roberta’s Reserve - State Lane Vineyard" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (98VN, 97JD, 96RP). Vinous: "The 2018 Roberta's Reserve is another magnificent wine from the Kapcsándy family. Beautifully ripe and deep, the Roberta's balances richness with elegance in a stunning style. Black cherry, chocolate, new leather, licorice, spice and menthol, build as this creamy, expansive Merlot opens over time. The 2018 is all class. In a word: superb. (AG)" (10/2021)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Aubert "Powder House" Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (99RP, 97JD, 96JS, 96WS, (92-95VN)). Wine Advocate: "The second vintage of this wine, the 2018 Chardonnay Powder House comes from eight acres of what are now estate-owned vines planted in 2013 to Hyde Old Wente and Mt. Eden clones on Goldridge soils. The vineyard is located in downtown Forestville, right across from the high school. It bursts with tantalizing notions of peaches and cream, orange sherbet and lemon pastilles giving way to a grounded, serious core of Bosc pears, beeswax and baking bread. Full-bodied with a gorgeous creaminess to the texture, it delivers loads of citrus sparks among the stone fruit background with a lively backbone and very long finish. (LPB)" (01/2021)

Bid on this bottle of 2018 Fairchild Estate "Stones No. 3 - Perrarus Block 3" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (99JD, 97RP, 94VN). Jeb Dunnuck: "Lastly, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Stones No. 3 comes from the oldest vines in the Tench Vineyard and was brought up in mostly new barrels. More unevolved notes of blueberries, raspberries, crushed violets, lead pencil, iron, and graphite give way to a huge, rich, full-bodied wine that has some obvious minerality, loads of floral nuances, polished tannins, and a great finish." (01/2021)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Ridge Vineyards "Monte Bello" Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon (99RP, 97JS, 97WS, 96VN, 96W&S, 95JD, 95WE, 94DC, 93CG). Wine Advocate: "he 2018 Monte Bello is as classic a release from this storied site as ever. It contains 17% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. A ravishing, multidimensional nose of wet clay, cocoa powder, peperoncini, cured meat and eucalyptus endlessly expands and congeals with further aeration. The palate precisely stitches together supple concentration and firm, coarse tannins that give sturdiness and intensity to its otherwise medium-bodied frame. The finish is amazingly long and delicious and begins to close down after a few hours, telling me this timeless wine should be left alone for the next 10-12 years. Superb through and through, this wine should excel past its 50th birthday. (ML)" (04/2024)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Sine Qua Non "Aperta" Central Coast White Blend (100RP, 97JD, 94VN). Wine Advocate: "...The nose opens with alluring notions of honeycomb, toasted almonds, orange blossoms, musk melons and poached pears with surfacing scents of lemongrass and preserved ginger. The rich, full-bodied palate is built with exciting tension, delivering a satiny texture and layers upon layers of apple, citrus and melon-inspired flavors with a spicy/savory undercurrent. Minerals and toasted nuts emerge on the long, long, long lingering finish. This is an astonishingly complex dry white, which I anticipate will age gracefully like an epic white Burgundy. Readers should note that this wine was decanted three hours prior to tasting, and it opened considerably over the one to two hours that I had it in the glass. During its first 4-6 years in bottle, I would certainly recommend decanting it for a least an hour prior to serving. (LPB)" (08/2021)

Bid on this bottle of 2018 Domaine Jean-Claude Ramonet Puligny-Montrachet "Les Enseignères" (92WS). Wine Spectator: "Fleeting aromas of white flowers, seashore, orange zest and hazelnut give way to peach and lemon flavors, with accents of vanilla, clove and nutmeg. It's subtle, verging on creamy in texture, finishing long and balanced. (BS)" (05/2021)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Domaine Francois Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru "Chapelot" (93BH, 93JG). Burghound: " This is restrained to the point of being almost mute and it requires aggressive swirling to coax notes of airy mineral reduction, citrus rind and plenty of seashore nuances to reveal themselves. The slightly richer and rounder flavors possess somewhat finer texture though at the expense of less minerality and detail on the clean and bone-dry bitter lemon-infused finale that isn't quite as complex. Even so, this is still excellent. This is restrained to the point of being almost mute and it requires aggressive swirling to coax notes of airy mineral reduction, citrus rind and plenty of seashore nuances to reveal themselves. The slightly richer and rounder flavors possess somewhat finer texture though at the expense of less minerality and detail on the clean and bone-dry bitter lemon-infused finale that isn't quite as complex. Even so, this is still excellent." (11/2020)

Bid on this bottle of 2018 Domaine Jean-Claude Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Boudriotte" (95JS, 94DC, 93RP, 91BH, 91WS). James Suckling: "Clean and steely with stone and slate aromas and flavors. Flinty. Matchstick. Medium- to full-bodied. Powerful and beautiful." (12/2022)

Bid on this bottle of 2018 Ovid "Experiment R9.8" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend. The Ovid "Experiment" range of wines is essentially a scratch pad for the winemaking team at Ovid. They are able to continuously test new viticultural and winemaking techniques in their on going quest to create the perfect expression of Napa Valley Cabernet. The wine was grown, harvested and made in an identical fashion to Ovid's flagship, so the differences in flavor, texture and structure can be attributed to row orientation and how that variable impacts the finished wine. From the winery: "A vineyard with a row orientation 90 degrees to ours (but with a similar trellis structure) was selected for this experiment. Throughout the growing season, observations were made, noting the amount of fruit exposure at different times of the day. Fruit was then harvested and wine was made in the same manner as our estate fruit. The final blend was then aged for 20 months and bottled."

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2018 Vine Hill Ranch "VHR" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon (OWC - 99JS, 98IWR, 98JD, 98VN) in original wood. James Suckling: "Amazed at the structure and depth of this wine, its form and tension giving incredible energy and length. Blue fruit, mint and spearmint. The tannins are folded into the wine and spread across the palate like the finest velvet. It goes on and on and on. Svelte nature. A classic wine, harking back to the glorious classics of the 1970s." (09/2022)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Quivet "Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (97JD). Jeb Dunnuck: "From a great site outside of St. Helena, there are 175 cases of the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard, which has a killer bouquet of black raspberries and crème de cassis intermixed with beautiful spring flowers, unsmoked tobacco, and spice. Deep, rich, full-bodied, and with incredible elegance and purity, it offers building tannins, flawless balance, and stunning length. (JD) 97+ " (08/2020)

Bid on this 7-bottle tasting lot; including 3-bottles of 2018 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Gold Kapsule and 4-bottles of 2018 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese (95JG, 95JS, 92WS). Of the 2018 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, James Suckling writes: "This is a very sexy riesling with immense minerality in the way of cloves, flint and dried spices. So much citron and orange-blossom character. Wonderfully dense yet elegant with cut-throat acidity and gliding, citrus and stone flavors. The slight off-dryness is so cleverly worked into this sleek package." (10/2019)

The long sunny days and warmth of the 2018 vintage has provided glowing stone and citrus fruit to this glorious Grande Dame. While the initial attack plays on various riffs of lemon oil, verbena, orange rind and grapefruit, it's the deeply mineral and tightly wound core that surprises most with this wine, and this is what will ensure its long-term ageing potential. Delectable candied orange rind builds to a crescendo of yuzu and coconut cream. A luminous and energetic iteration of La Grande Dame. (NE)

More approachable than many of Gramercy’s 2019s, its extra year of bottle gestation has given this wine a supple elegance. It’s mildly smoky, mildly spicy from whole clusters in the fermentation, the flavors of purple plum and mint and olive bearing a quiet hum of energy, held in check by fine, polished tannins. (PJC)

The intensity and perfumes on the nose are extremely impressive, offering pure blackberries and violets, as well as bark, wild-mushroom and raw-tile notes. It’s full-bodied with creamy tannins that envelop the wine and a gorgeous, subtly complex center palate with all the flavors found on the nose. Endless finish. Love the finesse and length to this. Greatest ever.

The process is a painstaking labor of love. A blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes are hand-harvested and then hung to dry (appassimento) in airy lofts for months, concentrating their sugars and flavors. The thick, sweet juice is then pressed and sealed in small oak and chestnut barrels, called caratelli, where it ferments and ages slowly for at least a decade in the vinsantaia—a process that exposes it to the natural temperature fluctuations of the seasons. It is rich and lusciously sweet but with a vibrant, electrifying acidity that cuts through the richness, preventing it from ever feeling cloying. This is a wine to be sipped slowly on its own at the end of a meal, or paired with the classic Cantucci (almond biscotti). A small bottle will last for weeks after opening, its flavors continuing to evolve. This wine is immortal; you can keep it in the cellar for generations.

Ripe cherries and plum skin with hints of cocoa, dark spices, mushrooms and sandalwood on the nose. Firm and structured with a medium to full body. Shows tension and good volume, with succulent fruit in the middle. Better after two to three years. (AS)

Complex and subtle, with savory grilled herbs, black cherries and a mineral and balsamic undertone. Very juicy, poised and effortless with fresh, velvety tannins that flow through the palate. Nothing flashy nor flattering here, rather it’s fresh, dry and delicate with an ethereal and lingering finish. Precise, fine and “vulnerable.” Super-delicious and drinkable now, but will hold, too.

Greer's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon features perfumed, almost rose-like scents layered atop cherries and cassis, with a savory foundation of gently dusty earth. A blend of the tiny vineyard's three Cabernet clones (Clone 4, Wiemer, See), it's medium to full-bodied, supple, velvety and long, A lovely wine from start to finish, it's impeccably balanced, elegant and harmonious. (JC)

A stunning example, with finesse allied to power. Real tension and energy here. Will be approachable quite young, but really should be aged for over five years for the best result. Fèvre has 2.24ha within Montée de Tonnerre. Plots are located in Pied d'Aloup (facing east) with profound Kimmeridgian soils bringing freshness, Chapelot facing south on deep soil adding richness, and Côte de Brechain facing west on top of the hill with the oldest plots dating back to 1936.(AH)

The 2018 Pinot Noir La Vida Bella Vineyard envelops the palate with its breath and inviting contours. Black cherry, cloves, licorice, sage, menthol and coffee bring out the darker side of Pinot. There’s real fruit richness, substance and inner perfume to play off the wine’s natural structure. Gorgeous.

Fresh blackberries, plums, smoked spices, graphite and cocoa powder. So juicy and firm, with fresh, abundant tannins coming from the fruit and spicy oak, but all woven in a fine-grained form, which clearly shows aging potential. Medium- to full-bodied with a very long finish. (ZS)

This nicely dry, well-balanced and moderately tannic wine will clear the palate beautifully when eating meaty, rich dishes. Its subtle berry, sage and sun-baked earth notes are harmonious and interesting.

This vintage wine from Launois comes from older vines in the mid-slope portions of their estate in Mesnil and Cramant Grand Cru. Only massal-selected Chardonnay vines are used in this blend. The 2018 vintage was a ripe and powerful one in Champagne, and this wine not only has the bready richness upfront, but also fantastic minerality on the long, dry finish. -Gary Westby, K&L Champagne Buyer