Wine Berserkers - international wine social media, online community, and discussion

Michael S. Monie

I'm pretty sure that most Champagne makers would consider it an insult to hear their wine described as "yeasty" thinking of it as an inference that they had not done their job very well. Descriptors such as toast, brioche, bread, biscuit, etc. can allude to varying levels of what it is to ...

Michael S. Monie

I don't want to say anything to controversial or contribute to any thread drift - but - shouldn't we be talking about the pricing of the '08 Taittinger Comtes Rose :)? When is this coming out and at what price - that wouldn't be offensive.....? I could be missing something but have looked recently....

Michael S. Monie

This is something I’ve wondered before. I’m *not* very sensitive to TCA, but there have been wines where I’ve really wondered if they were corked, knowing that I’m not super sensitive to TCA, because of a wine feeling surprisingly muted on the nose (even after decanting/swirling) or otherwise not a...

Michael S. Monie

I've had both the 2011 and 2007 Pergole Torte recently and preferred the 2011, which really surprised me.

Michael S. Monie

"It's only a little corked."

Michael S. Monie

Any thoughts on Linkwood 15 year old bottled by Gordon & MacPhail?

Michael S. Monie

Is there a difference between V18 and 2018 ? Do both exist ? I just got about a case of them with V17 I assumed that was the 2017 "vintage" ? thx. What really makes it confusing is that he puts the year it was disgorged on the back label. For instance, the v16 which is the 2016 vintage ha...

Michael S. Monie

B. Buzzini wrote: ↑January 15th, 2021, 7:18 pm
Michael S. Monie wrote: ↑January 15th, 2021, 6:24 pm If you will indulge me, did the back label have 2018 or v18?
V18

Thanks. It is a beauty! I like it so much I bought 18 bottles.

Michael S. Monie

If you will indulge me, did the back label have 2018 or v18?

Michael S. Monie

Rose Champagne. No need to spend a lot; Camille Saves will do.

Michael S. Monie

I am pretty sure that Georges Glantenay, and Bernard and Thierry Glantenay are two separate domaines. Someone who visits both would need to provide details though. Indeed - let me complicate that for you. Domaine Georges Glantenay used to be called Domaine Pierre Glantenay - there have been more th...

Michael S. Monie

Woodland Hills.....No dog in this hunt. https://whwc.com/taittinger-brut-blanc-de-blancs-comtes-de-champagne-2007/?utm_source=winesearcher&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_campaign=feeds&utm_content=Taittinger%20Brut%20Blanc%20de%20Blancs%20Comtes%20de%20Champagne%202007&utm_source=Wood...

Michael S. Monie

I think half of the entertainment offered up here at Wine Berserker is the ranting, complaining, dissing, bitching and moaning about the rising cost of drinking some of the world's rarest and most luxurious tipples. Truly a First world problem with a pretty simple answer. Please continue the entert...

Michael S. Monie

Spirit made from 100% Rice aged in Bourbon barrels. Thanks.

Michael S. Monie

Bringing back up hopefully for clarification.

Michael S. Monie

2005 Mugnier Marechale is showing beautifully right now. I've had this wine a few times recently, and compared to Mugnier's Chambolle it's still pretty tight to me. But then, it's Mugnier; post 2000, it's incredibly rare to have a closed bottle. A bit like Fourrier in that regard. The one I had tod...

Michael S. Monie

Classy critique!

Michael S. Monie

2005 Mugnier Marechale is showing beautifully right now.

Michael S. Monie

Had this from magnum about 6 weeks ago and it is indeed a beautiful wine right now.

Michael S. Monie

Out! 12 bottles V-18 Val Vilaine.

Michael S. Monie

This was the fourth bottle of six, purchasd upon release and kept at 55 degrees. I had not had one in about 5 years and really didn't know what to expect. After reading about Blake's recent experiences and Brad's stated concerns about some of the Pinot Noir from 1996, I was hoping for the best. And ...

Michael S. Monie

The trend to drink Champagne in a larger glass (which I do and recommend) is obviously to be able to more fully aerate the wine. And with younger Champagnes this usually makes for a more enjoyable experience. But conversely, with older Champagne, the extra aeration seems to make the experience less ...

Michael S. Monie

Red: A 1993 Red Burg from a good producer that's been kept well. Or, a Monfortino with at least 25 years of age.

White: Montrachet from a good producer.

Dessert: Yquem at least 30 years old.

Michael S. Monie

Sarah Kirschbaum wrote: ↑January 1st, 2021, 10:58 am I don't have one. Red Burgundy, Champagne, Piedmont and German Riesling are all consistently between 15-20%. Getting to this point has been at least partly a conscious effort.

This pretty much mirrors what I have, along with a healthy dose of Vintage Ports and Sauturnes.

Michael S. Monie

Did you really lay out $8000 for that Salon package? I wouldn't open that mag until at least age 20. You have to include Cristal in the running for best 2008, unless you are restricting it to BdB's.

Michael S. Monie

Luck of the Blarney Stone?

Michael S. Monie

Louisiana law dictates that retailers markup wine a minimum 6% over wholesale price. There is a local retailer that I've done a lot of business with over the years and they occasionally extend me the courtesy of selling me a bottle with just the 6% markup. A recent example was a 2016 Bartolo Mascare...

Michael S. Monie

True confession: the only Salon that I've ever had was the 96 upon release. I was relatively new to Champagne but I remember thinking that it was incredibly austere and offered little pleasure. It's reputation was lost on me and the idea of potential was not something that I could evaluate at the ti...

Michael S. Monie

ybarselah wrote: ↑December 24th, 2020, 4:43 pm dauvissat-camus (same) had oxed 2010s and 2012s.

The question that I would like answered is why the hell didn't they do like Fevre and start using Diam.

Michael S. Monie

Thanks for this useful report. I know that you drink enough of these to know what you are saying is accurate.

Michael S. Monie

Very clever and creative. Happy holidays.

Michael S. Monie

Sparklers are the one category of wines that I like to start with at refrigerator temperature and let warm a little in the glass as I drink.

Michael S. Monie

Warren,
Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle is a great Champagne but suffers the prejudice of a MV wine. I have bottles that were acquired 15+ years ago that are drinking beautifully. When considering how many mediocre vintage Champagnes there are, it's a shame how often Grand Siecle is overlooked.

Michael S. Monie

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Michael S. Monie

Just went to visit Cédric yesterday. As well as a vertical of Creux d'Enfer, a stunning magnum of 2008 Ursules (the best mature Bouchard wine I ever tasted, surpassing high expectations), and a few other bottles, we tried the newly-released 2018 Val Vilaine. It's super demonstrative and fleshy, whi...

Michael S. Monie

Well, Larry, you're only a Berserkerbusiness. You really need to improve your bona fides around here.

Michael S. Monie

Has anyone had the Belle Meade XO Cognac finished? I just ordered a bottle of the Cask Strength Reserve for pickup and while searching saw that the Cognac-finished is available local-ish for $70. Bit of a drive though so not as likely to make the trip without some positive feedback. Single Barrel i...

Michael S. Monie

Bad news and good news to report here on the Bourbon Thread. Bad news is that I have depleted my entire bottle of Orphan Barrel Rhetoric 25 already via various cocktails and straight sipping and am going through serious Bourbon withdrawal. I should have showed some restraint and made it last but da...

Michael S. Monie

2004 Hartford Court Three Jacks Vineyard Chardonnay got pushed to the back of storage and I really did not know what to expect. Light golden color it did not exhibit any overt oak. The profile was one of honeyed tropical fruit. A real delight to experience. I have been a fan of Hartford Court Chardo...

Michael S. Monie

Caol Ila 17 yr unpeated. Surprisingly smokey but quite delicious.

Michael S. Monie

Nicolas G. wrote: ↑December 12th, 2020, 3:07 pm Ive never experienced Krug before but just picked up a 166. How does this one compare with other editions and is it in a good drinking window yet ?

The base year for the 166 is 2010 which is generally regarded as a weak year for Champagne. But this doesn't mean that it is not an enjoyable wine.

Michael S. Monie

To get a better sense of him, I’d recommend picking up Bursting Bubbles and reading the Bouchard chapter and/or some of William Kelley’s pieces (hopefully he’ll chime in). In regards to when to enjoy, it’s al relative to your tastes. I absolutely love the purity and vibrancy of the fruit in his win...

Michael S. Monie

You certainly made a big investment in a wine you are unsure about! Why not pop a couple of those bottles now to find out how you like them yourself? Not something that I generally do at this stage of the game but I must admit being caught up in a combination of the hype, widespread availability, a...

Michael S. Monie

I'm new to Bouchard's Champagnes. But I've made a commitment to the tune of 36 bottles spread out over different wines from multiple vintages. I get the single vineyard, single variety aspect of his winemaking but what has me puzzled is how quickly after the vintage date they come to market. And I s...

Michael S. Monie

Well, at least 11 are desirous of having a "Babette's Feast" experience!

Michael S. Monie

Also, the wine in question retails at between $300-$400. At this price point, would a wine need to be profound to justify the expense?

Michael S. Monie

A wine that is a current subject of discussion here was described as, "delivering immense pleasure but lacking in profundity". So, if you had to choose one, which would it be?

Michael S. Monie

That's a beautiful cake, Abbie. And I like the ideas of less sugar and rum soaked raisins.

Michael S. Monie

I too like Brad, respect his knowledge, and enjoy his contributions. He has recently taken some contrarian positions to the popular concensus. I haven't had either of these wines but would have no trouble believing that the Dom is currently drinking better than the Comtes. I didn't have a problem be...

Michael S. Monie

Kirk.Grant wrote: ↑November 25th, 2020, 2:10 pm Any half bottle of Champagne...

Any wine in a plastic bag...

Definitely agree with the half bottles of Champagne; always a craps shoot.

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