Hmm.  There was a tag under this bottle saying 90 points from someone.  I thought it was WE or WS.  I sincerely hope not.  This wine is drinkable, yeah, but not at all balanced.  Too acidic and too fruity at the same time.  I didn’t finish my glass and the rest of the bottle is in the fridge, waiting for me to learn how to cook coq au vin.

paid: $9

scored: 75

I’m used to tasting this grape alongside its rougher rival Grenache and softer sister Syrah.  But all by itself, it holds up very well!  At least in Juan Gil’s estimation.  This needs a second go around for sure.

paid: $13

scored: 90

Exploring the wonderful world of Costco wine, now that we coughed up the membership fee.  It costs $12, but drinks like $18.  A very balanced wine.  Now if I buy about 10 more bottles, I will feel like I earned back that damn membership fee.

paid: $12

scored: 88

If one is lucky enough to have friends who just happen to bring over a bottle of very respectable Champagne for no particular reason other than its saturday, that is a very good thing.  But when one’s friends sail over that bar, and bring said Champagne on a bed of ice… damn.  I could still remember the simple, crisp taste of the Veuve de Vernay when we opened this, and wow is this a whole new world of complexity.  Apparently this is a lighter-bodied Champagne.  Word.  I would definitely seek this out.  Dunno what the “Grand” implies in “Grand Brut”.  I think the dosage is the same as a Brut.