Stephen Hawk

Lanson Le Rosé NV

By Stephen Hawk / 11th March 2025

Lanson Le Rosé (now Le Rosé Création) is a signature rosé Champagne from Maison Lanson, one of the oldest Champagne houses in France. Lanson’s tradition of crafting high-quality rosé Champagne dates back over a century, making it one of the pioneers in this category. Lanson was founded in 1760 in Reims, France, by François Delamotte,…

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Louis Roederer Champagne Rosé 2016

By Stephen Hawk / 4th March 2025

Louis Roederer [Road-ur-ur], a distinguished Champagne producer situated in Reims, France, traces its origins back to 1776, when it began as Dubois Père & Fils. While its early days were marked by still wine production, the focus soon evolved to embrace the art of crafting fine Champagnes. The business underwent a transformation under the stewardship…

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Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut 2015

By Stephen Hawk / 24th April 2024

Louis Roederer [Road-ur-ur], a distinguished Champagne producer situated in Reims, France, traces its origins back to 1776 when it began as Dubois Père & Fils. While its early days were marked by still wine production, the focus soon evolved to embrace the art of crafting fine Champagnes. The business underwent a transformation under the stewardship…

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Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé

Champagne Louis Roederer

By Stephen Hawk / 25th January 2024

Louis Roederer [Road-ur-ur], a distinguished Champagne producer situated in Reims, France and traces its origins back to 1776 when it began as Dubois Père & Fils. While its early days were marked by still wine production, the focus soon evolved to embrace the art of crafting fine Champagnes. The business underwent a transformation under the…

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Le Vigne Winery

By Stephen Hawk / 16th January 2024

Le Vigne Winery, translating to ‘The Vineyard’ in Italian, stands as a testament to the Filippini family’s rich heritage and commitment to traditional winemaking. For close to a century, Le Vigne has dedicated itself to crafting exceptional wines that reflect the distinct characteristics of both the vineyard and the vintage. The Filippini family’s connection to…

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Cline Nancy’s Cuvée – With Tuna Soufflé

By Stephen Hawk / 28th September 2023

As you enter Sonoma county from the south on California 121, one of the first wineries you encounter is Cline Cellars, and there could hardly be a better introduction to the Carneros AVA. Even as a young teenager, Fred Cline learned to make wine from his grandfather, Valeriano Jacuzzi (yes, he of the hydrotherapy tub, as…

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Louis Roederer Collection 242 Champagne

By Stephen Hawk / 21st September 2023

Louis Roederer [Road-ur-ur], a distinguished Champagne producer situated in Reims, France, traces its origins back to 1776, when it began as Dubois Père & Fils. While its early days were marked by still wine production, the focus soon evolved to embrace the art of crafting fine Champagnes. The business underwent a transformation under the stewardship…

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Glee Euphoria California Sparkling Wine Blanc de Noir

By Stephen Hawk / 3rd August 2023

For reasons I don’t understand, the producer of this sparkling wine, Sapphire Hill, decided to hide behind the Glee moniker. There is nothing on the bottle to link Glee and Sapphire Hill, but it was easy enough to locate them. Sapphire Hill Winery, a family-run boutique winery, has been operating in Sonoma County since 1989.…

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Buena Vista La Victoire Champagne

By Stephen Hawk / 15th June 2023

There are a number of French Champagne producers who have operations in California, such as Roederer (whose California wine I prefer over the French, and it’s half the price). But here’s a twist: a California winery with a genuine French champagne. And this isn’t just any winery; Buena Vista is the second oldest in the…

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