Great job! have to admire her resolve. https://www.thelocal.fr/20161202/the-woman-who-decides-the-wine-the-french-presidents-drink
Oh the stories I'd tell... Although, in fairness, not as interesting as the Premier Cru stories... Which weren't as bad as the experience with Wine Connection... So glad I don't collect wine anymore. I came so close to losing a lot of money on many occasions. In the end, because I was relentless about getting what I had bought and/or was owed, I was only burned once by a BK of a vendor. It was the overly-ambitious first attempt by Vinfolio. Lost $10k or so on that one iirc. But I had many times that at risk on several occasions with the about mentioned firms. Loads of stress and learned alot about the lengths people will go to to steal from others, but luckily didn't lose much in the end.
I bought that wine EP. Have opened a couple over the past few years. Still hoping it evolves some softer and more nuanced secondary and tertiary flavors (as it seems we are with all of the post RP-influenced Bordeaux). Its a vintage and wine that won't approach its peak until age 20 imo. Regardless, I agree, it (was) a good value for high quality Bordeaux.
I'm not a big alcohol guy, but love Roederer Estate l’Hermitage Brut. I enjoy cristal too, but feel like a ****** even saying that. Purchased a bottle earlier for a party tonight.
In my Thanksgiving wine thread I recommended the Roederer L'Ermitage as an American alternative to Champagne for our most American holiday. For budget Cali sparklers, the Taittinger Dom. Carneros is hard to beat.