In for 3 Solera BdB and 2 Wheeler BdB. Anyone going to the pickup party? 
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3 Manly, 2 McCorrmack, 3 Wheeler
Oysters and bubbly? Count me in.
Yeah I’ll be there also, love the wines Tom makes
Any feedback on the 2023 California Immersion? I have no experience with BXT but its $29 at K&L
It’s unserious yummy bubbles. Tuesday dinner sparkling wine for me. But it’s a bit lacking behind Paula Kornell NV which is tremendous value at $18.
Typing this as we head to Big Sur from Benicia with zero sleep after our drive from San Diego, quick recap on pickup party. This is what offered during open house.
Tom and his team were such great hosts in an intimate setting. I’d book a tasting with him since it’s hard to get super geeky when there’s too many people to entertain.
Oysters and sandwichs are offered. A lady brought her brown butter-sugar pecan bar as I was leaving, those are delish and decadent, perfect with some bubbles.
Beautiful sunny day in Bay Area for some delicious bubbles
Quick tasting notes of everything I tasted minus Immersion 2024.
22 Wheeler: golden apple brioche oxidative nose, citrus, chalky-mineraly with hint of croissant, medium plus acid medium body, medium long finish
22 Manley green apple light yeasty nose, green apple lemony mineral medium finish medium acid
24 Belle Rose: salty red fruit briochey, cheesey nose, medium acid medium body redfruit, yeasty quality, some minerality. Reminds me of Loubud Rosé with almost the same cheesey nose quality.
NV convo: lemon white floral sea spray, high acid medium body lemon mineral medium finish, too fresh right now for solera quality to kick in. Might be better in a few years.
23 Manley: golden apple oxidative briochey salty sea spray nose, lemon golden apple mineral medium long finish.
23 McCormack redfruit brioche salty nose, mineral laden yeasty lemon with some unripe raspberry, medium longfinish.
24 Shake Ridge Syrah: red berries, underripe cherries, pepper, some greeness on nose. Red cherries, some olive and peppery, medium plus body, tannins are untamed, medium acid. Needs 7-10 years to coalesce.
I asked Tom where does he keep his Perpetual Oxidation barrel and he took me to the backroom where he kept his Chardonnay and PO solera, he teased PetGap Azaya Ranch’s Pinot is in experiment right now, then he popped an experiment bottle with Meunier for us.
BdM experiment: 3Y on lees, coconut, powdered sugar nose, tropical vibes, macadamia nutty and confectionery finish, ok acid. Fun to drink.
Azaya PN PetGap and Ascona SCM bubbles coming in 2028, excited for the future of this project.
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New release on Feb 24, same day as Westborn and my credit card is tiredddd 
2024 California Immersion- 46% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay, & 16% Pinot Meunier, 12 months on lees, zero dosage. 4800 bottles produced.
2024 Bell Summe Vineyard- Russian River Valley- 100% Pinot Noir, 12 months on lees, zero dosage. 684 bottles produced.
2022 Manley Vineyard- Sonoma, Carneros- 100% Chardonnay, 36 months on lees, zero dosage. 360 bottles produced.
2022 Wheeler Vineyard- San Benito County- 100% Chardonnay, 30 months on lees, zero dosage. 60 bottles produced (95 points Jeb Dunnuck).
2021 Atmospheric Lens- 100% Pinot Meunier. 15 months on lees, zero dosage. 120 bottles produced.
NV Perpetual Oxidation 5.0, Solera System Barrel- Blend of 2018-2024, 12 months on lees, zero dosage - 69 bottles produced.
I wonder if the experimental Meunier bottle I had at open house was the basis of the 21 Atmospheric Lens, cuz that bottle is very interesting to me.
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I opened my first BXT, the 2022 Wheeler Vineyard BdB, and sadly i really wasn’t a fan. Maybe it needs more time?? Either way, gotta call em like i see em! Here’s my quick TN:
Unfortunately I just didnt dig this. Strongly tasted of cider to me, without much complexity or, frankly, enjoyment. Probably a ‘me thing’ as others seem to really like it.
small(ish) order in
Same, looking to pick up my bottles in the Fall
I’m with you Rich. I thought it was just ok and that I can get french champagne I like better for much less. Wanted to support the venture but just didn’t fall in love with the bottles I opened
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Same. I was really hoping to like em…just didn’t sing for me.
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I had similar experiences with you and @Rich_Brown. The wine was good but a bit too one dimensional to me, especially given the price.
That said, I never liked grower champagne with a short time on lees, so it was kind of expected. I thought they need to have more time on lees and was about to skip the allocation, but this release has bottles with longer time on lees so I’ll give it another shot with a small order.
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Nice! Excited to hear what you think! 
Define much less……
The California Immersion is normally around $40, which is well in line with plenty of growers on the low end while the single vineyards are usually around $60-75. Which is more affordable than a ton of growers. And I would normally buy Bereche Brut Reserve at $75 most times over BXT single vineyards. But they don’t accomplish the same thing for me.
If you don’t like the style, that’s more than fine. But I don’t feel he’s pushing prices too high here. That or I want your hookups on Champagne!
Even getting something like Seleque Solessence at wholesale will cost the same as the California Immersion at retail.
I can find Champagne I like better routinely on sale under $40 that I can pick up on a moments notice without paying for shipping. Getting these delivered to my house cost me quite a bit more and I like the alternatives better.
Picked up a few Lanson brut black label this week for $30
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In that case, all I can say is that it’s a style thing and that’s all good!
Because Lanson Black Label does absolutely zero for me 
Probably so. I can also get Grand Cru champagne for $40 at my local TW in two completely different styles that I both like. One more like Dom and the other more like Krug
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