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During barrel tastings the winemaker marks the standouts with a chalk X. Those barrels were held back, aged for 24 months in French oak (twice as long as the regular Brut, according to the producer) and bottled as this reserve. Only about 50 cases came out of the 2017 harvest.
It also has a strong independent review behind it. Tastings.com gave it 92 points, a gold medal and an "Exceptional" rating in November 2020, calling it a balanced, food-friendly mead with wide appeal.
At a glance
- Style
- Dry, still
- Alcohol
- 12.5% ABV
- Ingredients
- Raw orange blossom honey and spring water
- Calories
- about 120 per 5 oz glass
- Bottle
- 750 ml
- Price
- $67 (October 2026)
- Best for
- Collectors, gifts for serious wine drinkers, and special dinners
What it tastes like
We have condensed the producer's tasting notes below. If you like aged Riesling, white Rhône or mature Chenin Blanc, this is the bottle in the range most likely to feel familiar.
Aroma
Sage and dried pineapple
Palate
Ripe peach, chestnut honey and a hint of petrol, the note Riesling lovers chase
Finish
Long, with beeswax and carnation
How it is made
- Raw orange blossom honey and spring water.
- A selection of the best barrels, aged 24 months in French oak.
- About 50 cases produced from the 2017 harvest, according to the producer.
Food pairing and serving
- Seared scallops
- Roast pork with stone fruit
- Aged goat cheese
- Foie gras or chicken liver mousse
Serve at 50 to 55°F in a generous white wine glass and give it a few minutes of air. Once opened, keep it corked in the refrigerator; the producer says it holds for about a week. More in how to serve and store honey wine and the pairing guide.
Awards and reviews
Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute) rated this wine 92 points (gold medal, "Exceptional") in November 2020.
Reasons to buy, and reasons not to
For
- 92 points and a gold medal from Tastings.com
- Small production
- Extended French oak aging
- A memorable gift
Against
- The most expensive 750 ml bottle at $67
- Limited stock, so it may sell out
Best for: Collectors, gifts for serious wine drinkers, and special dinners.
New to this producer? Our Bee d'Vine guide covers who makes it and how the range fits together, where to buy honey wine explains ordering and shipping, and best honey wine ranks every bottle by style.
Questions about Brut X Reserve
What does the X mean?
It refers to the chalk X the winemaker puts on the best barrels in the cellar. Only those barrels go into this wine.
Is it worth $18 more than the Brut?
If you enjoy aged, complex whites, yes. If you are just curious about dry honey wine, the regular Brut tells you most of the story for less.
