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NV BILLECART-SALMON BRUT SOUS BOIS- this is made up of equal pars of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay and is entirely vinified in oak casks at low temperature, undergoes partial ML and is dosed at 7 gpl and most importantly, it is fabulous; I loved its balance, elegance and classiness; the t...

NV BRUNO PAILLARD BLANC de BLANC EXTRA BRUT- this is mostly made of Chardonnay fruit from Grand Cru vineyards in Le Mesnil sur Oger and Oger and is comprised of 25 wines held in reserve since 1985; disgorged June 2018 @ 5 gpl; according to the house, it is also known as “the Lace of Champagne” becau...

Answers to Quiz #2. Please share how you did and offer any suggestions as to how it could have been done better. Also, understand that I am taking information supplied in books and sources that include Peter Liem, David White, Jancis Robinson, Yoko, Wikipedia and others and my answers are only as a...

First, you're pretty awesome, so any time, Blake. Second, my literal bat signal in this world is an opportunity to offer historical context to a world historical event, particularly as it pertains to the modern world... https://media.giphy.com/media/oOK9AZGnf9b0c/giphy.gif Please feel free to add i...

Blake, A question and a suggestion: Question - what exactly is the difference between the questions and answers in 4 & 5? Suggestion - for the next quiz, why not simply edit your first post to add in the answers under the questions? Jorge, I understand your confusion about the verbiage used and if ...

I'm pretty sure you have your 496 date inverted, Blake :). You mean 496 AD, I think, judging by the sources I just google checked... David White's book mentions this. Rome is mostly forced out of Northern Gaul as the empire disintegrates hence an opportunity to "celebrate." 496 BC is, um, 1,000 yea...

For my dollar, Comtes represents one of the great buys in Champagne and is a bargain at its often seen $100-$130 price point for currently released vintages. 100% agree and I'm including the vintage rose as well. Blake, Absolutely. And, the upcharge from the BdB to Rose is lower both $-wise and %-w...

and I just heard the State of CA has issued a no inside dining demand effective today for 19 counties {that includes wineries and tasting rooms} and our dinner group was slated for the Corkroom at bouchon tonight. I then heard they are setting us up outside.

We shall toast to the wellbeing of all.

Howard Cooper wrote: ↑
June 30th, 2020, 5:35 pm

YLee wrote: ↑
June 30th, 2020, 10:45 am
Mike and William is making me want to increase my purchase on the '08 taittinger
Yes. It is kind of like I want to buy more bottles of the 2006 every time Blake posts a tasting note on it.

Get ready Howard, more notes are forthcoming.

Brad Baker wrote: ↑
July 1st, 2020, 2:44 pm
For my dollar, Comtes represents one of the great buys in Champagne and is a bargain at its often seen $100-$130 price point for currently released vintages.

100% agree and I'm including the vintage rose as well.

Are we having fun and learning anything? Here's some more to build on what we've looked at in the first 2. The answers to #2 were posted earlier today. As before, please do not respond with your answers until they are posted so others can come up with their own. Thanks for playing. 1] Approximately ...

Blake, thanks for posting these. I don't know enough about Champagne to answer most of the questions, but it is a very fun way to learn more. champagne.gif and for me too Joel- I'm getting some education reading the material and then from getting those more knowledgable on this board to chime in. I...

Answers to Quiz #2. Please share how you did and offer any suggestions as to how it could have been done better. Also, understand that I am taking information supplied in books and sources that include Peter Liem, David White, Jancis Robinson, Yoko, Wikipedia and others and my answers are only as ac...

Blake, Great note. I'll have to check CT, but I think you own more bottles in common with me than anyone! I too love the Bosconia Reservas, but have more Tondonias. I'm lucky to have the '04 and '06 Bosconia Reserva in my cellar, and even luckier to have the '94 and '95 GR's! A 1995 LDH Bosconia GR...

2006 R. LOPEZ de HEREDIA VINA BOSCONIA RESERVA RIOJA- I've preferred the Bosconai over the Tondonia releases over all of the years and this one just knocked my socks off. The often heard hype is that it is more Burgundian than the Bordeaux like Tondonia. Whatever. This bottle was the Baskin-Robbins...

Dav1d S@wyer wrote: ↑
June 30th, 2020, 12:33 pm
Great note as always, Blake. If you've had the '05, how would you compare the two?

David, I've had 04`, 05` and now the 06` and this is the winner and all were really good. More complexity and layered depth of goodies here.

Answers coming Wednesday, 7/1.

Yes, I really did like it! For me, one of the very best 2008 Champagnes from the big houses, and it's built for the very long haul. I tasted / drank it again in France this Spring from the commercial disgorgement and my high opinion is unchanged from the note you may have seen published last year. ...

Vince & Joshua, yes, it's a good time to check out the early showing of this wine and yes, it's built for the long run and promises to give generously. I was just amazed at how it was showing so early in the game and felt compelled to put up some TNs.

2006 R. LOPEZ de HEREDIA VINA BOSCONIA RESERVA RIOJA- I've preferred the Bosconai over the Tondonia releases over all of the years and this one just knocked my socks off. The often heard hype is that it is more Burgundian than the Bordeaux like Tondonia. Whatever. This bottle was the Baskin-Robbins ...

Does anyone include the guy from the Wine Advocate chiming in on this thread? He seemed to like it. Yes, I really did like it! For me, one of the very best 2008 Champagnes from the big houses, and it's built for the very long haul. I tasted / drank it again in France this Spring from the commercial...

KyleC wrote: ↑
June 29th, 2020, 9:45 pm
+1 to Blake, while I love my Zalto Universals, for Burgundy, I prefer Sophienwald's red glasses.

I'm happy to see at least one other is familiar with the Sophenwald stems. They are a pure pleasure to use and perform beautifully. The Grand Cru champagne glasses are the best of all.

I could have guessed the thread author just from seeing the two wines. Glad you had a great experience and thanks for sharing. As could I. And I always enjoy the vicarious thrill from reading these! My MO is becoming pretty easy to recognize. Life is good and may it always include a fine bottle of ...

It's all different now as some have closed permanently, some have re-opened with new and different policies and some have yet to re-open. More than ever, this list is a work in progress and will be updated when the dust settles and one can get an accurate read on what's what. Meanwhile, cheers to al...

One example: NV Domaine Allimant-Laugner Crémant d'Alsace Rosé- great QPR with fresh strawberry notes galore

I opened the 2008 Dom late yesterday afternoon and 3 of us found it very nice but somewhat unremarkable. Later, before dinner, I opened a 2006 Vilmart Coeur de Cuvee, and that got everyone excited! What an incredible wine. I have some of the 2009 Dom and it sounds like it might be open for business...

Michael S. Monie wrote: ↑
June 28th, 2020, 12:49 pm
It will be interesting to see if those who usually buy are willing to spend that amount. For my money, I'll go with the 2013 Peters Chetilions for 2/3 the price.

Good point and analogy. I'll probably have to go for both.

Actually, we can get geeky on the Dom Perignon label/brand as well. As you noted, Mercier owned it, never used it, and gifted it to Moet et Chandon when the families from each company were united by marriage in 1927. However, de Venoge actually used the Dom Perignon as a 'brand' in the 1800's. I'm ...

AD Northup wrote: ↑
June 28th, 2020, 4:34 pm
Assume #2 is in its modern iteration?

See PM

Brad Baker wrote: ↑
June 28th, 2020, 2:47 pm
That darn Paris Pint question again... That is my favorite from all the quizes.

Just put it in for you Brad.

You did better than I did Ian and I made up the quiz.

Blake, Your answer to the number of grower Champagnes question of 19,000 is actually the number of growers in Champagne and not the number of grower Champagnes. There are somewhere around 5,000 different grower labeled Champagnes made either by the growers themselves or a local co-operative. Yes, I...

Thanks to William Kelly, my learning experience got boosted as he informs me: "In fact, Krug produced a tirage of 1976 Clos du Mesnil that was never sold! So 1979 is the first commercial release rather than the first time they made a single vineyard Blanc de Blancs. Blake, A lot of producers make a...

Here`s one that is short and sweet, well maybe a Brut: 1] Which wine grower has had the largest impact in Champagne since Dom Perignon? Tip: he used wild yeasts for primary fermentation, refused to use sugar prior to fermentation, tried to avoid using sulphur and other additives that might compromi...

Brad Baker wrote: ↑
June 28th, 2020, 8:03 am

Frank Murray III wrote: ↑
June 27th, 2020, 5:46 pm
Brad, what up. Miss seeing you on. Saturdays, man.
Frank,

Agreed. Saturdays are not quite the same.

I feel the same way- maybe an occasional resurrection is in order???

Blake, do you own the Alan Tardi book? if not, you should get it. It's a great read about Krug. I am 1/2 way through it now. https://www.amazon.com/Champagne-Uncorked-Timeless-World%C2%92s-Celebrated/dp/161039688X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=KMRFWEPNGVVS&dchild=1&keywords=alan+tardi&qid=1593305135&sprefix=Alan...

Thanks to William Kelly, my learning experience got boosted as he informs me: "In fact, Krug produced a tirage of 1976 Clos du Mesnil that was never sold! So 1979 is the first commercial release rather than the first time they made a single vineyard Blanc de Blancs. Blake, A lot of producers make a...

Nice quiz, Blake. I didn't know most of the answers, so apparently I need to study and drink more Champage! champagne.gif While I enjoy the Lasalle wines, and a lot of Kermit's selections and acknowledge his importance in bringing a lot of great wines to the US for the first time, I didn't think he...

Thanks to William Kelly, my learning experience got boosted as he informs me: "In fact, Krug produced a tirage of 1976 Clos du Mesnil that was never sold! So 1979 is the first commercial release rather than the first time they made a single vineyard Blanc de Blancs.

Please share how you did and offer any suggestions as to how it could have been done better. It is my intention to post at least another champagne quiz. Thanks. 1} What was the first year Krug produced a single vineyard, single vintage Blanc de Blanc? The 79` Clos du Mesnil release 2} What was...

It's extremely rare for me to ever have any Burt made Williams Selyem wine left over, but we each actually did have a decent pour to enjoy 2 nights after the grand opening. I was super surprised to find that the wine changed dramatically from the first go around. The cinnamon, clove and spice accent...

Steve Nordhoff wrote: ↑
June 26th, 2020, 5:40 pm
Great post Blake, and a beautiful spot.

05` Cristal rocks Steve- I know you'd like it. Maybe the 4 of us go to the Ranch when you come to SB.

I could have guessed the thread author just from seeing the two wines. Glad you had a great experience and thanks for sharing. That's because of your keen wit... and Blake's devotion to top class wines of a certain specificity ;) I, too, think the '05 Cristal is underrated and I am very happy to se...

Chris Seiber wrote: ↑
June 26th, 2020, 9:16 am
I could have guessed the thread author just from seeing the two wines. Glad you had a great experience and thanks for sharing.

Thanks Chris. Yes, I know you know the MO here. Look forward to sharing some of the same with you and the OC guys or should I say, The Book Club.

A fabulous semi-social night back out and to our favorite local restaurant, The Stonehouse. We discovered The Stonehouse, located on the premises of the San Ysidro Ranch, re-opened almost 2 weeks ago and we just had to jump back in, hoping the menu was decent and that all of our favorite servers wou...

I'll post the answers tomorrow, Saturday, June 27 at noon, PDT and if it seems there is enough interest, post a 2nd quiz. That can be more easily determined by everyone replying with their results on this one. Thanks to all for playing.

Adam, you make a good point when you state maybe YOU have changed as I think many of us have gone through a palate preference change or 2. Contrary to your experience however, I do find site specific nuances in wines, most vivid are the SVDs that Burt Williams made. When you compare Allen Vineyard t...

I'll post the answers this coming Saturday, June 27. Time TBD

BTW, the sources for the questions and answers come from an assortment of authors including Peter Liem, David White, Jancis Robinson Yoko and Wikipedia. There may be some controversy, but I've tried to keep it to more accepted material.

2008 HENRIOT BRUT MILLESIME- the excellent 2008 vintage marks the 200th anniversary for this house and this champagne honors that by being extra special; it is made from fruit from 10 1er Cru and Grand Cru villages and comprised of 50% Pinot Noir and Chardonnay finally aged for 6 years on the lees a...

T. Altmayer wrote: ↑
June 22nd, 2020, 4:58 pm
Had a 2008 Veuve Clicquot. It was ok, but seemed more advanced in age that I would have expected. Some tart lemon and a little bit yeasty.

Hi Tom,
This has to be the first and only 08` that is more than pubescent.

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