Santa Barbara celebrates a huge Mexican holiday for 5 days in early August called Old Spanish Days Fiesta sometimes referred to by the locals as Fiasco. Its a big deal with numerous celebrations, 2 parades, temporary el Mercados, a rodeo and mucho cervezas and margaritas.
Many locals take advantage of this opportunity to host their own version of Fiesta and we had some friends on our rooftop in the afternoon after the parade and then the next night went to friends home to enjoy mucho wines and mucho grande Mexican based cuisine.
During this time, I did have a few Coronas with a lime, but wine is rey {Spanish for king} in my mind and we had some good ones.
Post parade:
2006 TAITTINGER COMTES de CHAMPAGNE BLANC de BLANC BRUT- this may be bottle #21 if my count is accurate and maybe the best one yet as more evolved Chardonnay is now bringing even more life into this already stellar bubbly; it had the requisite toasty brioche with generous and balanced amount of spicy citrus notes, lemon and lime most prevalent; the mousse is creamy, rich and luscious adding substantial mouthfeel to the fabulous experience.
2012 FRANCK BONVILLE CUVEE les BELLES VOYES GRAND CRU BLANC de BLANC BRUT- this had lots of energy with youthful vibrancy and bracing acidity; at first, it seemed a bit oxidized, but in time, it mellowed out and came together and gave some fine treasures; there was stone fruit with a bit of butterscotch, caramel and creme brûlée in the background. The Chardonnay fruit is sourced from a small plot planted in 1920-1930 and situated in the famous Oger village.
2011 LOUIS ROEDERER BLANC de BLANC BRUT- this is my 3rd bottle in the last couple of weeks as I was trying to replicate the splendid showing I experienced when this was first tasted at Wallys 27th Grand Marque champagne event in Santa Monica a couple of months ago; the rep friend who tasted me on it stated this comes from the fruit that typically goes into Cristal, but 2011 was not that great nor was there enough, so it all went here; this bottle was mindful of what I sampled having bright acidity and loads of citrus flavors with spicy lemon zest most evident; its close to being full bodied and is very creamy and rich. Now to step back and let it evolve and mature. Famous last words.
Next night party of 6 in friends home:
2005 TAITTINGER COMTE de CHAMPAGNE BLANC de BLANC BRUT- a day after re-visiting the 06 and off to a dinner party, I pulled this to check in as to where it has arrived at this stage and compare it to the 06
; it held its own and also is a different animal; there was some of the attributes of its younger sibling, but the fruit profile is a much milder lemon lime being delivered in a much lesser body; otherwise, its still a winner and on its own, provides a worthy treat.
2005 BOLLINGER LA GRANDE ANNEE BRUT- 70% Pinot Noir from Aÿ, Verzenay, 30% Chardonnay from Avize, Chouilly, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger; disgorged 10/14 at 6 gpl; our host provided this bottle from a large stash of Bollies for whom his company represents; it was definitely advanced IMHO with strong suggestive oxidative notes in the nose and confirmed on the palate; that translates into it having a gold color and honeyed almond butter, butterscotch and caramel laced stone fruit notes with dried apricot most dominant; it was mentioned that Bollinger vinifies their wines in 100% oak and I recall that was what we were told when we visited the house some years ago; BTW, Krug does this too and both claim they are the only 2 to do that, at least of the “big” houses.
As an aside, “1976 Bollinger Vintage was re-named Grande Année. Then in 1997, it became La Grande Année - ‘The Great Year’ - a name simple enough to illustrate its exceptional status, because only truly exceptional years become vintage at Bollinger. La Grande Année made its screen débuts 2 years later in James Bond’s Casino Royale. As with the 05`, this vintage was entirely fermented in oak barrel and is produced from 13 crus: 95% Grand Cru and 5% Premier Cru.”
2007 GASTON CHIQUET RESERVE BLANC de BLANC BRUT GRAND CRU in magnum- released in magnums only, this is 1 of only 2 all-Chardonnay Champagnes made from Ay vineyards which is Pinot Noir centric; dosage at 8 gpl; in addition to its considerable elegance, it provided a very pleasant and mellow lightly spiced citrus taste profile, it serves to further establish the integrity of the 07 vintage which hasn’t received a lot of love, but I’ve had some real beauties which includes Philipponnat
s Clos des Goisses, Delamotte, Salon, Lansons Clos Lanson and Roederer
s Cristal.
2011 DOMAINE JEAN MACLE COTE du JURA- Chardonnay and Savagnin; once again, I’m getting oxidative notes and wondering if its just me, but Im told this producers style is more of that nature and so it is semi-oxidized; following its gold color, the nose had caramel, walnut and apricot which continued on and to the back end while being delivered in a creamy, viscous texture.
1996 WILLIAMS SELYEM SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR- I just had to bring one of Burt`s magical Pinots for this group who I knew would appreciate it; it did not disappoint; the fill was high neck and I again mention that Burt filled all bottles to the cork; it looked like cinnamon in liquid form once poured and the spicy, cinnamon accent enhanced the red raspberry, red cherry and strawberry fruit that prevailed throughout; it was medium plus in body and weight and held a consistent thread from the beginning to through the finish. Another 23 year old new world Pinot to adore from my dear friend who was toasted for optimal health at a time when in need.
2000 E. GUIGAL LA LANDONNE COTE ROTIE- unlike the other 2 La Las which have a small percent of Viognier, this is 100% Syrah; earlier in the evening, we had toured my friends wine cellar and after representing Guigal for many years, he accumulated a bounty of La Las as well as a lot of the other stellar Guigal releases; one entire row of owcs formed what he affectionally calls the “wall of Guigal”; its a wowzer to see and even more impressive out of the bottle which he has so generously made possible to may of us for a few decades now; our bottle was fabulous with that wondrous spicy, peppery blackberry fruit delivered in an almost oily texture; it hits all of the senses just right and hangs on at the end to crescendo into a grand climax.
We had 2 other fine wines, 1 from Corsica and the other a Priorat that were very unique and merit separate notes.
As was heard throughout Santa Barbara for the 5 days of Fiesta, "Viva la fiesta” which literally means - Long live the party. We obliged.
Salud,
Blake
Yes, there is an “e” missing from La Landonne and I attempted many times to get it in, but ran out of letter spaces.