Advice on producers I should try at La Fete du Champagne?

[Howard_Cooper]

Thanks everyone!

In answer to the above questions I’ve never been a fan of the Krug style and while I like Bollinger well enough I don’t like them enough to ever buy the wines. Ditto for Billecart. I’ve been avoiding Jacquesson for a long time so maybe they’ve gotten better but while I liked them a long time ago I had a number of to my palate harshly made low dosage wines so I started avoiding them.

Given that even taking tiny sips I can only manage a limited number of tables before my palate shuts down I have to be selective. So I hit the tables of producers I like, buy or know I want to try and then try some I’m not familiar to me. last year I discovered Marguet. That was worth the price of admission by itself.

And Dom Ruinart?

Still haven’t had one that thrilled me.

Interesting. I am a big fan of Dom Ruinart

[Jay_Miller]

Jay, so you’re going to the NYC event on 11/7, right? Would love to see some photos and TNs so if you do that kind of thing. As a few other postscript comments to my post, since Bereche is in your first cut to visit, taste the Le Cran if they are pouring it. This comes from a plot in Ludes. I had a bottle of it over this past weekend, the 2008, and it was unique and really caught my attention.

I generally love Le Cran, but then I love all the non-negociant bottlings from Bereche. They are a table I try to visit since it decides which of their wines I’ll buy for the year. Last year I found their 2014s disappointing but I’m looking forward to seeing what this year has to bring.

[Nathan_V]

As La Fete approaches I was hoping for some advice from the collective experience of the board (at first I typed “wisdom of the board” but then I came to my senses).

These are the people I intend to hit first:

Agrapart
Bérêche & Fils
Robert Moncuit
La Closerie
Louis Roederer
Pol Roger
Salon

After that I was leaning towards

Drappier
Moussé Fils
Chartogne-Taillet

I will skip

Krug
Rodez
Laval
Paillard
Ruinart
Bollinger
Jacquesson
Lanson
Billecart-Salmon


I was hoping for opinions on prioritizing these remaining producers who I either haven’t tried recently or have never tried at all:

Etienne Calsac
La Caravelle
Delamotte
Dhondt-Grellet
Pierre Gerbais
Michel Gonet
Henriot
Leclerc-Briant
Legras & Haas
AR Lenoble
Philipponnat
Savart
Tarlant


Thanks!

If it were me, I would add:

Rodez (I found the parcelle wines to be very special, but it seems like it’s just Peter and I)
Savart
Tarlant

I like Jacquesson. I’d probably drop Pol Roger and Salon from your list to concentrate on more growers, but that’s just me maybe.

[Jayson_Cohen]

I like Rodez. So that’s three.

[Jay_Miller]

I like Rodez. So that’s three.

I tried them at my first two La Fetes and decided I wouldn’t waste any more time as they weren’t for me.

[Jay_Miller]

And Dom Ruinart?

Still haven’t had one that thrilled me.

Interesting. I am a big fan of Dom Ruinart

I haven’t tried many so I might like them more than I think but being able to visit a limited number of tables and with the cost of entry outside means a lot of people don’t get second chances.

On the other hand I am certain I don’t care for Krug as well meaning friends keep opening it when I’m around. I really wish they’d stop.

[CFu]

I like Rodez. So that’s three.

I tried them at my first two La Fetes and decided I wouldn’t waste any more time as they weren’t for me.

just target their single vineyard stuff.

[Robert_Dentice]

Hi Jay - Will be at La Fete Grand tasting with my wife, daughter and her boyfriend.
Etienne Calsac’s wines are beautiful, not to be missed. Opened the Clos des Maladries and Les Revanents Friday evening. A treat with a superb dinner that Abe Schoener prepared for us.
My limited experience with LeClerc-Briant was quite good and I will seek them out. At a recent dinner in Helsinki, the wine was slightly oxidative with a strong expression of umami.

Thanks Len! After such strong recs from you, Brad and Frank they’ll probably one of my first visits.

I would also recommend Etienne Calsac. I love the Clos des Maladries.

[Jay_Miller]

Hi Jay - Will be at La Fete Grand tasting with my wife, daughter and her boyfriend.
Etienne Calsac’s wines are beautiful, not to be missed. Opened the Clos des Maladries and Les Revanents Friday evening. A treat with a superb dinner that Abe Schoener prepared for us.
My limited experience with LeClerc-Briant was quite good and I will seek them out. At a recent dinner in Helsinki, the wine was slightly oxidative with a strong expression of umami.

Thanks Len! After such strong recs from you, Brad and Frank they’ll probably one of my first visits.

I would also recommend Etienne Calsac. I love the Clos des Maladries.

Thanks Robert! I may make them my first stop.

BTW - you should have an email from me.

[Jayson_Cohen]

I like Rodez. So that’s three.

I tried them at my first two La Fetes and decided I wouldn’t waste any more time as they weren’t for me.

just target their single vineyard stuff.

I like the multi-vineyard BdN too.

[DougS]

Chartogne’s Barre was tremendous (12-15 blend)

yes!

[CFu]

Jay, to answer you question…rather than ‘leaning towards’ Mousse and Chartogne-Taillet, just do them. These are excellent producers, are in my own cellar and make terrific wines.

As for the remaining list, I would do Dhondt-Grellet, Pierre Gerbais and Etienne Calsac. Visit their tables and test them out, as they each offer some things that I really enjoy.

Enjoy the event.

I’d listen to Frank.

Chartogne’s Barre was tremendous (12-15 blend), and i think Alexandre is going to present his dosage experiment at Fete.

Also you will like Tarlant. And Melanie Tarlant, who I expect will be there, is a lovely person. Don’t miss.

That Barr was so good i’m picking up some more tomorrow

[Frank_Murray_III]

Charlie, so who offered the CT Les Barres?

[ybarselah]

went to the lanson dinner last night (thank you again generous benefactor!) and was very interesting. a house i have almost zero experience with. all served in magnum going back to 1961.

i highly recommend going to the champagne lounge at the freehand hotel for any pre- of after-hours shenanigans. the list of champagnes on hand is stupendous and the pricing seems a few % over cost. lots of fun.

[m_ristev]

i highly recommend going to the champagne lounge at the freehand hotel for any pre- of after-hours shenanigans. the list of champagnes on hand is stupendous and the pricing seems a few % over cost. lots of fun.

does this mean less than retail?
i never cared for the freehand hotel, it has a strange vibe. i find it an odd choice of venue…

[ybarselah]

yes.

you don’t have to go if you don’t like it, it was just a suggestion. sorry if that wasn’t clear.