Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top - our new house bubbles

WINE TALK
1

I know this wine has some variance, and previous disgorgements/releases have been less than stellar, but this current version (as available at Total Wine - not sure if it is the same throughout the land) is really fantastic for the money. Take $28.99, subtract the 20% off coupon, plus 10% for 6 or more bottles (mix and match), and it’s a killer deal.

It’s a bit on the light side for bubbles, but that’s my only complaint, truly. The nose is delicate of flowers, bread, and citrus (a bit of something for everyone in there). Creamy mouthfeel, very clean finish - a nice combination of yeastiness with sour apple and sweet citrus.

I’m buying 6 more tonight, for pickup later this week.

2

Agreed, have had some good experiences with this, especially when it can be found for around $25. Still, prefer the other Heidsieck (Charles) for a bit more… Though it is not always easy to find Stateside, Hebrart’s brut seleccion is also really nice at this price point.

3

woah! didn’t know you could stack 20% coupon + 10% mix and match. Very nice

4

I’m glad they have upped their game, I’ve never had a bottle that was good, and I’ve had a few that were borderline undrinkable. The 1/4 bottles used to be served on BA, never went back for more than one.

5

You can’t in store but there is an online “work around”

Add 6 your cart, it will give you 10% off then add the 20% coupon for in store pickup.

6

I appreciate the heads up. Ive not visited this for some years as previous experiences were just OK, nothing to shout about and certainly not worth my house bubbly consideration. This price range is much lower than what Ive been allowing.

7

Certainly I’m not guaranteeing the bottles are the same, as a bulk Champagne like this must have rather big swings in quality, but this is a good one.

Reminds me of a Piper-Heidsieck (red label, the standard NV) bottle that I tried, and really liked, and bought a few more from the same store. Jen was a bit puzzled because that’s sort of a default cheap Champagne that is available everywhere, but this particular release was really fantastic. I’ve had it since, and it’s not so good…

8

Heidsieck Monopole is going to be variable from release to release and often within a release - especially in the US for transport/storage reasons. The Blue Top is normally correct with good tart notes and sweeter fruit. With time, the best bottles can get creamy and toasty which can be quite nice. Other times, it can be shrill and sour which leads you to fun the nearest sink. I do think it is worth a chance at around $25 as it can be enjoyable and sometimes over-achieving. Also, good bottles are easy to drink and not overly complex; it can be a crowd pleaser. I will add that I tasted the latest release available in the US yesterday and it was very disappointing, but, again, this is a variable cuvee.

Just remember this is the Vranken brands’ bread winner and their largest production cuvee. Vranken does make some interesting wines, but is more towards the bottom of the big house corporation barrel. I’d suggest trying a bottle or two from a shipment and if you like it loading up. Loading up without tasting first can leave you disappointed.

9

$25 champagne does not come along very often, so it is worth a chance, I suppose. Very soon I am going to run out of the Agrapart Les 7 Crus that PC had for $22.95 and I am going ot have to find something to replace it. I will shed a tear that day.

10

Thoughts on Montaudon for a house champy?

11

For the NV, I rate it about the same as Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top - can be okay at times, but only when priced attractively would I pick it up. It now falls under the Jacquart/Alliance Champagne Co-op umbrella rather than LVMH so it may see a bit more push though the grapes used for it are going to vary quite a bit from year to year. I’ve had good and bad. The Classe M is the most consistent and when it falls in the $40-$50 ragne, can be a good buy.

12

THANKS!! [cheers.gif]

13

For $20 you can get Cava that’s a hundred times better than bargain Champagne. Just sayin’.

14

I haven’t found one yet - cava has a particular sweetness in the flavor profile that we aren’t huge fans of

15

I never get sweetness from good Cava, to me, it always tastes less fruity and has more of a savory quality that’s very interesting. One example (for $18):

  • NV Rimarts Cava Brut Reserva - Spain, Catalunya, Cava (9/14/2012)
    Super for the price. Full, rich, nice acidity (perhaps a tad more would have been optimal), beeswax, a touch of oil, croissant. (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

It’s wines like this that will cause me not to rebuy on “only” 90-point $40+ Champagne.

16

Where does one find the 20% coupon?

Also, in VA you need 12 bottles to get 10% off…

17

how about some cremant du jura? hard to name a better ringer. Chalky, mineral soil, cold climate, bone dry and right around $20 or below

18

Pol roger white foil is also a good play in the same price range. $34.99 plus the 10% + 20%. Comes out to $25 and change

19

Any updates on a current 20% off coupon good in October?

20

Well… there is no contest between Pol Roger NV and the other Champagnes mentioned in this thread in this price range. This is one of the best NV’s on the market and $25 is stupid-silly for the quality. Plus it ages very, very well.