Rich champagne knock-offs: what’s the wish version of selosse, krug, vintage bollinger?

WINE TALK
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Rich champagne knock-offs: what’s the wish version of selosse, krug, vintage bollinger

What are the richest and/or most oxidative and/or most lees-y sparkling wines you can get that don’t break the bank (let’s say under $100 retail, and available in the US, ideally NY).

Imagine I don’t care about producer pedigree, or terroir or region, but care about flavor.

Don’t care if methods Traditionnelle, Charmat, Pet Nat or Frankenstein lab.

Templates:

Selosse
Krug
Vintage Bolly

I’ve tried things like Penedès Gramona Imperial (2015 - drank in in 2023) which is a usual rec for this kind of question…, and various cremants - jura, alsace, borgougne, limoux…but those still doesn’t scratch the itch.

I’ve heard champagne like Mailly might get me there…c’mon you fizz experts.

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Cedric Bouchard but it is almost as expensive.

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Bollinger PN cuvees or even SC

editing to add because not the reason I posted this but, I can offer you [well] below W-S low pricing and shipping to NY via DM if you’d like on the PN

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Bouchard also has zero or near zero dosage, so it’s a bit different.

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I personally find the Cava fruit expression so different that even the ones aged very long on the lees do not really taste like Champagne.

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Egly Grand Cru
Egly VP (over $100)
Alexandre Filaine Cuvee Speciale
Alexandre Filaine DMY (over $100)
Hure Memoire (perpetual reserve since 1982; the most recent releases are the best)
Lassaigne Vignes de Montgueux (with some age)
Lilbert Perle (with some age)

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Billecart does a Sous Bois vinified entirely in oak.

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Rodez use to be the cellar master at Krug. The Cuvee des Grands Vintages, BdN and BdB should be available for under $100.

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For so many reasons, it’s completely different than the Champagnes in the OP.

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I had that sous bois, and it was thoroughly meh!

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Yeah it’s not really the same at all.

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NV Charles Heidsieck used to be — they adjusted their regime around 2014, IIRC.

Try: NV Jose Michel & Fils Champagne Hommage Cuvee du Pere Houdart

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Yeah, it’s fine and kind of pales in comparison to their higher end cuvées.

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Keep 'em coming folks; any sekts? franciacortas?

someone outside of champagne should be going for richness and/or oxidative style…

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Hard(ish) to come by, but the Fallet-(Crouzet/Dart/Prevostat/Gourron) champagne is what I always rec. Grand and opulent, cultish but not (yet) silly-priced.

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Bereche Brut Réserve with a bit of age?

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The issue with the better Franciacorta is they tend to be overpriced vis a vis Champagne. Some good ones out there but I think they’re mainly consumed locally by Italians who would prefer to drink something made in Italy.

Haven’t had a Raumland sekt for about 15 years and don’t remember them being as rich or oxidative as you’re looking for but they are tasty and were priced very nicely. Not sure of their price today. Would love to hear about any newcomers to the sekt scene.

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I’ve only had one experience with this producer, but it was memorable. It was:
2010 Maison Louis Picamelot Cremant de Bourgogne Cuvee Jean-Baptiste Chaumard

I had this in France in 2019. Here is my tasting note:
Fine mousse, slight yeast perfectly balanced with freshness. Bready aromas with ripe pear, a hint of baked pear on the palate, just brilliant. Rated 92.

I see the 2016 is available in the U.S. You might give it a try. No it’s not Selosse, but it’s also not 5% of Selosse pricing.

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It was a few years ago, but a Dethune Cuvee Prestige blend of old vintages and sees a little bit of oak was “Krug-like” at half the price.

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Pascal Doquet makes BdB champagne that while not Selosse leans in the direction.