Seattle crew does Vintage Champagne and Sushi

WINE TALK
1

An absolutely wonderingful afternoon with the Seattle area crew. Many a vintage Champagne and some wonderful sushi. We assemble a stellar crew at a beautiful location and it turned out to be one of the greatest events I’ve ever attended. I’m tired and I’ll let the crew comment on the wines. I’m off to bed.

Cheers,

Michael Gordon checking out the sushi

Adam Noble holding the mag of 2002 Camille Saves

Me, Ed Murray, Scott Gruner

2

I’d love to see a list of the Champs - we’ll have a Champs war!

Looks like someone needs some sabering lessons from Sarah Warner

3

Wow, fast post Phil, but thanks for getting the photos up. A very special day filled with a great setting (thank you Michael Gordon!) warm and friendly company, and not so shabby bubbles to boot. Man O’ live that was a a lot of Champagne. I’m off to bed here as well, so details can come up in the AM, but will I forever remember till the end of my days, visualize Scott “The Hatchet Man” Gruener trying to saber that poor defensless bottle with a meat cleaver. Priceless.

4

Boy to bad I had to miss all that…I’m just glad I had a good excuse.

I’m glad everyone had a great time. [diablo.gif]

5

That picture of the bottles is spectacular! I recognize the Champagnes, but who are the people?

6

Updated.

7

Todd,

Here is a partial list, mostly taken from the list compiled in the off-line thread on eBob. I didn’t write anything down, but maybe someone more anal than me did. I was enjoying the company and the view.

? Fleury
‘82 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne
‘95 Pommery Champagne Brut Grand Cru
'96 Bollinger Grand Annee
‘96 Jacquesson Grand Cru
'97 Louis Roederer Champagne Brut
’98 Gosset Celebris
'98 Agrapart & Fils Grand Crus Mineral
'98 Jose Michel & Fils Special Club
’99 Bollinger Grand Annee
'99 Marc Chauvet Champagne Special Club
'99 Gosset Brut Grand Millesime
‘00 Jose Dhondt Grande Cru Grande Reserve BdB
‘02 Camille Saves
'02 Baron Fuente Grand Millesime Brut
'03 Bollinger
'06 Cedric Bouchard Inflorescence

’01 ZH Rangen PG
’81 Joseph Swan PN

8

Great bottle shot! What a mangled bottle of champagne. Guess the meat cleaver didn’t work that well? [wow.gif]

9

Nice work dudes. That 96 Bollinger is great but its a baby.

10

The 96 Bollinger was my favorite on this day, but I didn’t try every wine. And yes, it is a baby.

11

I resemble that remark. Although your list looks pretty close to complete. Off the top of my head the Fleury was the 96.

I will post the complete list that I have soon.

My first try at sabering was not quite what I hoped for… I blame the knife…

I really liked the 2002 Saves for current drinking- Other highlights for me were the 2 Bollingers- (I keep vacillating on which I preferred), and the Roederer and the Dhondt seemed to be drinking very well for me. For me the 82 Taitinger was an intellectual exercise more than an enjoyment.

The 81 swan was a real treat for sure.

Thanks to all for great wine and a fun time!

12

Thanks again to Michael for hosting us and to Travis for organizing the sushi and such. This was my first off-line event and I enjoyed it immensely! It was great to meet everybody and I hope to see you all again soon!

My favorite wine of the day was the Jacquesson. It was very refined and extremely enjoyable. The Saves and 2 Bolly’s were also highlights for me.

Kind Regards,

Andy

13

t’was a cleaver, not a knife, and you closed your eyes ! [beee.gif]

14

Looks like a great time! Wow, a lot of bubbly was sacrificed this weekend!

15

Michel

We have to celebrate good June weather somehow, and no better way than with champagne. It usually rains all June, so this year has been bizarre, in a good way. I wish that the sun had come out for more than 5 minutes, but it was warm, there was no rain, and the view from Michael and Claire’s 's deck is awesome.

Somehow I missed the sabering. Good thing, as I might have died laughing. Sorry Scott.

16

I’d have to say my favorite bubbles were:

1999 Bollinger GA
1996 Jacquesson
2002 Camille Saves
1999 Chauvet Special Club

The 1996 Bollinger was just way too tight but it will be awesome in 10 years. There was not a stinker in the entire bunch, a flat out great lineup.

17

What a great event and setting… Great pics of food and Champagne! Very nice.

18

Which 96 Jacquesson did you have? It looks like an Avize Blanc de Blancs from the picture, but I couldn’t say 100%. I only ask because Jacquesson actually makes a base vintage that is called Jacquesson “1996” (and that isn’t the Jacquesson in the picture).

19

It was indeed the Avize Blanc de Blancs. I’m a big fan of just about everything Jacquesson in 1996.

20

96 Avize is definitely showing its colors right now. I liked it a bit more in the past, but it is still enjoyable. I wasn’t a big fan of the straight Jacquesson 1996, but loved the Avize right on release. I don’t think it is one to age, but that is only for my palate.

Cool tasting. Well done.