This was my first vintage champagne. It certainly didn’t taste bad, indeed I drank the whole bottle alone in about 70 minutes, drinkabliltiy was quite high! However, that is the problem. This wine didn’t challenge me at all. It certainly did not meet my expectations, (which were probably a bit overinflated). Wine is very creamy and toasty but lacking in overall complexity. Apple Cider notes dominate with some subtle tart berry, pineapple and pear. No minerality to speak of and not nearly enough acid for my taste. I hope I don’t sound too negative, if this wine was $30.00 instead of $60.00, I would flip over it. I just don’t think this is of significatly higher quality then most NV blends I have been drinkingly lately for half the money.
I bought this wine on the recommendation of a local wine merchant who had a number of vintage champagnes marked down for under $60.00. I asked him whcih vintage Champagne I should try at this price point. He naturally wanted to know what Champagnes i have enjoyed in the past. This was his choice after telling him I most enjoyed wines form Jaquesson and Camille Saves. Other choices at the same price point include Chartogne Taillet Brut 1999, H. Billiot Grand Cru 2002, L. Aubry Aubry De Humbert Brut 1998 and 2000, L Aubry Nombre D’Or Campanae 2000 and 2002, Ledru 2004 Brut Grand Cru, Pierre Gimonnet Paradox Brut 2002, and Pierre Gimonnet Oenophile Extra Brut 2000. Did he make an appropriate suggestion? Maybe higher end champagne is just a waste of money for my virgin palate?
I like Chiquet, but I haven’t had this bottling. I can only say that 2000 is a relatively forward vintage without a ton of depth. Plenty of perfectly charming wines, I’m sure, but maybe not what you’re looking for.
Of the others you mentioned, I’ve had the '02 Billiot, the '98 Aubrey de Humbert, and the '02 Gimonnet, and I think all of them would give you more what you were after. Under $60 is a pretty good price for the Billiot and Humbert, under $50 would be fair for the Gimonnet. The first two will be a bit fuller, with the '98 fairly ready to drink in comparison to the Billiot. The Gimonnet is pretty light in style, but it has a lot of energy. If you try that one, be sure to give it plenty of air time and let it warm up from fridge temperature, it makes a big difference in seeing the nuances. In fact, you should do that with all of them.
I had the Chiquet NV Blanc de Blanc d’ay and had similar impressions. For the price I found it quite straight forward, although I’m not very experienced in Champagne.
Scott - dont give up on Chiquet. Ask your retailer if he can rustle up one of Chiquet’s Special Clubs, esp the 1997. It’s drinking swimmingly and has plenty of depth.
From the rest, I’d stay away from the Aubrys as they can be an acquired taste if you’re just embarking on your vintage bubbly journey. The Gimonnet Oenophile is a beauty, but is non-dosed and is otherwise the same wine as their 2000 Fleurons. You may find it shrill and piercing.
Try the Chartogne-Taillet 1999 or the Gimonnet Paradoxe 2002…the 02 Billiot was really tight when I drank one just recently…
What Janie and Peter said. I haven’t been real impressed with the Chiquet for that kind of price. Other offerings you’ve mentioned are actually good values at that price point though.