TN: Gaston Chiquet Champagnes, various

I’ve had a few over the last few weeks and here are some excerpts from my writeups - link to the full and pictures below:
Tasting Note: Gaston Chiquet NV Cuvée Tradition

The nose is absolutely awesome (handwritten notes read “frigging wonderful nose”) with immediate cookiedough and orange citrus. With air, some marine notes emerged as well (sand dollar? sea urchin?). Spectacular!

On the palate this was very precise and delineated. Full bodied, creamy, rich, and firm, with a little apple sauce. Appropriate sweet, and as it warmed a touch of lime.

Tasting Note: Gaston Chiquet Réserve Blanc de Blancs NV

A light golden color with lots of small and medium sized bubbles and minerals and lemon meringue on the nose

Light and creamy, some citrus, apple, quite harmonious and long.

Tasting Notes: Gaston Chiquet Cuvée NV Rosé

Medium pink color with a copper/orange hue

Nose is fresh orange peel and minerals

A good mouthfeel with pink flowers, sweetness, minerals, sea salt. Quite long with a orange cream-sicle quality as it warmed.
This is more about minerals and delicate flowers than anything else, and lovely.

Tasting Notes: Gaston Chiquet Cuvée Brut 2002
A light straw with a small tinge of orange

The nose is fresh baked (whole wheat?) bread, well integrated apple, chalk. A little orange and other citrus with air.

On the palate it is creamy with orange and tangerine, very fleshy initially with peach. Plenty of underlying minerals.

I like Gaston Chiquet a lot. Perhaps you can tell from these notes :slight_smile:
Full notes and pictures: Gaston Chiquet

I opened a bottle of the NV Rose over the weekend and was turned off by the combination of extreme tartness and biting acidity. It was a real disappointment. I take it your bottle did not posses a similar profile?

I had one a few months ago and didn’t notice that. I found it was lacking in complexity compared to other Chiquet’s I’ve had however, was definitely my least favourite offering from them to date.

I had that two nights ago and did not have that experience at all.

Paul - I found the nose to be nice but simple. On the palate mine wasn’t particularly complex, but it wasn’t simple either.
I think especially with Grower Champagnes often out experience has to do with when we drink them - so many of them are very young. I’ll be cellaring some of the favorites once I get a bit more organized (moved, no in house cellar anymore).

I think Parker gave it a 90? I’d agree - barely outstanding, maybe a 89 because of the simplicity of the nose (although I liked the nose a lot), but a few months of age might change that.

I definitely wasn’t saying it was bad though I guess that could be implied. I am a fan of Chiquet and it did taste young. It just wasn’t as promising as any other young Chiquet I’ve had. I’ve got chiquet on its side in my locker, so I’m a believer. I’m not convinced that the rose is up to the rest of their lineup though.

I’ve really liked the Chiquet Special Club. The 1996 was super and the 2000 was excellent. Definitely a fan.

I’m glad to hear that others have had better luck with the NV Rose than I. I guess I’ll chalk my experience up to bottle variation.