N.V. Jean Laurent Champagne Brut Rosé- France, Champagne (10/11/2009)
WIML90
Tasted October 11, 2009.
It’s Sunday afternoon and the Cowgirls are playing ball on TV. It’s time for some Champagne, salume e formaggio.
No disgorgement date. Purchased April 18, 2009 for $26.99 per 750ml as part of a distributor blow out of this wine some I’m guessing based on this and the palate presence it’s a fairly recent disgorgement. Label says this bottle is 100% Pinot Noir and aged a minimum of 5 years on the yeast. 12% alcohol. Opened and served immediately. Pink to rose petal color in the glass, clear hue throughout with tiny, steady beading. Nose of black raspberries and black cherries. Flavors of black cheries, black berries and black raspberries. Good mousse. Bright acidity, medium to full body. Crisp and clean on the palate with a medium finish. Drink over the short term, perhaps medium term depending on how you like your NV. Obviously a good QPR and recommended on that basis. (90 pts.)
If it is a fairly recent disgorgement, this could be the new “formula” Jean Laurent Rose which is only 3 years on the lees now in an effort to bring out more fruit in the wine. As much as like the NV Rose, I go ga-ga for the vintaged Rose which is dark and deep (actually has tannins too) yet maintains a wonderful floral elegance.
I like both the 97 BdN and NV BdN (had both last weekend). The 97, as expected is a bit behind the 95 and 96 in terms of quality, but I like it better than the 98. I like the 2000 a bit more, but find the 97 (and 95) go great with food especially flavorful fish. The NV BdN depends on disgorgement, but I normally find it to be the equal of the 97 BdN and sometimes better. It often seems more flavorful to me. It would depend on price and how much you care about a vintage date, but I would go much heavier on the NV BdN than the 97.