TN: NV L. Aubry

WINE TALK
1

I believe this is heavy on the pinot meunier though I could be wrong. In any event, this was disgorged in April of 09 and is staggeringly delicious right now.

Seems like it was made in a slightly oxidative style, reminiscent of how full and rich Bollinger’s Special Cuvee can be. The color was slightly salmon colored, not quite pink but certainly darker than most.

The honeyed/candied flavors, buttressed by a lovely cinnamon note, were powerful and round. I certainly would have guessed Bollinger, or maybe even Selosse blind.

I read IWCs note and saw Josh Raynolds loosely compared the prior year’s disgorgement to Krug’s NV.

In any event, just a stunning NV wine for a measly $32.

2

PMC,

I had the Rose version of this on Friday night, great stuff indeed.

3

Nice work - did it seem slightly oxidative (in a really good way)?

4

glad to see you fought through that head cold!

5

Not at all. Quite fresh and lively.

6

Have you tried any of their 2002s?

I’ve seen them at PC but havent pulled the trigger yet.

7

Not yet but I should probably pick some up.

8

Thanks for the tip Peter. Looks like it can be had for ~$40 locally. Fair price?

9

Oxidative in Champagne doesn’t have to be the opposite of fresh I have found. Richer toastier wines often have notes I would call oxidative.

10

Tru dat,

However, this particular wine did not show any of those qualities.

11

That’s a fair price. About $50 for the Rose should be good as well.

12

Cris - I think you’d dig it - after shipping I paid around $36 and would buy it at $40. And I agree on oxidative as it relates to Champagne - the Aubry isn’t heavy/flabby/sherried, it’s got loads of cut and precise flavors, just “bassy” like a Bolly tends to be. Lots of grip and stick-to-itness on the palate.

Phil - post a note if you wind up trying one of their 02s, they sound amazing in Theise’s catalog.

13

Thanks Pete. By your note it sounded right up my alley. I’ll drop by Hi-Times this weekend for a test drive bottle.

14

Do it. You’ll be back for more.

If you can, see if you can land that April 09 disgorgement.