Anyone have any TNs from “older” disgorgements? I wasn’t familiar with this producer but just bought some 1/2 bottles on a flier (couldn’t resist based on solid 90-92pt reviews for recent disgorgements and the $15 per split price), but as it turns out they are from the August 2006 disgorgement. While the reviews are decent from the 2009-2011 disgorgements, I couldn’t find any write-ups of earlier ones and was wondering what vintages this bottling might cover and whether this bottling of Geoffroy has been “solid” for a while?
Also, any thoughts on whether this is one to drink relatively soon given its age…
Thanks!
Dan,
It is either a pure 2002 or a pure 2003 wine; the disgorgement date you gave is right around the time Geoffroy would have changed vintages. I would bet on 2002, but couldn’t say 100% based only on the disgorgement date. Both are good wines, but the 2002 is the better of the two and will continue to age/improve. Additionally, both drink well now.
I’m not a huge fan of 1/2 bottles as they age more quickly than full bottles and are more likely to be mishandled. Based on this and the fact that both vintages drink well today, I would start drinking or at least pop one to calibrate.
Brad, thanks for the comments. I’d be thrilled if it was pure 2002… Would be a nice surprise. Glad to hear that either would be pretty good at least. Is this bottling typically a single vintage and if so, I would have thought there would be a preference to use the vintage so any idea why they don’t here?
I hear you on 1/2 bottles but I do like to have 1/2s of Champagne as they make for a nice start… I don’t necessarily seek them out or look to age them particularly, but when I come across something promising at a good price I will buy some (not unlike mags of Champagne which I also like to buy when I find good ones at a good proce). I have one of these chilling and will try it in the next few days and see how it is doing.
Dan,
I get concerned with half bottles when they have some age on them; there is just more risk with them.
The Empreinte is almost always a pure vintage wine (can’t think of the last time it was a blend) and I think the bottles now show the vintage on the back label. That said, I don’t have a bottle in front of me and I know this has differed by export country and recall older releases of this not having it.