Our monthly wine tasting group, Los Amigos del Vino, celebrated it almost annual Valentines party on 2/11/13 in the barrel room of the Santa Barbara Winery. We had over 65 happy and bubbly members and guests who brought some fine, quality Champagnes, more than I could keep track of and make note of, but heres a few:
NV LAURENT PERRIER BRUT- 1.5 L; as a first wine, it prepared the palate pretty well with good acidity, a little toastiness and refreshing crispiness.
1996 CRISTAL- how about jumping into a big boy at the outset; this was showing extremely well with a lot of power and finesse and some full on richness, creaminess and welcomed lingering aftertaste; very nicely rounded and balanced now; should evolve into a special treat in 5-10 years; in this magnificent vintage, I still favor Krug, Salon and Dom, but this is a player.
1996 BOLLINGER GRAND ANNEE- also showing well, this displayed some biscuity, spicy, citrusy notes with minerals; very enjoyable.
1989 VEUVE CLIQUOT ROSE- some say this was slightly oxidized and I vacillated back and forth and never concluded such; it definitely was showing its age in the fading color and dissipating fruit and yet it still had some pizzazz and pleasant notes to like.
NV VEUVE CLIQUOT ROSE- lighter in style, lots of fresh strawberries and cherries in a medium body; if not for the expense, this could qualify for a house bubbly.
1996 PIERRE PETERS MILLESIME- loved this with more of the toasty, biscuit, minerals and crispness that defines the vintage and quality of fruit; it showed some depth and complexity and still is aging to potential.
2000 PIERRE PETERS LES CHETILLONS- if there was ever a problem with dups, this was not one of them; each bottle displayed the notes that characterize this wine as a winner; good acidity, a little salt, some minerals and a lot of pleasure in a medium body; a wine for the future, say 10 years from now.
2002 PIERRE PETERS LES CHETILLONS- much more than the 00 IMO, more giving even at this stage with more complexity and citrus aspects that just rock on; Im switching to more purchases of the 02 than the 00 although both are excellent wines.
NV HENRIOT SOUVERAIN- 2 of these appeared as well; both demonstrated good, bracing acidity with a rich and nice fruitiness that pleased the palate.
NV HENRIOT BLANC SOUVERAIN- seemed to offer just a little more citrus and complexity that the Souverain with a longer finish.
NV JL VERGNON BRUT- a little likeable chalky strawberry, vanilla with lemon meringue and some mustiness that I did not like nor could figure out the source.
NV BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVEE- Ive had a few of this wine recently and always found it to be an OK drink; not serious, its just easy and pleasant and one for sipping into something next.
NV PHILIPPONNAT ROYALE RESERVE NO DOSAGE- a first exposure of this since visiting the winery last October, released in 09` in France and now in Italy in a new special shaped bottle; it was brought by a distributor of this house and I do not know if it is now available in the US; light in color, crisp, pure and elegant; good acidity, fresh and clean and a great hot summer wine which also has biscuit and bread dough notes; disgorged 9/09.
1997 PHILIPPONNAT RESERVE MILLESIME- very good wine with complexity and balance; good acidity, some saltiness and chalkiness and lots of vibrant citrus, especially of lemon-lime.
1998 NICOLAS FEUILLATTE PALMES d`OR- nice, fresh, crisp and tangy, this drank well and should evolve into something more special in time.
NV VRANKEN DEMOISELLE BRUT- 80% chardonnay, this is lush and palate pleasing in a more feminine way and package in a unique, lalique bottle.
2002 CHAMPAGNE de MERIC MILLESIME- 100% pinot meunier; unexpectedly very nice; full bodied, complex and full on major fruit profile with a lasting finish.
NV CHARLEMAGNE RESERVE BRUT- from grand cru vineyards, this was a good wine that got better in the glass; good backbone of acid, lots of minerals, salt and a softness to delight the palate.
NV BILLECART SALMON ROSE- as usual, this rose was very good; some strawberry and raspberry dancing in a pleasurable, firm base that pleases from start to finish.
1999 H. BILLIOT MILLESIME- another fine wine tasted at the winery initially, this is just plain good bubbly; good depth and robust flavors going on here; like this and the producer a lot.
1998 DEJORIA CUVEE PLATINUM MILLESIME- a new exposure for me, I liked this one to; its got a lot of fruit and boldness yet with some finesse and balance that makes it work; more of this would be a good thing.
As stated, I missed many bottles, but did manage to catch the majority. It was a stellar night with an abundance of fine, Champagne friendly finger food with wonderful, passionate folks in a great winery ambience.
Cheers