2006 Deutz Cuvee William Deutz
Well, I’m pretty predictable when it come to champagne…
#1: 1990 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année
#2: 2006 Bollinger Champagne Brut Rosé (Special Edition)
#3: 1995 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Blanc des Millénaires (newer bottling)
08 Paul Bara Special Club
08 Cristal
Been a fun year for champagne. 04 Comtes; 07 Comtes; 04 and 06 Dom Ruinart; 2002 Piper Rare; 1985, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009 Dom Perignon; Krug 164, 165, 166; Cristal 2009; 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007 Bolly GA and 2002 Bolly RD; and many, many other really lovely bottles. Last two years have been years filled with champagne for me as my wife and I have come to the conclusion that it’s probably our favorite to enjoy together.
While I think that sharing a 2009 Cristal with my Mom for her birthday while just sitting at a table chatting was my most pleasurable champagne experience, and 2008 Dom at my birthday party with fried chicken and game night was right up there and probably the best=highest scoring champagne of the year, the wine that surprise me the most and that I thought was a total knockout and in an absolute dead-on prime position was:
2002 Billecart Salmon Cuvee Nicolas Francois.
Greatest disappointment was literally every Bollinger GA or RD that I had this year. I was unimpressed with the 2002 RD. The 2004, 2005, and 2007 GAs that I had ALL showed overly oxidative notes. I think this is a style or flaw that Bollinger should address because what once was a wine I looked forward to trying – the Grand Annee – is now a wine that I am beginning to avoid. Second biggest disappointment was Veuve Cliquot’s 2008 Vintage wines. The Grand Dame, 2008 brut, and 2008 Rose were all big let downs.
Fun house wine winner was Ayala.
Fun grower was Marc Hebrart Special Club 2013.
Best domestic for me continues to be the J. Schram from Schramsberg.
2006 Taittinger Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne
In order so far:
- Jerome Prevost La Closerie (14 disgorgement)
- Selosse Initiale
- 08 Bollinger LGA
- Egly BdN Les Crayeres
- 09 Cristal
95 Dom P2 was probably the best.
Krug 164 was probably my favorite.
88 krug from mag
95 cristal from mag
96 taittinger comtes
96 dp oeno
02 vilmart coeur de cuvee
Biggest disappointment easily 96 salon
Funny - I think mine was a not-so-perfect bottle of '73 DP. 
Bollinger RD 1975
2008 Salon
1996 Dom Perignon
Easy choice although I have been fortunate enough to have tried many classic Champagnes this year: 1988 Salon, procured at a restaurant for a stupidly low price compared to market.
My most consumed, and in my opinion best value in the tete de Champagne world: 2006 Taittinger Comtes, consumed 6 or more already, the rest are going to be held to age a bit.
Either 1995 Heidsieck Blanc de Millenaires or 2008 DP. Probably Heidsieck this year, like a cellar full of DP 2008 in 20-30 years though.
It is interesting that so many people have picked Dom. I have enjoyed a number of bottles I have had from Dom Perignon, but I cannot remember every tasting one I truly loved and head to head have generally preferred wines from Krug, Taittinger Comte de Champagne, Winston Churchill, Dom Ruinart, Salon, etc., better virtually every time. I guess tastes differ a good bit, like with everything else in wine.
I suppose I have to say 2009 Cristal. It’s really a brilliant wine – the kind that makes it difficult to concentrate on anything else. The 06 Comtes is also splendid but I have not reacted to it as I have the Cristal
1988 Krug
1976 Dom Oeno
1983 Cristal from mag
1985 PJ Belle Epoque
1985 Taittinger Art Series
2004 Krug Clos du Mesnil
Tough call; lots of favorites.
2008 Vilmart Coeur de Cuvée is probably number one, followed closely by:
2009 Pierre Peters Chetillons
2008 and 2009 Dom and Cristal
160, 164 eme, and '04 Krug
2002 Billecart Salmon Cuvée Nicolas Francois
2006 Taittinger Comte
1995 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Blanc des Millénaires
I’d gladly drink any of the above anytime. There’s probably more I’m forgetting. It’s been a good year for (mostly) young Champagne in our home.
Cheers,
Warren
Lots of very good Champagne this year, but the clear winner is
2006 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rose
Ulysse Collin Les Maillons
Cheers,
Doug