Extracted from a larger thread.
Cork code D89E indicates a disgorgement in Q4 1998. Based on the estimated 10-12 years on the lees, I suspect this was Iteration 14, blending the 1988, 1985, and 1982 vintages, though it could also be from the adjacent Iterations 13 or 15 (paging @Brad_Baker ).
This bottle was a revelation—one of the finest Champagnes I've ever tasted. Remarkably fresh, it defies its 35+ years with vibrant notes of lemon zest, orange, and grapefruit. Subtle hints of caramel to suggest at least some age. The texture was balanced, with a soft but generous bead, and a perfect interplay of density and precision, youth and maturity.
Old Grand Siècles continue to impress me, and I’m grateful to have more arriving this shipping season. Truly a marvel in a bottle.
One of my past favorites, a reliable classic from a magnum. Its only shortcoming was the challenge of following the extraordinary old Grand Siècle.
A touch of reduction enhanced the minerality. The palate offered dense, creamy notes of lemon and orange, with a rich brioche undertone. The texture was typical Comte-luscious, with a beautiful glycerine mouthfeel, balanced by ample cut and a lively, persistent bead. One person commented it had more mature champagne notes than the 35 y.o. Laurent Perrier.
This bottle was generously brought by a friend—who also baked a cake! On its own, it would have been fantastic, but it had the misfortune of following some truly show-stopping wines like the old Grand Siècle, a 1959 Anjou, and a 65 y.o. Pfalz Spätlese Riesling.
Nonetheless, this was a beautiful, youthful wine. I consistently find prominent notes of ginger in this cuvée. It was energetic and powerful, with an extracted yet elegant profile. Apricot, jasmine, sweet brioche, and more. One of my favorite recent young MV Krug Grande Cuvées.
July 2019 disgorgement.
This has long been one of my favorite Egly-Ouriet cuvées. Like many bottles that night, some of its brilliance may have been overshadowed by the sheer number of exceptional wines it shared the spotlight with. Intensely zesty and creamy, with vibrant notes of blood orange and other citrus. The 82 months on the lees are evident on both the nose and palate, and the oak aging adds wonderful texture.
I love these bottles, and this one had a red neck ring, indicating an early disgorgement. It opened with citrus and honey, gradually evolving into tropical notes, pear, coffee, and hazelnut. Really dense and creamy, with a prominent sweetness that stood out. Yet, like several other great bottles tonight, it was slightly lost in the crowded field of fine wines.
A late-night, party-fueled lapse in judgment led to another somewhat ill-advised pull from the cellar. Thankfully, I was still clear-headed enough to appreciate the lovely notes of pear, sweet lemon, red berries, and sour apple. Billecart-Salmon really excelled in this vintage, but it was a bit of a shame to open it so late, following some truly earth-shattering wines.
A call went out for another bottle of Champagne, and I needed no more enabling! I headed back to the cellar and grabbed a bottle by the neck, knowing it was a favorite of one of the attendees. It turned out to be my only 2006 Coeur de Cuvée, and it was showing beautifully, at a great point in its evolution. A perfect balance of power and elegance, with lively notes of apple, orange, and brown spices. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel it was somewhat wasted so late in the night, following so many exceptional bottles.
