Extracted from a thread just posted re 5 dinner wines tasted blind - 5 Dinner wines tasted blind including a fine NV small grower solera BdB, 2010 Defait Chablis, 2001 Artadi, 2011 Unico and 2022 Antinori Il Brucato Bolgheri
NV A. BERGERE SOLERA de CHARDONNAY- blind; as stated on the back label, this is a blend of different BdB cuvees starting with the 2013 vintage with the total package being comprised of 50% reserve wines and 50% from the base year, 2020; it was disgorged 1/23 and dosed at 3 gpl; therefore this is an extra brut; it was a terrific champagne and one that I initially called vintage and from a big house or high end small grower thinking it might be the 2008 Laurent-Perrier or an Egly-Ouriet, but when I really considered everything, it just did not have enough of the power and complexity to merit those speculations, but it sure had enough likeness with lots of finesse, grace and charm; following its light yellow color came aromas of fresh citrus fruit with lemon first noticeable and then grapefruit finishing it off; it had bright acidity and a bit of richness and complexity; one mentioned it was very “fizzy”, a good pickup IMO, and he deduced it was therefore new world Sparkling wine. I loved the thinking and in my experience, fizzy wines can come from anywhere, but maybe they have been more prevalent in new world sparklers. That’s an example of how we discuss, pay attention and learn on this night.
Cheers,
Blake