Extracted from a thread just posted: Some recent wines drank while visiting dear friends in NW Arkansas: 2006 Cristal, 1994 Opus One, 2006 Hourglass Blueline Cabernet, 1995 Hartford Court RRV Pinot Noir, 2002 Flowers Andreen-Gale Pinot Noir, 2008 Woodenhead RRV Pinot Noir and many more
2017 GRAND NAPA VINEYARDS BRUT ROSE- the fruit for this fine sparkling rose was sourced from Carneros in Southern Napa Valley; it had lovely strawberry fruit in the nose and the taste with some red cherry/ berry, peach and red apple backing it up while being delivered in a soft and smooth textured medium; it had bright acidity, some body and depth and finished nicely with all of its goodness coming together. This is an unusual blend comprised of 54% Pinot Noir, 43% Chardonnay and 3% Pinot Gris aged 3 years on the lees before disgorgment and dosed at 6 gpl..
NV ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT- this consistently fine release with every vintage featured nice acidity with lemon and lime fruit most prevalent and some yellow peach, pear and green apple in the background; it is made of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, about 10% of which includes cask aged reserve wines from 5-7 vintages from 2-7 years old.
NV TAITTINGER LA FRANCAISE BRUT- this is comprised of a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier sourced from at least 35 villages; the high proportion of Chardonnay is unique among fine nonvintage Champagnes; also unusual for a NV champagne is that it spent close to 4 years on the lees; it was dosed at 9 gpl; consistent with recent notes made for the last bottle, this was nicely refreshing with mild, but enough acidity to cleanse the palate with fresh citrus fruit all the way through while being delivered in a frothy, almost cotton candy like mousse.
2019 ROEDERER ESTATE L’ERMITAGE BRUT- I like the analogy used by one wine critic who stated “if sunshine could be bottled, it would be this”; it is bright and fresh and features delicate rays of citrus, apple and peach fruit with accents of minerals and baking spices; its elegance is enhanced by a creamy mouthfeel which serves to lengthen the finish gracefully and gratefully; this release sees one more year of lees contact, 4, than the NV brut, is made up of 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir and also includes a reserve of 3.9% Chardonnay from 2016; it was disgorged 2/24 and dosed at 6.5 gpl. My blind wine dinner group had the 2018 version and called it champagne from a big house. This vintage is even better IMHO and a candidate for my wine group to get challenged again.
2006 LOUIS ROEDERER CRISTAL BRUT- this bottle was opened with 4 of my dear friends prior to going to dinner; it was a great rendition of the 2006 vintage and consistent with previous notes earlier this year; it is comprised of 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay; dosage near 9 gpl; 20% of the wine was aged in oak; sees no ML; this vintage has matured into one of the finest of all of the more recent Cristals since 1996 IMHO and it still has a long way to go before reaching its apogee; the color was a rich yellow gold and the nose offered ginger and spice infused citrus fruit with lemon and lime most evident; the taste had more of the same and eventually, some delicious yellow apple joined in; it had an amazing mouthfeel with its oily, viscous texture that had some weight that was immediately noticeable and appreciated; this was simply outstanding in every way; it had class and elegance, sophistication, charm and reeked of royalty; it was enjoyed by all.
Cheers,
Blake