Which Champagne are you drinking?

[Andrew_A_r_n_t_f_i_e_l_d]

Over the past week:

1995 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires
2002 Gosset Celebris Extra Brut

Both were superb. Regrettably, it was my last bottle of the '95 Heidsieck. Awaiting arrival of the 2004s.

Envoyer just offered the 2004 today. The price however is $139.

That was Envoyer’s second go-round on the 2004, Russ. They originally offered it last November at $129.99 and I grabbed a bunch then.

[Brad_Baker]

1985 Jacquesson Degorgement Tardif: disgorged 2010; a promising, tantalizingly forward mature nose, all honeyed and yeasty with a touch of lemon, which combines nicely with the creamy mousse; then crushing disappointment as the palate drops out and you’re left with shrill acidity and not enough substance to balance it; left in a decanter for several hours and it filled out some but never quite came good; decent plus

Yao,

Bottle or magnum? The magnums were late disgorged 1985 BdB while the bottles were late disgorged 1985 Perfection Millesime. The bottles have always been not quite right to me, but the magnums were nice though still not thrilling.

Bottle

Have you liked other vintages? I’m not very familiar with Jacquesson and this was a toe in the water for me

It really depends on what the wine is. Their better DT wines tended to be a late release vintage BdB or Signature. The DTs that were vintage Perfection are more hit or miss for me. Jacquesson now does a much better job at telling you exactly what is in their late disgorged bottles, but with most of the wines pre-1995 it can still be a guess in some years. The non-dose approach in a lot of the DT bottlings also isn’t always the best choice IMO. I usually prefer their original releases with age over the DT series.

[Yao_C]

Yao,

Bottle or magnum? The magnums were late disgorged 1985 BdB while the bottles were late disgorged 1985 Perfection Millesime. The bottles have always been not quite right to me, but the magnums were nice though still not thrilling.

Bottle

Have you liked other vintages? I’m not very familiar with Jacquesson and this was a toe in the water for me

It really depends on what the wine is. Their better DT wines tended to be a late release vintage BdB or Signature. The DTs that were vintage Perfection are more hit or miss for me. Jacquesson now does a much better job at telling you exactly what is in their late disgorged bottles, but with most of the wines pre-1995 it can still be a guess in some years. The non-dose approach in a lot of the DT bottlings also isn’t always the best choice IMO. I usually prefer their original releases with age over the DT series.

Thank you Brad! My husband and I both love BdB so we might seek one out and give it a shot

[Frank_Murray_III]

• NV Etienne Calsac Champagne Les Rocheforts Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne (6/26/2019)
  Same specs as the previous bottle. Disgorged 02/2017, 3 g/l with a base of 2014. 100% Chard. Finished this over 2 nights. This had a mix of green apple, citrus and some bitter notes. There was a solid energy to this bottle and it has a racy style that finishes lively. I like this bottle better than the bottle from late 2017, as while I perceived something sweet about that bottle, this one was driven by acidity, fruit and clean elements that I enjoyed. I have one more bottle remaining, although it may be a different disgorge/base, will see when it arrives later this year. For $45, this a nice Chardonnay bubbly.

Posted from CellarTracker

[Jason_T]

• NV Etienne Calsac Champagne Les Rocheforts Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne (6/26/2019)
  Same specs as the previous bottle. Disgorged 02/2017, 3 g/l with a base of 2014. 100% Chard. Finished this over 2 nights. This had a mix of green apple, citrus and some bitter notes. There was a solid energy to this bottle and it has a racy style that finishes lively. I like this bottle better than the bottle from late 2017, as while I perceived something sweet about that bottle, this one was driven by acidity, fruit and clean elements that I enjoyed. I have one more bottle remaining, although it may be a different disgorge/base, will see when it arrives later this year. For $45, this a nice Chardonnay bubbly.

Posted from CellarTracker
20190626_174614.jpg

Frank, this is timely as I was recently hooked up with the UK importer for Calsac (A&B Vintners, who also happens to import Marcus Goodfellow’s wines). I asked them to put together a mixed case of their Champagne offerings, and this happened to be among them, as did Calsac’s L’échappée Belle Brut. Haven’t had a chance to try them yet, but your note makes me believe they are right up my alley.

[Mark_Golodetz]

Just bought some Taittinger Comtes Roses in UK. Looking forward to getting and drinking.

[michael_ottesen]

Bereche & Fils Brut Reserve (disgorged 01/19)
Louis Roederer Rose 2012
Philipponnat Royale Reserve Brut (vintage base 2014)

Bereche & Fils Brut Reserve is a very Nice
Bottle of Champagne for 40$

[Warren_Taranow]

Just bought some Taittinger Comtes Roses in UK. Looking forward to getting and drinking.

What vintage? Should be great regardless.

Cheers
Warren

[Howard_Cooper]

Last night at our monthly Burg group dinner we started with two Champagnes. First, we had a 2010 Demiere “EGREG OR” Champagne that was 100% Pinot Meunier. This is the second wine I have had from this producer (same person brought it both times) and it was very good - lots of flavor, good acidity, a joy to drink.

Then, we were treated to a 1996 Taittinger Comte de Champagne Rose. I have had the 1996 Blanc twice this year but have never had the Rose before last night. This is clearly a wow wine, but I think I liked the Blanc even better. I think Comte de Champagne and Dom Ruinart are quickly becoming my favorite Champagnes.

[Mark_Golodetz]

Just bought some Taittinger Comtes Roses in UK. Looking forward to getting and drinking.

What vintage? Should be great regardless.

Cheers
Warren

2006 and 2007

[Howard_Cooper]

Any idea when Taittinger will be releasing 2008s?

[Mark_Golodetz]

The ‘07 was literally released on Wednesday, so figure a year.

[Howard_Cooper]

The ‘07 was literally released on Wednesday, so figure a year.

Interesting. I was at Taittinger last summer and tasted the 2007 while at the winery. Did not realize it had not been released, although I have the wine on order and have not gotten it yet, so I guess this makes sense.

[Andrew_A_r_n_t_f_i_e_l_d]

N.V. Pierre Moncuit Champagne Cuvée Hugues de Coulmet Blanc de Blancs Brut

Big fan of this as a daily drinker Champagne. Super value. Lovely balance between the citrus and brioche, creamy texture, and just the right level of dosage for my taste.

[Frank_Murray_III]

• NV Etienne Calsac Champagne Les Rocheforts Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne (6/26/2019)
  Same specs as the previous bottle. Disgorged 02/2017, 3 g/l with a base of 2014. 100% Chard. Finished this over 2 nights. This had a mix of green apple, citrus and some bitter notes. There was a solid energy to this bottle and it has a racy style that finishes lively. I like this bottle better than the bottle from late 2017, as while I perceived something sweet about that bottle, this one was driven by acidity, fruit and clean elements that I enjoyed. I have one more bottle remaining, although it may be a different disgorge/base, will see when it arrives later this year. For $45, this a nice Chardonnay bubbly.

Posted from CellarTracker
20190626_174614.jpg

Frank, this is timely as I was recently hooked up with the UK importer for Calsac (A&B Vintners, who also happens to import Marcus Goodfellow’s wines). I asked them to put together a mixed case of their Champagne offerings, and this happened to be among them, as did Calsac’s L’échappée Belle Brut. Haven’t had a chance to try them yet, but your note makes me believe they are right up my alley.

Jason, great that I could lend some POV to your pursuit. I have not tasted much in their range, other than the Rosé de Craie, which is solid and I own some of it, too. They also make Clos des Maladries, which I passed on recently, as the bottle shape is very similar to the Special Club glass shape–just a PITA to keep in my cellar. For what modest room I have for odd-size bottles, those are being chewed up by Vilmart, Marie-Courtin and Chartogne-Taillet.

[Warren_Taranow]

The ‘07 was literally released on Wednesday, so figure a year.

Interesting. I was at Taittinger last summer and tasted the 2007 while at the winery. Did not realize it had not been released, although I have the wine on order and have not gotten it yet, so I guess this makes sense.

The 2007 release was small due to the heat and early harvest. I doubt it will be as long a spread between the ‘07 & ‘08 releases as there was between the ‘06 & ‘07. Then no Comte until the 2012. I’m surprised they skipped 2009.

Cheers
Warren

[Eric_Sch]

Last night on the back deck we popped some NV Caillez-Lemaire Cuvée Pur Meunier that was showing great. Really driving acid, slowly developing some red apple fruit as it opened up, and the dosage was very nice. Wish I had more of this, I really find myself drawn to varietal Meunier bottlings in general and this bottle hit the spot.

Tonight we’re having some NV Billecart-Salmon Rosé with Flannery burgers and tater tots in duck fat.

[bob_parsons_alberta]

tasting last night downtown…“Summer Bubbles”. A very nice NV Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Brut but the 2009 Pol Roger Vintage Brut ($99.99) was a clear winner. Nicely matured and a terrific finish, some thought still young maybe?

[Frank_Murray_III]

Warren, the Vilmart made me think of you. I ended up buying some of the 2009 Vinopolis recently and this was one those bottles that arrived a few weeks ago. It’s good, reminding me some of the 2009 Cristal, with that more opulent character.

• 2008 Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant Extra Brut - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru (6/30/2019)
  Disgorged September 2017. I believe this is dosed at 2 g/l. We polished through this pretty quickly. Lemon and yellow apple, with a good structure underneath it. I found the acidity and the fruit working well together and we enjoyed this again.
• 2009 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Coeur de Cuvée - France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru (6/30/2019)
  Disgorged May 2016, 80% Chard, 20% PN. We pulled this on a whim and I blinded it for a few good palates, alongside the 08 Larmandier-Bernier Levant VV BdB. There is sufficient acid here in the Vilmart to match against the sexier fruit and more opulent style as compared to the 2008 L-B. So, as I think about the 2009-2011 CdC bottlings, all now having tried on separate occasions in the past few months, I prefer the 2009 best, followed by the 2010 and then the 2011.
• NV Pierre Gerbais Champagne Extra Brut Grains de Celles Rose - France, Champagne (6/30/2019)
  Disgorged April 2018, with a base of 2015. 50% PN, plus equal parts 25% Chard and Pinot Blanc. This seemed to fit a lot of different tastes, as the bottle was finished off. For me, it had a cool mix of fresh, ripe strawberries, some lime and good balance. Has a lightly candied finish of red fruit that makes it appealing. This was $99, and it worked for the setting perfectly.

Posted from CellarTracker

[Robert_M_yers]

Robert,

They normally always come wrapped in paper/plastic combo and then are inserted into a straw holder with the booklet in between. All bottles get it whether packed in a six pack (normally wooden) or a single wooden box. Each booklet corresponds to a particular bottle number in that release of the specific 1,911 bottles. If the straw was removed when you received them then the booklet would have also disappeared since nothing was there to hold it with the bottle.

Brad opened the six pack I ordered, but I’m doubtful that it’s the same as the last because they had to go to the distributor to “find” more. They did go out of their way to get me the insert though which I appreciated and here it is. Any insight you can give on this…or how to decode would be appreciated.