The last bottle of 2015 was larger framed, but still showed excellent balance for the weight. Not overtly fruity it presented much more in the biscuit and autolytic flavors. The finish had a great mineral tone to it but was definitely not high acid. Of note, it’s the first champagne we’ve had that clocked in over 13% abv (13.1% IIRC).
That Mailly Blanc de Pinot Noir is one of my discoveries of 2023. Very good and the price is right. I’ve got a L’intemporelle eyeing me in my wine fridge… I’ve never tried it so it’ll probably pop real soon.
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This from another thread:
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Open it a couple hours before drinking. It takes a while to open up.
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If its P&W Jason is definitely taking you to the hoop…kidding. There are something like 42 wholesalers in Seattle and while the bigger wholesalers (formerly me) are certainly treated like a tumor they all work on 20-25% margin, all the little guys work on 35-50% which accounts for the discrepancy.
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Jacques Lassaigne Les Vignes de Montgueux Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
Good now, but will get better with some age I bet.
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Another of my faves! It normally does benefit from 2-3 years aging but disgorgements differ quite a bit sometimes. Cheers!
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Are you talking about the champagne or the view? You definitely win the prize for best setting to be drinking champange!
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It’s just a zoom background. 
Just to be clear, I have nothing but good things to say about Pike and Western. The prices seem to be competitive with bigger shops like Esquin and they are much lower priced than many of the other small merchants I have visited in the area. It just seems like the wines that get the most attention on this thread can be acquired much cheaper in Portland.
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That’s a solid Champagne. I had this with a client two weeks back and I agree. It delivers and for the price, it’s a no-brainer.
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P&W is great. The price gap is likely due to margin at distributor. A lot of Champagnes in PDX are direct imports too cutting out a tier and contribute too in.some cases.
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Emille Paris & Cie Reserve Personnelle:
I keep seeing this at my local grocer for $26, and despite mountains of evidence to the contrary, I am always convinced, like a degenerate gambler, the next low cost Champagne is going to be my new favorite and all the false
economy value hunting is going to pay off big in the the end. I am sad to say, and I am sure you will all be shocked to learn, I did not win the vinous lottery today. This tastes remarkably similar to the Kirkland branded Champagne. I will spare you my usual tortured metaphors. There is nothing further that needs to be said about this abomination.
I do want to take a minute, however, to excoriate @Warren_Taranow for ruining my life with his detailed post in another thread about all the wines he bought in June. I was quite content with my station in life, until I saw how much great wine he could afford in a single month. I don’t know how someone who clearly failed Econ 101, (Don’t you recognize the opportunity cost? Think about how many NV blueberry wines you could have owned with that sum!), achieved such status to be able to afford such a haul, but make no mistake, I hate him for it!
I probably shouldn’t be so bitter. I never had any ambitions in life, and look at me now. I am a degenerate wine gambler and drunk. Successful beyond my wildest dreams!
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That makes a lot of sense.
That last paragraph…there is an unreleased Smiths lyric there. Damn, your posts…
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2002 Orpale:
Think I picked these up for 60 bones back in the good old days. 12 years on the lees. Cream/lactose, ginger, Sherry/brazil nuts, marzipan, and honeycomb. Long lingering finish of hazelnuts. Probably going to buy the 2008 later today. Fuck you Comtes!
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2016 Cabot Vineyards Blanc de Blanc Brut Zero Anderson Valley - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (6/28/2023)
hints of vanilla, pear and brioche on the nose. Lemon candy, lemon meringue pie, minerality, mostly just citrus through the finish. It’s fresh and light, nice on a warm summer night if not overly contemplative.
Posted from CellarTracker
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This note is just spot on for me.
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Same here, the Vins de Montguex is probably the champagne we have consumed the most of over the past 10 years.
A little zen feel as well, kind of like Ryokan meets the Smiths…
Pretty effing brilliant post, and a beautiful ode to what it means to be a wine lover on a budget…
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