Labor Day blow-out in Manhattan. Tasting menu simply stunning and the champagne, while over-priced over-delivered. Brioche, red-fruited ripe fruit, and a 90 second finish.
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That the new release? Lots of 
notes on the initial release (thought not as many as last year’s &)
Not familiar with that label. Which one is it?
It’s Jerome Prevost La Closerie Grand Cru…vineyard Pinot Meunier planted in the 1950’s.
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Steve,
The Prevost Grand Cru is approximately 50% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and 50% Pinot Noir from Puisieulx. All of the grapes were purchased. A brilliant if pricey wine and one that surprised me with how different it is from the other Prevost wines - much more refined and balanced for my palate. The grapes and climate shine through especially compared to any Prevost signature which seems to be much more apparent with his Meuniers.
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Haven’t seen FMIII here in a while. Hope he’s doing well.
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Thanks for the correction, Brad…interesting how many sites are in error. Just checked five sites listing the wine and two still list Pinot Meunier as the grape. Should have trusted my tasting instincts…indeed leaning more toward elegance than power.
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Pascal Henin Blanc comme Neige. All Chardonnay from Chouilly, 3 g/L, disgorged 12 October 22, 12%.
Quite trademark Chouilly, talcy, very creamy, mostly citrus with a little red fruit. A bit soft today, but good potential as quite a pack of extract on the finish.
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Saint Reol Grand Cru NV:
Picked up two bottles of this at Costco yesterday, at $27.99 a piece, based on the Wine Enthusiast review above. I have had worse Champagne at this price point, but I can’t fathom a 92 point score or a $105 suggested price tag. This is a profoundly boring wine. Apple and pear notes, a hint of spice, some creaminess, and a short finish. I did not find the texture to be remarkable, don’t perceive much in the way of minerals, and the half a bottle left in the fridge overnight is showing signs of oxidation. Will be returning the second bottle.
Looks like the screenshot of the review missed the text: " Beautifully textured, this blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is both fruity and youthfully mineral. It is a wine with great potential and this bottling is definitely worth aging. Drink from 2024.” — Roger Voss
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Life is good when Cristal gets a participation medal in the battle of blind 2008.
@Frank_Murray_III come on!
-
2008 Doyard Champagne Grand Cru Les Lumières Grand Cru Extra Brut - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru (9/7/2023)
Blind: PM based?
This was the darkest of the four and I thought the oldest. Ha, they're all 2008. This seemed to show more of the wood and oxidation. Lemony deliciousness with a really long finish. Later in the evening this showed even better. -
2008 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut - France, Champagne (9/7/2023)
Blind: no idea
Kind of funny when Cristal comes in 4th out of four in a champagne flight. That's not a bad thing, that just says how great the champagnes were. Flavors of tart yellow fruit and lightly bodied and colored. This just seemed to be coiled up and since I was driving I didn't revisit it later. -
2008 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Rare - France, Champagne (9/7/2023)
This one has a massive presence. It's ripe lemon, almost like a candied lemon head. Medium plus acidity, then it toasted almond note. For whatever reason it's just caught my fancy this evening and I really enjoyed it. -
2008 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Coeur de Cuvée - France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru (9/7/2023)
Blind: thought this was PM dominate. Wrong.
This is probably my one of the night. Light effervescence wrapped around lemon and lime notes. The body of wine was soft but bubbles were light and prickly. Light oxidation note and a bit of cut hay. Really enjoyed it.
Posted from CellarTracker
10 Likes
Thank you for the report on this! Have a few of both this and the 2016, so it’s to get a feeling of them.
Do you feel it’s showing well now or needs more or a lot more time in the bottle?
And how do you feel it performs for the price?
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Id leave it longer, at the same time quite creamy and simple but lots behind.
Performs fine for the e65 I paid!
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Thank you again! I wonder if the 2016 would be even better at this stage or require even more time, since the vintage might be favorable…
Blind tastings are definitely humbling
Well, it’s a sad day. We have to say goodbye to our pooch and yes, I’m fishing for sympathy. But, in addition to that, we feel like we should celebrate her life tonight with a bottle of something nice. If this was your list, what would you choose. I am leaning toward 2008 Cristal:
|# Btls|Vintage|Wine|
|1|2008|Philipponnat Champagne Les Cintres|
|1|2008|Philipponnat Champagne Extra Brut Clos des Goisses|
|3|2008|Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut|
|2|NV|Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 164eme|
|2|NV|Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 168eme|
|1|2008|Dom Pérignon Champagne|
|1|2008|Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année|
|1|2008|Billecart-Salmon Champagne Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon|
|2|2012|Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Comtesse Marie de France|
|1|2007|Billecart-Salmon Champagne Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon|
|1|2008|Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Millésimé|
|1|2008|Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut Vintage|
|1|2014|Philipponnat Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée 1522 Extra-Brut|
|2|2008|Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Special Club|
|2|2015|Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Champagne Special Club Grands Terroirs de Chardonnay|
|1|2008|R. & L. Legras Champagne Grand Cru Saint-Vincent|
|1|2012|Philipponnat Champagne Premier Cru Cuvée 1522 Rosé Extra Brut|
|2|2008|J. Lassalle Champagne Premier Cru Special Club|
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We call it getting your Vitamin H
Seriously
Sorry to hear that @Troy_Stark. It always hurts more than I expect. How old is she? I’d celebrate with a bottle from her vintage if possible. Otherwise maybe something on the more complex, mature end of the spectrum, perhaps Krug 164?
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Also sorry for this situation @Troy_Stark My first thought was also for the 164 eme as much as I love Cristal. The 2008 has been shut down lately after a few dynamite bottles early on.
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Good suggestion. She was born in 2009. I think I don’t have much from Champagne in 2009, looks like just these:
2009 Pierre Brigandat Champagne Brut Millésimé
2009 Marc Hébrart Champagne Premier Cru Special Club
2009 Juillet-Lallement Champagne Grand Cru Grande Tradition Brut
The Juillet-Lallement might be a good choice. Thanks, John.
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Gosh, Troy. She looks pretty good for 14, and I’ll bet this will be a long weekend in your home.
In the same situation a short while ago, we went with a 2008 La Grande Dame because our dear little gal was certainly a Grande Dame…