I understand. Most all of the photos I use for this group’s wines come from one who takes them and sends them on and I’m at the mercy of what he captures; in this case, he missed the embossed shield logo on the shoulder/neck part of the bottle that identifies SC. Fortunately, I got him to take back labels as well.
Great. I swore off Special Club bottles because they’re a pain to store, finally finished my last one about 2 weeks ago and now I must have this Special Club 
. Found the 2015 at Plum Ridge and will be picking some up next week. 7 bottles left & happy to pick up for WB who are in OC.
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I hope your bottles are as good as the one I had Astrid albeit from a different vintage. I’ll be looking forward to your notes.
As I understand it, no malo and oxidation are two different processes. They suppress malo on most of the wine they make at Lanson.
Today we did a wine tour out of town with a guide. Our first stop was Cordoin DIdierlaurent. This looked like a very small domaine - basically a one man show. We first tried the Cuvee Tradition - 70% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay, 2019 base, aged 20 months in oak, 5g/L dosage. Just a touch of rose color, bready, lemon, racy, balanced. I really like this one. Next we tried the Cuvee Louise Antoinette - 100% Chardonnay aged 4 years in oak, 5g/L dosage. I found this one lacking the electricity of the Cuvee Tradition, with a little too much oak showing for my taste. Next came the Cuvee de Grands Champs. 100% Pinot Meunier, 2017 base, aged 4 years in oak, 5g/L dosage. I’m a sucker for Pinot Meunier champagnes, so I liked this a lot. Racy and spicy but rich with great balance.
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@D_Pennet mentioned Trichet in a prior post, and because I am easily influenced , I took a flyer on a different bottling:
NV Pierre Trichet Champagne Grand Cru La Puissance
100% GC PN from Verzy, dosage 7-8g/L, 5 years on lees.
Light golden color. Tiny soft bead, but a nice effervescence comes across on the palate. Not the most demonstrative nose, with some light bread, pear, and something like white peach (?). On the palate, starts with ripe green pear, yellow rainier cherries, and a lot of slate-like minerality in the mid-palate. Citrus/saline finish that’s on the shorter side (not a complaint, just an observation). Dosage absolutely on point and well balanced.
I paid $42 for this and this is one of the best sub-$45 champagnes I have had in a long time. No, you’re not going to get the complexity of a $150 bottle, but this isn’t completely boring either. At this price, my ideal champagne would be an all-purpose workhorse that (1) can be drunk as an aperitif or with food, (2) will be accepted by a crowd and is drinkable to me, (3) isn’t too sensitive to the “right” serving temperature, (4) won’t make me cringe if someone adds orange juice or some other adulterant, and (5) doesn’t require intense analysis but won’t wither under some perusal (sometimes one is just not in the mood to dissect, scrutinize or ponder what’s in the glass.) This checks off all those points. Will repurchase when my cellar isn’t busting through its seams or if hosting a larger party.
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From a thread just posted:
2002 BILLECART-SALMON CUVEE NICOLAS FRANCOIS BRUT- 60% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne and 40% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, 20% done in oak; dosed at 4 gpl January 2016; the color was a yellow gray gold and the nose had mildly oxidative hints of peach and apricot which continued on to be joined on the palate by honeycombed apple, tangerine, creme brûlée and honey dew melon; it was full bodied with a nice, oily mouthfeel and had a grand finish with everything coming together; here’s another 2002 that is capable and ready and this one was at its apogee; loved it.
Cheers,
Blake
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the notes makes it sound pretty lovely… if you’re gettings lots of honey/nuts on the nose, but quite fresh on the palate, that sounds like ideal spot to drink it? 
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A 375 ml of 2012 Paul Bara Grand Millésimé Brut disgorged 01/2020 was lovely tonight with Popeye’s spicy chicken. Vibrant and youthful with plenty of acidity and good weight, it is enjoyable now but lots of life remaining.
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Maybe the golden apricot color makes me taste dried apricot on this wine. Luscious, with other pit and white fruit including pear. Honeyed but energetic. While not one of the crowning E-O’s, it’s their best (viz. only) Meunier wine. This bottle disgorged in July 2021, 1 gm dosage, 3 years on the lees. I like this cuvée a lot.
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We’re celebrating my mom’s 65th birthday tonight and I had planned on opening a ‘12 Comtes, which many have suggested is a bit shutdown. Tapping the collective for their thoughts on my limited collection of “higher end” bubbles:
‘12 and ‘14 Bollinger LGA
168 and 170 Krug GC
‘08 and ‘12 DP
‘13 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque
LP Grand Siecle 25
Not exactly prestige cuvées, but also:
‘07 and ‘08 LP
‘12 Charles Heidsieck
‘08 and ‘12 Delamotte bdb
‘08 Henriot
‘13 and ‘14 vintage Roederer
‘13, ‘14, 15 vintage Roederer rosé
She’s definitely not a wine berserker and usually appreciates anything we open. But, it’s a milestone and I’d like to open something special. Kinda leaning towards the PJ now since it’s a pretty bottle, or the ‘14 LGA since I keep hearing good things, but always appreciate any suggestions.
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PJ is a great choice for the occasion. It’s a nice crowd pleaser.
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Joe
A bottle of Krug 168 showed remarkably well for us ten days ago. I typically avoid opening most Krug MV this early, but if our bottle was representative, you won’t regret it.
Cheers
Warren
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Strong vote for the 2008 LP- it’s been consistently fabulous since on the onset. Nice options.
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No way Blake! The L-P is a 66th birthday wine, not a milestone 65 bottle! He should Krug her!
Seriously, Joe can’t go wrong with any of those mentioned. Cheers!
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I think the 14 LGA is killer right now. Granted it will get better with age. Had an 08 DP for my Mom’s 60th birthday last December. One of the best bottles of Champagne I’ve ever had!
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I’d do the PJ — crowd-pleasing style, beautiful presentation with the bottle. Cheers to your mom!
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Love reading this. I have three laying down for my ‘14 daughter.
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Had the 12 LGA a year ago and it was so good it made my head spin.
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Love reading this, too. I have three laying down for my ‘12 daughter.
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Thanks all for your input, and well wishes - I love this community (and this thread)! Front runners are the 168eme, ‘14 LGA, and ‘13 Belle epoque. Leaning towards the PJ since I can picture my mom displaying it on her bar.
Cheers!
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