You got a “wow” from me on the label at least.
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Had a similar experience recently with a Lenny Kravitz edition- it still had good bubbles but was as flavorless as sparkling water with lemon. Assumed it was closed hard at that time so I had no idea tca can have such effect. Was the cork in good shape when you pulled in out?
TCA can strip a wine of fruit, but not show the classic “wet cardboard” taste/bouquet. At least my assumption has always been that such a flaw is TCA-caused.
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Going out for NYE, the only champagne option in 375s (all we can handle) is NV Gimmonet Premier Cru Blanc de Blanc Cuis.
Priced reasonably, is it a decent enough champagne? Or I can get a Fevre 2020 village Chablis or 2021 Gautheron village Chablis(never heard of the latter) or some interesting Italian whites BTG.
Wine list hear for those interested - only BTG or 375s are options. Hoping for a solid 88 + points. Was very pleased with 2022 Pieropan Soave (village) last night, punched above its weight. But since it’s NYE, thought I’d post in the Champagne thread.
This is actually a very good champagne:
NV Le Brun De Neuville Blanc De Blancs, Côtes des Blancs France
Now, 30$ for 120ml is insanely high. But the wine is good.
Very good producer.
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I am going out for Sushi and Sashimi tonight. I can’t decide which of the following bottles to being, though I assume they will all work well enough:
Veuve Fourny Rose
Veuve Fourny Brut nature
Henri Giraud Esprit Nature
De Sousa Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Reserve.
Any opinions?
Love this. Sell this.
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Oldest Shaman I had so far. Shows a good amount of oxidative notes now but still going strong and everything is well integrated now. This is probably as old as I would go on these. It was delicious.
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I’d love to see notes on this one so… 
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I think Chris’ hedonistic expectations were too high.
I get your joke, but I think a bottle from a great vintage at almost 3X the price of the NV should provide a significant “wow” factor that even a troglodyte such as myself can grasp beyond just the label .
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$30 Australian dollars is $20 us.
If that’s equal or better than the Gimmonet, may go with that thanks.
Agreed. Thanks for the recs, @Charlie_Carnes. Have Aubry on the list; will move it up.
@Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m - That’s really well put. It’s difficult.
Over the last 3 years, we’ve probably consumed two cases of Shaman roses (it was our entertaining bubbles and our surprise qpr bubbles before the price increase) and a little under the case of the upper shelf stuff. Our hit ratio has been closer to what I mentioned prior.
Your point on aging - ay ya… I feel torn. Probably agree, but one of the best wines I’ve had was Sapience with age. As you say “…hot streak can be difficult to walk away from.”
@CJ_Beazley - bottle variation
We had a corked magnum of 1998 Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Rare last night.
I’ll second Charlie’s recommendation of Aubry. I don’t know of a better $35 Champagne than their NV 1er Brut. Also a fan of their Ivoire et Ebene, but that one tends to be more in the $50 - $60 range, and I’ve seen more of that variance you mention re: Marguet with that one, too, perhaps because it’s a vintage bottling.
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Could you describe their style? I prefer higher acid champagnes- Dom over Cristal for example.
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Just FYI: mags of Vilmart GC at VinsRare with code EOY2023 for $120ish before shipping.
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And the Vilmart 2017 grand cellier d’or for $62. I bought several 
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Well thanks, assholes. I am $700 poorer now! I also bought some Marie Courtin Resonance for $59 a piece.
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