Krug GC 169 (ID 419046) out of a .375. My first Krug GC from this size and now I understand why @Warren_Taranow is such a fan, both of this format and iteration. Lemon oil, citrus, apple, hazelnut and brioche, all in perfect balance. This was a perfect pairing for roasted chicken thighs with apples and fennel. My only regret is I didn’t buy more of this.
8 Likes
IIRC, Brad Baker likes them in this format.
Right there with you.
1 Like
Yes! The 2008 was delicious. Citrus, acid and minerals, like a sparkling Chablis. Also, a magnum of the '96 a while ago was spectacular and ageless. Their NV Cuvée Hugues de Coulmet Blanc de Blancs Brut is amazing in magnum format, and costs the same as 750’s of similar quality.
I’d too would like to hear about the 2012 Millesime.
2 Likes
The 2012 Pierre Moncuit was very good. Still have a solid half of the bottle left for finishing today. Plenty of richness combined with a good amount of verve. Some noticeable age, but not coming across as old or tired. It occupies many stylistic middle grounds, while achieving excellent quality.
3 Likes
Thanks!
Interesting that you should find their simplest, entry-level wine from Sézanne so overwhelming.
I’m sourcing some magnums of Delos and bottles of millésimé, which is why Brian’s bottle of 2012 is timely.
Looking forward to an update/confirmation on the second half then! Thanks in advance 
I am less a fan of the Vintage bottling, but I do like the CdM. I have a bottle on deck for La Fete.
Second half of bottle drank the same as the first half yesterday. 
1 Like
Egly Les Prémices 2018 base. No detailed tasting note. This was a nice drink. What was interesting is the color. Pretty dark yellow gold! The color did not match the nose or palate at all, which were quite nice
I’ve only had it once, but I also enjoyed it as well.
When they’re well made, I’ve had plenty of entry level wines that show incredibly well, especially with some age. Even more so in large format. The Pierre Moncuit family is in Mesnil, and really know Chardonnay. That shows across their range, including that value cuvée from nearby Sezanne.
Cheers,
Warren
2 Likes
Extracted from a thread just posted although 3 of the 4 wines were champagne:
2004 TAITTINGER COMTES de CHAMPAGNE BLANC de BLANC- there has been some recent discussion on the WineBerserker champagne thread among some of my trusted bubble buddies; it has focused on the vintage 2004 and singled out a couple of producers who have put out some quality bubbly, this being one of them and Cristal being the other; so, I just had to pull this bottle to check in and thankfully I did as it was stupendous; I remembered in its early stages 10+ years ago, it was very citrus fruit forward with lemon and lime most prominent and early on, this bottle expressed some of those best ever notes with honeyed lemon oil and a twist of lime in the aromatics and taste profiles; but a neat transition happened after about 15 minutes and for the remainder of the bottle; it completely changed to honeyed yellow apple which I deducted is the next phase as it moves toward maturation; thanks to an alert table mate who took notes of previous table discussions amongst this group, she put a pour aside to track it further and when it was shared with me, it was obvious, the delicious honeyed yellow apple phase is the next serious part of the evolution; how wonderful this bottle was!
2008 KRUG BRUT- this was brought by one who had the 1996 Krug the night before and he mentioned that he had an absolutely fabulous bottle and I was so happy that was his experience as 3 of my last 4 1996s were oxidized beyond my pleasure point; I was delighted to see the 2008 since I’d not had it yet and have so much respect for both the house and the vintage; and, 4 of us had just tasted 10 Krugs a few days before and I was curious to see how much this could express the power and concentration we had found in those and was pleased it performed beautifully; in fact, it was outstanding; following its yellow gold color came aromas of toasty brioche laden yellow apple and yellow peach which continued on all the way through with a distinct hit of pear coming in late and posing as the last impression; it was super rich and full bodied yet subtly tantalizing on the palate and just reeked of class and royalty.
I had the thought and then one asked, would I have the same evaluation had I tasted this blind? Hopefully, yes. A true test was awaiting me.
2008 LAURENT-PERRIER BRUT MILLESIME- served blind; it took one nose and a small taste for me to ID this wondrous champagne; I’ve had many a bottle, loved them all and often been successful in picking them out in blind formats; this may have been the shortest time it took; regardless, on the heels of the 2004 Comtes and the 2008 Krug, this bottle held its own and easily shared top shelf status; it had the requisite richness and bright acidity along with a lemon dominated citrus fruit profile, but this bottle also went beyond with some orange zest, peach and honeydew melon; it had a creamy, feel good mouthfeel and finished with everything coming together for a grand finale; the total package.
Cheers,
Blake
7 Likes
I’m still debating the Fete gala…
I took a bottle of 2008 Tattinger Comtes de Champagne to a stand-up party for a good friend in San Francisco to celebrate the completion of her kitchen remodel and update of the living room/dining room spaces. She’s one of a group I fondly call my bubbly buddies. No notes, but I think it’s the most impressive Comtes I’ve had in maybe 15 years.
-Al
13 Likes
5 Likes
Are you certain this isn’t just the standard Brut Reserve in a special bottle? Here is the text from a James Suckling review in 2023:
“ Very impressive for a “regular” non-vintage Brut, not only in terms of aromatic complexity - candied citrus, dried peach and fresh mirabelle plus a hint of bread dough - also in terms of texture, the creamy, rich and crisp sides of the wine neatly interlocking. Long, structured finish. A cuvee that’s half 2018 and half reserve wines, some of which are a couple of years old, but many of them are five- to 10-years-old, with several over 10-years-old. Drink or hold.”
The Brut Reserve on the Heidsieck website mentions 50% reserve wines going back 20 years with a photograph of the regular label. Exceptional wine either way, but possibly not something you need to hoard.
I thought I’d read it was a unique cuvée with older reserves and longer lees aging. However, I can’t find any reverences this morning to confirm that. Maybe it’s just the same good wine in a pretty package. @Brad_Baker , do you know if the Charles Heidsieck Brut and the commemorative 200 Years of Liberty are the same? I loved it either way, but don’t want to pay extra for a pretty package.
Thanks
Warren
And here I was thinking that you would go since I am going to be there.
How much leg are you going to show Jon?
@Warren_Taranow It is the same 2017 based NV wine in a new bottle skin. It is a very nice wine.
1 Like