Nice but needs a little air, just opened an hour ago.
Not my usual wheelhouse, one toe in chambrusco, but a very good food tool at State Bird in San Francisco.
11 Likes
I love Pol Roger (helps it was what I had bought to drink right after my wife and I got engaged) but no way I would put this in the “cheap” category…
3 Likes
NV De Sousa Extra-Brut Cuvée des Caudalies (2018 Base Year, 50% reserve wines, Disgorged January, 2021).
My last of three bottles last night with jumbo Stone Crabs from George’s, a match made in heaven. The best showing of the three bottles. Rich, deep, vinous, and delicious without being heavy in the least. Punches way above the $67 I paid for it.
8 Likes
I just wish those were easier to find around here.
2 Likes
Opened a 750ml of Roederer Brut Rose 2016 last night that arrived from Sec…really crushable Rose at this point. Strawberry driven with red berries and some notes of orange with good acidity. Don’t think the last 2 will make it to Turkey Day.
5 Likes
100% PM from 2020 harvest. Vineyrads from Marne valley, outside of Vandiere. Disg 2/23, dosage .8g/L
Rough fleeting mousse. Nice nose with some brioche. Lots of apple of all kind and lemon zest. A bit short on the finish. On the 3rd day, it was a bit tired and the husband commented that it tasted oxidized, but it's probably my favorite of the Nowack bottlings so far.
- NV Pierre Gerbais Champagne Extra Brut Grains de Celles Rose - France, Champagne (11/8/2024)
Blend of Chard, PN and PB.
Medium Salmon pink color, just gorgeous. Vigorous medium puffy mousse. On the nose, something faintly floral in addition to brioche. On the palate, a lot of strawberry, blood orange and something vaguely spicey like nutmeg (?!?). Lots of acidity.
Note: I got this at a good price and it was fine, but I prefer the 100% pinot blanc bottlings, which are unique and delicious.
- 2019 Alexandre Le Brun Champagne Cuvée Revelation - France, Champagne (11/4/2024)
100%PM from single plot.
Rough vivid mousse. Medium gold. Some light yeastiness on the nose, but more vegetal than expected. Has an odd mid-palate that reminded me of tomato paste, which was similar to what I experienced with the Rosé. It's a bit more coherent than the rosé, but seems a bit rough overall. Bottle 1 of 2, so we will see if this settles in the future.
Note: the tomato paste note is really distracting to me and I won't be seeking out other PM bottlings from this producer.
9 Likes
Not familiar with any of the wines but the descriptor " puffy mousse" is something I have experienced but could never find the words for, so thank you 
2 Likes
I always appreciate your honest assessments, Astrid. 
3 Likes
- NV Mouzon-Leroux & Fils Champagne Grand Cru l’Ascendant Solera - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru (11/8/2024)
Final bottle of the pair I bought a few years back. 50% 2014 and the rest is a perpetual from 2010-2013. Brut nature, with 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Disgorged March 2018. Opened yesterday, working through another glass tonight. Goldish color. Has the same delicious red apple (shaded by some oxidation) and grapefruit of the previous bottle, along with a cardamom note. Supporting all of this is a nicely balanced finish that has a chalky seasoning. Drinking great for a decade old, and the $45 I paid for it.
Posted from CellarTracker
5 Likes
Extracted from a thread just posted: 4 wines tasted blind at dinner: 2014 Bollinger Grande Anee, 2011 Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Blanco, 2018 Girolamo Russo Feudo Mt. Edna, 2000 Vieux Certan
2014 BOLLINGER LA GRANDE ANEE BRUT- blind: 61% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay, dosed at 8 gpl; I learned early on that my palate was all over the place when I kept vacillating on what this was, first calling it 2012 Comtes, but quickly ruling the it out; why would I do that when the unveiling revealed it was a Bollie GA? Well, on my palate, it was a very citrus forward, highly acid, blanc de blanc like champagne and no where near a Bollinger as it not only was Pinot Noir dominated, but had no signs of oak or the body or complexity I usually find in them; there was at least one other who got some red fruit, strawberry in particular, and therefore disputed my BdB claim; following its yellow color came aromas of fresh citrus fruit with lemon and lime most evident and once tasted, it was coated with honey which also added a similar dimension to the mouthfeel; it finished lemony and I’m continually searching for any signs of red fruit and not getting any.
I was curious to see what the house had to say about this vintage. Here’s their impressions:
“To the eye
Tinted with golden glints that reflect the wine’s maturity and Bollinger vinification techniques.
To the nose
A precise and fruity nose with a slight scent of sea-air. Aromas of cherry and lemon mingle with quince and bergamot. Then notes of hazelnut and almond, peach and mirabelle plum complete this wine’s range of aromas.
Cheers,
Blake
8 Likes
Last night. Despite the price creep, this is still an all around good value. Consistent. Disg. 10/2023.
Needs a little time, but good depth and deft balance.
7 Likes
NV Goodfellow Durant BdB
2008 Pierre Moncuit
NV Pierre Moncuit BdB
NV Pierre Gimonnet “Cuis” 1er BdB
NV Paul Launois Composition BdB
2008 Henriot
2008 Jeeper
NV Emmanuel Brochet Le Mont Benoit
NV Egly Ouriet Les Vignes de Bisseuil
NV Jacquesson Disgorgement Tardif
2006 Comtes
2013 Comtes
8 Likes
I thought all of them were, at the least, enjoyable. Personal favorites were the Egly-Ouriet (disgorged July 2021), which was a little funky with some Maillard nuttiness, the Jacquesson (almost no dosage at 0.75 g/l), and the two Comtes. I love the lemony element of the Taittingers and the 2006 and 2013 were remarkably similar side-by-side, almost identical.
I continue to enjoy the 2008 Pierre Moncuit Brut. In contrast, I’ve been disappointed with the shrill 2008 Extra Brut which shows me that a little more dosage can be a good thing. It was a nice way to spend a Friday afternoon.
As I mentioned in the Goodfellow thread, it held its own in terms of quality, though it also showed its own place. Thanks for sharing, it was nice to try it with a broad range of Champagnes.
5 Likes
How did '13 Comtes show? Always curious on how open/shining or not it is right now?
Edit: Oh, here comes Evans! The signal goes up & Evans answers like the hero he is 
1 Like
I mirror what Mike said, not that it should come as surprise, but they were both show stoppers with the 2006 just firing on all cylinders. I was impressed with Brochet, first time with the producer and one I would certainly seek out again as I took a flyer on it several years ago.
2 Likes
I had a glass of the 06 Comtes from a magnum a few weeks ago (thank you Warren!) and it was showing a good bit of matchstick reduction, fairly tight, and thought it could use more time. Magnums are a different beast.
1 Like
The Brochet was very good. I and several others guessed it was the Egly-Ouriet and it definitely reminded me of the Egly-Ouriets I had fairly frequently many years ago. Really crisp and clean, focused but with plenty of depth.
At a MacDonald dinner last night (more on that later), 2014 Franck Bonville Les Belles Voyes. This was creamy, fruity and rich, not your typical grower Champagne.
2 Likes
Blake,
I like this vintage of LGA, primarily because it does not remind me of the overly oxidative Bolly from earlier this century. I went out last night and my wife did a ladies’ night at home so I was told to provide Champagne. I opened a '14 LGA and, ironically a '12 Comtes and told her to drink the LGA first as it was a little leaner than the Comtes. My small taste was consistent with my previous bottles, crisp, clean, citrus and green apple, some biscuits and just a touch of spice. The LGA was kicked when I got home, but thankfully they saved me some Comtes for tonight.
3 Likes