We don’t: we talk about varieties. 
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I’ll keep this in mind for next time 
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NV Famille Moussé Champagne L’Esquisse Extra Brut
Ordered a bottle at Pops. 70% Pinot Meunier and 30% Pinot Noir from probably the best Meunier producer in Champagne. 2g/l dosage. Disgorged July, 2023. Light yellow color with a fine bead. Well rounded with citrus, dough and raspberry notes. This had a wonderful mouth feel and a lengthy finish. 92 points.
VM
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Fellas, I’ve been having such a hard time following this thread through a very nearly complete “Dry February,” which I’ve put in quotes because there may have been a cheat or two in there at a social function or when my wife had an awful day. But I started 4 days early so I deserve some slack.
Back in the champagne this weekend. Thinking a 2012 Comtes. Any thoughts on readiness? I have a few other fun options to go big with.
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Extracted from a thread just posted: Dinner with 3 wines tasted blind: 2006 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires, 2018 Samuel Billaud Montee de Tonnerre and 2012 Lucien Le Moine Echezeaux
2006 CHARLES HEIDSIECK BLANC des MILLENAIRES BLANC de BLANCS- poured blind for the others; this is the 6th iteration of this release for which the fruit is sourced from 4 grand cru villages (Cramant, Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger) and from one 1er Cru village, Vertus.
This was the last and best of 6 bottles purchased; the color had a touch of age darkness from its original light yellow to a slightly darker hued version; not many would know the comparison unless they had tracked more than one bottle; that’s where age left any and all conversations as the nose and taste profile were much more youthful albeit evolved to a perfect place; in a word, this was delicious; in 3 words, it was delicious and balanced; it had definitive citrus aromatics with lemon most prevalent along with an accent of ginger and honey, all of which were clearly evident on the palate; it was full bodied, rich and opulent while possessing crisp and bright acidity; the others had it as a BdB Champagne, but one called it a small grower/ NV wine and the other, a Grand Marque from 2012 or older.
Cheers,
Blake
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I had one a couple of weeks ago that was locked down hard. So much so that I wonder if it could possibly have had very low levels of cork, it was that unexpressive. And I loved it young.
I had one a few weeks ago - needed some air to really open up, I think 60 mins. At a restaurant so no detailed notes except I did get the coveted, “damn, this is good” from my better half. Sorry that’s not very helpful but everyone enjoyed it and I have no regrets opening one. CSIMM’s note on CT feels spot on. What other bottles are you considering?
Piollot Cuvee de Reserve brut, 70% pinot noir 30% chard, dgd 07/2023
I’m always willing to check out base level cuvees in the interest of finding out not only options for satisfying the Champagne craving for a good price but also for seeing how a producer can perform at an entry level bottling. While this was pretty flawless and had some interesting spicy notes, it was just good and very drinkable but moderately interesting. I think I picked this up in the mid $60s so I can’t complain. 3 (out of 5).
After your note and Sarah’s I called an audible and have a 2014 Bollinger GA chilling.
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The last '14 I had was showing very well. It responded well to air, but worth enjoying the journey from the start.
It has been almost two years since my last 14 LGA, which was absolutely magnificent, so I am very curious how much it has improved.
This will be my sixth. First one right after receipt I thought was very good, but maybe not great. 2-5 decidedly excellent and among my very favorite Bolly GA and towering over the 15s. So pretty excited for it. It’s like GA, but fresher and brighter and less oxidative but with all the good stuff!
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Cedric Bouchard 2019 Val Vilaine. This was at Vin48, a lovely restaurant in Avon, CO for less than market. They will take an additional 25% off if you purchase the wine to go.
- 2019 Roses de Jeanne / Cédric Bouchard Champagne VV/R19 - France, Champagne (2/28/2025)
My second time to try this wine, last about 3 years prior. It has filled out a little but really minimal evolution in my memory.
The aromatics on the nose are vibrant and show slivered almond, green apple skin, and lemon curd. Again, not much red fruit to be found. The wine is long and intensely concentrated, without any fault to find, but aging at a seemingly glacial pace.
As an aside, I find that to be true for most of the wines from this house, that is, it will take a long time in the cellar but all of mine remain in balance and I expect that further patience will be rewarded. (93 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
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Extracted from a thread just posted: Dinner at The Stonehouse with my sweetheart and 2 stellar wines: 2006 Cristal and 1996 Williams Selyem Precious Mountain Pinot Noir
2006 LOUIS ROEDERER CRISTAL BRUT- 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay; dosage near 9 gpl; 20% of the wine was aged in oak; no ML; it had a been a few years since I last had this vintage and it has matured into one of the finest of all of the more recent Cristals since 1996; the color was a rich yellow gold and the nose offered ginger and spice infused citrus fruit with lemon and lime most evident; the taste had more of the same and eventually, some delicious yellow apple, mango and white peach joined in; it had an amazing mouthfeel with its oily, viscous texture that had some weight that was immediately noticeable and appreciated; this was simply outstanding in every way; it had class and elegance, sophistication, charm and royalty; it had super inviting aromas, an amazingly delicious taste profile and finished with everything coming together for a grand, climatic finish; we just marveled throughout the evening after each sip and I found myself rationing smaller sips to lengthen the near nirvanic experience.
Cheers,
Blake
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Something different. 1996 Pol Roger.
Mature but still fresh with soft bubbles. Ripe, rich yellow fruits. Still mostly about vibrant fruit, a hint of smoke and dried nuts on the finish. A hint.
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Funny, that’s the bottle I wanted to take but the restaurant has the 2015 on their list. Love this wine - enjoy!
Drinking this with @Brian_Tuite tonight, who has shared the bottle with me. 
- NV Goodfellow Family Cellars Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Whistling Ridge Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge (2/28/2025)
Disgorged April 2024. En tirage April 2022. This started off very tight. It needed air, which we gave it, about 90 mins. That helped a bunch. The wine is much more accessible yet retains some of the grip. Quite lemony, yet there is a cool creaminess that comes through if you let the chill soften. You'll find some yellow apple here and maybe even some grapefruit, depending on how you perceive citrus. The finish has a cool wet stone that gives it some additional texture. I personally like citrus in my Champagne, and the grip from lower dose, which is how I find this wine to show. it suits me well.
Posted from CellarTracker
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What he said! 
If you see this at Envoyer for $59.99, don’t be afraid to grab multiples. Apparently, this is the top wine at Lamiable. It is 80% Chardonnay; this particular bottle was disgorged five years ago. It’s round and dense in the mouth with a flavor which evokes a dark chocolate orange ball with toffee pieces, but is equally sharp and mineral driven with an unsweetened pink grapefruit juice bitterness on the back end. Quietly complex; very much enjoyed the dried fig nuance. Should be enjoyable to many different palates.
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