For sure. 29 is nuts. Shipping and tax were on the high side, but still a very good all-in.
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Extracted from a thread just posted: A belated birthday dinner for my sweetie at The Stonehouse with 2009 Cristal and 1997 Williams Selyem Hirsch Pinot Noir
2009 LOUIS ROEDERER CRISTAL- popped and poured into Sophienwald champagne glasses, this lovely bubbly is comprised of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from 7 grand cru villages, plus Mareuil-sur-Aÿ; 15% is aged in oak and it was dosed at 8 gpl; following its yellow gold color came inviting aromas of honeyed citrus and orchard fruit which on the palate translated into lemon, lime and yellow apple with accents of spice and ginger; it was crisp and refreshing, rich and creamy, full bodied and long; we marveled about how much this bottle emulated those we consumed 5 years ago and since; maybe the yellow apple and gold color are the only real differences; the last sip an hour and half later was just as pleasing as the first sip with consistent notes throughout.
Cheers,
Blake
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Hi Blake,
Like you, I’ve loved the 2009 Cristal since my first sip after release, though it’s been a while since my last bottle. I think I’ll pack one for Oahu.
And that’s a wonderful photo of Roelanda. She’s ageless, and you’re a lucky guy.
Cheers,
Warren
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Sheesh! What base/disgorgement out of curiosity?
2019 base, 2023 disgorgement.
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Thanks Warren and yes, I am a lucky guy and am super grateful.
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Same
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How was the Liebart-Regnier?
Love this producer after visiting them in 2019. Very comparable to Egly. Hard to find here in the States, though.
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This particular vintage is a banger, for sure. Love their wines. Definitely under rated.
It’s the only vintage have. I don’t think I will chase more, but happy to have a few in the cellar, and know it’s a good play if I see it on a list.
Alta is open.
Aurore Casanova Puisieulx Chardonnay '21 base.
Drank over 3 days.
Rock solid fruit purity, candied lemon rind and apple aromatically, wonderfully fine boned, clear, and balanced in fruit/body/acidity.
She and her husband are making beautiful wines…
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2008 Dom Pérignon Champagne
WOW
I am rather a Bollinger-drinker, but this 2008 DP is such aristocratic, powerful and deep(!). Flavors of „hazelnut, pastry cream and a touch of vanilla bean“. And what a purity&precision and focus. Best DP ever.
BTW, the big or XL Champagne glass „Synergie“ by P. Jamesse was perfect for it. If you have only a classic little Champagne glass, forget it. Instead use a ZALTO Universal glass.
99/100
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NV Huré Frères Champagne Invitation
Opened by a friend. One of two wines from this producer that we tried. 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay. 4g/l dosage. This is an extra brut. Light straw color. Crisp profile. Solid acidity. Lemon zest and toasty notes. 91 points.
VM
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NV Drappier Carte D’Or Brut Champagne
We opened this for a quiet celebration of my “76 trombones” birthday. Very solid Champagne, well balanced, would appeal to many, and it is widely available at under $50. This is the flagship entry to the Drappier style, which I will extrapolate to be not overly dosed, and terroir expressive. The terroir in this case is heavily Kimmeridgian, and there are saline, stony, energetic traces of what I find in no oak or neutral oak Sancerre and Chablis. Yeasty brioche joins in. I find the dosage at Brut maybe just a bit too high for my taste, especially as the wine loses bubbles. I think that they have dialed it down a bit with recent bottles at the Extra Brut level and also emphasized the Kimmeridgian connection.
Recommended
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We had an early flight this morning, so I wasn’t going to drink last night. Then the pan seared European sea bass with beurre blanc screamed for a pairing. 169ème small format.
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NV Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Réserve Special Edition - France, Champagne (12/8/2025)
‘Special Edition’ ment for restaurants, has 50% reserves back 20yrs, compared to the reg 40% reserves back 10yrs…7g/l to the typical 9g/l. 2024 DG…the texture is gorgeous! Creamy and enveloping…an aged calmness to it…teeny tiny bubbles tickle the palate awake, making way for the sour tarted apricot and baked apple fruits…fresh lemon squeeze brightens…really nice subtle chalk and pastry dough…marsala creme, salted caramels…VERY long dried fruits, smoky lees, and fresh floral finish. Super classy and tasty as hell Champagne here! No need for aging it out…it’s drinking ideally now! The perfect restaurant pick! (95 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
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Ugh now I am more sad I missed out on that offer
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Didn’t it used to be a similar % for everyone?
I remember they reduced the reserve wine % a few years back and quality decreased.