Hosted a sparkling wine party with friends a few days ago, as well. Each couple brought a bottle of sparkling and I opened a few grower champs from my stash. Winners were definitely the PJ, Paul Launois (from plots adjacent to Krug’s Clos du Mesnil), and Bereche
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I’ve liked Père Houdart in the past, but it often left me slightly disappointed. Given the depth of reserves, I always expected it to be more mind-blowing than it was. Père Houdart, named for José Michel’s grandfather, served as the estate’s prestige cuvée for decades.
Hommage is Antonin Michel’s continuation of that lineage, honoring his grandfather José Michel, who passed away in 2019. While still Meunier-driven, Hommage shifts the balance. There is a bit more Chardonnay for freshness and structure, less overt oxidative character than the older Père Houdart bottlings, and a greater emphasis on slightly younger reserve wines. The result is more energy and lift, with tighter structure, brighter acidity, and less overt oxidation. Dosage for both cuvées typically falls in the 5 to 7 g/l range.
For me, Hommage is a clear step forward, and I enjoy it considerably more than Père Houdart. Part of it might be because it is based off of the excellent 2019 vintage.
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Thank you, Warren, for that fantastic answer! I’ve enjoyed Pere Houdart in the past, as well – as I recall, I was surprised at how lively it was, given all the reserves in the mix. Sound like the Hommage would be even more up my alley, given the higher acidity and lesser proportion of Meunier in favor of Chardonnay. Too bad it sounds so difficult to find!
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We had the 2014 recently (and methinks a few more in the cellar). Quite lovely and very crowd pleasing. Simple and satisfying were the adjectives that I wrote down. “Best” champagne I’ve opened this year? Hardly.
Had this last week for the first time and found it was pretty tight on the first day with an unpleasant edginess. But day 2 onward it broadened out and unfurled and was really nice.
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Our NYE bubbles. My first time with a full bottle of Krug to follow over an extended period of time. What a treat: big and broad but balanced with great acidity and a super classy, creamy quality. The oak was elegant, the fruit was faintly apple and citrus, brioche hovered in the background. Tremendous nose and a great intensity that seemed to hit every little bit of the palate with a long, long finish.
The small-format Vilmart was admittedly an excuse to drink some more bubbles without finishing the Krug on my own. I love Vilmart but it was thoroughly outclassed here, just light and short in comparison. It fared better on its own the next day, but I’m not sure I’m a buyer of the Grand Reserve after I clear the cellar of these 375s. At this price point I think I prefer other wines and/or will easily rationalize upgrading to other Vilmart bottlings.
Speaking of which, I finally dipped into my first bottle of the 2015 Emotion earlier in December. With the caveat that I had a little cold and was distracted by the occasion (the passing of my grandmother at age 102), I think I got a very subtle green note that has been mentioned in this thread a number of times. That particular note may have been the result of the power of suggestion (and I wouldn’t even say it was explicitly off putting), but I can say for sure that this bottle came across much more flat and bland in comparison to the 2013, which is probably one of my favorite bottles of champagne I’ve enjoyed over the last year or so. I have a few more bottles of both, but am likely going to cherish the 2013s and drink up on the 2015s.
Not saying anything new here but also want to pile on some more praise for this thread and the contributions of so many enthusiastic board members here. I am a classic lurker, but I’ve learned so much by following along in silence, not just about the technical specifics of each house and cuvee but also in how to approach and appreciate champagne. In 2026 I want to make a point of posting more, selfishly I know that sharing notes and receiving feedback and guidance will help hone my taste.
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Where do you live? I’ll send you one.
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Nothing earth-shatteringly original - we had a magnum of NV Bollinger on NYE that was absolutely delicious, full of citrus notes but also intense biscuity flavours along with apple and quite deep pear. We loved the way the bubbles were restrained, leaving a much winier taste to emerge without losing any freshness.
All you champagne connoisseurs will know about this and not be surprised - I had cellared it for seven years, which no doubt improved it greatly. Anyway, an absolute treat to start and end the evening.
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Extracted from a thread just posted: NYE wines all but 1 tasted blind: 2008/ 2006 Taittinger Comtes, 2013 Pol Roger, 2004 Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Rose, 2020 Dauvissat La Forest Chablis, 2010 La Conseillante, 1994 Araujo Eisele, 2001 Raymond Lafon
2008 TAITTINGER COMTES de CHAMPAGNE BLANC de BLANC- blind; one quick nose and I knew this was Comtes, but I thought the vintage might be 2006 or 2009, the former especially since I brought 2006; it had the requisite toasty brioche aromas and tastes that embellished the ginger and butterscotch fruit which was predominantly yellow apple with some lemon and lime in the background; it was creamy, rich, round and full bodied and absolutely delicious; it had some weight, depth and complexity, but not as much as I have experienced in the 2008; so, I made note as another recent bottle was also showing less power and bigness; bottom line: it was a fabulous, delicious bubbly that got us off to a fantastic start.
Since the next bubbly was a rose, I knew my 2006 was one of the last 2, but which one?
2004 LAURENT-PERRIER ALEXANDRA GRAND CUVEE BRUT ROSE- blind; it had a pink salmon color and wonderful aromas of red roses, peach, red apple and red cherry joined by an nice accent of spice and strawberry on the palate; it was very flavorful and refreshing and had elegance, class and charm; the concept for this release was conceived in 1982 as it was named for the eldest daughter of the Nonancourt house, Alexandra, who celebrated her wedding 5 years later, together with the launch of this refined bubble. I guessed NV L-P Rose which in retrospect was an under evaluation although I’ve always loved that rose. This takes it up a notch or 3.
2013 POL ROGER BLANC de BLANC- blind; following its light yellow color came lovely aromas of grapefruit, lemon, lime and kiwi joined by honeyed green apple and honed dew melon on the palate; it had a wonderful creamy mouthfeel and expressed elegance and charm; this was conceived in 1982 and named after the eldest daughter of the Nonancourt house, Alexandra, who celebrated her wedding 5 years later, together with the launch of this refined bubbly.
2006 TAITTINGER COMTES de CHAMPAGNE BLACN de BLANC- blind; my bring and not recognized for at least 30 minutes although I felt sure we had 2 Comtes after the first bottle which was more in my wheelhouse with its massive toasty brioche notes; this bottle initially had such a different profile from most of the 2006’s I’ve had, in fact; the first taste suggested more Pinot Meunier inclusion, but the 2nd taste was so different with more body and weight and unexpected tangerine and nectarine; it was the 3rd time through that served to define what this bottle was all about as I now got a bit of toasty brioche, minerals, chalk and lemon lime with an emphasis on the lemon while being delivered in a soft and creamy texture all the way to the back end where it hung on for a grand finish; OK, this is the Comtes I brought and like many other wines we drink blind over the course of an evening, it changed and for the better and attained its true persona after some air time.
Cheers,
Blake
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I have to say @Otto_Forsberg really nailed his note on this bottle, very vinous and complex with a bit of air! I don’t drink a lot of Pierre Paillard but I will be buying More of this. Lovely bottle!
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That Krug is fantastic. A group at my local wine shop popped one on NYE day. They have one left that I feel might need to make it into my collection.
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Thank you! My daughter’s a ‘14 and I have a couple bottles for her, but not enough for me to sample so I’m excited to read notes/impressions.
NV Tarlant Champagne Zero Brut Nature - France, Champagne (1/3/2026)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind –
– 1/3 each of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier –
– dosage: {none} –
– disgorgement: July 4, 2019 –
– 2012 base, plus reserve wines –
Mature Nose – moderate oxidation note. Bubbles dissipated fairly quickly. Very dry, as it should be. High acidity. Mature. Lightly oxidized flavor – lightly butterscotchy – with tart apple in the background. I’m a bit surprised this no-dose sparkler handled this much age this well, but it’s also clearly time to drink up, and is actually past peak for my preferences.
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The mention of Pinot Meunier in this post reminded to ask if anyone has tasted the Billecart Salmon Les-Rendevous #7 or #8, both of which are100% Meunier with a 2018 base? Just showed up at my local store for about $120. Any thoughts?
Very nice smattering for NYE this year. Didn’t take formal notes.
The 1990 Krug was killer as was the Comtes. No dogs in the bunch. The Billiot Cuvee Laetitia was also brilliant.
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We had a few nice Champagnes tonight as one of my wine groups gathered to celebrate the life of a long time member who passed away a few weeks ago. My favorite was the 2006 Comtes which consistently just appeals to me on many levels, though the 2007 Comtes Rosé and 2008 Krug were special as well. I liked the 2002 Billecart Cuvée Nicolás from magnum more than I’ve liked it from 750ml but it isn’t one of my favorites of the vintage.
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First time with this producer. This bottle lost interest as it saw air and as it warmed towards room temp… Even though I wouldn’t re-buy at the price I paid, I suspect I may be able to find it cheaper elsewhere, and there was enough going on to not put me off trying this bottling again with a different disgorgement, and I’d try other Calsac offerings, too.
NV Étienne Calsac Champagne Blanc de Blancs L’échappée Belle - France, Champagne (1/1/2026)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over a couple hours –
– disgorgement: May 2022 –
– 100% Chardonnay –
– dosage: 2 g/L –
NOSE: green, bitter apple; some wet concrete mineral tones
BODY: slow, medium-fine bubbled bead;
TASTE: started out quite tart, but softened with air and warming temp.; quite dry; medium-light Granny Smith apple; not complex, but still enjoyable if you like the style; not autolytic; not vinous; not toasty/bready; rather, very much in the dry/austere grower style. Not a re-buy at $62.
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Paying $40 for that here…
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I’d be a re-buyer at $40, for sure.
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