It has been a great time is Nice over the last week.
Let’s start with a bottle of Veuve Rosé in the Delta SkyClub on the way out. Basically $80 worth of SkyMiles as compared to the free prosecco.
Cant beat a few bottles of the free stuff in the Air France JFK business class lounge. Neither were great but totally serviceable for an airport lounge.
Extracted from a thread just posted: 7 dinner wines: 2008 Laurent-Perrier, 2021 Calsac Clos des Maladries, 2022 Istine Vigna Mezzapianza Chianti, 2022 Istine Elle Chianti, 2015 Montevertine, 2016 Isole e Olena Ceperello
2008 LAURENT-PERRIER MILLESIME BRUT- poured blind for the others; made of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir aged 8-9 years on the lees and dosed at 8 gpl, following its lemon yellow color came aromas of lemon meringue pie, but on the palate, the meringue gave way to a heavier statement of ripe lemon and lime delivered with some body and depth that would have flattened out the pie; additional notes of pear and green apple joined in with a coat of honey; it had some richness, elegance and sophistication and was quite refreshing; obviously, these notes imply this was really good and it was, but it lacked some of the intensity, energy and magnificence of other bottles of which I’ve had a few cases.
2021 ETIENNE CALSAC CLOS des MALADRIES GRAND CRU BLANC de BLANC EXTRA BRUT AVISE- from a producer new to me, this fine bubbly featured mellow and yet quite pleasing notes from the nose through the tail; even the color was mellow being a light yellow; the nose included mild peppermint and citrus fruit with lime most prominent; later on, some chalk and saline accents came in; this was a subtly significant champagne that I enjoyed for that trait and its flavors and gentleness; disgorged 2/25 and dosed at 2 gpl.
About the producer: “Etienne Calsac is part of the new Champagne generation, and his aim is to make producer champagne that expresses its terroir all while respecting the soil and the vines. Setting up in 2010 after spending time in the US, New Zealand, and Canada, he now cultivates 2.8 hectares of vines between Avize and the Marne valley. In Avize, the famous Côte des Blancs grand cru where Etienne inherited his family’s winery, the Chardonnay grapes grow in the Clos du Maladrie. Moving towards organic methods – unusual in the region- he uses neither pesticides nor herbicides in the vineyard. For a few years now, the domain’s mission has been to bring forgotten grape varieties back to Champagne, leading to the planting of Pinot Blanc, Arbane, and Petit Meslier vines. These frank champagnes have already found their way onto menus at some of France’s top hotels” and its way to Santa Barbara.
Cheers,
Blake
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On NYE I opened a bottle of 1996 Dom for a group of friends/ wine professionals. The bottle was gifted to me from a generous friend… whose collection has taught me so much about wine.
Perfectly stored, the cork came out with a small fight but retained just the right amount of bubbles to remind you where it was from. The brioche, the acid, texture and complexity… reminder why Dom is Dom. It’s classic. It’s so good (it reminds me I need to revisit Grand Damme).
The big houses have the prestige for a reason. Sometimes I think I forget. Idk about you?
The kicker was I didn’t know I opened a birthday vintage for one of my friends. It was their first birth year champers. So I guess I’m back on the boomer bubble train… and thankful I had the opportunity to share a wine with someone they might have never tried.
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Welcome to the forum!
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Another (sadly, my last) mag of 06 taittinger comtes on sunday evening. Served in standard white wine glasses. This was much more giving and generous than the other 5 mags we’ve had over the last month. There were 8 of us and this disappeared extremely rapidly…!
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Decided to order some Popeye’s the other night and pair it with Champagne.
The ‘02 Dom was the most complete of the four and is surprisingly young and fresh. It is absolutely delicious right now, but has the structure to be great for years.
The Bouchard was a bottling from before his labels included “vintage” or disgorgement dates. If I had to guess, it was probably from the ‘06 harvest (and I probably paid about $75/bottle). It was plush, with a creamy mouthfeel. Probably just a bit past its prime, but still delicious.
The Clos des Goisses had some sherried notes. Even accounting for the oxidative notes this wine has always had, I’d say it’s past it’s peak. Drink up if you’ve got some.
The 2012 Egly-Ouriet is a youngster. It has tons of structure and is tightly wound. It’s enjoyable now, but would clearly benefit from at least a few years.
The evening confirmed what we already knew: Champagne is even better with friends and fried chicken!
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In my youth I had a blog titled Champagne Appetite…
It was advantageous writing but in the attempt to prove Champagne goes with everything. Really just an excuse to drink Champagne with good friends and affordable food. Ezell’s Fried Chicken vs Louis Roederer Brut Natural… that first Stark collab. Just remembered this thanks for that! (Everyone should visit CQDQ if in NYC just for fun)
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SENSATIONAL TRIO!
- 2002 Dom P2 is one of my all-time favorites
- 2008 Doyard BdB is sensational (having mid-Feb with pals!)
- Hebrart Rive is a joy of mine, and the 2013 is an absolute banger if you’ve not had it
So you win a gold star for this lineup. Happy birthday!
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Many thanks! I’ll look for the '13 Rive. I still have '10 and '08s to drink…would make a nice vertical.
NV Laherte Frères Champagne Rosé de Meunier Extra Brut
Ordered a bottle at Koze Wine. 100% Pinot Meunier. 2.5g/l dosage. Disgorged October 2023. I’ve had this several times and it has always shown well. 90 points.
VM
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Champagne Marie-Noelle Ledru Cuvee du Goulte Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs 2015 - An interesting wine of a certain style. If you love the style, it’s a glorious wine. If not, it isn’t. I’m not a big fan of the style, but this my last bottle of Ledru so that’s okay. Apple, spiced apricot, pear, oxidative notes, biscuit, jasmine, almond. Color is fairly golden and the spicy oxidative style is on display right form the pour. It is a fairly complex wine, and substantial. It is just not to my stylistic preference. I would so much rather have a bottle of vintage Krug or Cristal or Bereche or Egly or good vintages of Dom or Comtes or Hebrart Rive or Hebrart Special Club or Doyard Lumieres or Bouchard or…well…I think you get the point.
I opened it on my birthday after ruling it out for an upcoming wine event with my closest buddies. It was still enjoyable to drink while watching the Spurs come from behind to beat the Rockets, 34 years to the day after my dad took me to my first ever Spurs game (and first ever NBA game) at the Hemisfair Arena so I could see Michael Jordan (lose to the Spurs 109-104).
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Search searching for my spur emoji! Nice to see this sentiment coming from the Deisel! GSG!!
On the champagne side, a 2009 Ledru Cuveé de Goulté was quite good recently. It’s the Luquin wines that have been a little too fine boned and natural for my taste lately.
I most certainly do, and agree completely. Even though on paper the style should be right in my sweet spot, Ledru has never excited me, which is just fine as the last thing I need is another champagne to chase.
Had some Doyard last night as well. The beacon of excellence that is Kato in LA put me on to this producer and I can’t believe they aren’t more popular. Especially since @William_Kelley is so publicly a fan of theirs. The 2008 lumieres is such a special wine. Needs more time to show its best, but so much depth, complexity, and richness. Glad to have a few more put away!
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My first Dhondt Grellet experience as well. This wine was an eye opener. If this is one of their “lesser” offerings, then I am firmly a fan.
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Great lineup there. I’ve had 3/4 (sans the Jacquessan) and loved all 3, but nice stylistic diversity and yes, the 08 Lumieres is totally spectacular.
Extracted from my Whistler Blackcomb ski thread:
Egly-Ouriet VP
Blood orange and dark berries up front, followed by orange zest. Beautiful texture and depth, with that signature Egly richness and freshness.
One of my three favorite cuvées from E-O, alongside Les Crayères and the Rosé.
2006 Taittinger Comtes Blanc de Blancs
Seeming like a broken record, but another great bottle of the 2006 Comtes. It’s been outstanding since release and still going strong.
I love the slight matchstrike reduction on the attack. Voluptuous as usual, but still energetic and fresh, with plenty of life.
Another reminder of why Comtes remains a benchmark cuvée for me.
2014 Vilmart Rosé Emotion
The ’14 is drinking beautifully. Maybe not quite up to the level of the outstanding '12 and '13, but still gorgeous. A blushing, deepened salmon color in the glass. Red and darker berries with some sweet citrus on the nose and palate.
Always one of my favorite rosés.
José Michel & Fils Champagne Hommage
40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay. Based on the excellent 2019 Vintage. 60% reserve wines going back to 1971. A step up from the Houdart bottling. Excellent, with the red grapes dominating the profile.
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Great to hear about the 14 Vilmart rose, guess I better pop one soon.