Cristal 2009 when an old college friend came to visit, followed by 2002 Dom Pérignon the next night with local friends, after an awesome day on the mountain bike.
Both showed remarkably well. The Cristal may still have room to improve, while the Dom was flawless, at its peak with nowhere to go but certainly no sign of decline.
The small pleasures in life are reason enough to open the good bottle.
Extracted from a thread just posted: 6 wines drank at dinner blind: 2017 Agrapart Mineral BdB, 2013 Taittinger Comtes BdB, 2003 Brewer-Clifton Clos Pepe Chardonnay, 2018 Latour-Giraud Meursault-Genevrieres, 2015 Chave L'Hermitage, 1990 Aldo Conterno Vigna Colonnello Barolo
2017 AGRAPART & FILS MINERAL EXTRA BRUT BLANC de BLANC- blind, this had quite active small bubbles which some sources say is often associated with higher quality and better aging; following its light yellow color came robust aromas that included toasty, citrus fruit that later on was revealed as grapefruit, lemon and lime; on the palate, additional notes of pears, white peach and apricot joined in while being delivered in a weighty, smooth mousse; this had lots of depth, a full body and long, impressive finish; it made a huge statement and I thought it came from small grower like Vilmart and initially thought it was a BdB, but the immensity of the profile said to me it was a blend with Chardonnay most prevalent; obviously, it is 100% Chardonnay and in this case, made from Grand Cru fruit; this was disgorged in March 2023 and dosed at 3 gpl.
2013 TAITTINGER COMTES de CHAMPAGNE BLANC de BLANC- blind; this excellent bubbly had also had active small bubbles and a light yellow color and offered inviting aromas of honeyed citrus fruit that continued on to be joined by some nice pear, white peach and green apple; it had a frothy smooth mouthfeel, lots of depth, finesse and charm and seemed youthful and fun loving albeit with a lot of class; I thought it was clearly a BdB and possibly Comtes, but from perhaps 2007 sd suggested by another.
Cheers,
Blake
Is Ployez Jacquemart among the most underrated or at least under-discussed producers out there? I mean I like it that way, but just about everything I’ve had from them in the past dozen or so vintages is just spot on and incredibly delicious. And, relatively speaking, reasonably affordable.
Concur. Its NV Extra Quality Brut and NV Rosé are tremendous bargains, imo.
I’d throw Hebrart in that mix too.
I agree the deliciousness factor is high with Ployez-Jacquemart for sure, and I myself buy and enjoy them. There is, however, a coarseness to the texture of all but the highest level bottlings that I think, even when people can’t point directly to the specific element as a detractor, keeps the wines from leaving a more glowing impression.
This was a bit of a surprise. Pulled this for a bunch of friends who came to visit to toast their health. Lovely. The age certainly improved this bottle. Very nutty. Long finish. Delicious.
two of my favorites! Although I think both are not ready and have room for improvement, so maybe my palate favors more maturity..
Late post on some of the champagnes we had on a recent trip at the end of June
Of these, the Selosse millésimé was best by far, but Bougy Vibrations and Guillaume Selosse Largillier were spectacular as well
2024 Raventós i Blanc de Nit Rosé
Not a Champagne but I’ll post this here. Tried a glass of this at a restaurant. This Rose blend is aged for 15 months. Light pink color. Moderate bead. Primarily as oft and fruit driven sparkler with strawberry and flowery notes. A really nice Cava. 89 points.
VM
This is a perennial favorite of mine. Solid value imho. Blanc is also good.
Very difficult to do better at the price point. I have a similar qualitative opinion as you.
2019 Marguet Champagne Grand Cru Oger - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru (5/9/2026)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over a couple hours –
– Tirage: June 26, 2020 –
– Disgorged: Feb. 19, 2024 –
– Dosage: {none} –
NOSE: tart Golden Delicious apple; expressive; moderate oak, and also with a lactic edge.
BODY: orange-inflected golden yellow color; medium-light bodied.
TASTE: very dry; heavy oak; way too much oak; moderately rich fruit; 13.5% alc..
2015 Franck Bonville Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé
100% Chardonnay. Disgorged March 2023. 6.7g/ltr dosage. We met Olivier Bonville at the winery back in 2013 and I alwsys buy his wines when I see them. Clear straw color. Very lively at 11 years old. Solid but not overly aggressive bead. Floral notes with brioche, chalk and green apple. I have one more bottle. No rush to drink. 93 points.
VM
I ordered a few more 750s and magnums of the '04. I wish I could still find some of the '02. I’d imagine there will be a few later vintages released eventually. The most recent I’ve seen is the 2005. If they ever release a 2008 Liesse d’Harbonville, I’ll go deep.
2000 is still going strong.
