Wow! Super cool. Have only had one or two that old.
Extracted from a thread just posted: Dinner with a dear friend with 2002 Taittinger Collection by Amadou Sow, 2010 Lambrays Clos des Lambrays and 2016 Royal Tokaji Essencia
2002 TAITTINGER ARTIST COLLECTION BRUT by Amadou Sow- blind; following its solid bold color came aromas of wet cardboard suggesting it was corked, but a huge onslaught of ripe fruit blasted through with honeyed orange marmalade, nectarine and white peach most evident and made it more approachable and drinkable; there was some TCA in the taste as well, but the massive fruit profile kept it in the background; after about 20 minutes, additional notes of fennel and licorice showed up and the orange marmalade was now finished off with lemon oil.
I guessed it to be from a small grower, possibly NV or from around 2000 and a blend thinking it included Pinot Meunier as well, but this is comprised of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir aged 10 years on the lees.
In the late 1990s, I bought 5 bottles of the Collection series and all were oxidized and undrinkable, but hey, the bottles were beautiful and I still have them resting in a large oxidized iron planter along with many other keeper bottles.
“The Taittinger Collection Series was conceived in the late 1970s by Claude Taittinger. Long a patron of the arts, with a passionate interest in the modern schools of painting and sculpture, he perceived a natural alliance between the creation of the artist and the art of the great winemaker. Thus, in 1983, Champagne Taittinger introduced the first of its revolutionary Collection Series, uniting art and Champagne in the design of a special bottle with a laser-sealed sheath that visually expresses the artists concept of the magic of Champagne. Featuring the work of artists such as the French surrealist Andr Masson, American pop artist Robert Rauschenberg, and more recently the renowned Senegalese painter Amadou Sow, these exquisite bottles are commissioned well into the 21st century, and will perpetuate Champagne Taittingers affiliation with the greatest artists of our time.
The Taittinger Collection Series bottles are released only in great vintages, from a selection of the year’s finest cuves. The wines are made from Chardonnay mainly from the Grands Crus of the Cte des Blancs, and Pinot Noir from Montagne de Reims and Valle de la Marne vineyards. The fruit is pressed in the vineyards and the first pressing is transported to the winery for fermentation, followed by a second fermentation in the bottle. Aged for five or more years on the lees, the wine acquires complexity and the fine, pinpoint bubbles characteristic of its sparkle.
The work of Senegalese artist Amadou Sow (1951 ) graces the 2002 vintage Taittinger Collection Series bottle. Sow now lives in Austria, but paints the images and landscapes of his childhood, capturing the vibrant colors of the sun, sky and land, and the timeless imagery of Africa in paintings influenced by his imagination and dreams. He speaks of earth, sand and stones as his first artistic mediums, and these elements continue to have a presence in his canvases.”
Cheers,
Blake
2 Likes
That looks incredible.
The perfect response when someone inevitably proclaims NV champagnes can’t age…
This evening for me, another of Marguet’s heavy-oak, zero dosage wines.
- NV Marguet Champagne Premier Cru Yuman 22 Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature - France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru (20/07/2026)
100% chardonnay. 2022 base vintage. Tirage 27/07/2023. Disgorgement 05/05/2025; zero dosage.
This benefits from quite a bit of air to settle down and become a bit less shrill. After 90 minutes or so of air the nose is quite spicy and warm, but with some citrus freshness there as well. These follow to the palate which is initially quite well-rounded for a zero-dosage, slightly buttery, spicy, citrus, a little drying. But on the finish (as noted in Nora123's TN) that citrus becomes rather too much like grapefruit and leaves a slightly bitter after-taste which doesn't work so well for me.
I've previously enjoyed the Marguet heavy oak, zero dosage style with the Shaman rosés and whites, but somehow for me it works less well with this pure chardonnay wine. To some extent I can see this is a matter of taste - I don't find the wine flawed as such, and it's interesting to have tried it. But it's not a repeat buy for me at the ~US$54 that I paid. (87 points)
3 Likes
We brought this to a local restaurant last night, our first bottle from a case, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am not usually a Vilmart fan - they are fine, rarely exciting to me, and I particularly don’t care for the Rubis - but the 2013 Emotion came highly recommended by trusted sources, and I have to say they were correct. I believe I agree with some notes on CT saying this shows best on the young side, so we will get drinking on the rest!
12 Likes
2013 Krug Grande Cuvée 168ème Édition – finally popped one from the case.
Creamy, toasty, with that classic Krug complexity – brioche, hazelnut, citrus, and a long finish that just keeps going. We had it with seared scallops and it was a match made in heaven.
At around $900, it’s not cheap, but honestly worth every penny. This will age beautifully, but it’s drinking great right now too
2 Likes
2008 Famille Moussé Champagne Special Club
Opened by a friend. 100% Pinot Meunier. Cedric Mousse thought that 2008 could be a better vintage than the great 2002. 3rd time I have had this wine (2013 and 2019) and it was drinking better earlier. Medium yellow color. Lower bead. Notes of chamomile tea, kumquat and apricot. Drink now. 90 points.
VM
2 Likes
Took a couple of bottles of champagne to the lake this weekend to beat the heat.
Dhondt-Grellet Roc Solare - 90-10 chard to pinot with 70% 2021, 30% perpetual reserve. Vinified in barrique, for the most part, this ends up showing a pretty similar profile to the Hors Serie, though perhaps not quite as complex. Lemon citrus and minerality transition into a hint more apple, with bright acid, and a faint touch of nuttiness. A fairly complete wine, but not a showstopper for me.
Chartogne Taillet Hors Serie 2020 BdB - Good lemon and chalk chard notes but with the slight tang of oak that reminds me a touch of marguet, opening with some warmth and time to more orchard fruits with a faint hint of candle wax and maybe a touch of white flowers. It’s a complex and fine bottle of champagne that will not necessarily appeal to all. Very nice, though, albeit not exactly my favorite profile.
Both very nice champagnes and I’m glad to have had them, though may not chase these again.
5 Likes
For $900 it better have been a magnum!!
4 Likes
Extracted from a thread just posted: Another dinner with a good friend during his re-visit to SB with 2014 Delamotte BdB and 1997 Williams Selyem Hirsch Pinot Noir
2014 DELAMOTTE LE MESNIL sur OGER BLANC de BLANC- server blind to the others; this had a light yellow color and offered pleasant aromas of ginger accented fresh citrus fruit which continued on all the way through with lemon and lime most prevalent; after 15 minutes or so, it seemed to gain body and depth along with a coat of honey and some saline and chalk notes; it was good at the start and after 20+ minutes, it all came together and provided an even more satisfying champagne experience.
This is not the full on, bigger bodied and rounder 2012 which I’ve been a fan of since first released and was hyped as containing the fruit normally used in Salon and that no Salon would be made in 2012 until they decided to do so. This was more of the elegant, graceful version, but as this one gained energy with time in the glass, it demonstrated more similarity and could mature into a closer 2nd sister in a few years.
Cheers,
Blake
6 Likes
The most memorable wines from my trip to Paris were both Champagne.
The 22 base Jules Brochet Premices was a sledgehammer. It was dark in color like a young Ozanne, but had this powerfully reductive almost Coche-y nose (admittedly I haven’t had Coche in a long time but that’s the descriptor right?). Viscous, high acid, lots of secondary flavors even if short on fruit. I get the hype. With the signature smoked eel/apple/brown butter/licorice dish at Eels, it was as close to a perfect pairing as possible.
The 2019 Maillart En Courzy Petit Meslier was a revelation though. I had been chasing it down as a gimmick as I love trying the ‘other’ champagne grapes, but this was just spectacular. A thrilling combination of citrus and flowers that really doesn’t compare to anything else. It’s not heavy in body but the dry matter extract seems to get stuck in your teeth, bleeding out stronger orchard fruit and exotic citrus like calamansi. High acidity but the warmth of the vintage keeps the wine grounded and sustains a long finish.
5 Likes
Had this in January. Will probably end up as my top champagne of the year despite youth and ripe vintage.
- 2015 Georges Laval Champagne Premier Cru Brut Nature Les Chênes - France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru (16/01/2026)
Immediately open; airy intense nose: pungent, dried porcini, incense smoke (flint), toffee, canned peaches, crushed chalk, oaking notes;
crisp powdery tangerine acids, peaches, fresh mint, salinity; extracted, buttery finish whilst mousse remains;
pure power throughout the vertical, making the Chardonnay feel vr PN, as well as being mildly oxidated and complex; Laval here matches Roger Coulon, Larmandier-Bernier, Clos de Goisses in the tertiary, earthy aroma; Brut Nature, 0g/l, 12.5pc; 55y old vines; vinified en futs; 5y lees; 1776 bottles, disgorged 05/19; (97 points)
4 Likes
Tremendous first post in WB’s best thread! 
3 Likes
Edition 168 should be 2012 base vintage. Still a great year, even better for Pinot and Meunier than 2013.
Rubis ages surprisingly well, and picks up some depth much like the Egly Rose. They’re different wines, for sure, but with age they follow a similar improvement curve in my experience.
Or Vegas…NYC…restaurant?
Surely even vegas/nyc wouldn’t charge that much for a regular bottle of krug mv?!
Another bottle of laherte rose de meunier extra brut nv last night. Shared with my daughter who kindly made a simple dish of chicken milanese and cold new potatoes with pesto. This was opened and served over an hour or so. As usual, intense, deep red/pink colour. Beautiful nose of strawberries and cream. First bottle from my case that was starting to be a bit more relaxed immediately on opening. Absolutely gorgeous with excellent depth. When I think of how shockingly poor a recent dp rose 02 from mag was compared to this it’s laughable. Insane qpr if you can find it.
5 Likes
Great notes – both sound fantastic. The Brochet with that reductive Coche-style nose and smoked eel pairing sounds absolutely next level. That dish at Eels is legendary, and I can see why it worked so well.
Maillart is the one that really caught my eye though. I’ve been curious about Petit Meslier for a while – your description of citrus, flowers, and that lingering dry extract makes me want to finally track one down. Sounds like such a unique expression of Champagne. My wife should appreciate it.
Thanks for sharing – adding both to the wishlist. Great photos too!
2 Likes