Extracted from other notes to be posted in a few days:
2012 PIERRE PETERS CUVEE SPECIAL LES CHETILLONS BLANC de BLANC GRAND CRU- I thoroughly enjoyed the first bottle I opened of this a couple of weeks ago {see notes above- #1882} and wanted to share it with our dinner group as I found it to be extra stellar, at least the first bottle was; this one was really good, but no where near the explosive, power laden beauty that preceded it; in so far as full on thrust, power, weight and depth is concerned, this one was the antithesis as it seemed to have more finesse, charm and elegance; both bottles were nicely balanced and featured nice citrus notes along with apple, pear and tropical fruit accented by a mild touch of ginger and brioche; I’m still loving this release, but the bottle variation is shocking and I’m not sure which one is the real deal, but I suspect the first one was and to find out, I`ll buy more.
Extracted from other notes to be posted in a few days:
NV AGRAPART & FILS TERRIORS BLANC de BLANCS EXTRA BRUT GRAND CRU- this is made of 100% Chardonnay sourced from 20–50-year-old grand cru vines in Avize, Oger, Cramant and Oiry {see map}; 40% 2014; 60% 2013 reserves aged in barrel for 6 months; disgorged 2 months prior to the release date; 5g/L dosage; unfined, unfiltered and hand riddled; this was very pretty with nice and easy offerings of minerals, chalk and saline infused lemon, lime, green apple and tangerine; I found it to be classy, light in weight, having lots of elegance and very enjoyable.
This house makes 3 non vintage cuvees:
7 Crus- their entry level wine made of 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir; derived from 2 vintages and 7 villages; disgorged at 7 gpl
Terriors- see notes above for details
Complantee- a field blend of 6 varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Arbane, all sourced from Avize; consists of 2 vintages; disgorged at 5 gpl
So my wife and I popped a 2005 tonight, and it is very nice. I can’t compare it to other vintages, as this is our first Taittinger Comtes BdB. Although it certainly won’t be our last.
It first seems delicate, with a mild breadiness on the nose with the breadiness repeating when it first hits the mouth, and then resolving to lemon with a mid-length finish. It’s both creamy and energetic, and still seems youngish to me. And although the acid may be moderate, the wine is very nicely in balance. It mostly closely reminds me of 2000 Lanson Noble Cuvee BdB Brut, particularly when the Lanson was a little bit younger. (But I don’t have a ton of experience with Champagnes to compare it to. But the 2000 Lanson, a wine I love, jumped immediately to mind.)
Glad you liked Comtes… my favourite wine. If you liked the 05, then all the other releases from that decade will knock your socks off.
As for the two you reference, they’re quite different wines - particularly with respect to the acid. Lanson as a rule, doesn’t go through malo …at least for their vintage wines… whereas Comtes does.
Nice notes and thanks for the post. They closely reflect what I also have gotten from the 05` Comtes and it will be interesting to seee how it compares to other vintges= something to look forward to.
How was it? I haven’t opened any Iteration 24 ('07, '06, '04) yet. I’ll probably open one soon then bury the rest in the cellar. These need a lot of time.
2012 Franck Bonville Blanc de Blancs Pur Mesnil
Marybeth found it too “nutty”, although I didn’t find it particularly oxidative. To me, it was more clean and mineraled, fun for the price I paid, but I was hoping to find it more inspiring given the vineyard and vintage. Too young? (Not to MB if she already finds it too nutty).
I’m eager to hear your thoughts when you do open a bottle.
To my taste, it was all finesse and balance. Minerality, crisp fruit, and perfect bubbles. Not creamy, no nuttiness, no yeast flavors. I didn’t taste anything that suggested a need for more development. I don’t think I’d want anything to change. It is a wine I’d drink on its own and with anything. Balance and finesse.
Have a bit left in the bottle. Will try the remainder and report if there’s significant change.
Saw this and decided to pick it up because it was cheap (for Champagne, of course) and seemed well-received online. Slightly on the richer side, with nice yellow apple, light breadiness, a little breezy mineral influence. Nicely balanced by freshness and crisp acidity - not going to change your life but a perfect companion for a spring day, a balcony, and a book.
Well, spoke too soon: on day 2, developed flavors of crisp apple. So precise. Really wonderful. I was delighted on day 1, but clearly there is room for further development and improvement.
2009 René Geoffroy Champagne Premier Cru Volupté- France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru (20/3/2021)
July 2018 disgorgement, 69% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir, 4g/l dosage. One of the best value champagnes that I’ve had. Green apple nose that points towards a Chardonnay-heavy blend, Underneath the creamy texture that are ripe pears, brioche that makes it a very food-friendly champagne. No malo apparently but I suspect it sees some oak, the fuller texture works well with the freshness of the wine here. Seriously impressive stuff, grower champagnes and warmer vintages are always a good bet.
2015 Veuve Doussot Champagne Ernestine Millesime. A strikingly dominant apricot perfume. Even the non-wine guests drinking noted it. Fine bubbles and light straw color. A very fresh and fruity champagne. Lots of stone fruit flavor with a bit of a sweet finish. Definitely a party champagne.
Agrapart Complantee, disgorged 2020, dosage 5 grams.
PN/PM/Chardonnay/Petit Meslier/PBlanc/Arbanne, only PGris missing.
Golden as opposed to the lemon colour of Agrapart’s other wines.
Texture and aromatics following the golden cue - while Agrapart’s lineup is very precise and mineral, Complantee is an opulent champagne. Ripe yellow apple and pears, honey, even mango, believe it or not!
True field blend, fermented together, as opposed to Moutard’s 6 Cepages, which is fermented separately and blended.
Outstanding!
2010 LARMANDIER-BERNIER VIELLE VIGNE DU LEVANT EXTRA BRUT- this single-cru champagne is aged for 7- 8 years before being manually disgorged 6 months before its released; dosed @ 2 gpl, it’s made from 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay; this was well balanced with fresh green apple, pear, lemon and minerals delivered in a creamy texture; it’s very pleasant, rich and fulfilling and when finished with the first pour, it was apparent to me this can hang with some of the big boys.
NV Robert Moncuit Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rosé- France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru (3/21/2021)
Well, this is smashing! All at once it is dried mineral, desiccated strawberry, dusty clay, and apple peel! It has an amazing swallow and finish. I am smitten with it, and made quick work of the bottle! (95 pts.)
![[cry.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/8/853b6e76c6e8406be77a6727c2a27ad1672678b3.gif "cry"){kind=small}
