K&L Hollywood Champagne Event
Hollywood, CA
Tasted Saturday, October 23, 2010 by Paul Lin with 952 views
Introduction
I look forward to this event every year. In preparation for the holidays, K&L puts together an impressive line-up of Champagne for its annual tasting, and this year was no exception. The attendance was slightly lower than previous years, which worked to my advantage, as it allowed me to re-visit many if not most of the wines. My favorite wines were the 1996 Henriot Enchanteleurs, 1998 Grand Dame, 2002 Dom Perignon, and the MV Krug, although my favorite wine of the tasting ended up being the Henriot -- a fantastic wine from a fantastic vintage!
2002 Ariston Aspasie Champagne Brut Millésimé 88 Points
France, Champagne
It was better than the Armand de Brignac "Ace of Spades," if that means anything. Green and yellow apples with a touch of oyster shells.
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NV Armand de Brignac Champagne Ace of Spades Brut Gold 87 Points
France, Champagne
I sort of think this wine is a fraud. Nothing really special about it -- yellow apples, lemon zest, and bread dough. Decent bubbly in a gaudy package. Not even close to being worth the price.
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1996 Baron-Fuenté Champagne Grand Millésime Brut 90 Points
France, Champagne
This had a dense tangy lemon oil quality to it that I liked very much. Honeyed and ready to drink. 90-91 points.
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NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé 90 Points
France, Champagne
Raspberries, watermelon, lemon rind and crushed limestone against a steely structure. As good as always, and just slightly edging out the Billiot Rose. 90-91 points.
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NV H. Billiot Fils Champagne Grand Cru Brut Réserve 91 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Outstanding showing of this wine. Pears, red apples, cherry, and raw sugar cane. Lush pinot character with a vivacious acidity.
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NV H. Billiot Fils Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rosé 90 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Bright red berries, blood oranges with a touch of fresh herbs and good acidity.
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2000 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année 88 Points
France, Champagne
Red and yellow apples, baking spices, and ginger. Not bad, but just not as impressive as other wines at this price point. 88-89 points.
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2000 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Millésimé 91 Points
France, Champagne
I wasn't expecting much from this Champagne but I was pleasantly surprised. Excellent red apple and pear fruit, rich on the midpalate, with a mineral-laden finish.
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NV Deutz Champagne Brut Classic 86 Points
France, Champagne
Perhaps it unfair to judge this one as I tasted it right after the Cristal, but it came across as rather pedestrian to me. Muddled sugar cane and Asian pears.
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2005 Elisabeth Goutorbe Champagne Brut Millésimé 90 Points
France, Champagne
Has a very fine lacey quality to it. Lemon, raw sugar cane, and ginger. Essentially the same juice as Henri Goutorbe but just from a different importer. 90-91 points.
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1998 Henriot Champagne Brut Millésimé 88 Points
France, Champagne
Not a bad showing of this wine; it just got eclipsed by some of the other bottles. Green apples and ginger. Finished a bit short though.
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1996 Henriot Champagne Cuvée des Enchanteleurs Brut 94 Points
France, Champagne
An outstanding showing of this wine and probably my wine of the tasting. Lemon oil, honey, face powder, ginger, baked apples and graham crackers. Regal fruit with a long tangy finish and excellent structure.
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NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée 92 Points
France, Champagne
One bottle seemed to show more oak than another but with air this wine displays classic oxidative notes against a steely structure. Lemon oil, raw sugar cane, ginger, and yeast. 92-93 points.
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2002 Launois Pere et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Special Club Blanc de Blancs 85 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Simple green and yellow fruit with a dull stony midpalate. Clipped finish. Pedestrian for the vintage.
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2002 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut 90 Points
France, Champagne
Tasting quite well although admittedly not as well as upon release. Faint lemon pulp, ginger, and guava. Seems to me it might be shutting down or tightening up a bit.
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2002 Dom Pérignon Champagne Andy Warhol Label 92 Points
France, Champagne
A bit shy and tightly wound but with air this wine reveals excellent fruit and a refined structure. Green apples, Asian pears, raw sugar cane, crushed minerals, and oyster shell. Loved it. 92-93 points.
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1998 Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Cuvée Palmes d'Or 90 Points
France, Champagne
Good richness and depth with a note of baked apple tart and poached pears. 90-91 points.
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2004 Philippe Gonet Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Belemnita Blanc de Blancs 89 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Green apples, bread dough, and lemon zest. Quite nice!
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1999 Pommery Champagne Cuvée Louise Brut 91 Points
France, Champagne
Unfortunately, I didn't write any notes on this one, other than the score.
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1998 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame 93 Points
France, Champagne
This wine has improved since the last time I tried it. Poached pears, baked apples, and baklava. It has become a bit more honeyed and rounder with outstanding depth and richness.
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