Champagne Test Drive

Had signed up to receive newsletters from Truffle, and noticed that this tasting would take place a couple of days after my arrival in Wellington. There were about 12 people, including John the owner and several of the local wine luminaries. Notes are skimpy and wines are mostly not scored.

All wines were tasted blind.

• NV Larmandier-Bernier Longitude

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Bubbles fine and few. Yeasty, fruity, floral aromas and flavours. Crisp acidity, med-Brut sweetness, delicate and feminine.

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• NV Agrapart Champagne Grand Cru Terroirs Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Course bubbles, medium gold. Dark fruitiness, seems sweeter than the others. Not-high acidity. Slightly oxidized.

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• NV Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Grand Cellier Brut

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Foamy with course bubbles. Not very expressive; lemon and little else. High acidity, RS declared at 9 g/L but seems lower.

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• NV L. Aubry Fils Champagne Classique

  France, Champagne

  Aggressive, course bubbles. Very dry and acidic.

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• 2011 Roses de Jeanne / Cédric Bouchard Champagne Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs Côte de Val Vilaine 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  Numerous, medium-sized bubbles. On nose and palate, dark, mature fruit and a hint of oak. Quite masculine. Sensation of sweetness but claims zero dosage, good acidity. Complex and long. My best of the flight.

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• NV Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru Tradition Brut

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Very foamy. Quite oxidized -- visually and on nose and palate; some fruitiness. Highish acidity, some detectible sweetness.

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All wines were tasted blind.

• NV L. Aubry Fils Champagne Premier Cru Brut Rosé

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Pale salmon, few and slow-rising bubbles. Earthy, mushroomy, some fruit, and slightly oxidized. Lowish Brut.

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• 2008 L. Aubry Fils Champagne Premier Cru Sablé Rosé Brut Nature

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Medium gold. Course bubbles. Not much on the nose. Savoury palate, very dry.

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• 2009 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Grand Cellier Rubis

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Pale orangey pink. Few bubbles. Not giving much on the nose. Very minerally, good acidity matching perfectly for my palate with the 8 g/L RS.

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• NV Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Premier Cru Rosé de Saignée Extra Brut

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Deep rosy colour. A little frothy. Savoury aromas and flavours, very dry, nicely acidic, med-Brut. A little oxidative but not disturbing. Substantial and complex. Favourite of the flight.

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Nice to meet some distinguished members of the Wellington wine crowd, and hope to attend more tastings at Truffle.