4th Saturday Group Annual Champagne Tasting

Sue hosts the January tasting every year and it is always a Champagne tasting. This year she chose non-vintage Champagnes. It is a very casual event, and the wines are tasted nonblind at one's leisure. With the Champagnes Sue served a wide variety of hors d'oeuvres. Dinner followed, with the reds and Sue's boeuf Bourguignon.

Nonblind, shown in the order in which I tasted them, although I went back to each at least once or twice. There was nothing too exciting, but these were all enjoyable and I would not mind being served any of these at a party or function. There was no formal vote for WOTN, but the Delespierre was the first to be finished, followed by the Taittinger.

• 2006 Bertrand-Delespierre Champagne Premier Cru Brut 91 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Notes of limestone, mineral, lime zest and green apple. Flavors of honeyed pear, vanilla cream and apple. Turns to aromas of melon and pear, developed toasted marshmallow overtones. Nice finish- plenty of acid and fruit.

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• NV Taittinger Champagne Brut Réserve / La Française 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Has a rich nutty quality on the nose and palate. Pear and marshmallow notes, then apple and crème brulee. Medium bead with a persistent mousse. Very nice. I did not note the lot number, but I assume this release is currently available.

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• NV Beau Joie Champagne Special Cuvée Brut Rosé 88 Points

  France, Champagne

  What a hideous bottle. Doesn't mean what's inside isn't worth drinking, so I'll give it a taste. Berry, watermelon and stone notes. Has a coarse bead with flavors of red apple and berries and a short finish. With an ocean of NV Champagne at no more than half the price of this and qualitatively as good or better, there is no reason whatsoever to purchase/drink this wine.

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• NV Ruinart Champagne Brut Rosé 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Notes of rose petals, berries and stone with a subtle doughy undertone. Medium bead with flavors of cherry, melon, stone and strawberry. Was a bit shy at first but opened nicely during the tasting. 90+ pts.

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• 2011 Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Berry, melon, pear and rose petal qualities on the nose and palate. Medium bead with a nice mousse. I tend to enjoy Domaine Carneros' sparkling wines and this was no exception.

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• NV Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Darker in color than the others- this has likely been in Sue's cellar for a while. Hazelnut and vanilla notes give way to sautéed apple, marshmallow and vanilla custard. Ginger and pear on the palate, followed by nutmeg and marshmallow. Fine bead with nice acidity. 90-91 pts.

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• NV Laurent-Perrier Champagne Brut L.P. 88 Points

  France, Champagne

  Notes of marshmallow and apple with hints of ginger underneath. Apple caramel and vanilla flavors on the palate with a coarse bead that comes off a little rough.

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• NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Light color. Red berry and melon aromas though overall seems reticent. Fine bead with flavors of berries and stone with a nutty element in the finish. Opened quite a bit during the tasting, displaying strawberry,rose and other floral qualities. Always a pretty wine.

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• NV Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Latitude 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  The CT data is not correct, but the Latitude is an extra brut made from 100% Chardonnay.
  
  Pale color with notes of almond & chalk lead to green apple and grapefruit. At 4g/L dosage, this is not quite as piercing as some extra bruts can be. Flavors of limestone, green apple and candied ginger with a fine bead and strong finish. 91+ pts.

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Served nonblind with dinner and dessert.

• 2005 Haut-Carles 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Fronsac

  From magnum, with thanks to R&D. This had been opened but not decanted for about an hour by the time I poured a taste. Dark crimson color with aromas of incense, cassis and jammy dark fruits with floral/violet qualities underneath. Medium-bodied and balanced, with flavors of black currants, black cherry, incense and black raspberry. Just a subtle herbal undertone offers added complexity. A very nice bottle of wine, and drinking well currently.

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• 2007 Davis Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Notes of raspberry and cola with baking spice overtones. Cherry and raspberry fruit on the palate, with clove and spice and cherry cola flavors as well. Medium+ finish.

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• 1999 Domaine Francois Lamarche Grands-Echezeaux 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru

  Opens with a lovely perfumed floral quality, followed by cherry, minerals and red fruit. Nicely balanced. Cherry and mineral flavors with forest floor, rose petal and iron flavors underneath. Medium finish. 91+ pts.

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• 2004 St. Clement Cabernet Sauvignon Oroppas 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Decanted, at least an hour though I am not sure exactly how long. Deep inky crimson color with aromas of cassis and black fruits with an herbal overtone. Tannins are fine and just beginning to soften, framing chocolate, black currant, plum and herb flavors. Vanilla and oak spice on the finish. 92+ pts. Drink from 2018+.

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• 2012 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 87 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Light garnet color. Notes of cherry, vanilla and balsa wood. The palate follows the bouquet. On the light side of medium-bodied with nice acidity. Pleasant, if a bit simple. 87-88 pts.

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• 2004 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Notes of cedar and sandalwood followed by a melange of red and black fruits. Medium-bodied with softened tannins and flavors of vanilla, sandalwood, currant and florals.

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• 2009 Bodegas Muga Rioja Selección Especial 91 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Dark garnet color opening with a terrific earthy funk. Black currants and red plums with earthy undertones. Medium tannins with flavors of red fruit and plum hinting at vanilla on the finish. Nice mix of fruit and earth.

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• 2010 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva 87 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Fairly straightforward and simple. Red fruit and vanilla with just a hint of earth underneath. Light and balanced, with nice acidity. Drys out a little in the finish.

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• 2010 Elderton Shiraz Winemaker Select 80 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa

  Menthol and plum aromas with a shitload of oak. Candied Kool-Aid palate. A prime example of what's wrong with many Aussie wines.

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• 2008 Fumanelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 91 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  I am usually not a fan of Amarone as it's a bit too raisined & pruney for my palate, but this was quite nice. Light in color with a lovely perfumed, floral bouquet with currants and vanilla notes underneath and just the slightest hint of raisin in the background. Red fruit and plums on the palate and again, just a subtle raisin quality.

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Thank you, Sue, for another wonderful Champagne-themed event.