Paul and Ashley's Champagne Party

Paul and Ashely do a great job with this event every year and while the theme is always champagne there's a sub plot and this year was a side by side of many of the big houses "big guns" or cultish sparklers. It was quite a treat and a rare opportunity to taste many champagnes that are typically "special occasion" wines all at once. This was almost like tasting blind because all the wines were excellent and one label was as impressive as the next. There were certainly stylistic differences which led to favorites but they were solid across the board. Interesting observation is the dosage seems to be higher in these wine or it gave that impression in most cases. Although there were a few very edgy ones and that was a dividing line for people.

• 2006 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut

  France, Champagne

  I've been fortunate to taste this wine a number of times over the last two years and the thing that stands out most in my mind is the variation of the bottles. Not in a bad way, as they're always excellent, but the parts of the wine that stand out differ and this time was no different.
  
  Color is medium yellow. Sour apple aroma with light barrel toast and ripe lemon. Bubbles are very fine, almost soft with medium plus acid and yellow pear. Very tangy finish and the barrel toast, almost nutty, element throughout.

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• 2007 Perrier-Jouët Champagne Belle Epoque

  France, Champagne

  I really like this one, a favorite in the line up. Nose shows raw, uncooked bread dough and an earthy mushroom quality. Excellent balance with a strong mineral foundation. Extremely long finish, 60 seconds plus and terpins / vanillin. Pours a bit foamy but settles down immediately. This probably had a leaner dosage then most of the wines. Very clean and a nice cut.

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• NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée

  France, Champagne

  I have to admit, I was excited to try this wine in an all star lineup. It's made up of 183 wines from 11 vintages ranging from 1990 - 2007. Golden yellow hue. Light brioche and yellow fruit aromas. Palate had a brassy quality and a medium + weight to it yet it didn't come across as heavy. Fine effervescence, almost a still wine after 10 minutes in the glass. Fruit profile was primarily green apple and medium + finish. This was probably the favorite amongst the crowd. I enjoyed it too, tied for #2.

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• 2004 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame

  France, Champagne

  I was very curious about this one, how would it show? The nose is classic old school champagne, really attractive. Fairly light yellow in color. Strong acid presence with fine aggressive bubbles dancing on the tongue. Good citrus and lemon flavors. Excellent mineral component which was dominated by a clean chalk note. Finish was light, clean and driven by lemon and orange peel.

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• 2004 Pol Roger Champagne Vintage Brut

  France, Champagne

  Smelled of sugared toast like when you were a kid with a light oak influence and warm apples. Very fine bubbles which popped and bounded around in the mouth. Had an interesting "oxidized" note. The tree fruit faded at the finish but the acid created a significantly long finish.

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• 2006 Dom Pérignon Champagne

  France, Champagne

  This showed really well, on of the favorites. Poured quite foamy, large bubbles. Nose was oily, like a Reisling. The attack was sweet but immediately followed by a unique, almost drying effect mid palate. Ripe tree fruit at the finish and nice acidity to bring all together. My #3 and in top 3 for most people.

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• 2006 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

  France, Champagne

  I really liked this wine but it divided the group. If you like grower champagne then this is for you. Like a fully rounded out champer with a higher dosage then probably not. I really like it. Extremely acid driven from start to finish, aggressive and unrelently. Pungent lemon, tart lime, and strong peel notes. Angular came to mind as I was swirling it around in my puckered mouth.

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