Vintage Champagne
Grape Radio - Tustin, CA
Tasted Monday, December 10, 2007 by Paul Lin with 950 views
Introduction
Thanks to Jay Selman for hosting this event. A really wonderful way to launch the holiday season.
Flight 1 - Vintage champagne (11 Notes)
For my palate, the 1995 Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Millénaires was the WOTN.
Flight 2 - Non-vintage champagne (1 Note)
Someone obviously did not get the memo.
1995 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Blanc des Millénaires 93 Points
France, Champagne
I have tasted this wine three times in the past month or so and each time it showed beautifully. I think it's really starting to hit its stride now, and one can see now hints of how it will age. Notes of buttered toast, baked pears, wood smoke, butterscotch and honey. Full in the mouth, rich creamy texture, and a long finish. Wonderful stuff! 93-94 points.
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1995 de Venoge Champagne Brut Sélect Cordon Bleu 90 Points
France, Champagne
Seems to be made in a more oxidative style. Notes of baked apples, lemon curd, graphite and toast.
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1996 Deutz Champagne Cuvée William Deutz 92 Points
France, Champagne
A very precise champagne. Clean notes of green apple, graphite, and honey. Nose picks up caramel with more air. Well structured, elegant, and balanced. This should be a beauty in a couple more years. 92-93 points.
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1996 Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru Brut Millésimé 91 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
I thought this was an excellent champagne, although some people in the room seemed turned off by it, thinking it cooked. I, on the other hand, felt the bottle was prematurely aged, but not damaged in a significant way. Rich and concentrated notes of coffee beans, caramel, and toffee. Bold and yeasty on palate.
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1996 A. R. Lenoble Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Millésimé 90 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
A terrific vintage champagne for the price. Notes of toast, lemon rind, lemongrass, and nectarines. Rich palate with a smooth finish.
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1996 Salon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 92 Points
France, Champagne
This is my third taste of this wine, and while I do think it is outstanding and very refined, I am having some trouble getting excited about it. Faint aromas of lemon rind and yeast are followed an elegant palate of nectarines, green apples, graphite, and biscuit. Tangy lemon on the finish. Racy acidity. Clearly a youngster and destined to improve, but at this price I would take two 1996 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne over one of these in a heartbeat.
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1997 Laurent-Perrier Champagne Brut Millésimé 91 Points
France, Champagne
Delicious! Notes of toast, caramel, baked apples, and pit crust. Can we say apple strudel? 91-92 points.
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1998 Pommery Champagne Cuvée Louise Brut 89 Points
France, Champagne
Very nice notes of toast, biscuit, and graphite. With significant air, picks up an unusual diaper aroma.
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2000 Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Fiacre 91 Points
France, Champagne
A fascinating champagne. Floral and perfumey on the nose, austere and steely on the palate. With significant air, the nose becomes much more honeyed and nutty and makes me think of baklava. I love baklava. 91-92 points.
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2000 Drappier Champagne Grande Sendrée 91 Points
France, Champagne
This was even better the second time around. Notes of coffee beans, marzipan, lemon curd, and pears. Good structure with a nice kick on the finish. 91-92 points.
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2002 Jose Dhondt Champagne Grand Cru Mes Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs 87 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
A bit two dimensional right now. Nevertheless, a smooth and polished champagne with notes of Gala apple and straw. 87-88 points.
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