Hawaii Vacation

I brought these from home, and they all hit the spot in the warm Maui weather. The Bove was used for mimosas, the others were all very solid champagnes.

• NV Frédéric Savart / Drémont Père & Fils Champagne Éphémère 005 Blanc de Noirs 88 Points

  France, Champagne

  (8/31/2022)

  100% Pinot Noir, dosage 3g/L. Drank fairly well in hot weather in Hawaii, complex enough for a ~$50 champagne. 88-89

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• 2000 Lanson Champagne Noble Cuvée de Lanson Brut 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  (9/2/2022)

  My last bottle of this, and it is just as good as the others. Delicious mature champagne, but still with vibrancy and time in it. See other notes for more details. 92-93

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• NV Charles Bove Brut 85 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Vin de Pays du Loir-et-Cher

  (9/4/2022)

  High intensity bubbles, a bit of lychee on the nose; palate is bubbly, lacking depth of flavor or even typical Chenin character. I'm going to turn these into mimosas. 85

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• NV Savart Champagne Premier Cru L'Accomplie Extra Brut Vieilles Vignes 91 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  (9/7/2022)

  May 2016 disgorgement. 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, dosage ~5g/L. Lemon yellow; aromatic, slight brioche, lemon; lemon curd, slightly bready, not really oxidative despite its age post disgorgement, still seems fresh and precise with good depth, medium 12% alcohol, medium-plus acidity; medium-plus clean finish with vibrant acidity and tartness. 91

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• NV Famille Moussé Champagne L'Extra Or Perpetuelle Dégorgment Tardif 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  (9/9/2022)

  Deep yellow; aromatic, lemon curd; lemons, minerals, vibrant acidity, medium alcohol, food balanced mousse; medium finish. Not quite the length of the savart from a few days ago, but still very nice and satisfying. 89-90

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• NV Frédéric Savart / Drémont Père & Fils Champagne Grand Cru Éphémère 006 Brut Nature Avize / Oger 89 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  (9/11/2022)

  100% Chardonnay, from Avize-Oger. Lemon-yellow; aromatic, tart lemon-lime with a bit of lemon pith; medium bodied, medium-plus acidity, nice vibrant mousse, some stone fruits, but overall lemon-dominant, clean, limited brioche and breadiness, medium alcohol; medium to medium-minus length. Still showing perhaps a touch less length than Savart-produced champagnes (even entry level), but a well made champagne and enjoyable to drink. A tad better than my last bottle. 89

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Two Italian pasta dinners on this trip, the Spinetta was by the glass and the Isole e Olena was a bottle I bought in Maui and brought to dinner ($25 corkage). Both decent, not spectacular.

• 2017 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Il Nero di Casanova Toscana IGT 85 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  (9/6/2022)

  By the glass at a restaurant. Decent Sangiovese, nothing complex or special but medium bodied, medium tannin, medium-plus acidity; medium-minus finish. Slightly oxidative but not sure if this bottle has been open for a few hours or a day. 85

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• 2018 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  (9/15/2022)

  Lovely red fruits, balanced medium alcohol (14.5 on the label but tastes a bit less), medium acidity, medium bodied, fruit driven (red), with a bit of spice and savory; medium finish. Nice value on vacation. 88-89

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