TN's: Binny's Champagne Tasting (22 notes)

Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Tasted Tuesday, December 15, 2009 by Vino Me with 1,527 views

Introduction

Binny's in Glen Ellyn held their Champagne tasting last weekend. The cost was $15. They had over 80 sparkling wines to try including the champagnes i tasted below. They also had cheese, cavier and some other snacks out from their deli with food from some other local restaurants. It was an excellent event with some outstanding wines. Here are my notes:

Flight 1 - Non Vintage (14 Notes)

Flight 2 - Blanc de Blancs (2 Notes)

  • NV Ruinart Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 91 Points

    France, Champagne

    Retailer tasting. Far superior than the last time I had this in 2006. Crystal clear pale straw color. A little herbal/floral aroma on the nose. Solid bead with a nutty character. 91 points.

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  • NV Launois Pere et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Reservé Blanc des Blancs Brut 93 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    Retailer tasting. This grower champagne was the star of the tasting in my opinion for it's combination of quality and price. A 100% Grand Cru wine from the Le Mesnil Sur Oger region for only $34!!!! Think about what Krug and Salon charge for the wines they grow just down the road from Launois. Of course, location is not as important as quality and in the quality department this wine also shines. It is aged for 3 years to gain complexity. This 100% Chardonnay wine shows tremendous character in it's chalkiness. This is a champagne for any wine lover that values terrior. Extremely deep with a fine long lasting bead which cleans the palate for the next wave of secondary flavors. Nutty with a doughy character. Will age. If you can find this, BUY it. 93+ points.

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Flight 3 - Rosé (4 Notes)

  • NV Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut Rosé 90 Points

    France, Champagne

    Retailer tasting. A consistently very good Rosé. Last had this in 2007. Dry, clean and straight forward. Light red berry notes. Good bead. Pleasant tartness on the finish. However, not a buy at $56. 90 points.

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  • NV Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Rosé 87 Points

    France, Champagne

    Retailer tasting. I've found the quality of this wine to fluctuate too much. This bottle was at the low end and was my least favorite Rosé at this event. A blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay. Nice strawberry notes but a bit awkward. 87 points.

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  • NV Maurice Vesselle Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rosé 92 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    Retailer tasting. A small grower/producer which owns just over 20 acres of Grand Cru vines and makes Champagne exclusively from them. The vines average 35 years in age. This is 100% Pinot Noir. The best Rosé at this tasting and a deal at $33. Very pretty nose. Pinkish red color. A fuller bodied sparkler. Notes of creamy red fruit. Good mouth feel. Clean and crisp finish. 91-92 points.

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  • NV Taittinger Champagne Brut Prestige Rosé 89 Points

    France, Champagne

    Retailer tasting. Medium bodied sparkler. Notes of strawberry and raspberry. 89 points.

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Flight 4 - Vintage (2 Notes)

  • 2002 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut 94 Points

    France, Champagne

    Retailer tasting. A blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay. Tried this twice at the tasting. The best wine at the tasting but it should have been at $180 per bottle. Very chalky with almond and bread dough notes. Piercing bead. Fine finish. Excellent. It made me want to shout "Hey, look at me I'm a hip hop gangsta!" but I kept it inside. 94 points.

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  • 1996 Duval-Leroy Champagne Premier Cru Brut Millésimé 93 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

    Retailer tasting. This was a real stanout at this event. I was told the blend was 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir. The grapes are grown in the Vertus region and come from the estates own vineyards. This was a delicious full bodied wine. Notes of almond paste and citrus fruit. A creamy finish. 93 points.

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Closing

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