Vintage Champagne Masterclass

Landmark Hotel. London, U.K.
Tasted Sunday, November 14, 2010 by dre with 797 views

Introduction

A Decanter Masterclass lead by Essi Avellan MW.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

  • 2004 Philipponnat Champagne Grand Blanc 91 Points

    France, Champagne

    Delicate nose of yeast and red apple. This has a slight candied note and nice florality. There is a touch of sulfur to this as well.
    The palate is dry with bright acidity and crisp white fruits. Hints of tobacco, bread dough give this a touch of complexity. The bubbles are very small and ferocious on the palate. Moderate length finish of tart unripe pear.

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Flight 2 (1 Note)

  • 2004 Taittinger Champagne Brut Millésimé 88 Points

    France, Champagne

    Somewhat bold creamy nose with moderate wood and musk. Delicate fruit dances in the background.
    Dry, high crisp acidity and round palate. Its a touch short though, the flavors of unripe peach and pear are a bit simplistic and they come and go very quickly. Light spice and med-small bubbles are nice.
    I don't know what it is butIi never have been a fan of the Taittinger style... That being said this was highly regarded by Essi Avellan MW and many tasters at the event.

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

  • 1996 Bruno Paillard Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 92 Points

    France, Champagne

    This nose has hints of sugar candy. It is quite feminine with lots of floral notes and purfume. Hints of bread starter and honey.
    The palate is dry with very sharp acidity. Med+ body and very small bubbles. Round and youthful with a long finish that is a touch nutty.

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Flight 4 (1 Note)

Flight 5 (1 Note)

  • 2000 Tarlant Champagne La Vigne d'Antan 93 Points

    France, Champagne

    Round nose of marzipan, red apple, orange rind. Quite exotic.
    The palate is dry. Liberal oak here, this has a mix of new oak and wood as old as 25 years. That gives vanilla pod and caramel to the rich round body of this wine. That being said this has huge, just massive acidity that keeps this wonderfully balanced. Very dry but very pure white concentrated fruits. Long mineral rich finish.
    This was my favorite wine of the morning, beating out some big players. Pure finesse.

    * little tidbit, this wine comes from a single vineyard "Les Sables" of ungrafted chardonnay.

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Flight 6 (1 Note)

  • 2006 Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Les Barres 89 Points

    France, Champagne

    Very clean nose with white fruits dominating. Fruit forward but somewhat muted.
    Dry, lots of limestone off the bat, good ripe fruit intensity and round palate. Sharp acidity very fresh. Short finish but a bit one dimentional. Very tiny bubbles.

    This is the fist vintage of this wine. Made with natural yeasts and 100% ungrafted pinot Meunier.

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Flight 7 (1 Note)

  • 1999 Pommery Champagne Cuvée Louise Brut 91 Points

    France, Champagne

    Lots of brioche on the nose with red apple, ripe white fruits and a bit of sulfur.
    The Palate is dry and comes off very delicate. Medium - body that is very harmonious and approachable now. Light turkish spice. Flinty finish.
    Very nice, but almost too "made" after tasting 3 grower champagnes.

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Flight 8 (1 Note)

Flight 9 (1 Note)

  • 2002 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Rare 92 Points

    France, Champagne

    Somewhat muted nose.
    The palate is dry, dried white fruits are so vibrant, tastes right out of the dehydrator. This wine is incredibly muscular, bold acidity and vibrant bubbles.
    This is young and not so approachable at this stage. That being said... this will be awesome in 10 years...

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Flight 10 (1 Note)

  • 2004 Louis Roederer Champagne Vintage Brut Rosé 91 Points

    France, Champagne

    Light peach and white fruits on the nose with good minerality and hints of plasticine.
    Dry palate, really youthful energetic body and vitality. Lots of red fruits and a touch of sugar candy. This is a rose de Saignee and ripe for sure. Accessible and drinking well now.

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Flight 11 (1 Note)

  • 2000 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon 93 Points

    France, Champagne

    Very expressive nose of red berries, peach limestone and flint. Very youthful with lots of wood notes and musk.
    Dry, really rich palate that is creamy in the mouth. Sharp acidity is balanced with finesse. Yeasty with ripe purity of fruit. Long elegant finish. This sings to me.
    I have always liked the house style and this prestige cuvee delivers!

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Flight 12 (1 Note)

  • 1989 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Vintage Rosé Cave Privée 90 Points

    France, Champagne

    Fantastic nose. Evolved floral notes, rich dried fruits with coffee,caramel and tobacco. Very pretty.
    Dry, very charming wine with high refreshing acidity. Light red fruits with red apple and lemon. Quite fresh. Very dry lingering finish with lots of yeasty notes and a light tannic structure.... but something about this is a touch hollow. I just cant put my finger on it.
    Delicious none the less.

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Closing

Great tasting and interesting to taste the Prestige cuvees after having the 4th, 5th and 6th wines which were small grower champagnes. I really found myself loving the individualistic styles of the grower champagnes. That being said, the Tarlant La Vigne d'Antan 00 was my favorite of the day. Very well balanced and showed a great sense of terroir.

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