Day Trip to Champagne

Drove to Champagne for the day from Paris and visited a couple of big houses, as well as a couple of grower Champagne houses in the Côte des Blancs.

• NV G. H. Mumm & Cie Champagne Mumm de Cramant 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Nice BdB with toasted brioche, light citrus, and apple flavors.

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• NV G. H. Mumm & Cie Champagne Le Rosé 87 Points

  France, Champagne

  Very floral and fruity, I felt this lacked balance and came across almost a bit too sweet on the palate.

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• NV G. H. Mumm & Cie Champagne Grand Cru Brut 89 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Nice balance, with some nutty flavors in addition to apple and brioche.

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• NV Jean Milan Champagne Grand Cru Special 89 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Dry palate with minerally, white citrus flavors. Extra Brut.

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• NV Jean Milan Champagne Millenaire 89 Points

  France, Champagne

  Fruitier, simple, everyday Brut BdB that comes across almost sweet on the palate from the intense white fruit.

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• NV Jean Milan Champagne Rosé Glamour 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  Very red-fruited nose. Minerally, citrusy, floral palate. Really liked this Chardonnay-dominated rosé (70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir).

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• NV Jean Milan Champagne Cuvée de Reserve Blanc de Blancs Brut 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Fermented in oak barrel, I found this rounder than the other Bruts in the portfolio, but still retaining some nice acidity and minerality. Some light oak and nutty flavors in addition to white fruit.

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• 2005 Jean Milan Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Symphorine Blanc de Blancs Brut 91 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Complex flavor profile of pear, lemon and brioche with a delicate floral quality. Nice balance.

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• NV Diebolt-Vallois Champagne Tradition Brut 88 Points

  France, Champagne

  Round with toasty, apple pie flavors. Didn't enjoy this as much as the BdB's to follow.

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• NV Diebolt-Vallois Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  A very nice BdB with citrusy and minerally qualities.

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• NV Diebolt-Vallois Champagne Brut Rosé 87 Points

  France, Champagne

  I found this rather clunky and heavy, with a very intense earthy palate. Just lacked elegance. Perhaps this suffered in comparison to the Brut Rosé from Jean Milan that I had just tasted which was 70% Chardonnay and much lighter and brighter.

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• NV Diebolt-Vallois Champagne Cuvée Prestige Blanc de Blancs 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  Had this twice over a couple of days, once at a restaurant in Paris and a second time at the domaine a couple of days later. Both times it was outstanding. Not sure of the disgorgement dates of the ones I tried - although looking at the community tasting notes it does seem that this wine suffers from year-to-year variation. I found this to be excellently well-balanced with palate-lifting acidity and complex flavors of crisp citrus and green apple fruit, fresh cream, bright minerality, and a hint of white flowers. What a great aperitif!

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• 2005 Diebolt-Vallois Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Rich and round, with toasted nuts and vanilla flavors balancing the bright citrus and apple flavors.

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• 1999 Diebolt-Vallois Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Even richer and nuttier than the 2005, I found this to be well-made, to be sure, just not my style.

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• 2004 Diebolt-Vallois Champagne Fleur de Passion Brut 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  This is excellent. White fruits, flowers, and lemons with excellent minerality and acidity. Could definitely age for 5 or even 10 years, but if you like your Champagne bright, citrusy, and minerally there's no reason to wait too long.

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• NV Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut Impérial 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Really nice for an entry-level Champagne from one of the big houses. Good balance with some toast, pear, and lemon flavors.

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• NV Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut Imperial Rosé 87 Points

  France, Champagne

  Not offensive in any way, this was lacking in flavor and a bit boring.

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• 2002 Moët & Chandon Champagne Grand Vintage 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Yeasty nose with pear, apple, and some earthy funk. Nice acidity and delicate bubbles.

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• 2002 Moët & Chandon Champagne Grand Vintage Rosé 89 Points

  France, Champagne

  Found this to be rather rich, with some yeasty funk on the nose and rounded strawberry and toast flavors. Not my style.

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