Blunden's Grand Marque Shampoo Tasting
London
Tasted Saturday, July 9, 2011 by Timbalimba with 1,056 views
Introduction
Oddbins alumni get-together tasting a selection of Grand Marques. Mature wines were brought from private cellars. NVs purchased for the event. Not blind
NV Perrier-Jouët Champagne Grand Brut 88 Points
France, Champagne
I'm partial to the house style but I think this is a fantastic non-vintage charlie. White flowers, biscuits, a hint of peach. Great mousse. Beautifully elegant.
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1998 Perrier-Jouët Champagne Grand Brut Vintage 90 Points
France, Champagne
For me, the definition of finesse. Light-footed but also very sure-footed. Difficult year but great execution.
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NV Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Brut 86 Points
France, Champagne
Not bad. Apple, oatmeal, a twist of lemon peel. Decent length, harmonious.
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2000 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut Millésimé 89 Points
France, Champagne
Winter apples, some mushroom, a bit of bite at the end. Nice balance. Good value.
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NV Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Réserve Mis en Cave 1996 83 Points
France, Champagne
I didn't get the hype when the Mise en Cave series was released and I still don't get it. Decent enough but no real personality. Fluffy in the mouth, large bubbles. Ok, it's a good Champagne but there are more interesting candidates available at the price.
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NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Réserve 86 Points
France, Champagne
Another favorite house, although I feel quality has fluctuated slightly in the new millennium. They suddenly seemed to be released very young. This specimen is very good but needs time. A bit four-square but the promise is there.
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NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Demi-Sec Reserve 87 Points
France, Champagne
Lemon and raspberry sherbet. One of the [very few] sweeter cuvees worth buying.
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NV Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut Impérial 80 Points
France, Champagne
Oh well. Read somewhere that Moet grabbed a large chunk of the fruit from the newly classified sites and maybe this is the result. Decent balance but there just isn't enough power to justify the price tag. Come on LVMH! Give us a break and lower the profit margin a bit. Spend more money on the fruit.
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1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Millésime Blanc 90 Points
France, Champagne
As much as the NV is overpriced, I think the vintage is a relative bargain. For me Bolly and Moet are the two outstanding 96's among the "standard" cuvees, obviously in different categories and style, but both bring out the best of the vintage. Ripe oranges and bitter almond, vanilla, a chunk of strawberry. A real charmer.
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NV Taittinger Champagne Brut Réserve / La Française 86 Points
France, Champagne
Yes, it's elegant and a great showcase for Chardonnay fruit. It is also just slightly lacking pizazz and individuality.
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NV Taittinger Champagne Brut Prestige Rosé 86 Points
France, Champagne
Better stuff here, more guts and glory, although it keeps its quintessential finesse.
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2002 Taittinger Champagne Brut Millésimé 88 Points
France, Champagne
Fine, harmonious, elegantly tuned. Again, however, I think it is a bit too eager to please.
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NV G. H. Mumm & Cie Champagne Mumm de Cramant 90 Points
France, Champagne
Perfectly balanced yet individual, pearly, slight mousse, and some fine ripe fruit. Low-keyed brilliance. Released at the right moment (thank you Mumm).
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NV Joseph Perrier Champagne Cuvée Royále 80 Points
France, Champagne
I've been served this champagne a number of times during flights (it's standard airline fare) and it usually disappoints. Tasted against its peers in our tasting, it lives up to its reputation. Somehow it combines mean fruit with some very racy acidity, aggressive mousse, and a relatively short finish. In my opinion it is out of balance.
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NV Laurent-Perrier Champagne Brut L.P. 87 Points
France, Champagne
Lovely elegance here. Apple and cinnamon, a whiff of citrus fruits. Never overpowering, never boring, just pleasure in a bottle.
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NV Laurent-Perrier Champagne Ultra Brut 89 Points
France, Champagne
Gunsmoke, flinty mineral, and good citrus fruits underneath. Impressive acidity--- sharp like a razor's edge but completely integrated. If anyone's interested there is a dead ringer available for about one fourth of the price, the Juve y Camps Reserva de la Familia. If you like the style, that is. I certainly do.
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