"The challenge of the 2011 Rosé, a difficult vintage for ripeness in Champagne, is perfectly met thanks to the Pinots noirs from south-facing Cumières, and the small yields which helped these grapes reach perfect ripeness." Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Cellar Master
N: Yeast, minerals, some flowers?
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt nicely balanced by acidity. The finish is LONG & with a LIP smacking tanginess. DELIGHTFUL for now, & I'm guessing, through '19... safely.™ 92+ pts (2x) John Gilman, 15/20 Jancis Robinson (Hemming, 9/6/17), + 3 scores on wine-searcher's Tasting Notes pg. [As of late Mar '20, wine-searcher only shows this avail in magnums @ $159-$175.50, though the latter DOES require a 2 bottle purchase].
™I've been conservative here as I've NO idea how such a wine ages.
Supposedly 70% P.N. & 30% Chard from 90% grand & 1er cru vyds; Fermented separately, malolactic blocked, & aged on the lees for 7 yrs; Disgorged 2017; Dosage 8 g/l; 12% ABV
N: CLOSED; Some yeastiness?
P: Med body; Rndish entry with NICE frt juxtaposed by CRISP acidity which slowly resolves, yet still makes itself felt, through the LONG, balanced finish. Drinking MARVELOUSLY right now, & should at LEAST make its 10th!™ 92+ pts (3x) John Gilman, 17.5 (3x) & 17/20 Jancis Robinson, + 7 scores on wine-searcher's Tasting Notes pg. [As of late Mar '20, wine-searcher still shows multiple sources from $62-$89].
™I've been intentionally conservative as I've NO idea how such a wine ages.
Typically, 90% P.N. & 10% Chard from vines ave 45 yrs old & planted in soils of thick clay & chalky sediment; "10% Reserve wine aged in 5 yr old, 600L oak barrels, 30% aged in s/s tanks, & 60% from that year's harvest. Direct pressing & clarification of must, temp controlled alcoholic fermentation, malolactic fermentation blocked, & minimal dosage, being close to Extra Brut."
Addendum: Also tasted on 6/1 & 12/7/19
N: Yeast SLIGHTLY atop apples?
P: MF body; Rndish, DELIGHTFULLY lively entry with ALMOST swtish frt beautifully counterbalanced by an acidity which slowly evolves into a LONG, honied finish. NICELY done, though more of an aperitif than with food? [As of mid Mar '20, wine-searcher still shows 2 sources @ $35 & $40].
P: MF body; RNDISH, enchanting entry with ALMOST swtish frt offset by acidity. The LONG, tangy/swt finish should go VERY well with food. LOVELY stuff for now & the next several yrs... min. :) [As of late Mar '20, wine-searcher still shows NUMEROUS sources from $40-$50].
20% Chard, 40% P.N., & 40% Pinot Meunier; "Grapes from the Montagne de Reims (namely Ludes & Villedommange) and Vitriat (namely Vavray Grand); Reserve wine usage: 25-40% of previous years; Aging: 30-36 mos on lees; Dosage: 6g (of sugar)"
N: Closed, but yeast SEEMS on top
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with yeasty notes & a beautiful acid balance which dominates the LONG, very, VERY slightly bitterish finish with OCCASIONAL notes of honey. A *very* food friendly style for now & the next couple of yrs. [As of late Mar '20, wine-searcher shows 6 sources from $37-$45].
"Blend: 60% P.N., 25% Chard, & 15% Meunier, > 85% from Grand & 1er crus vyds; Maturation: cellar aged > twice the time required by the appellation. Dosage: moderate, 8-9 g/L; Special Cuvée is the result of the delicate blending between harvest grapes & a majority of reserve wines, part of which have been aged in magnums for 5-15 yrs."
N: YEASTY, bread dough, apples WAY underneath?
P: MF body; Very RNDISH entry with almost a swtness NICELY counterbalanced by an ALMOST puckerish acidity which largely mitigates by the LONG, tangy finish with very slight notes of swtness. This strikes me as a style EQUALLY adept as an aperitif & with food. An impressive wine for drinking now & over the next several yrs! :) [As of late Mar '20, wine-searcher MULTIPLE sources from $45.75-$60].
Addendum: Also tasted on 12/3/16; 5/5 & 11/24/18, + 6/1 & 12/7/19
2011 Louis Roederer Champagne Vintage Brut Rosé
France, Champagne
"The challenge of the 2011 Rosé, a difficult vintage for ripeness in Champagne, is perfectly met thanks to the Pinots noirs from south-facing Cumières, and the small yields which helped these grapes reach perfect ripeness." Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Cellar Master
N: Yeast, minerals, some flowers?
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt nicely balanced by acidity. The finish is LONG & with a LIP smacking tanginess. DELIGHTFUL for now, & I'm guessing, through '19... safely.™ 92+ pts (2x) John Gilman, 15/20 Jancis Robinson (Hemming, 9/6/17), + 3 scores on wine-searcher's Tasting Notes pg. [As of late Mar '20, wine-searcher only shows this avail in magnums @ $159-$175.50, though the latter DOES require a 2 bottle purchase].
™I've been conservative here as I've NO idea how such a wine ages.
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2009 Louis Roederer Champagne Vintage Brut
France, Champagne
Supposedly 70% P.N. & 30% Chard from 90% grand & 1er cru vyds; Fermented separately, malolactic blocked, & aged on the lees for 7 yrs; Disgorged 2017; Dosage 8 g/l; 12% ABV
N: CLOSED; Some yeastiness?
P: Med body; Rndish entry with NICE frt juxtaposed by CRISP acidity which slowly resolves, yet still makes itself felt, through the LONG, balanced finish. Drinking MARVELOUSLY right now, & should at LEAST make its 10th!™ 92+ pts (3x) John Gilman, 17.5 (3x) & 17/20 Jancis Robinson, + 7 scores on wine-searcher's Tasting Notes pg. [As of late Mar '20, wine-searcher still shows multiple sources from $62-$89].
™I've been intentionally conservative as I've NO idea how such a wine ages.
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NV Herbert Beaufort Champagne Grand Cru Carte d'Or Brut
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Typically, 90% P.N. & 10% Chard from vines ave 45 yrs old & planted in soils of thick clay & chalky sediment; "10% Reserve wine aged in 5 yr old, 600L oak barrels, 30% aged in s/s tanks, & 60% from that year's harvest. Direct pressing & clarification of must, temp controlled alcoholic fermentation, malolactic fermentation blocked, & minimal dosage, being close to Extra Brut."
Addendum: Also tasted on 6/1 & 12/7/19
N: Yeast SLIGHTLY atop apples?
P: MF body; Rndish, DELIGHTFULLY lively entry with ALMOST swtish frt beautifully counterbalanced by an acidity which slowly evolves into a LONG, honied finish. NICELY done, though more of an aperitif than with food? [As of mid Mar '20, wine-searcher still shows 2 sources @ $35 & $40].
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NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Réserve
France, Champagne
N: CLOSED; Some yeast & toast?
P: MF body; RNDISH, enchanting entry with ALMOST swtish frt offset by acidity. The LONG, tangy/swt finish should go VERY well with food. LOVELY stuff for now & the next several yrs... min. :) [As of late Mar '20, wine-searcher still shows NUMEROUS sources from $40-$50].
Addendum: Also tasted on 6/1/19
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NV Huré Frères Champagne Invitation
France, Champagne
20% Chard, 40% P.N., & 40% Pinot Meunier; "Grapes from the Montagne de Reims (namely Ludes & Villedommange) and Vitriat (namely Vavray Grand); Reserve wine usage: 25-40% of previous years; Aging: 30-36 mos on lees; Dosage: 6g (of sugar)"
N: Closed, but yeast SEEMS on top
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with yeasty notes & a beautiful acid balance which dominates the LONG, very, VERY slightly bitterish finish with OCCASIONAL notes of honey. A *very* food friendly style for now & the next couple of yrs. [As of late Mar '20, wine-searcher shows 6 sources from $37-$45].
Addendum: Also tasted on 5/5 & 12/8/18
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NV Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvée Brut
France, Champagne
"Blend: 60% P.N., 25% Chard, & 15% Meunier, > 85% from Grand & 1er crus vyds; Maturation: cellar aged > twice the time required by the appellation. Dosage: moderate, 8-9 g/L; Special Cuvée is the result of the delicate blending between harvest grapes & a majority of reserve wines, part of which have been aged in magnums for 5-15 yrs."
N: YEASTY, bread dough, apples WAY underneath?
P: MF body; Very RNDISH entry with almost a swtness NICELY counterbalanced by an ALMOST puckerish acidity which largely mitigates by the LONG, tangy finish with very slight notes of swtness. This strikes me as a style EQUALLY adept as an aperitif & with food. An impressive wine for drinking now & over the next several yrs! :) [As of late Mar '20, wine-searcher MULTIPLE sources from $45.75-$60].
Addendum: Also tasted on 12/3/16; 5/5 & 11/24/18, + 6/1 & 12/7/19
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