Blind Tasting with the guys

Maison Cafe in Dana Point, CA
Tasted Thursday, February 17, 2022 by Frank Murray III with 138 views

Flight 1 - A Look At Les 7 (1 Note)

  • NV Laherte Frères Champagne Les 7 Extra Brut

    France, Champagne

    I sourced this for the blind event we had last night. I had been curious to try this wine because of its unique composition: all 7 authorized Champagne grapes are used, in roughly equal amounts. And, the wine is built from a solera starting from 2005, the output of a small plot in Chavot planted by the family back in 2003 using all 7 varieties. Disgorged January 2021, with just a few grams of dosage. This is an interesting wine, with grapefruit, honeyed green apple, and some prickly structure, along with some red berry notes, like a bright raspberry. It's expensive (I paid $110 US for it) yet was worth the study and experience. However, at the price, I would rather use my budget for the Autrefois or Craie Nature bottlings, both made by the family.

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Flight 2 - Two Pinot Noir Roses (2 Notes)

  • 2015 Marie Courtin Champagne Indulgence Extra Brut Rosé

    France, Champagne

    Bottle #2, disgorged November 2018. 100% macerated Pinot Noir. I found this wine to be unique last time I had it and again it shows those same qualities. Even the rest of the guys at the table found the wine to be worthy of conversation and discussion. Cranberry, strawberry, watermelon and blood orange. This is a concentrated and more heady wine, reminding me a bit like cool climate California still Pinot Noir. This needs air to really unwrap. With more air, this gains a smoky top note, red apple and a cherry/watermelon hard candy note, like Jolly Rancher. This for me is a fascinating wine, what my buddy Ramon called 'cerebral'. It is that wine.

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  • 2013 Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Premier Cru Rosé de Maturation

    France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

    Disgorged June 2018, a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from Vertus. I believe some of this wine is done in concrete, and the wine overall sees an additional 4 years of time on the lees, i.e. it's 'matured'. Gorgeous light peach color, with stone fruit, good density and reminding me a lot of the Vilmart Emotion rose. As the wine saw more air, it picked up some flavors of kiwi, almond, more peach and even a touch of yogurt. Finishes with lime zest, fresh, zesty and elegant. This really showed a wow factor last night.

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Flight 3 - Two Chardonnays (2 Notes)

  • NV Laherte Frères Champagne Nature De Craie Premier Cru Brut Nature

    France, Champagne

    Second bottle this month. Disgorged May 2021, 100% Chard from Vertus and Voipreux (both in the CdB), made without sulfur and dosage. Last night's bottle was poured blind as I wanted to see how the group would respond to the wine. The opinion on this was pretty consistent for high marks, as the chalk really came through, as did the lemon oil note. Mint, citrus zest, pounded rock aroma (chalk?) with depth and texture. This is a terrific Chardonnay, one that really does express the terroir nicely.

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  • 2014 Rémi Leroy Champagne Blanc de Blancs

    France, Champagne

    I don't drink enough of Remi's wines (I am fixing that as some more are now arriving). Decided to open another of the 2014 BdB last night, pour it blind and see what the guys thought. Disgorged December 2018, 100% Chardonnay, 3 grams of dosage. The richness on this wine is terrific, and I know the 2014 vintage in the Aube did produce wines that were tauter and higher acidity but this bottling has seemed to pull it all together in an approachable, seductive style. Tangerine, green apple, lemon candy and mineral. Easy to drink with bright features and plenty of texture.

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Flight 4 - An Early Look at 15 Eff and Check-In on 737DT (2 Notes)

  • 2015 Marie Courtin Champagne Efflorescence Extra Brut

    France, Champagne

    Disgorged November 2018. Farmed biodynamic, 100% Pinot Noir done in old wood and without dosage. I bought a six pack of the 2015, based on going through a case of the 2014 and being so overjoyed with that wine over and over again. So, decided to pour this blind last night and see how it showed. This is beautiful, with stone and white flower aromas, suave red fruit and a stony finish. Already this seems approachable so I will get another bottle open soon and drink that one over a couple for days to capture a more extended note and impression. But, first impressions for now...this is delicious.

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  • NV Jacquesson & Fils Champagne Cuvée No. 737 Dégorgement Tardif

    France, Champagne

    Disgorged November 2017, I think 1-2 grams of dosage. Blend of fruit from the Marne and CdB. The kicker on this wine is the long lees time, I think 90 months. I liked this wine, but I didn't love it. It's got the impression of the lees on the aroma and some bruised apple notes, which typically I don't care for in my Champagne. I thought this was good, maybe more elegant and starting to show some aged quality but I would honestly rather drink the Marie Courtin Efflorescence I poured blind next to it

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