Prestige Cuvees at Woodland Hills Country Club

We gathered once again at the WHCC by the grace of Mark Hubbard and his offline program there. Jeff Cagle got this rolling originally came on down from the dark reaches of Bakersfield which I've heard is on the outskirts of Mordor though few have returned to confirm this. We enjoy a ton of sushi that Mark picked up a local place and it was great. Including something called the Johnny Roll which I dared not ask what it consisted of after hearing it's name, realizing we were in the Valley and Mark saying something about it being stuffed. After gorging ourselves when actually have a round of soups and salads and then entrees. It was a good night all around including some sabering demonstrations by Samantha and Jeff and enjoyment of the incredible view that is provided at the establishment.

The theme of course was Prestige Cuvee's of Champagne. We had a nice assemblage of mostly young wines. They for the most part showed pretty well but I think that I would prefer to see what most of them would be like in another 10 years or more. I am beginning to really prefer top end Champagne in a more mature stage. WOTNs for me were the 95 La Grand Dame and the 92 Vilmart.

• NV H. Billiot Fils Champagne Grand Cru Brut Réserve

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Nice depth with notes of violets and apples. Drank about as well as I have experienced from this bottling which is saying something. Disappeared in a hurry.

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• 1997 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année

  France, Champagne

  Lemon and soft butter on the nose. Soft and smooth with good acidity. Didn't seem to carry the weight or power I usually get from Bollinger but still seemed somewhat young regardless. A lighter delicate Bollinger drinking very nicely.

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• 1996 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année

  France, Champagne

  Nose of warm buttered bread. Big on the palate with spiced apples and a touch of ginger. This showed much more palate weight than the 97 and seems like a good candidate for further cellaring though I did enjoy it quite a bit.

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• 1996 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame

  France, Champagne

  This came off pretty tight and wrapped up. Light notes of butter on the nose and showing a more delicate version of Champagne across the palate than the Bollinger.

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• 1996 Salon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut

  France, Champagne

  Light elegant nose of toast and chalky Chardonnay. Soft and light with a silky feel, bit tight and tart. This generated discussion next to the Winston Churchill. The Salon is certainly very pretty and I see what people enjoy about it but I prefer more complexity and depth in a Champagne....though I certainly never turn a taste down.

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• 1996 Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

  France, Champagne

  Nose wasn't giving up much showing very tightly. Palate showed very nice depth and complexity. Needs some cellar sleep but plenty of potential.

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• 1998 Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

  France, Champagne

  Light palate that seems to grip some. Comes off as young and tight and seems very unremarkable at this stage. Maybe more air or cellaring are needed?

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• 1995 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon

  France, Champagne

  Nose of saline and sea water with some red apples. Heavy palate of light apple and some gripping tartness. Some depth here but showed somewhat simple.

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• 1995 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame

  France, Champagne

  Soft nose of sweet florals and some lightly toasted sourdough. Flower water and violets on a tart palate. Light feel with good complexity. One of my favs on the evening.

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• 1992 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Coeur de Cuvée

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  From a magnum. Brown sugar and toasted caramel with a note of coffee on the nose. Sweet tart apples with notes of butter caramel and butterscotch one the palate. Mouth coating acidity with notes of light coffee on the finish. The mature notes seemed to emerge from the background of this as it really still drank like a bright youngster. Has many years ahead of it and would be great to try in another 10-20 years. A fav on the evening.

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• 1990 Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Flawed

  France, Champagne

  This appeared to be cooked. Sherried notes.

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• 1975 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon

  France, Champagne

  Burnt sugar, toffee and slight sherried notes on the nose. Bright and tart yet hollow. Seemed past its prime.

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