Bookclub

It’s Steve’s turn to host so get ready. Wait, we’re starting out with seven sparklers and three reds? There’s only six of us! I’m curious what the theme might be and taking a stab at it is always part of the enjoyment. Buckle up kids.

We weren’t allowed to guess what the theme was until we tasted both flights of champagne. I wonder what Steve’s up to? So all these wines are related somehow. Initially, I thought maybe all seven were from a single producer across their whole portfolio. After tasting them, I decided the theme must be blanc de blanc. Maybe everything is Chardonnay. I got bonus points because they were all 100% Chardonnay except a couple of them, but even they were predominantly Chardonnay. But that is not the theme.

The theme was Road Trip with the 2008 vintage. What!!! We started down south and circled around stopping at various villages on a clockwise route around champagne. I’m in deep trouble because I don’t know my villages. Astrid and Frank are driving now, they know the villages and their locations. I’m along for the ride - I had my head out the window and Janey’s fingers were in the cake.

• 2008 Jacques Lassaigne Champagne Cuvée 1+UN Extra Brut

  France, Champagne

  Blind: this was a fairly dark golden color, I thought it might be late 90s or early 2000 vintage. Pungent golden apple aromas of honeysuckle flower. Great apple flavor, kiss of molasses, apple and salty note. Zippy acidity. This was my favorite of the 2008. Probably got bonus points because of its uniqueness compared to the others.

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• 2008 Guy Larmandier Champagne Signé François Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs

  France, Champagne

  Blind: this bottle was enjoyed by the others, but not so much by me. It had a sweet lemony note to it and very low effervescence. They one point went back to it thinking that it might be a still wine. Very light yellow color.

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• 2008 Varnier-Fanniere Champagne Grand Cru Brut Grand Vintage

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Blind: light oxidative note medium plus gold color. Tart lemon, and a little pop of sweetness at the finish wrapped up with a chalky grit. Like it.

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• 2008 Lilbert-Fils Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Millésimé Cramant

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Blind; this wasn’t that popular with anybody. Light yellow color. Lemon and lime but more full and candied. Slight yeasty aroma. I took the remainder of the bottle home, but the cork blew out of it on the ride and shot champagne all over the inside of my car. I’m definitely getting a lot of yeasty notes now!

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We’re circling around the Tour de Champagne picking up a few northern locations. The scenery from backseat is stunningly beautiful.

• 2008 Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Champagne Special Club Millesimé de Collection

  France, Champagne

  Blind: first impressions were classic. Classic grower that is it has a light mouth feel and lots of bracing acidity. Color is fairly light as well. Excellent sparkler and should age forever.

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• 2008 Gaston Chiquet Champagne Special Club Brut Vauzelle

  France, Champagne

  Blind. Lots of herbal notes And even taste a little bit of the dried straw on the back end. Yellow apple and citrus flavors.

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• 2008 A. Margaine Champagne Blanc de Blancs Special Club

  France, Champagne

  Blind: I can see how this one would be polarizing. The nose is intriguing and it seems like it saw some oak. I enjoyed this and thought it was elegant. There’s a hint of honeycomb at the end.

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I thought these were all Italian, maybe the theme is Brunelleschi? But for some reason, I changed my mind on the first bottle to a Bordeaux and now I’m screwed. Theme was Sangiovese.

• 2007 Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Blind: this was a coin toss between a Bordeaux blend and a super Tuscan in my brain. Ultimately went with Bordeaux for zero points.
  
  This needs a good decant because the oak is extremely prevalent, but blows off with time revealing her terrific wine. Dark fruit, cassis and cherry, tobacco leaf, and a little bit of a green note at the end. Tiny crunchy tannins.

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• 2011 Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Blind: I was really leaning towards Nebiolo and didn’t want to move off of it. I was very sure it was Italian.
  
  This is my favorite red on the flight, lean, cherry, fine, prickly, tannins. This was a very elegant wine.

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• 2010 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT

  Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT

  Blind: I thought this was Brunello and not a good one.
  
  I’m gonna say there’s a bottle variation here because it’s Italian! There was a stewed quality to the nose and palate. An odd ash flavor. It wasn’t flawed, it just wasn’t very good and I’ve had other vintages of this wine and it’s very very good to great.

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