Vintage Champagne at Jay Selman's Office
The Board Room
Tasted Monday, December 8, 2008 by WetRock with 736 views
Introduction
Even though Jay has let his office series of tastings slide he did open up his office for the annual Vintage Champagne tasting. We ended up with a great lineup including a mini-vert of Dom Perignon. Robert Whitesell again set us up with some excellent food which he seems to do better and better each time I get to indulge. Even with Jay's attempts at Bogarting some of the more aged wines and me calling him on it I escaped with only some Gosset spilled on my jeans by his assistant, Brian. I fear next time the bottle will be aimed at my head.
Thanks to everyone who brought such great wines. My favs would be the 1996 Perrier-Jouet, 1990 Alain Robert, 1996 Bollinger, 2000 Vilmart, 1990 Dom P and the 1999 Gosset with the Bollinger edging out the Vilmart for WOTD.
1990 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon
France, Champagne
Creamy nose with some vanilla and a bit of toffee. Caramel rich palate still with bright citrus. This seems to be just turning the corner to maturity. Very good now and I think its best days are ahead of it.
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1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon
France, Champagne
Some sulphur on the nose initially opening a wee bit to some citrus. Palate seems tight with plenty of lean citrus and maybe some green apple and hard acidity. Finish does pick up in a pretty way with air. This seemed closed to me and didn't offer up the depth I've seen from this before. Mine stays asleep for a few more years.
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1999 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon
France, Champagne
Very sulfury nose. Tight palate with plenty of grip. I've had this several times this year and it always seems wrapped up to me. That being said I'm not sure the depth is there for greatness but I would hold this at least 2-5 years more.
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1998 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon
France, Champagne
Some spice initially and notes of sulfur. Very citrusy acidic with a lean light feel. This clearly doesn't carry the concentration of its better vintage brethren.
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1999 Gosset Champagne Brut Grand Millésime
France, Champagne
Blind I would have guessed a BdB. Rich lemon and sweet breads initially some aromas of ginger and cinnamon spice emerge after some tie in the glass. Racey, acidic and tight the palate also evolves some gaining a pretty finish and some rich fruit very reminiscent of a good vintage Blanc de Blanc. I would say Raynolds note is spot on here. This is very good now with air and will be better in 3-5 years. Very good for the $54 from Garagiste.
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1985 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Charlie
France, Champagne
Initially there were some green skin type notes and some nice spice but with air more mature notes of caramel came along but never very prominently. Light feel and very fresh still with clean apple palate with lip smacking green apple tart finish. This drank incredibly young. Very well made. Check back in 10 more years.
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1995 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Blanc des Millénaires
France, Champagne
Tight nose letting out a bit of green apple. Lean in style with plenty of tart apple. This drank very young and needs much more time for me. Will never be a blockbuster but should develop into something pretty and elegant with age.
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1996 Perrier-Jouët Champagne Belle Epoque
France, Champagne
Lovely complex nose with a touch of sulfur with air. Concentrated narrow palate showing appley character. Tight now but seems to carries good potential. Let sleep with anticipation.
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1990 Alain Robert Champagne Blanc de Blancs Reserve Le Mesnil
France, Champagne
I wasn't familiar with this producer previous to today but will now be on my radar. Nose of caramel apples picking up some coffee aromas showing a bit of complex maturity. Very fresh palate of baked apples. THe most mature nose of the day but the palate still seems on the young side. Not a lot of concentration but probably best in another 5 years. Very nice and one of my favs on the day.
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1998 Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Champagne Diamant Rosé
France, Champagne
Nose of peach and plum cobbler. Heavy palate with baked fruits and some grip. Fat fruit in the middle seems to overwhelm the finish some. Seemed to lack some acidity.
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1996 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année
France, Champagne
Even better than my last go around. Nose gives up some nice spices and ginger along with some greenish skin notes. Huge and concentrated with plenty of apples. Lots of depth and weight here. A long term wine with some terrific drinking ahead of it. Probably still my WOTD. Leave sleep for 10+ years.
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1998 Henriot Champagne Brut Millésimé
France, Champagne
Light nose with some pretty lime. Lacks some concentration but has nice citrus notes. Distinct bitter character towards the back end. Of the tart lean style. Was outclassed today.
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2000 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Coeur de Cuvée
France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
Spicey complex expressive nose that was a bit of a wow. Pretty sweet and spice palate giving good complexity and a very fresh character. Drinking very very well now. Close running for WOTD.
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