Important Update From the Founder
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Champagnes at the Wine Exchange
The Wine Exchange, Orange, CA
Tasted November 13, 2010 by WetRock with 816 views
Introduction
The annual holiday season Champagne tasting at The Wine Exchange gave us a lot of grower wines both vintage and non. The Paul Bara wines in particular were much better than I have remembered. I marked the majority as having enjoyed and found the quality of the lineup pretty high. It was very nice to see some prices back as reasonable levels. After a couple of years of steep climbing I've noticed a check on the prices with many going backwards.
Flight 1 (17 notes)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs
The light entry leaves this a bit steely yet rich fruit helps the palate grow to a bigger finish. Nice length. Pretty good and probably best with some air.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Leclaire Gaspard Champagne Grande Reserve Blanc de Blancs
Almost like a Muscadet/Chablis of Champagne with lots of tart lemon and loads of minerals on a big finish. Very nice.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Robert Moncuit Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut
Candy like nose with seemingly ripe fruit. Lean feeling with lemon mineral expression. Big finish but seemed to lack in expression. Like this better the previous weeks taste but solid.
White - Sparkling
N.V. J. Lassalle Champagne Premier Cru Brut Reserve Cachet Or
The return of the quality $30 Champagne. Airy light expression yet the palate feel is lovely, almost grippy. 60% Pinot Meunier. Pretty good and asking to be with a meal.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Duval-Leroy Champagne Brut
Nose of fruit cocktail and lightly toasted white bread. Somewhat lean in feel as to be expected with tart flavor and strong fizz. 90% PN/PM with 20-30% reserve wines.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Henri Goutorbe Champagne Cuvée Prestige
Fresh apple nose. This came off austere, grippy and hard. Apple skin flavors were peeking out but this clearly needed some air. 70% Pinot Noir.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Tarlant Champagne QV Discobitch
Clean and pretty in character with a nice sweet tart combo. Lots of sulfur floating around on the nose and palate. One third each Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chard. Good stuff under a clearly pandering title. It doesn't warrant the cover charge to me.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Brut Réserve
Pretty Pinot berry flavors. Lively and expressive palate. A big step up from previous Paul Bara experiences for me. Outstanding value on this one.
White - Sparkling
N.V. André Clouet Champagne Grande Réserve Brut
Nose gives some forward fruit and bread dough along with a saline/sea water note. Clean with plenty of fruit flavors and linear mouth feel. Some grip here. 100% Pinot Noir. I like this stuff.
White - Sparkling
2004 Jose Dhondt Champagne Grand Cru Mes Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs
Sulfur seems to muddle up things here. The tight palate gives up some tart fresh citrus but it is struggling to show itself. This is in need of time but doesn't show nearly to the level of the 02 or 05.
White - Sparkling
2002 Marion-Bosser Champagne Premier Cru Brut
Very different from my last go at this. Toasty char on the nose with some sulfur. Complex apple fruits on the palate with toast to add interest. Definitely tight here. 50/50 Pinot/Chard. Liked it better this go but not wild about it.
White - Sparkling
2004 H. Billiot Fils Champagne Grand Cru Brut Millésimé
Rich with a clean finish and seeming to have power underneath. Clean and precise but coming in two notes right now. This needs some time and should be lovely.
White - Sparkling
2002 A. Margaine Champagne Blanc de Blancs Special Club
Tart citrus aromas. Lean feeling and a bit hard at this point. Bright expression with strong effervescence. This needs some time. Definitely leaning towarrds the more lean mineral driven style.
White - Sparkling
2000 Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Champagne Premier Cru Special Club
Lightly toasted citrus nose. Light and clean, very pleasant. Tart apples with saline and minerals on the finish. Could use more concentration but is a very interesting combination. Probably best for earlier drinking and with dinner.
White - Sparkling
2000 Gaston Chiquet Champagne Special Club Brut
Nose of lightly buttered bread and citrus. Rich yet clean palate. A nice package if wanting more interest.
Rosé - Sparkling
2004 A. R. Lenoble Champagne Brut Rosé
Nose of cherry candy. Bright palate with more tart candy. 85% Chard with the rest being still Pinot.
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Grand Rosé
Strong cherry flavors here. Expressive with a clean balanced line from front to back. Very nice length. Terrific. 85% Pinot with 12% being from still wines.