Impromptu Lallier tasting
Tasted July 5, 2012 by grafstrb with 392 views
Introduction
Yesterday, while in my local wine store, a representative from Maison Lallier, in Champagne, and their British importer stopped-by the shop to taste the shop owner and his employee through their range. The timing of my visit was quite lucky, as I was invited to participate, as well.
Maison Lallier is a relatively new Champagne house, and has been under new ownership since 2004. The way the winery rep. was talking about their house and their wines, one could have easily been under the mistaken impression that they didn’t exist until 2004! The Lallier rep. made a point of claiming that they’re focused more on quality than quantity --- they source only from Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards. After tasting through this 5 wine lineup, I have to concur; but for the Rose, the lineup was very good to excellent, and the prices make the wines even more attractive. Lallier seems to be a strong up and coming producer, and one to buy right now before the word gets out and the prices go up.
Flight 1 (5 notes)
-- 2/3 Pinot Noir, 1/3 Chardonnay --
-- 2008 base, with some 2007 and 2006 blended in –
Lots of apple and hint of toast. Nice acidity, with moderate cut and precision. Has really nice verve to it, and is offered at what I consider a ridiculously good price. 100% stainless steel. Dosage at 9g/L, but came across quite dry. Very good. Taking price into account (approx. 26 quid (approx. $40)), this gets an upgrade from very good to excellent.
-- 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay --
Orange-salmon color. Frothy mousse. The Nose is somewhat inexpressive, and is reminiscent of fermenting grape must with a slight hint of grassiness. Moderately intense flavor. Palate presence lacks precision or focus. This wine saw a brief maceration on skins, and is a red wine/white wine blend. Comprised of 80% Premier Cru grapes, and 20% Grand Cru grapes. Low dosage (10 g/L). Not bad, but my least favorite of the lineup; in fact, it’s the only one of the lineup that I’m not interested in buying. Good.
Assertive apple aroma and green leaf scent on the Nose. Moderately complex on the palate; strong mineral and apple notes, and a hint of tangelo citrus fruit; good precision, but lacks cut. Pleasantly dry (8 g/L). These Chardonnay grapes come entirely from Ay. Good to very good.
-- 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay --
Nose is richer, and more broad than the non-vintage offerings; nose also has a pleasantly intriguing umami/savory element to it, too. On the palate, this shows moderately intense apple and pear fruit flavors with a “winey” center; nice little mushroom note, too; less obvious acidity than the N.V. Grande Reserve, but it’s sufficient nonetheless; very long finish of medium-strong intensity. Low dosage (7 g/L). Very good to Excellent. I can’t remember the exact price point on this, but I do recall thinking its price point is very attractive --- a theme running throughout the entire Lallier range.
-- 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay --
NOSE: intense green apple aromas; yeasty; smells like a winery during crush; wonderful Nose.
BODY: light golden yellow color; medium-light bodied.
TASTE: mineral city! apple fruit flavors are there, so this isn’t all about the mineral, but goodness --- this is not a wine for oenological nihilists! Incredibly dry and austere (zero dosage); pointed precision; good acidity; a wine that will put your palate through its paces. Mineral freaks take note: you want this wine. Excellent.
B: 50, 5, 12, 17, 8 = 92