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Celebrating Doug's Birthday...
Yama
Tasted November 17, 2013 - November 18, 2013 by Kirk Grant with 355 views
Introduction
I met with Doug & his wife for some Sushi & Champagne to celebrate his birthday...as always the sushi was great and they treated us really well at Yama.
Flight 1 - Champagnes... (3 notes)
We tasted the Vilmart & Billecart-Salmon side-by-side...and then the Krug Rosé...
White - Sparkling
2001 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Coeur de Cuvée
Color: Light golden yellow
Smell: Pear, green apple, tropical fruits, coffee cake crumble, with a hint of saline.
Taste: Caramel, lemon, nutmeg, coffee cake, lead into mineral notes that linger on the palate
Overall: Outstanding!! Initially there was an obvious presence of oak...but I think it was used deftly. This wine is in a great spot right now and if I had more I'd drink it soon as it does not appear to be holding anything back at this point. Drink now - 2016
Smell: Pear, green apple, tropical fruits, coffee cake crumble, with a hint of saline.
Taste: Caramel, lemon, nutmeg, coffee cake, lead into mineral notes that linger on the palate
Overall: Outstanding!! Initially there was an obvious presence of oak...but I think it was used deftly. This wine is in a great spot right now and if I had more I'd drink it soon as it does not appear to be holding anything back at this point. Drink now - 2016
White - Sparkling
2000 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart
Color: Golden Yellow
Smell: Fresh baked baguette, with hints of butter, lime, green apples, and quince
Taste: Citrus and green apple notes dominate with an underpinning of brioche
Overall: Outstanding!!! This wine honestly took about 2 hours to really show the structure and reveal the depth of all that's in place for those that are patient. I tasted this side by side with an '01 Vilmart Coeur de Cuvée and for the first hour or two this couldn't hold a candle to the style and delisciousness that the Coeur de Cuvée offered...however, around 2-3 hours this really started to step up and hit more in my wheelhouse for style and quality. I have one left and I'll try to leave it alone for 3-5 years or more. I have the sneaking suspicion that this is a wine that could go for another 10-20 years with good storage. Bravo!
Smell: Fresh baked baguette, with hints of butter, lime, green apples, and quince
Taste: Citrus and green apple notes dominate with an underpinning of brioche
Overall: Outstanding!!! This wine honestly took about 2 hours to really show the structure and reveal the depth of all that's in place for those that are patient. I tasted this side by side with an '01 Vilmart Coeur de Cuvée and for the first hour or two this couldn't hold a candle to the style and delisciousness that the Coeur de Cuvée offered...however, around 2-3 hours this really started to step up and hit more in my wheelhouse for style and quality. I have one left and I'll try to leave it alone for 3-5 years or more. I have the sneaking suspicion that this is a wine that could go for another 10-20 years with good storage. Bravo!
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Rosé
from 375 ml
Color: Pale Salmon pink
Smell: Understated at first...almost a whisper then notes of brioche, pop-overs, dried red fruits that lean more in the direction of well-aged Red Burgundy. Hints of clove, Christmas spice, and potpouri weave in and out of this over the course of the experience.
Taste: Baguette, dried red fruits, and a hint of kumkuats lead into a long and elegant finish that's more about their style that seeks both grace & power.
Overall: Outstanding!! Medium body, med+ acidity, with a depth and complexity that is uncommon in most Rosé Champagnes I've come across. Like the "regular" NV bottling, this is all about style and Krug has it in spades. A wonderful experience...but I'm not certan I'll be spending my money on this in the future.
Color: Pale Salmon pink
Smell: Understated at first...almost a whisper then notes of brioche, pop-overs, dried red fruits that lean more in the direction of well-aged Red Burgundy. Hints of clove, Christmas spice, and potpouri weave in and out of this over the course of the experience.
Taste: Baguette, dried red fruits, and a hint of kumkuats lead into a long and elegant finish that's more about their style that seeks both grace & power.
Overall: Outstanding!! Medium body, med+ acidity, with a depth and complexity that is uncommon in most Rosé Champagnes I've come across. Like the "regular" NV bottling, this is all about style and Krug has it in spades. A wonderful experience...but I'm not certan I'll be spending my money on this in the future.
Flight 2 - The best Weissburgunder you've never heard of...and can't get in the US. (1 note)
White
2007 Meßmer Burrweiler Schloßgarten Im Goldenen Jost Weissburgunder Großes Gewächs
Quite possibly the most profound vision of what Pinot Blanc can be that I've found in the world...thank god so few people know about this wine. Medium body, med acidity, med+ fruit, and a medium length finish that is all about beauty and seduction. Outstanding!!!
Flight 3 - Wines at home... (2 notes)
Settling down once we were back at home...these were not showing up to snuff. So we shifted to beer.
White
2005 Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Ruppertsberger Gaisböhl Riesling
flawed
Flawed bottle...there was a sense of what this wine used to be on the nose...but on the palate it was long gone. We had a glorious bottle not too long ago...but maybe it's time to drink these up if you have one. At least check in on them.
Red
2007 Moric Blaufränkisch
Beautiful floral and earth driven notes just outside of the rim of the glass...but boring and simple on the palate. Good but not great...