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Champagne Test Drive
Truffle Fine Wine
Tasted December 3, 2014 by Barbara B with 572 views
Introduction
Had signed up to receive newsletters from Truffle, and noticed that this tasting would take place a couple of days after my arrival in Wellington. There were about 12 people, including John the owner and several of the local wine luminaries. Notes are skimpy and wines are mostly not scored.
Flight 1 - Whites: Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noir, Blends (6 notes)
All wines were tasted blind.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Larmandier-Bernier Longitude
Bubbles fine and few. Yeasty, fruity, floral aromas and flavours. Crisp acidity, med-Brut sweetness, delicate and feminine.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Agrapart Champagne Grand Cru Terroirs Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
Course bubbles, medium gold. Dark fruitiness, seems sweeter than the others. Not-high acidity. Slightly oxidized.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Grand Cellier Brut
Foamy with course bubbles. Not very expressive; lemon and little else. High acidity, RS declared at 9 g/L but seems lower.
White - Sparkling
2011 Roses de Jeanne / Cédric Bouchard Champagne Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs Côte de Val Vilaine
93 points
Numerous, medium-sized bubbles. On nose and palate, dark, mature fruit and a hint of oak. Quite masculine. Sensation of sweetness but claims zero dosage, good acidity. Complex and long. My best of the flight.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru Tradition Brut
Very foamy. Quite oxidized -- visually and on nose and palate; some fruitiness. Highish acidity, some detectible sweetness.
Flight 2 - Rose (4 notes)
All wines were tasted blind.
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. L. Aubry Fils Champagne Premier Cru Brut Rosé
Pale salmon, few and slow-rising bubbles. Earthy, mushroomy, some fruit, and slightly oxidized. Lowish Brut.
Rosé - Sparkling
2008 L. Aubry Fils Champagne Premier Cru Sablé Rosé Brut Nature
Medium gold. Course bubbles. Not much on the nose. Savoury palate, very dry.
Rosé - Sparkling
2009 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Grand Cellier Rubis
Pale orangey pink. Few bubbles. Not giving much on the nose. Very minerally, good acidity matching perfectly for my palate with the 8 g/L RS.
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Premier Cru Rosé de Saignée Extra Brut
Deep rosy colour. A little frothy. Savoury aromas and flavours, very dry, nicely acidic, med-Brut. A little oxidative but not disturbing. Substantial and complex. Favourite of the flight.
Closing
Nice to meet some distinguished members of the Wellington wine crowd, and hope to attend more tastings at Truffle.