Champagnes of Montagne de Reims
Hi-Time Wine Cellars - Costa Mesa, CA
Tasted September 5, 2015 by Paul Lin with 541 views
Introduction
The wines here were presented roughly in order of light to heavy, although given the dominance of Pinot Noir in this region, none of lightest wines could ever be mistaken as a Blanc de Blanc. Generally speaking, you won't find any lemon notes in these wines, and only one, the Vesselle, had any citrus. Moreover, only the Coutier showed green apple, as most of the wines displayed pear and red apple notes. Many of the wines, however, showed terrific minerality, with helped to balance out their richness and weight. My two favorite wines were the 2008 Andre Clouet and 2007 Henri Billiot, but for different reasons. The Clouet had purity and finesse while the Billiot had power. But both are terrific examples of what the region offers.
Flight 1 (10 notes)
White - Sparkling
2008 André Clouet Champagne Brut Millésimé
France, Champagne
Clean, pure, and refined. Subtle nose of Asian pear, ginger, white flowers, chalk, and, with air, nougat. Racy, steely, and focused on the palate. Notes of crushed minerals, asian pear, and jicama. A touch of salinity on the finish. Terrific wine.
White - Sparkling
2008 Camille Savès Champagne Grand Cru Brut Millésimé
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
White strawberries, fresh apricot, mint, and with air, bread dough, on the nose. Opulent and expressive, this fruity wine hits all the corners of your mouth. Long, expansive finish, with a touch of unnecessary sweetness.
White - Sparkling
2007 H. Billiot Fils Champagne Grand Cru Brut Millésimé
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Pear, red apple, crushed minerals, and brioche on the nose. Intense and concentrated, this is a big, powerful wine. Yet as big and burly as it is, it has great energy and does not overwhelm the palate. In fact, I couldn't stop drinking it. Great wine, and probably my WOTN (although the more refined Clouet was a close second). 91-92 points.
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