Blind: thought this was Vilmart Grand Cellier

2014-2016

Interestingly, I had this NV about 3 years ago and guess Pinot Meunier. This time, no go. As we learned from the two NV in this flight with different disgorgement dates, the wines are completely different.

This has a really nice balance to it - yellow apple on the attack and fine bubbles. good tropical notes on the backend. Very good stuff

Big take away? Tasting notes from others on NV might not be remotely the same wine

Blind: lost in space - thought it was a 3 varietal blend - probably a big house. The end.

I really like this wine because it has bits and pieces of everything. There's a bit of dosage but not out of control and the wood treatment is balanced with the fruit and acid. My favorite of the flight. The amount of CO2 kicked off is amazing, stuck my nose in for a whiff and there was no oxygen and I gasped. Not a good sight. The aromas were pronounced. yellow, red, and green fruit with a touch of caramel.

blind: guessed blanc de blanc and zero dosage

2014-2017

Wow - this is the same NV at the 2014-2016 but with the addition of 2017. That is very hard to wrap my head around because the 2014-16 had a hint of sweetness and this wine is as angular and aggressive as it gets with a sparkler. Too much for my liking other than a food wine. Strong citric acid and low fruit profile that fades mid palate. Not balanced.

Blind: I guessed Pinot Blanc because the last flight was PM and this didn't come across as PN or Chardonnay. Stab in the dark.

Nice wine but I'm guessing PB won't change the world. Fine bubbles, well made, and enjoyable but just missing that little something to make it stand out. The fruit was peach/melon which made it fun.

Blind: guessed chardonnay and assumed it must be a white burg but I wasn't in love with the call.

A few at the table called this still champagne. Brilliant. There's a huge matchstick aroma flying out of the glass. Interesting that this doesn't use sulfur? Pure reduction? I love the aromas. That had me leaning towards burgundy which is chardonnay but it wasn't obvious and then when others called coteaux I got on board, makes sense. Middle palate was a touch light but I enjoyed this very much.

Great blind wine because this is 100% Pinot Noir yet it's a "white wine".

Blind: I thought this was either Greek or North east Italian. No idea on the grape.

The nose on this wine is wild white flowers, Todd called it plumeria which is even better. Really attractive - great wine. There was a hint of anise at the backend and that led me down the euro path. Good acidity balanced with the fruit. I think the little Sauvignon Blanc blended into the Chardonnay adds the extra dimension. This would be amazing with seafood.

Not the best QPR in the world... hey, it's a Gaja.

Blind: my initial take was California Cab with some age. I stayed with it to my demise.

The fact that nobody called this Cab Franc, quite frankly, is an embarrassment. This has everything you read about from the Loire. A little poop, tobacco leaf, bell pepper, and I even got a bite of jalapeño.

Blind I thought I was getting redwood and oak spice/pepper. ugh

Blind: guessed zin or Syrah and ultimate settle on syrah because of the structure.

This is a balance style and excellent, they're a solid undertone of tannins supporting this wine. This showed more restrained and delicacy compared to the Chinnon and Halcon in the flight.

Blind: knew this was syrah but from where... Could be domestic, high quality regardless, or Northern Rhone in a cool vintage. Hum... I went for Rhone

Ever taste a wine and say "Hey, I need to get some of this" and then look in Cellartracker and there are a couple of bottles in there? It's like free money.