February 2, 2024 - Stunningly good champagne. 18 years old and mellow, a very fine reduced bubble, and deep rich taste profile. Incredibly moreish. It has a good few years left in it, 5 more of these in the cellar
January 31, 2024 - Lorne Rangers 2024 (Lorne): Goodness me, this is delicious! Just so appealing, and certainly à point. Smooth and a touch sweet in an old-fashioned way, and well-developed to the extent that the notes were more bready than fruity. Buttered toast, pineapple and lime pith, and a little bit floral and creamy on the finish. Really very drinkable, and a superb match for the snacks.
January 31, 2024 - Lorne Rangers 2024 - Rioja (Lorne Restaurant, London): Smoky pear note on pouring, some bitter almonds too. Palate is old school but cracking. A little biscuitiness that with air become more brown bread like. There are hints of grapefruit segment on the palate with a lovely line or acidity. Very more-ish.
November 14, 2023 - Tasted blind out of the Jamesse Synergie glasses- lovely stuff done in a hefty, powerful style. Shows some maturity. Thought this cuvée was known for more elegance and freshness. The vintage maybe?
November 14, 2023 - Light golden color; Bruised apple, hints of ripe melon, caramel ALL give me pause as they convey maturity and perhaps (too?) early maturity. Bakery notes, toast, Bosc pear and white chocolate indicate more complexity than imminent death; ripeness with quite alot of vigor and weight. Long, substantial finish, short on elegance.
October 6, 2023 - Have not had good luck with champagnes that are more than 10 years old, and this, 17 years later, was no exception. Well past its prime, musty corked taste and noticeably reduced carbon dioxide (right from the weak pop). Surprisingly still drinkable though not particularly enjoyable. Lesson learnt--for that price, I could have bought 20 bottles of a decent sparkling wine, each of which I would have enjoyed more.
March 31, 2023 - Action bottle, the nose was lovely with typical Belle Epoque aromas of bitter almond, greens, lime. I felt today that the finish was a touch more bitter than usual, with a green vegetable touch.
March 10, 2023 - opened too warm - needed to let it chill in an ice bucket for30min. Tart and firm, with lemon and ginger flavors - nicely done.
February 4, 2023 - MNB Friends (and kiddos!) (Ashish's): medium yellow color. Blanc does Blancs. Smells fresh. Yellow apples. Pie crust. A hint of savory toasted Parmesan rind. Chilled apple core.
Tastes delicious! Toasted almond pastry with hints of savory Parmesan. High minus acid. Maybe 8g dosage?
December 24, 2022 - Not nearly as expressive aromatically, as I remember from my initial introduction to this wine eight years ago. Displays a medium gold color, lots of effervescence and persistent tiny bubbles. Although very good, light aromas of brioche, and yeast lead, with apple and citrus, and some nuts in the background. Flavor profile is more expressive showing medium ripe, spicy apple, Meyer lemon, juicy peach, white pear, ginger and roasted nuts with a chalky undertone. Medium plus acidity provides structure and assists with a medium plus finish. Enjoyed with smoked salmon and assorted hard cheeses. Although somewhat disappointing, this might be in a temporary “dumb phase”; time will tell as I’ve got a couple more bottles to try. Drink through 2026.