Community Tasting Note

VlgJeff Likes this wine:

Saturday, June 12, 2021 - The Columbia Group - Back Together Again (Our Place): This bottle was uncorked when the last couple arrived and allowed to sit for ~15 minutes while the Billecart-Salmon Rose was being enjoyed over several toasts. This slo-ox allowed this wine to open and integrate, resulting in the most enjoyable bottle of this Champagne that we have experienced (well, maybe it was also due, in part, to the occasion and the company...).
The red fruits that we encountered on both the nose and palate -- a red berry mélange of strawberry, cherry and raspberry -- were lively, and presented a distinct difference vs. the Billecart-Salmon Rose that preceded. There was a touch of citrus, the mousse was creamy and smooth, and the acidity was lively and balancing. These are the elements of this wine that draw us in, and make drinking it so enjoyable.
I put the cork aside and checked it out the next morning, discovering that this bottle had been disgorged in the first quarter of 2016, making it one of the "freshest" bottles that we have experienced. Once again, I, for one, am happy that there is a movement to encourage Champagne producers to put the disgorgement date on the back label in the hopes of avoiding less than enjoyable drinking experiences.

Please note: I believe that Champagnes can benefit from a short slo-ox, just like virtually every other wine. Don't worry about losing bubbles -- there are 49 million of them in a standard (750 ml) bottle (according to Bill Lembeck, whose opinions, and calculations, I regard very highly).

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