After a night of stinkers this champagne really saved the day. Really bright firm acidity that wasn’t unbalanced. The nose had more Chardonnay characteristics but the wine itself was quite sophisticated more so than a blanc de blanc. Others got more Pinot noir on the nose, but really nice stone fruit on the palate. Killer wine especially for the price.
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Aromas of toast, mineral, ginger, brioche and hint of lime. Flavors of mineral, toast, lime and slate. Ends with a mineral driven finish of 15-20 seconds. Had a large pour in a red wine glass that got really warm but still showed well.
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Always an interesting wine, and not just for the oddball blend (lots of Fromenteau and Petit Meslier in the mix). Still quite young and bracing, but showing a toasty character along with a distinct note of Ginger Gold apple. Lovely to have something come through so clearly and specifically. While not a bottle I would reach for if I just wanted “Champagne”, it is both delicious and engaging. Should age well given ample depth and excellent acidity. Ridiculous value at the $50 I paid.
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Golden hue in the glass. Ripe and fruit forward. Baked apple, brioche, toasted almond, caramel, and vanilla. This wine is medium body, low to medium acid, with a very fine mousse. This is great for early access. A hedonistic style that will probably last for another 5-10 years.
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Classics and Curiosities: Brought alongside the Franck Bonville as the 'curiosity' for including 1/4 each of Chardonnay, Petite Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Arbanne, this had a distinctly mineral profile on the nose and arguably more complexity, if less refinement, on the palate than the excellent Bonville.
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Cork code: G18 This is a distinctive champagne with a very particular character. The atypical assemblage is very noticeable in this vintage, the most dominant variety is petit meslier, which accounts for 30%, followed by fromenteau (pinot gris), approximately 25%. This is immediately obvious on the nose, with the overripe fruits typical of these ‘forgotten’ grape varieties: overripe, bruised cider apples, pears, and some lemon; it had a distinct base of aromatic herbs such as kaffir lime leaves, eucalyptus, fennel, a medium-high presence of chalk, and an almost clinical-like note of detergent/clean laundry; this gives way to some gentle spices, white pepper, cardamom, and vanilla, and with even more air there is a slightly lactic side with milk and yogurt, as well as some raw almonds. The concept of this champagne is what makes it interesting, perhaps more of an academic/intellectual wine than a pleasure-giving one. The unique personality of the ‘forgotten’ grape varieties is very well-represented through the maturity of the fruit and the vinous texture. It’s not a generic champagne by any means. 90pt
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White flowers, lemon juice, underripe apples, pears, papaya, white bread, lemongrass. Great intensity of aromas but overall the flavors are super well balanced. Medium + body with flavors consistent with the aromas. But my God, the aroma on this is so lovely. Very agreeable mousse, balanced mouthfeel. I just want to smell this all day.
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Taste: The feel is medium bodied with crisp, high acidity. The feel is well balanced with red apples, pears, yellow flowers, roasted nuts, toast, and brioche.
Overall: This is really good right now as it shows off a lot of tasty, autolytic tones and fresh orchard fruits. There is good depth and balance and while this can definitely age further, it is excellent right now.
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10/7/2022 - KAT9 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Brioche, toasty, yeasty. Not much fruits. On the palate, dense, balanced. Nothing remarkable. Just ok.
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9/16/2022 - williamdavieshp@gmail.com wrote: 95 Points
After a night of stinkers this champagne really saved the day. Really bright firm acidity that wasn’t unbalanced. The nose had more Chardonnay characteristics but the wine itself was quite sophisticated more so than a blanc de blanc. Others got more Pinot noir on the nose, but really nice stone fruit on the palate. Killer wine especially for the price.
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7/17/2022 - slywka7 wrote: 90 Points
Aromas of toast, mineral, ginger, brioche and hint of lime. Flavors of mineral, toast, lime and slate. Ends with a mineral driven finish of 15-20 seconds. Had a large pour in a red wine glass that got really warm but still showed well.
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7/9/2022 - Rieslingfan wrote:
Always an interesting wine, and not just for the oddball blend (lots of Fromenteau and Petit Meslier in the mix). Still quite young and bracing, but showing a toasty character along with a distinct note of Ginger Gold apple. Lovely to have something come through so clearly and specifically. While not a bottle I would reach for if I just wanted “Champagne”, it is both delicious and engaging. Should age well given ample depth and excellent acidity. Ridiculous value at the $50 I paid.
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6/23/2022 - wiscgrad wrote: 92 Points
unique and delicious. excellent qpr for vintage bubbles
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10/10/2021 - ONEFIVE Likes this wine:
Golden hue in the glass.
Ripe and fruit forward. Baked apple, brioche, toasted almond, caramel, and vanilla. This wine is medium body, low to medium acid, with a very fine mousse. This is great for early access. A hedonistic style that will probably last for another 5-10 years.
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9/11/2021 - silton Likes this wine:
Classics and Curiosities: Brought alongside the Franck Bonville as the 'curiosity' for including 1/4 each of Chardonnay, Petite Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Arbanne, this had a distinctly mineral profile on the nose and arguably more complexity, if less refinement, on the palate than the excellent Bonville.
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3/30/2021 - jwsmith wrote: 92 Points
Wine starts off slow and then build its almost like every 15 mins the wine changes evolves... Great wine super focused..
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11/10/2020 - julen789 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cork code: G18
This is a distinctive champagne with a very particular character. The atypical assemblage is very noticeable in this vintage, the most dominant variety is petit meslier, which accounts for 30%, followed by fromenteau (pinot gris), approximately 25%. This is immediately obvious on the nose, with the overripe fruits typical of these ‘forgotten’ grape varieties: overripe, bruised cider apples, pears, and some lemon; it had a distinct base of aromatic herbs such as kaffir lime leaves, eucalyptus, fennel, a medium-high presence of chalk, and an almost clinical-like note of detergent/clean laundry; this gives way to some gentle spices, white pepper, cardamom, and vanilla, and with even more air there is a slightly lactic side with milk and yogurt, as well as some raw almonds.
The concept of this champagne is what makes it interesting, perhaps more of an academic/intellectual wine than a pleasure-giving one. The unique personality of the ‘forgotten’ grape varieties is very well-represented through the maturity of the fruit and the vinous texture. It’s not a generic champagne by any means.
90pt
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11/1/2020 - AlphaMikeFoxtrot wrote: 93 Points
White flowers, lemon juice, underripe apples, pears, papaya, white bread, lemongrass. Great intensity of aromas but overall the flavors are super well balanced. Medium + body with flavors consistent with the aromas. But my God, the aroma on this is so lovely. Very agreeable mousse, balanced mouthfeel. I just want to smell this all day.
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3/2/2020 - KeithAkers wrote: 91 Points
What happens when Somms and ITBers get together (tango sur, chicago IL): Nose: The nose is well balanced and aromatic with red apples, pears, roasted nuts, yellow flowers, peaches, crushed rocks, biscuits, brioche, and toast notes.
Taste: The feel is medium bodied with crisp, high acidity. The feel is well balanced with red apples, pears, yellow flowers, roasted nuts, toast, and brioche.
Overall: This is really good right now as it shows off a lot of tasty, autolytic tones and fresh orchard fruits. There is good depth and balance and while this can definitely age further, it is excellent right now.
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