(DHONDT BdB Grand Cru MVV) Magnum Dear Friends, Talk about rare? I was walking out the door yesterday evening to get some much needed fresh air and to get away from wine for a few hours or so when this amazing gift was left on my doorstep (or more accurately, the “in” box of my Blackberry). Every once in a while I like to get out and just take a walk to forget about the games of the wine trade - something that we have no interest in participating in, also just to refresh the spirit and to remind myself to stop and smell the roses more often - one of life’s most basic lessons that some of us have a hard time remembering. While we’ve already offered a bunch of things yesterday, this is special enough that is shouldn’t wait. This wine doesn’t need a lot of explanation - 2002 is the best vintage in Champagne since 1996 and there are only a few dozen of these for the whole country. We’ve supported Jose Dhondt since his first appearance in the US market and here’s the reward - a very rare magnum of his 2002 Grand Cru wine. Dhondt’s artisanal Champagne remains a brilliant sparkle of light, even on the brightest of days and (if it means anything) I’ve consumed more bottles of this wine from past vintages than any other Champagne. Yes, this is more than what 2 x 750ml’s cost but if you could see what goes into hand-bottling these you would understand (not to mention, Champagne producers often save their best material for the magnums). One for a special occasion and what I would consider to be an outright bargain for a magnum of top-end Champagne - very rare: EXTREMELY LIMITED - 2/person 2002 Jose Dhondt Brut Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru "MVV" (Oger) 1.5 lt Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Champ2300
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By Brad Baker
(Jose Dhondt Mes Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs) Login and sign up and see review text.January 2009, Issue #1, Tasting Notes of Champagne and Sparkling Wines