2005 Duval-Leroy Petit Meslier Champagne Authentis Brut

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 92.5 points

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  2/25/2023 - forceberry wrote: 94 Points

  One of the very few varietal Petit Meslier Champagnes in existence, made with fruit sourced from a parcel in Montagne de Reims. The wine is aged in oak fûts before bottling. No idea for how long the wine is aged sur lattes. 12% alcohol. Total production 988 bottles.
  
  Somewhat evolved, medium-deep straw-yellow color with faint youthful greenish highlights. The nose feels complex and attractive with layered aromas of nutty autolysis and toasty brioche, some smoky tones, a little bit of bruised apple, light creamy notes of panna cotta, a hint of honey-and-oats and a touch of zesty citrus fruits. The wine is evolved, complex and quite toasty on the palate with a rather full body and layered flavors of toasty nuttiness and hay, some bruised apple tones, a little bit of tart Granny Smith apple, light zippy notes of Meyer lemon or key lime, a hint of steely minerality and an autolytic touch of brioche. The acidity feels pretty high - sufficient to lend great sense of freshness and structure to the wine along with the very fine yet surprisingly crisp and lively mousse. The finish is crisp, dry and zippy with a complex aftertaste of salt and lemon wedges, some evolved nutty and bruised apple tones, a little bit of developed creamy character, light chalky mineral nuances, a toasty hint of brioche and a touch apple peel bitterness.
  
  A wonderfully complex, layered and balanced Champagne that is not only very interesting in its own right as a rare varietal Petit Meslier, but also as a brisk yet vinous and beautifully toasty non-Chardonnay Blanc de Noirs. Truth be told, it's be hard - if not impossible - to tell this wine apart from an evolved, toasty Chardonnay BdB. But I don't mind - on the contrary, I wish more Blanc de Blancs Chardonnays were more like this! Superb stuff. Not affordable at 106€, but arguably this might be just worth the price. However, I'd keep my eyes open for any reasonably priced bottles.

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