Reviews

Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

2012/2013 Cristal versus Dom P.

Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

Less overtly red apple driven than the bottle I had last month, this specimen was hallmark Churchill racy and spicy at first pass. Ginger, grilled lemon, yellow apple, and olive oil flavors dominate.…

Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru VP

2016 base. Disgorged July 2024. 1g/L dosage. 84 months sur lie.

Rémi Leroy Champagne Blanc de Quatre Cépages Mer sur Mont

Much more breadth, body, and focus than the straight-angry and angular 2015, this 2016 shows some interesting oxidative and sherry components that compliment the grilled lemon, olive oil, quince,…

Ultramarine Rosé (Late Disgorged) Heintz Vineyard

When it's on, it's on. White and red raspberry, hibiscus, rhubarb, watermelon rind, unripe peach pit, travertine, strawberry seed, grapefruit, orange spray, rose pedals, and white flowers. A lot…

Taittinger Champagne Brut Prestige Rosé

At Lefay, Lake Garda, Italy.

Bellavista Franciacorta Brut Rosé

At Lefay, Lake Garda, Italy.

Abelé 1757 Champagne Le Sourire de Reims Brut

At Restaurant Sissi, Merano, Italy.

Marguet Champagne Grand Cru Les Beurys

Mousy and feral. Stooopid. Again. I need to stop calling these flawed and just call them terrible. 70? if scoring.

Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

This is showing some development and resolve since my last having it a couple of years ago, with a more red apple flesh-driven profile that makes for a fuller and slightly richer delivery. There are…

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 171eme

This go-around, the 171 was inched out by a Dhondt Roc Solare. It was close, and the Krug and Dhondt's profiles were extremely similar, but the group agreed the Dhondt carried a bit more freshness…

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Roc Solare

This inched out a Krug 171 and 2016 Leclerc Briant Blanc de Meuniers. It was all close, and the Krug and Dhondt's profiles were extremely similar, but the group agreed the Dhondt carried a bit more…

Philipponnat Champagne Extra Brut Clos des Goisses

A strong red apple flesh flavor dominates the profile, with burnished and brassy lemon/grilled lemon, yellow apple, walnut, red cherry, red grape, limestone, wet grated ginger, bark, and hints of…

Geoffroy Champagne Premier Cru Expression Brut

From Magnum. 2017 base. Doughy and chewy on entry, with a dosage-driven attack that is rich and lactic. Some wet chalk and white/yellow stone fruit claw their ways through the bread, but this is…

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 171eme

Amalgamated power, finesse, texture, breadth, and focus all come together in an alluring package of nutty oxidative flavors intermingled with poached pear, grilled lemon, salty yuzu, limestone, and…

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Roc Solare

Like a Krug Cuvee at half the price.

Savart Champagne Premier Cru Bulle de Rosé Extra Brut

A wild and funky nose at first pass (initially concerning, but blows off with some swirling in the glass - not flawed). The palate carries some hints of sauvage, but is otherwise clean and correct.…

Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Extra Brut Les Couarres

Another go with this. As before, medium intensity overall, with fuller and rounder notes of grilled lemon, yuzu, olive oil, ripe yellow pear flesh, poached pear, and limestone. Drinks fine on the…

Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

Freshie McSpunkmeister. I've written quite a bit on this vintage of Cristal and these 2013s have not disappointed yet. Still in quite the upward trajectory. I'd say revisit in a decade from now, but…

Pierre Paillard Champagne Grand Cru Rosé Extra Brut Les Terres Roses

Strawberry water and chalk. Diluted and weak; light intensity. Bitter finish. Lame.

Vincent Couche Champagne "ADN" Montgueux

Both yeasty and steely, with a froth that seemed to mute the fruit trying to push through. Likely an off bottle.

Krug Champagne Vintage Brut

The first sips of this wine were very nice. An expected 2006 Krug profile, with a broader posture and oxidized fruit elements that encompass those orangey and mature lemon flavors. The finish faded…

Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

Every time I have this wine, especially the 2013, I am floored with how well it performs. In blinds, it always does especially well, shooting out wonderful vibrancy and intensity, with that…

Jacques Selosse Champagne Grand Cru Lieux-dits Extra Brut Ambonnay Le Bout du Clos

Hallmark Selosse profile of torched orange peel, dried apricot, grilled lemon, hazelnut, and brioche crust; the core flavors intermingle with further waves of honeyed pear, quince, yuzu, olive oil,…

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Roc Solare

This Champagne still Rocs (see what I did there.? Lame, right?!). It presents as young and vibrant, and even a bit linear, but then some of its oxidative notes allow yuzu and umami characteristics to…