Reviews

Girard-Bonnet Champagne Premier Cru Recueil Extrait No 1

Zippy and aperitify in profile, but with some nicely placed lemon and yellow pear notes to balance out the White Avenger Speedy McSpeedster mineral and crunchy melon rind elements. Skipping over the…

Savart Champagne Premier Cru Le Mont des Chrétiens

A bitter bumpkin, with exceptional focus and a chiseled drive, but equally piercing and abrupt in delivery, especially on the finish. After trying to massage my way through half a glass, I was over…

Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut

Vanillin coconut and pineapple notes kick off a rich and full attack that instantly becomes pillowy and creamy. The dosage (9g/L) is noticeable, frosting over the yellow citrus, white/yellow melon,…

00 Wines Chardonnay Seven Springs Vineyard

Grilled lemon and hazelnut touch off a medium attack that is slightly brassy, but is lifted by focused beams of acidity. Finishes with notes of lemon verbena, herbs, white melon rind, and dried…

00 Wines Chardonnay Freya Hermann Cuvee

Grilled lemon, hazelnut, dried apricot, poached pear, and toffee notes make for a profile that is more contemplative and gastronomic than immediately punchy or bright. Freshness and acidity are…

Adrien Dhondt Champagne Grand Cru Les Coullemets Le Mesnil-sur-Oger

Just as impressive as last year, if even a bit more resolved and affable. Yellow and green pear, along with honeydew, limestone, lemon, and yellow apple notes dominate. Finishes full and enveloping.…

Julien Prélat Champagne Presle

A bit shrill and frothy at first pass. White fruit, chalk, lemon pith, and fresh lemon juice. Hints of grapefruit masked mostly by an otherwise hyper-primary and linear attack. Finishes fairly…

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Nogers

Cut and paste my previous notes. "Grilled lemon, hazelnut, and yuzu are hugging it out with more mineral and spice components." A perfect combo of oxidative notes and measured vibrancy. Went…

Bérêche et Fils Champagne Premier Cru Les Beaux Regards

I still think this is a solid Champagne. I'm liking Bereche's BdBs more than their BdNs these days (though Cran is usually very compelling). In fact, I have often favored their 1er Cru over their GC…

J-M Seleque Champagne Premier Cru Soliste Chardonnay Pierry Les Tartières et Les Porgeons

Chardonnay with bubbles. It works with caviar and chips. Not sure it works by itself enough to hold attention for more than a minute or so. Lemon and effervescence. If your conversation in good…

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Grand Cru Extra Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Cramant

This bottle was a lemon hound tonight. Riper and more succulent than expected. Lemon curd and. lemon. Lacked some of the electricity of previous bottles. Stemware was pretty weak, so that may have…

Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard

Lemon curd, creme fraiche, lemonade, lemon juice, vanilla, marzipan, and yellow pear. A ripe offering, but one that is controlled and texturally inviting (as Lauren often is). There is sophistication…

Walter Scott Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard

Fresh lime and lemon juice, melon rind, green and yellow apple, white rock, and unripe green and yellow pear. Chiseled and acidic, but in proper form throughout consumption. The reductive hit plays…

Morgen Long Chardonnay X Omni Vineyard

This juice grenade is even better than last year, with a reductive pop that you 'must be this tall to ride,' followed by a lemon-lime-Squirt (you kids remember Squirt, right?) euphoria thing, and…

David Leclapart Champagne Premier Cru L'Artiste Blanc de Blancs Pas Dosé Trépail

Honeydew, yellow pear, quince, citron zest, lemon and lime pith, white melon rind, lemon curd, creme fraiche, and white stone flavors. More inviting with increasing depth as time goes on. Extremely…

Leclerc Briant Champagne Grand Cru Château d'Avize, Blanc de Blancs, Brut Zéro

At Tiya, SF

Pertois-Lebrun Champagne Grand Cru Les Chétillons N°15

Oxidative and a bit superficial, lacking a sense of depth and layering. Golden raisin, grilled lemon, limestone, and poached pear. Finishes a bit brassy. A far cry from the more compelling Bateau and…

Marguet Champagne Grand Cru Les Crayères

This bottle was strict and bitter upon opening. With air, it opened up and offered some funky pear and gravel notes. Finished a little wooly.

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Grand Cru Extra Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Cramant

Blind.

Leclerc Briant Champagne Premier Cru Brut Zéro Les Monts Ferrés

Blind.

Ultramarine Blanc de Blancs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

Blind.

Champagne Suenen Champagne Grand Cru "Les Robarts" Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Millésime

Well, this bottle was all sorts of awesome. Yellow pear, olive oil, limestone, yuzu, grilled lemon and orange, almond skin, and ripe yellow apple. In a solid drinking window with just a little bit of…

Adrien Dhondt Champagne Grand Cru Blaise Oger

Another success from Adrien Dhondt's namesake label, the Blaise Oger sports a beautiful core of yellow, green, and white fruit and mineral elements that make for an excitingly fresh and full profile.…

Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Grand Cru Les Chemins d'Avize

As before, golden apple, poached pear, a drip of olive oil, limestone, and some spice roll on to the palate; this becomes richer with air and temperature, but holds a delicate mousse that keeps…

Philippe Lancelot Champagne Grand Cru Le Fond Du Bateau Chouilly

Less of a stellar showing from this bottle. It needed an hour or so before it stopped being a one-note white fruit catawampus sourpuss. Even with air and time, it was fairly disjointed and never…