Reviews

Claude Cazals Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Clos Cazals

Even better than last year. With a bit of air, this becomes a phenomenal BdB, marrying controlled depth and ripeness with judicious acidity and chalky cut. Finishes both savory and uplifting. Drink…

Marguet Champagne Grand Cru Les Bermonts

More approachable than the 2017, but with a tick less verve, this 2018 is pretty much good from go. This isn't to say that it's not without requisite tension and energy; in fact, it's extremely…

Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

Higher pitched lemon juice and white fruit, honeydew rind, chalk, and crisp yellow apple. Linear and fairly unexpressive overall. Muted and primary on the finish. This is going to take some time to…

Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

This thing slays. The Churchill bested a 2015 Cristal by a decent margin. Previous notes apply.

Marguet Champagne Grand Cru Le Parc

There's an upfront limestone/white travertine thing going on here that keeps the yellow and white citrus and stone fruit in righteous formation, almost to the point of being a bit linear. Much…

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

Reminding me of a Marguet Le Parc I had recently, this LB is an exquisitely built BdB, with a beautiful yellow and green pear-driven profile, carrying additional white travertine-meets-yellow citrus…

Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

A solid bottle right here folks. In the same league as other Churchills, with perhaps a little less power and spice than the 2013 and missing the yeast note that the 2012 carries, this 2015 is a…

Marguet Champagne Grand Cru Les Bermonts

A super solid showing, and though perhaps a slight step behind in complexity to a recently sampled Le Parc (2018), this 2017 Bermonts is a worthy sibling indeed. Linear and a bit strict on first…

Marguet Champagne Grand Cru Le Parc

A brilliant performance, with a beautifully defined power/spice profile that makes for immediate pleasure; give it some air and you're in for even more of a treat. Yellow pear, yellow apple skin,…

Marguet Champagne Grand Cru Les Crayères

Spicy and powerful on entry, this instantly reminds me of the 2012 and 2013 Churchills I've recently sampled. The edges start out a little angular, but quickly come in to better focus, with punchy…

Jacquesson & Fils Champagne Dizy Terres Rouges Extra Brut

The first sip was a little rough and tumble, with a rustic delivery that reminded me more of Pinot Meunier. About an hour after having been open, it transformed into a lovely display of golden raisin…

Roger Coulon Champagne Blanc de Noirs Millesime

2013 vintage BdN. Marked as Extra Brut. 50/50 split of Pinot Noir/Meunier, with 3g/L dosage; disgorged July 2022; 12% ABV. 8000 bottles produced. VV from Vrigny; Meunier vines planted in 1959.

Marguet Sapience

More mature notes of grilled lemon, olive oil, cantaloupe rind, poached pear, and brioche collide with pithy seed and mineral elements, making for a somewhat clipped back end that keeps the flavors…

Henri Giraud Champagne Grand Cru Brut MV16 Aÿ

Toasty, yeasty, and briochey, with ripe lemon and yellow pear notes that are swarmed by an almost beer-like frothing effervescence which dissipates rather quickly and leaves the tail much softer than…

Jacques Selosse Champagne Grand Cru Lieux-dits Extra Brut Ay La Côte Faron

Disgorged February 2015. Orange zest, olive oil, clementine poached pear, grilled lemon, bruised red apple flesh, fruit cup, dried apricot, and pretty much everything awesome. If you know Selosse,…

Dom Pérignon Champagne

This really has compelling verve. I continue to be impressed with this vintage of Dom. There is a wow factor for me akin to the 169 Krug to which I'm a fan (also a 2013 base). Great acidity and speed…

Jacquesson & Fils Champagne Cuvée No. 746 Extra Brut

At L'aupiho restaurant, Les Baux-de-Provence.

Déhu Père & Fils Champagne Cuvée La Rue des Noyers Extra Brut

At Au Jardin de la Vague restaurant, Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut Rosé

At Grand'Vigne restaurant, Les Sources de Caudalie (Smith Haute Lafitte).

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 171eme

At Grand'Vigne restaurant, Les Sources de Caudalie (Smith Haute Lafitte).

Marguet Champagne Grand Cru Ambonnay

At L'aupiho restaurant, Les Baux-de-Provence.

Ulysse Collin Champagne Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Les Maillons

At Logis de La Cadene in St. Emilion.

Dom Pérignon Champagne Rosé

An outstanding Rose, and one that perfectly marries smooth strawberry and cream goodness with a nice cut of orange rind, white rock, and lemon pith flavors. This is in a perfect place right now, and…

Krug Champagne Vintage Brut

This thing is on absolute fire, acting more like all the other amazing and super electrifying 2013 Champagne I've been sampling recently. At first, this is nothing like any Krug I've had, with a…

Jacquesson & Fils Champagne Cuvée No. 744 Extra Brut

2016 base. Gentle applications of yeast, lemon, and mineral notes make for a lighter-bodied experience. Soft and small bubbles carry grilled lemon and slightly salty flavors on through the finish.…