Reviews

Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

Wine is funny. More specifically, BOTTLES of wine are funny. When I first took a stab at the 2008 Cristal a while back, I found it to be a "very good," "fine," "a solid 94" (which is nothing to scoff…

Philipponnat Champagne Extra Brut Clos des Goisses

A great showing, and one where the spiciness and energy are on full display. A lot of things going on here, with a slightly darker profile than I was expecting. The color was like a pale Rosé with…

Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru VP

On the initial pull of the cork, the flavors play coy for the first hour or so of consumption. Red and yellow apple flesh, grilled lemon, and wet granite notes take their time leisurely disembarking…

Jerome Blin Champagne La Pouillote Extra Brut

Disgorged 05/2019. This was a bit more of a coppery performance this time around, with golden raisin and grilled lemon notes providing the lion share of the flavor profile. Notes of red apple flesh,…

Claude Cazals Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Clos Cazals

Yellow citrus spray, white melon rind, white flowers, chalk, and tarragon notes are executed in a controlled intensity that sparkles with focused energy and liveliness. In its current state, the…

Laherte Frères Champagne Extra Brut Les Vignes d'Autrefois

A marked improvement from the last bottle I had, this was performing exceptionally well after a bit of air. With a shimmering, coppery glow, this sample of VdA showed a beautiful hue and was…

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 169eme

This thing keeps getting better and better. 2013 is a vintage to look out for in Champagne. You can ogle over your 2008s all you want, but I am continually reaffirmed that 2013 is going to be stiff…

Roses de Jeanne / Cédric Bouchard Champagne Blanc de Noirs Côte de Val Vilaine

V18, Disgorged April 2020.

Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

Man, this thing took off like a rocket, and a much more lively performance than the last time I sampled the 2008. I would have guessed this was the 2013 given its electricity. The finish is…

Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

Well heck, this is an absolutely great young Champagne. The Pinot Noir is evident, but the entire execution is both inviting and electric with red and yellow fruit flavors. The front end dominates…

Roses de Jeanne / Cédric Bouchard Champagne Blanc de Noirs Côte de Val Vilaine

The 2016 Cedric Bouchard Val Vilaine hasn't changed much since my knocking back a previous bottle three years ago. This bottle was perhaps a bit more vibrant than I recall, where the grilled lemon…

Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Grand Cellier Brut

70/30 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2020. LGC01-20-BT. 12.5%ABV. Brut. Bright and airy, with beautiful lemon and chalk notes caressing and invigorating the palate. The acid and…

Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut

The 2012 Comtes pours a fantastically translucent neon yellow-green color, instantly signaling a vibrant attack of yellow citrus zest, fresh lemon juice, wet limestone, yuzu, yellow pear, and…

Hervieux-Dumez Champagne Premier Cru Les Grains Blancs Nature

Though this checks in as a zero dosage Champagne, there is a touch of sweetness (from full malo perhaps) that launches off the front end and makes for a more party house bubbly, which of course - all…

Jérôme Prévost Champagne La Closerie Fac-Simile

Well I guess if the best Rose I've ever had has to be now, it might as well be from Jerome Prevost. The Fac-Simile LC18 is a stunner and is one of my favorite Roses I've had in recent memory. Fresh…

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Édition 168ème

A nice glass of 168 to start out before sampling a couple of Harlans at the estate. Who could complain?! I do prefer the 169 (base 2013) to this more rounded 168 (2012 base). Hey, look who's…

Dom Pérignon Champagne

Who doesn't love a glass of Dom right before you head off to the Promontory library to enjoy some of the best Cabernet in the Valley? Typically I gravitate toward Cristal and Krug when I'm reaching…

Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut

At Restaurant Auberge du Bois Prin, Chamonix, France.

Deutz Champagne Amour de Deutz Brut

At Restaurant Matafan, Chamonix, France.

Jacques Selosse Initial

At Restaurant After Seven, Backstage Hotel, Zermatt, Switzerland.

Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru VP

At Restaurant Alpine Gourmet Prato Borni, Zermatt, Switzerland.

Egly-Ouriet Champagne Premier Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny

At Restaurant Alpine Gourmet Prato Borni, Zermatt, Switzerland.

Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon Rosé

With just the right amount of curvature-to-frame-to speed ratio on the scaffolding to best cradle the delicate strawberry and orange spray notes, this Dom settles into a perfectly seamless glide…

Robert Moncuit Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Chetillons

Comes off as a young pup, but still accessible enough that pleasure can be had now with a bit of air. There's a dash of copper and preserved lemons on the back end that taunt you into thinkng it is…

André Heucq Champagne Hommage Parcellaire les Roches

A night/day contrast from the bottle I had back in 2020. I treated this recent bottle like a Napa Cab, with a decent amount of air and a not-rushed service which gave it the opportunity to expand its…