Reviews

Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant Extra Brut

Pours a golden color, with a nose that is both saline and ripe yellow fruit. On the palate, this is a push-pull of salty sea spray, granite and mineral elements, olive oil on brioche crust, and…

Jerome Blin Champagne Les Caillasses Brut Millésime

Jerome Blin's Champagne are frequently coated in this mousy/wooly type texture that is sometimes charming (more so with his Pinot Meunier wines) but more often than not, a bit off-putting. Such is…

David Leclapart Champagne Premier Cru L'Apôtre Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut

Found a few more of these randomly at an auction (1st of 3). I was a little concerned because the fill level on this bottle was slightly lower than the other two in the batch. Crisis averted, as the…

Leclerc Briant Champagne Premier Cru Le Clos des Trois Clochers Brut Zero

Pineapple rind, grilled lemon, yellow pear skin, and wood. Shows more advanced than I would expect given the experiences I've had with more recent vintages of this wine (which have been excellent).…

Huré Frères Chardonnay Champagne 4 éléments

Pouring a magnificent neon yellow color, the 4 Elements Chardonnay immediately pops into action with a gravitating luminosity. Strong yuzu and clementine dominate, with Squirt, lemon and lime zest,…

Huré Frères Champagne Mémoire Extra Brut

2019 base. Pluot, Mirabelle plum, kirsch, limestone, chamomile, apricot, fig, lemon pith, and wet gravel notes all make for an intriguing profile, but familiar enough that it delivers with a balanced…

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

An excellent showing, this 2019 Nogers outshines the 2018 by a decent margin and is a more chiseled and vibrant version of the otherwise beautiful 2017. Focus and sophisticated drive are hallmarks of…

Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Extra Brut Orizeaux

This bottle seemed more vinous and focused than the bottle from the same batch last month. Similar apple, Mirabelle plum, and ginger notes, with a prickly pear and pulverized granite tail that whips…

Jacques Selosse Initial

At Enclos** Restaurant, Sonoma.

Chavost Ratafia de Champagne

Hot, angular, and abrasive, with the alcohol piercing through the grilled lemon and apple flavors. Finishes with a constant wave of booze that tramples on any hope of finesse. A rustic and disjointed…

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

Continues to impress. The mineral and spice components provide gorgeous cut and intensity on the first pop. Green and yellow pear, apple, grilled lemon, and hazelnut notes are lifted and honed by way…

Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru VP

2016 base. Disgorged July 2024. 1g/L dosage.

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Roc Solare

Another shot at the later disgorged 2021 base Roc Solare. As before, more honeyed, red apple fleshy, and a bit less nervy than the earlier disgorgement. I like both, but gravitate to the earlier…

Julien Prélat Champagne Blanc de Gris Extra Brut Les Côtes

From 3L.

Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé

From Magnum.

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

A solid performance, though this bottle was spun up a bit and slightly wiry on first pass. With air, a broader spectrum of limestone, olive oil, yellow and green pear skin, crunchy pear flesh,…

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 166eme

From Magnum.

Leclerc Briant Champagne Grand Cru Grand Blanc Brut Zéro Blanc de Blancs

As my previous note from February references, this starts out a little sour and torqued up. Linear and primary, but then transforms in fairly short order into a more exquisite creature. It has a…

Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Roc Solare

This is my first stab at the later disgorgement version of the 2021 base Roc Solare, also with .5g/L dosage less than previous bottles (see specs below).

Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Hors Serie

Half the bottle open decanted for two hours vs. half the bottle left in-bottle. Though the decanted version was certainly more relaxed and approachable, I found the sample directly from the bottle to…

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 169eme

169eme. 2013 base (60%). 2012-2000 (40%). A total blend of 146 reserve wines dating back to 2000. 43% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 22% Meunier.

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

Bangin' again! Excellent volume-to-freshness ratio and balance. A lot of lemon and crème fraiche jumping off here, with similar but more serious elements of lemon juice/zest/pith, white…

Dom Pérignon Champagne

2012/2013 Cristal versus Dom P.

Dom Pérignon Champagne

2012/2013 Cristal versus Dom P.

Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

2012/2013 Cristal versus Dom P.