Reviews

Bruno Paillard Champagne Nec Plus Ultra

So smooth, integrated, and savory, you'd almost think this hailed from the early 90's, but the freshness and purity push through beautifully and make for a mesmerizing and cerebral Champagne. This…

Pierre Péters Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Speciale Blanc de Blancs Les Chetillons

Well isn't this a nice surprise. From magnum, the 2008 Chetillons is fully in charge of its spritz and lively demeanor, with high-fiving flavors confidently (and powerfully) parading across the…

Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

Prickly pear and Meyer lemon succulence play off each other to deliver a Champagne that is both jubilant and profound. This is a creature that performs very well at the front and mid-points of entry.…

Billecart-Salmon Champagne Grand Cru Louis Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs

A medium delivery of flavor all the way around. Pleasant and surely gulpable, this gave a little engine that could delivery but got lost in the shuffle due to its seeming lack of identifiable…

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Édition 168ème

It tastes like Krug. It tastes like the 166 served next to it. It's kinda smooth. It's kinda bubbly. It's kinda fresh. It's kinda oxidative. It's kinda Krug.

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 166eme

It tastes like Krug. It tastes like the 168 served next to it. It's kinda smooth. It's kinda bubbly. It's kinda fresh. It's kinda oxidative. It's kinda Krug.

Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

Unquestionably bursting with vibrancy, categorically abounding with freshness, and completely enveloped by an acidic attack that slaps the palate with such unresolved and determined nerve that the…

Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

Fresh and crisp the way only a young Cristal can be, the 2008 spits out lemon pith, yellow citrus, and bitter chalk notes with determination and some grit. There is an angularity that is currently…

Jerome Blin Champagne Les Caillasses Brut Millésime

A year since my last bottle. A similar performance, with a big house Champagne feel to it, reminding me of a Krug without the plantain flavor that usually comes with that producer (I prefer this…

Roses de Jeanne / Cédric Bouchard Champagne Millésimé Blanc de Noirs Les Ursules

Another solid winner from the Bouchard lineage, the Ursules offers an impeccable representation of balance and equilibrium of flavor. Everything is properly in its place, with precision and focus…

Marie-Courtin Champagne Efflorescence Extra Brut

Here's a helpful hint: Don't pop the cork and try to take this thing down immediately and expect it to deliver from jump. I'm finding it's best to give these plenty of aeration the same way one might…

Marie-Courtin Champagne Présence

I gave this another spin and spent more time allowing it to stretch its legs before rendering judgment. I feel like I "got it" more this time around, with the crisp, clean, and uber-crystalline…

Laherte Frères Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut Les Longues Voyes

I still struggle with this Champagne. There is an abrasive alkaline finish that accentuates an angularity to its flavor delivery. I'm surprised at the 4g/L dosage here, as it comes across not only…

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

Apple pie filling, bruised lemon rind, quince, copper, and olive oil notes make for a subtly oxidative style that still maintains balanced freshness. This has a fuller and lusher side while also…

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Grand Cru Jolivettes

After an initial blast of bubbles that swarmed around the core fruit and almost completely disabling flavor expansion, this Jolivettes finally calmed down in the glass once it was allowed to get some…

Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Grand Cellier d'Or

Much less doughy than my previous experience with this wine. Holding for another couple years may prove to be a worthy endeavor. More freshness and a nice hit of acidity balance-out the otherwise…

Pierre Gerbais Champagne L'Originale

Continues to be a super gulpable Champagne. Lovely yellow citrus, white melon, and white rock notes that are succulent and lively. It won't get you a Ph.D. in neuroscience, but it straddles fun…

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

This needs a wee amount of cellar time in-bottle to fully come to its happy place. The flavors didn't start to expand until the final sips after over an hour of air. Linear, with some red apple flesh…

Emmanuel Brochet Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut (2015) Le Mont Benoit

Much less abrasive than the previous bottle. Richer, fuller, and fresher. A little more tension would be desired, but otherwise a very satisfying bottle of Champagne. Entering into a nice window now.…

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Premier Cru Mont Martin

A steelier showing this time around. It either didn't like the stemware it was crowded in, which disabled it from spreading its wings and offering up the depth I've come accustomed to enjoying from…

Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Réserve

Lemon seed and yeast. Rides high and angular, finishing sharp. Would pair well with oyster shells on the half shell, with more shells, topped with shells.

Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 166eme

Of course, you always must start out a Harlan tasting with a nice glass of Krug to best assist you with sauntering around a Napa legend's property in style. This Champagne behaves just as most other…

Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Grand Cellier Brut

Unripe pear dominant, with additional yeasty/bready notes battling with a steely-meets-chalky frame. Somewhat simple and abrasive on the appendages. Missing some nuance. This is fine as an aperitif…

Dom Pérignon Champagne

At the French Laundry. A starter for the table, this bottle of 2010 Dom is a typical expression of the house, if but seemingly a little more advanced and gentler than other tauter vintages. Bruised…

Laherte Frères Champagne Extra Brut Les Vignes d'Autrefois

Two years since my last tasting note on this wine. In a perfect place right now, with an enveloping mouthfeel coupled with just the right amount of vivacity to keep everything moving right along…