Champagne Blend
Bernard Gaucher
Brut Réserve Champagne
My first experience with this producer. 90% Pinot Noir and the balance Chardonnay. Popped and poured; consumed under an hour. On the nose, mostly fresh lemons and brioche. High intensity. On the palate, golden raspberries and lemon with chalky minerals and lightly toasted brioche. The acid is high…but there’s decent balance here. It’s not a particularly complex Champagne but it delivers very well as an aperitif. No disgorgement information on the label. — 14 days ago
Philippe Fontaine
Cuvée Prestige Brut Champagne Blend
This bottle was provided by a friend at a recent outdoor social gathering. A very unusual blend of 40% Pinot Blanc, 35% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Meunier and 10% Chardonnay. In fact, I can’t recall ever having a champagne that was blended with more than three of the seven permissible varieties. I wish I had more time to spend with this wine but the setting wasn’t very conducive to a thorough analysis. That being said, I took some brief notes. Popped and poured; consumed under an hour. A pleasant mix of pear, lemon, citrus blossom with chalky minerals. The finish was round and quite saline…and rather delightful! Almost quaffable. This wine had a texture that sort of played with my ability to accurately judge the acidity but I settled on medium+…but I think the acid is pretty sneaky. The finish was long and satisfying. Probably my favorite bottle from Philipe Fontaine to date. No disgorgment date stated on the label. — 15 days ago
Alfred Gratien
Brut Rosé Champagne Blend
Not very expressive in the nose or mouth. Muted stone fruits, fine bubbles and a slightly astringent finish. TBL — 9 days ago
Pol Roger
Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Brut Champagne 2004
This is so rich and decadent, has a yellow color with the slightest of oxidation tone, great balance and acidity, buried citrus notes under a prominent and rich buttery and nutty mid palate that ends flowery, long and complex. This ooozes its pedigree, and is its in infancy but oh so good now. Hold if you can. Should be a thrill in 5 to 7 years. — 7 days ago
Laherte Frères
Ultradition Extra-Brut Champagne Blend
Citrus rinds and honeysuckle nose with a mouth watering palate from front to finish. Would be awesome with food. 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir (40% reserve) 4.5g/L dosage. Disgorged 11-2019. TBL — 3 days ago
Severn Goodwin
Prior notes still apply, delicious bottle.
Nose has toasted brioche, grilled lemon, warm lemon creme, lemon zest, oxidized pear slice and fresh, rising bread dough. Palate has lemon pound cake, cold toast, limestone chips, dried lemon slice and (light) candied orange.
Great mid-palate, a restrained richness is all elegance, acid balance is perfect and not pulling you one way or another. At 15 years past vintage, a great example of finesse in Champagne.
+
On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our Conductors Andris Nelsons and John Williams will be leading a very engaging program of Jessie MONTGOMERY (Starburst), John WILLIAMS (Violin Concerto No. 2, world premiere featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter!), COPLAND (Quiet City) and STRAVINSKY (Suite from The Firebird, 1919 version). We're getting the luxury of enjoying Mr. Williams two nights in a row...what a great weekend of Contemporary music! — 7 days ago