This superstar 2012 vintage just doesn’t seem to miss. Especially not when paired with the elegance of Bollinger.
A gorgeous rose copper color in the glass. Plenty of fine bubbles that seem to just go on and on. The approachability of these outstanding 12’s is immediate. Wild strawberries and herbs shine on the nose. Red currant, raspberries, and stewed plums. Some exquisite spice notes along with white flowers. Tangerines and watermelons play a part.
The vitality and sheer energy of this is amazing. 67% Pinot Noir from Aÿ and Verzenay. 33% Chardonnay from Oiry and Le Mesnil sur Oger with 5% still red wine from Bollinger’s legendary Côte aux Enfants vineyard. Terrific youthful tension and balance. Zippy acidity with 8 g/l of sugar. Disgorged in August of 2019 and already showing some maturity.
Pure romance on the tongue. Silky smooth and elegant with fresh red berries and more spice on the palate. Saffron and honey with oak complimenting. The Lehmann Jamesse Grand Blanc provided more floral notes, while the Riedel Dom Perignon showed more ripe fruit and minerality. Both wonderful. Yes this will obviously develop over time and become so much more special but you deserve this now. So do I. Enjoy.
— 4 years ago
First time with the 168. Wow! Fine bubbles, fresh but not acidic. Almost sweet — 5 years ago
An amazing Vintage Champagne! A perfect column of fine and persistent bubbles in the glass. Aromas of yellow apple, brioche, fresh oak and Parmesan Cheese rind. Pear, white peach, citrus and crusty bread flavors on the pallet. Creamy and silky texture. This one could have stayed in the bottle longer, but we could not help ourselves. Stately and Elegant. Thank you, Kase! — 5 years ago
Really bright and crystalline. Lifted lemon and slate. Tight with acidity fine and high wire tension. Lovely stuff. Young. — 6 years ago
Major-General Sir William Biddles Curran
Are you drinking already?Fine bubble, paired well with charcuterie. — 8 years ago
Perfectly fine brandy, but I expected more from the price. — 3 years ago
Tonights wine is the Veuve A. Devaux Grande Réserve Brut NV.
On the nose is green apples, brioche, apricote, peach and yeasty bread dough.
On the palate is green apples, tart strawberry, plum, yeasty bread dough and mineral driven wet stone.
This wine is pinot noir dominant with fine bubbles that are long lasting with a good creamy mousse.
The wine is also medium bodied with a creamy mouthfeel, medium + acidity and a long crisp citrus clean fresh finish. I hope you are having a great week? Please continue to stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🥂🥂🥂🥂 — 4 years ago
Light gold. Fine tiny bubbles. Notes of citrus, fresh cut apples, white chalky stone, rising yeast and some apricot. At first very mellow but with air this explodes with fruit, acidity and structure. Additional notes of almond paste and green apples develop and a luscious creamy mousse comes on. The nose on this wine is powerful and memorable. — 5 years ago
Toasty brioche, with some floral and intriguing mushroomy notes. On the palate red apples & cream. Nice breadth and richness, with persistent mousse and great length. A very fine wine. — 8 years ago
A pale gold hue leads to some nice effervescence and tons of small bubbles initially. A fine mousse and highly aromatic on the nose with an abundance of wet stone minerality and fresh pears. The fruit is ripe and expressive with citrus aromas being dominant with the more autolytic notes serving as backup. After some time and air, that nice yeast and floral aspects come to the fore in the form of delicate little white flowers.
100% Chardonnay with 7 g/l that only adds a little softness to the acidity of the champagne. With 30% of the blend coming from reserve wines there is a distinct elegance and refinement happening here. The fruit comes from Grand and Premier Crus from Avize and Cramant.
This is most certainly a pop and pour champagne, it’s ready to go. A silky mouthfeel with crisp acidity which leads to crisp fruit on the palate. Baked apple pie, brioche buns, and mandarin oranges shine. Decidedly lush and fun. Fruity, elegant, and versatile. — 4 years ago
Popped this in anticipation of an Australian victory over England in the Rugby World Cup quarter final when we trailed 17-16 in the 2nd half. However we ended up getting trounced 40-16. This Champers was mid Lemon Gold with an ultra fine bead. Funky lemon mineral notes with apple pie pastry. Even at 17 years good tension with possibly another 10 years of cellaring. Although pretty irresistible right now. As Churchill said You deserve Champagne in victory and you need it in defeat! — 6 years ago
Devin Bray
Goodness gracious. An absolute explosion of aromas and flavors that could knock a person out with its beauty at a distance of 5 feet. Opens first with a heady bouquet of lilies, lilac, lavender, and a bit of a wound-up fusil note before unfurling into glorious ripe red fruits, white raisins, rum cake, dried apricots, barrel spice, toasted nuts, vanilla, and so much more as it continues to evolve and perform a series of dances on the palate. Really, really special - a new contender for best spirit I've ever tasted. Only 60 bottles produced in the world, the spirit inside is a blend of 25-30 year old Cognac distilled from 100% Ugni Blanc and allowed to evaporate naturally to 45% ABV. Very old school and handcrafted by a master, and boy does it show. — 2 years ago