A few friends, a perfectly done brandade de morue to go along (my wife nailed the dish) and 4 champagne. Yup, life is good.
The wines were tasting blind 1st and then, as usual, enjoyed with dinner.
1998 Henriot Champagne Brut MillésiméElegant and subtle nose with some green olives, lemon and yeast. Lively with a nice balance of autolysis character and fruit. This particular bottle was not showing many tertiary aromas. Really nice to drink and true to the style of Henriot. I feel Henriot is somehow underrated.
N.V. Jose Dhondt Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut
Some candy like flavors on the nose with an oxidative character. It gives you the impression the wine was raised in barrels whereas only stainless steel is used here.
Barely bubbly, rich honey, round and rather flat.
I think the bottle might be off...
2002 Henri Goutorbe Champagne Special Club
Rich and powerful nose. I thought this was a blancs de noir.
Honeyed, some red berry fruits and white chocolate on the palate, it needs time for the acidity to finally show up. A nice light saltiness refresh the finish.
Definitely from a warm vintage but given some time in the bottle, this should show really well.
I'd love to try again in 10 years.
The 2002 is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. The wine was fermented in stainless steel and malolactic fermentation was blocked. Fruit is coming exclusively from Ay.
1996 R. & L. Legras Champagne Cuvée St. Vincent Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
Lovely nose, mineral. Floral and plenty of citrus and pear. Leesy as well with white chocolate
High acidity and full of energy, this tastes really young. After having the 1990 twice, I can tell this is a cuvee that can age 20 years easy and benefits from it. This cuvee is made only in special years.
I'm still thirsty.....
as usual our champagne tasting proves to be one our best tastings of the year. I love champagne, anytime, and anywhere.
ReplyDeleteMy tasting notes:
Henriot 1998
Classic aromas and a wonderful palate feel. Great champagne drinking wonderfully now. This champagne could offer some additional complexity later, but i believe it would give up its perfect freshness.
Jose Dhondt NV
I have never been impressed by the non vintage cuvee. Guessed it in the lineup as a non-vintage. Shocked to find out it was a bdb. I thought it smelled of sweet not great pinot menuier (and i love pinot menuier when done right). Just dissapointing, due to the candied notes. I would now love to try his vintage champagnes. I am disappointed that i have never had a great champagne from this producer because i like chardonnay from Oger.
R L Legrass 1996 Cuvee St. Vincent
Good champagne when tasted, but i would not call this one great yet. I enjoyed it and would love to taste at a later date. Classic notes on the nose and just great texture. Actually thought it was a 1990 not a 1996. I have some 2002 bottles of this and very excited about the future.
Henri Gotourbe Special Club 2002
I knew when i brought this it would be infanticide but i have numerous bottles. I fell inlove with this champagne last year, and thought the power and structure were unbelievable. Loved the spice, the fruit, acidity, everything. This will be a great champagne in the future, and i have more in my cellar.