Marc Chauvet Champagne Special Club 2005
The Marc Chauvet Special Club 2005 is a provocative blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir from family-owned estate vineyards in Reims. Pale lemon yellow, the attack is decidedly creamy, but this aspect quickly dissolves through a layer lees-infused wet dough notes accompanied by lemon pith and white grapefruit rind. Perhaps what is most […]
Camille Savès Champagne Brut Millesimé Grand Cru 2004
This has to be the the best Bouzy Champagne I’ve tasted thus far—Camille Savès Brut Millesimé Grand Cru 2004 is a lush blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. Aromatics of toffee, crystalline honey, white flowers and orange peel portend flavors on the palate. Full and expansive, with nice energy and verve, there is […]
Moët & Chandon Champagne Dom Pérignon 1996
1996 was notably one of the best vintages in the past 50 years, according to, CIVC, Champagne’s regulatory board, the only other vintage it compares to is 1928, years noted for both full ripeness and high acidity. The Dom Pérignon 1996 is simply stunning, a kaleidoscope of layered aromas: shortbread, golden apple, hazelnuts, lemon zest, […]
Laherte Frères Brut Nature Blanc De Blancs Champagne NV
The Laherte Frères Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature is intense and precise, with bracing acidity and striking mineral overtones. Straw-colored, with a fine mousse, this zero dosage sparkler opens with notes of lemon zest, dried honey, pastry and white flowers. The palate is terroir-driven, chalky, calcareous, fossil-laden soils from the Mesozoic era come to […]
Françoise Bedel Champagne Dis ‘Vin Secret’ Brut NV
Fruit for the Cuvée Dis Vin Secret is mostly from the 2005 vintage, and is a blend of 80% Pinot Meunier, 15% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Noir. Biodynamic farming has bestowed discreet minerality to this elegant Cuvée, along with voluptuous notes apple galette, freshly-baked croissant, quince and buttercream frosting. Pale gold in the glass, with […]
Jean Milan Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Grand Réserve 1864 NV
From the highly acclaimed Oger region, the Jean Milan Grand Cru Grand Réserve 1864 is a blend of 100% Chardonnay from the 2003 and 2004 vintages. Add to the equation eight years of aging on the lees, and you’ve got a wine with both dimension and power. Lofty aromas of honey, cinnamon raisin bread, white […]
Martini & Rossi Spumante Rosé NV
A fun, festive porch wine, this charming rosé was the first in a lineup of Bubbly Pinks at Pebble Beach Food & Wine. The Martini & Rossi Rosé NV opens with a lively and classic Muscat-ish nose of honey and chamomile flowers. The mousse is fine, yet spirited and there is enough acidity to give lift […]
André Clouet Champagne Grande Réserve Brut NV
Excellent for its modest price tag, the Clouet family has been farming their vineyards in Bouzy and Ambonnay since 1751. The Grande Réserve Brut Grand Cru is their entry-level label and it offers a classic profile of apple skins, red berries and a faint whiff of toast. The profile is clean, and nicely balanced with […]
Michel Gonet Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Grand Cru NV
My favorite Champagne of the night at #PBFW, the Michel Gonet Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV offers layered complexity on the nose and palate. Heady aromas of brioche, graham cracker, poached pear, and apple pie. The bead is quite fine, like seed pearls embroidered on golden-threaded brocade. It’s sappy and intense, with a singular […]
Billecart-Salmon Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
The NV Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs is a blend of Chardonnay from five Grand Cru sites: Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Oger. While not as expansive as their vintage Champagnes, the non-vintage Grand Cru is delicate and precise. Translucent goldenrod yellow in the glass with a fine, persistent bead and overtly pretty notes of golden […]