Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Vintage Brut 2006
As smoldering as one of Hitchcock’s blondes, off screen the 2006 Piper-Heidsieck offers up fabulous, smoky aromas of slightly charred baguette crust, toasted almonds, golden apple and a lingering, pleasant citrus top note. On the palate, power but elegance too, with surging acidity upfront that gradually subsides to a softer-than-expected landing. More secondary and tertiary […]
Paul & Phillippe Zinck Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé NV
This charming Cramant d’Alsace from Domaine Zinck is graced with an abundantly pretty and welcoming nose of pie cherries, wet stones, and cinnamon bark. It’s a delicate salmon pink, with an equally delicate mousse. Subtle blood orange-tinged sweetness is dominated by a profoundly minerally texture—oyster shells, limestone, and chalk lend complexity to a mouthwatering finish. […]
Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Cuvée Palmes d’Or 2002
Another fabulous sparkler tasted at the Champagne Bureau’s event in Chicago, the 2002 Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Palmes D’Or is exceptional. Captivating smoky-bordering-on-earthy aromas and flavors are woven throughout, endowing this serious Champagne with a perceptible center of gravity. Mineral verve pierces through intense, fleshy layers of wet dough, bruised pear and and walnut skins. I […]
Champagne Drappier Brut Grande Sendrée 2006
The Drappier Brut Grande Sendrée is a refined blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay. The house prides itself on minimal use of sulfur and low dosage—the 2006 is voluptuous with layers of dust, walnut shells, and mahogany wood that serve to hem in fleshy, ripe orchard fruits and citrus notes. On the palate, […]
Henri Giraud Champagne Hommage à François Hémart Grand Cru Brut NV
Henri Giraud Champagne Hommage à François Hémart Grand Cru Brut” width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>I’m a fan of Henri Giraud, perhaps more so after meeting Claude Giraud at the International Pinot Noir Festival last year. The winery has embarked on serious research with respect to revitalizing the Argonne Forest and at the same time, re-establishing a local […]
Bollinger Champagne Brut Rosé NV
Bollinger’s NV Brut Rosé is unfettered elegance, with a shimmering salmon robe and ultra-fine mousse, the nose displays freshly macerated strawberries and raspberries, rose petals and spice. It’s all neatly corseted modest toast, with creaminess at the mid-palate lending depth and weight, softening an otherwise be a bony spine. There is minerality here too, but […]
La Marca Prosecco NV
La Marca’s NV Prosecco sports the classic grapey Glera nose. It’s straw-colored and festively effervescent, with yellow apple, and acacia honey notes. On the palate, it’s soft, clean, and inviting—a perfect wine for springtime. Candied lemon peel and orange pastille round out the mid-palate. 1.70 g/100ml RS 11.29% ABV | Sample Cantine La Marca 8.8 […]
Domaine Saint-Remy Crémant d’Alsace Cuvée Prestige NV
The color of sun-bleached straw, the Crémant D Alsace Cuvée Prestige from Domaine Saint-Remy is crafted from 100% biodynamically farmed Chardonnay that is grown in granite-rich soil, in the lieu-dit of St. Gregoir. It emits fresh, lively aromas of biscuit, Meyer lemon zest, granulated honey and trail dust. The palate is light and nimble, with […]
Pierre Moncuit Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Nicole Moncuit Vieille Vigne 2004
Rich and wonderfully full in body and texture, the Pierre Moncuit Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2004 opens with generous notes of dried honey, pear tart and nutmeg. On the palate, it’s supple and creamy, delineated by a coursing vein of chalky minerality and bright, mouthwatering acidity. Rich notes of buttercream and toffee are […]
Côté Mas Crémant de Limoux Rosé Brut NV
A celebratory shade of pink, the Côté Mas Crémant de Limoux Rosé Brut NV is a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc and 10% Pinot Noir. It’s crafted in the Méthode Traditionelle style, and sees one year aging en tirage. Delicate, feminine aromatics of choke cherries, nectarine, blood oranges, biscotti, and sea foam. And […]