Monday was round 2 in our NV with age exploration. A nice group gathered in Croton. John had a nice spread with cheeses, mousse, grilled shrimp, olives and more ready, I added a bit of charcuterie (pate, prosciutto, smoked duck breast, saucisson sec, beef linguica).
Most of the wines were BdB
Flight 1
NV Camille Saves le Mont des Tours Blanc de Blancs(base year likely 2014 or 2015)
Chalky, apple and lemon, tiny bit of a lactic note, but long and good. B+
NV David Léclapart “l’Artiste”Blanc de Blancs Pas Dosé (Base Year 2011)
Delicious, fruit blossoms, clean bright pear fruit, flinty finish. A-/B+,.
Flight 2
NV David Léclapart “l’Apotre” Blanc de BlancsPas Dose (Base Year 2009)
Cheesey note on nose, somewhat oxidative, some question whether sound but some liked, but not really for me, though it got better. B-
NV Tarlant BAM Blanc de Blancs (base year 2009)
Bright high acid, light nutty nose, quite long. B+/A-
Flight 3
NV Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs (Base year 2014)
Lemon, floral, elegant mousse. B+
NV Corbon Brut D’Autrefois ( base 2012 disgorged in February 2018)
This is made with 50% reserve from a solera (99+% Chardonnay) that goes back decades. Rich and toasty but with good brightness, B+/A-
Flight 4
NV Bruno Paillard Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut (Base Year 2010, disgorged September 2015)
Silky texture, crisp snappy acids, good length, B+/B
NV Corbon Brut D’Autrefois, base 2010 disgorged in February 2016)
I liked the other Brut D’Autrefois, but loved this. Young, but long and refined. A-
Flight 5
NV Pierre Péters “Réserve” Blanc de Blancs Brut (base year 2007, disgorged 2011)
Somewhat coarse mousse compared to some others, fully mature, not as long . B-
NV Fallet-Prévostat Blanc de Blancs Brut (Base year uncertain, but at least as old as the Péters)
Pear and red fruit, deep, complex, fine bead, long minerally finish. A-
Dinner was a pork tenderloin, with potatoes, tomatoes, and zucchini
Flight 6 (blended wines)
NV Jacquesson “No. 738” Extra Brut (Base Year 2010)
Seems to be a bit cranky at moment, but nice base,apple citrus and rye bread. B/B+
NV Bruno Paillard “Premiere Cuvee” Brut (Base Year 2008)
Pear, citrus zest, brioche, very nice indeed. B+/A-
Flight 8
NV Krug Grande Cuvee Brut
Prior to Edition labeling- base year yet to be determined, but best guesses based on purchase history were 1995 or 1996 I think). I freely admit this has good freshness, lots of body, but can’t really overcome by Krug bias. B/B- Others (who have drunk far more Champagne than me) LOVED.
1997 Grongnet Special Club
Slightly offtheme, but delicious. Green apple, bread dough, blood orange. Good chalky finish. B+/A-
Night ended with a blind red, someone opined Pomerol or Graves, I voted for latter, neither correct. Cassis and red plums, tobacco, soil. We had gravitated towards 80s, I went with 1982 Beychevelle, not in right appellation. I was surprised at St Estephe, the 1982 Haut-Marbuzet. B+
Really fun and instructive night.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
