WTN: Summer Fizz-les Fizzling Out

[Jenise]

The weather here in the PNW has been crazy weird. While many of you have been baking and sweating elsewhere, we've hardly taken our sweaters off. So summer fizz hasn't been as desirable as it usually is. And I don't think this topic was meant to include real champagne, but I'm going there anyway.

Last week I opened this, however:
NV Pierre Péters Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Cuvée de Réserve
Bubbles lacked persistence and flavors not memorable. Not to diss this producer though, this was the first poor experience we've had with a PP. Still--$75 down the drain, and I hate to see that.

And on Sunday, when a neighbor gave us some freshly cooked Dungeness, I opened:

NV Marie Copinet Champagne Blanc de Blanc
This was superb. I have cellared this one for about two years, and the additional bottle age paid off with significantly more depth and resonance. Rich green apple and lemon curd with some light brioche notes, tiny bubbles, great energy.

OH, and I didn't remember until last night that we didn't drink but half the bottle. It had been left open in the fridge for three days. So I poured myself a tester glass last night--it was miraculously good, only slightly less intense in texture and flavor than the pours on Sunday. Very impressive.