We hope everyone had wonderful July 4th weekend!
We opened two extraordinary bottles of Champagne and sealed the night with a stellar red Burgundy. The 1998 Henriot Cuvee des Enchanteleurs was beautiful! A Prestige Cuvee from Henriot, equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from only Grand Cru villages, this Champagne was showing at the perfect place. Generously toasty in character from long lees ageing with glorious flavors of apple pie, baked pears, orange peel spice, with soft stonefruits of preserved apricots and white peach. There was a depth in the wine that blew me away. The pearls were ultra-creamy and completely filled the palate, while at the same time being extremely elegant and light-footed in style. The finish was just as lovely with notes of honey, light flint and white flowers tying the fruit together from the start. Such an amazing wine and what a breathtaking treat to start the July 4th weekend.
2002 Piper Heidsieck Rare is a true Champagne gem. The deep flavors of toasted nuts, green and golden apples, green pears and sweet bread driven by Chardonnay with a strong backbone and additional aromatic lift from the Pinot Noir; this is a fine Champagne that will age in the cellar for decades to come. There were so many notes in this Champagne: spicy ginger, honey, sweet herbs, bright citrus and racy, briny minerals (but not in that weird ‘bad’ Grower Champagne kind of way).
2012 Claude Dugat Gevrey Chambertin was a baby but after some time in the glass this cult Burg really rounded out, offering fleshy red and black cherries, loads of cinnamon and rose, red tea, Asian spice and fresh turned soil. The fruit was concentrated and intense; and overall, the wine had great structure and depth. This village Pinot Noir was bright, forceful, polished and immaculate.