By: AJ McClellan
It is good to open a bottle of bubbles every once in a while just because. We had a good group of members in and so what better reason could be have to pop a few Tete de Cuvee’s and celebrate life a little…
NV Bollinger Rose – Fresh and light with notes of rose petals and fresh cherries. The wine was drinking surprisingly well with a excellent freshness.
NV Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve – Heavier style of Champagne but with a refreshing acidity that cut through the wine and refreshed the palate. Ripe pears, and peaches were predominate in this wine but with a nice toasty finish.
NV Mumm de Cramant – This was the best of the NV wines for me. A blend usually saved for friends and family of the Mumm house the Cramant blend was delicious. The perfect amount of toast with light hints of tropical fruit on the nose. The palate showed excellent balance with exotic fruits and spices.
NV Pierre Peters Rose – Pierre Peters is always a delight to drink. The Rose was fresh and clean with a lively floral nose and fruity palate of red cherries and watermelon.
2000 Pierre Peters Les Chetillons – This bottle was fantastic. This is a excellent example of quality grower
1999 Amour de Deutz Blanc de Blanc – Soft and creamy like drinking crème brulee. There was the perfect amount of toast on the palate followed by a soft hint of white peaches and tropical spices. Dangerously easy drinking…
2002 Perrier Jouet Fleur de Champagne – I normally associate Fleur de Champagne with yeast bombs but this wine was remarkably plush with an excellent balance and while it had a classic hint of yeast it was in no way overpowering. Pears, green apples, and lemon zest on the palate with a nice minerality and soft finish.
2002 Perrier Jouet Fleur de Champagne Rose – This was the most pleasant surprise of the night, a wonderful nose of light red fruit and stunning minerality. The palate was like floating on clouds of strawberries and cream with a soft silky sensation that was incredible on the palate.
1999 Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d’Or – Brutish and powerful Champagne but with fantastic balance. The nose showed of ripe apples and ripe pears followed by blooming white flowers and ending in a splash of limestone minerality.
1997 Salon – The Salon was very young needing another 5 years to come around and soften the edges. That being said it was very complex with a plethora of fruits and great backing of acidity and minerality. A very nice way to end the night.