By: AJ McClellan
A great Saturday afternoon as a few members got together to improvise a Champagne tasting. Every bottle opened was delicious but the 96 Krug was far and away the best of the night…
NV Pierre Peters Blanc de Blanc – This is a great bottle of wine that always delivers. Subtle lemon/lime on the nose and palate with a hint of yeast and great mineral notes on the finish.
2002 Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque Brut – A hardier style of Champagne with big yeast notes and huge citrus on the palate. This wine was drinking very well but I feel like it would benefit significantly with a few more years in the bottle.
1996 Salon – Salon is one of my favorite houses for Champagne, they make a lovely bottle with lemon zest and great limestone minerality on the nose and palate. This bottle was drinking great around the table but it will be truly remarkable with another 10 years or so in the bottle.
1995 Krug – A great bottle of wine but a little one dimensional. Some green apple notes with great citrus and a creamy finish.
1996 Krug – This was far and away the wine of the night. A wonderfully approachable bottle that absolutely sings with fresh vibrant fruit and is in perfect balance with the rocking minerality that sits on your palate for a very long finish.
2004 Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque Rose – A brute of a Rose with big fruit notes and huge brioche notes that were almost overwhelming on the palate.