N.V. Nicolas Maillart Champagne 1er Cru Platine

The color is golden with a slightly red tint. The bead is small and active. The nose is all apple, freshly cut Honey Crisps. There is more complexity on the palate, with apples, pears, and some smoke on the attack, red fruits, cranberry and strawberry, showing lightly on the mid-palate, with citrus, apple, and stone lingering on the finish. This seems to have a high pinot noir content, showing with the red fruit on the mid-palate and the deeper smoky flavors. Drink with duck, letting the acidity counter-balance the fatty richness. Recommended. DH

WHO: Nicolas Maillart
WHAT: Champagne Blend
WHERE: Champagne, France
WHEN: N.V.
HOW MUCH: $40