Lanson Champagne Brut “Black Label”
This offers great layers of complexity at a reasonable Champagne price. Highly Recommended (91-93).
Before the Bubbles: the Secrets of Champagne’s Vins Clairs
In my experience, vins clairs tastings are a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of the wine before the bubbles, and to imagine their development over time; they are a unique foray into the magical kingdom of champagne.
Pol Roger Brut Reserve “White Foil”
The finish lingers nicely, highlighting the deeper flavors of the wine. Drink with seared scallops. Highly Recommended. DH
Naked Champagne, the Making of Zero Dosage Champagne
Here in Champagne, one often says that champagne is first and foremost a wine. However the characteristics of this wine change significantly with the adding of the dosage (a mixture of base wine and cane sugar) at the time of disgorging.
Red Carpet Cocktails
‘Tis the season for Oscar parties. If you really want to impress your friends during this Sunday’s festivities, don your tux or gown, get behind the bar, and whip up some of these cocktails inspired by some of the nominees.
2005 Pierre Gimonnet Cuvée Oenophile Extra Brut
Golden with a delicate mousse. Mineral nose with a hint of fresh almonds. Complex, intense champagne, with lots of citrus (grapefruit, Meyer lemon, tangerine) flavors. Long pastry finish.
NV Paul Goerg Absolu Extra Brut
Pale yellow color. Delicate white blossom and mineral (iodine) nose. Quite linear champagne, almost flinty on the palate, some citrus notes and a lingering saline finish. Pair with sashimi.
NV Tarlant Brut Zero Rosé
Bright coral pink champagne, with red currant and Florida grapefruit on the nose. Very smooth and rounded champagne, with flavors of red currant and pomegranate, a hint of ripe red apple and a lingering rounded finish. Pair with a red fruit dessert.