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April/May
2008
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Wine Review
Archive - France, Champagne
($40). An excellent buy, this Champagne
is clean and fresh, with toast and yeast
notes that accent the spicy pear fruit
flavors. Nice finish. Ready to drink now.
(Weekend Wine, 12/00)
($50). A perennial favorite for brut rosé
lovers, this is a delicate blend of red
berry fruit and fresh pear flavors with
delicious doughy notes and just a hint
of citrus on the elegant finish. Ready
to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 12/00)
($45). Delicious package of voluptuous
aromas and flavors, beginning with a
mouthwatering yeast, fruit and mineral
bouquet. Bold and fresh, with complex
layers of pear and citrus fruit, mineral,
delicate spice, toasted hazelnuts, and
bread. Generous finish lingers for days.
Ready to drink now and over the next
two or three years. (Weekend Wine, 12/02)
($45). Mineral and slate notes are steely
dry and beautifully layered with tart
apple fruit that softens and ripens
on the palate. Ends with a pleasantly
soft, lingering finish. Ready to drink
now. (Party Planning, 12/01)
($90).
If you're looking for a good value in
an excellent vintage Champagne -- this
one is a blockbuster choice. Well-structured,
with rich spicy pear, sweet almond,
toast, and a touch of pepper, and ready
to drink now and over the next year
or so. (Weekend Wine, 12/00)
($68).
Very uppercrust bubbly. There is a creamy
subtext to this Champagne that is hard
to beat. The sweet pear and toast flavors
are balanced with just enough acidity.
Wonderful finish. Excellent wine! (Skinny
Guide to French Wine: Champagne, 12/99)
($60).
Clean and racy, offering a floral bouquet
and solid pear, apple, and fig on the
palate. Outstanding, lingering finish.
Wonderful now and over the next few years.
(Splurge Wine, 01/01)
($42). Lush and smooth, with opulent
red cherry and berry fruit flavors shining
in this finely knit Champagne. Nice
acidity supports the ripe character
for overall balance. Very good. Ready
to drink now. (Party Planning 04/05)
($34). Boldly
flavored and structured, showing sophisticated
layers of crisp apple, citrus, sourdough,
wildflower honey, toasted almond, and
mineral. A substantial rose that easily
pairs with meals -- we enjoyed it with
grilled salmon and a tangy sundried tomato
sauce. Very good now and over the next
couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 02/03)
($45). A favorite around here. Yeast
and toasted nut flavors accent the smooth
pear fruit and add interest and very
nice balance. A very good value (for
a splurge wine!) and ready to drink
now. (Splurge Wine, 01/01)
($53). Bright apple and citrus, plenty
of rich toasted oak and nuttiness, and
a lingering finish combine to make this
a versatile but still impressive nonvintage
champagne. Drink now. (RLT, Weekend
Wine, 05/00)
($56). Yeasty bouquet, full of apple,
almond, pear, sweet vanilla, and plenty
of spice, this nonvintage has the distinct,
mature taste of a very good vintage
champagne. In that light, you cannot
beat this price. Drink now. (RLT, Weekend
Wine, 05/00)
($45). Love the
toasty aromas and flavors of this vintage
Champagne. Lively fruit and a mature
silkiness translate smoothly into a
lingering finish. Very good. (Skinny
Guide to French Wine: Champagne, 12/99)
($35). Excellent value, offering elegant
pear and orange blossom flavors, along
with nicely integrated layers of brioche
and nutty oak. Medium-bodied, with good
length. Ready to drink now. (Party Planning,
04/04)
($43). Full bodied and flavorful but still
elegant, showing fruit that is round and
rich on the palate. Accents include roasted
nut, fig, and yeast. Quite versatile with
food. Ready to drink now. (Party Planning,
12/01)
($39). "Classic" is right –
this is a wonderful Champagne that features
mouthwatering pear and citrus fruit expertly
layered with toasted hazelnut, bread,
and sweet vanilla notes. Sophisticated
from start to finish. Ready to drink now.
(Party Planning, 12/01)
($120). Offered beautiful, mouthwatering
flavors that dance around the palate
– this is an ebullient Champagne
with citrus, fig, mineral and apricot
skin notes that is delicious now and
over the next two or three years. It
paired beautifully with an extravagant
dish of quail and foie gras over ginger
spiked butternut squash. (Splurge Wine,
10/03)
($200). The coppery pink salmon color
draws you in to the heady, floral bouquet,
then the tightly focused citrus, mineral,
red berry and baking spice flavors.
It is awfully appealing now, but should
get even better over the next few years.
Served with ruby red ahi tuna medallions
over a black pearl risotto – a
feast of color and textures. (Splurge
Wine, 10/03)
($300). Medium-yellow color and offered
round, rich honeyed fig fruit layered
with complex hints of toasted hazelnut,
yeast, wet earth and chalk. (Splurge
Wine, 10/03)
e
($400). An eye-opener. The bouquet and
flavors had taken on the qualities of
a mature red wine – what with all
the tobacco and game and roasted coffee
notes. Combine these with the full,
brioche driven body and classic citrus
and mineral notes of a vintage Champagne
and it was really a knockout experience
that everyone should have – at
least once! (Splurge Wine, 10/03)
($31). Bold and assertive, with focused
berry fruit layered with yeast, toasted
hazelnut and mineral notes. Excellent
value – delicious! Ready to drink
now. (Quick Entertaining, 10/03)
($35). This was a new Champagne house
for me, and I definitely liked this wine.
Maybe the name influenced me, but really,
this was absolutely bone dry. Almost tanniny.
Solid orchard fruit, a touch of citrus,
and nice yeast and mineral notes. Very
good now and should age well for a few
years. (Weekend Wine, 12/00)
($70).
Red berry and mineral bouquet leads
to a full-bodied Pinot Noir based sparkler
that offers well-defined red fruit laced
with spice and delicate milk chocolate
notes. Ready to drink now. (Weekend
Wine, 12/02)
($42). Complex and layered, this wine
was a very nice surprise. Almost a pecan
nuttiness weaves throughout the orchard
fruit and other flavors. Ready to drink
now. (Skinny Guide to French Wine: Champagne,
12/99)
($50). Absolutely loved this
creme brulee of a Champagne. And a beautiful
label, too! This is now my official special
occasion wine. (Skinny Guide to French
Wine: Champagne, 12/99)
($23). This is a personal favorite –
especially the yeasty flavor that lingers
on the finish. The pear fruit gives it
a sweet note without going overboard.
(Skinny Guide to French Wine: Champagne,
12/99)
($125). Drinking so
well at this point, with sleek red berry,
toast, spice, mushroom and mineral notes
mingling on a medium-bodied frame. Long,
complex finish. Ready to drink now.
(Wine Skinny Cooks 08/07)
($50).
Wonderful spicy bouquet introduces fresh
red berry and cherry fruit mingling with
clove, cinnamon and bread dough, with
a smooth, creamy texture and rich mouthfeel.
Delicious. Ready to drink now and over
the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine,
12/02)
($42).
Intensely honeyed aroma leads to crisp
apple and floral notes, with yeast,
mineral and more honey on the finish.
Very nice. Ready to drink now. Excellent
with the oysters, which were topped
with minced scallion and dabs of black
caviar. (Weekend Wine, 09/02)
($40).
This Champagne is an in-your-face attention
getter. There’s nothing shy about
the orchard fruit, toasted nuts, and creamy
vanilla. Wonderful finish. (Skinny Guide
to French Wine: Champagne, 12/99)
($36). This is
a medium-bodied wine that is well-balanced
and features round flavors like apple,
yeast, and honey, along with a subtle
citrus acidity. It can compliment a
variety of foods -- seafood dishes as
well as rich cream-based soups. We enjoyed
it with delicious fresh New England
Scallops with a caviar "fondue"
sauce. (Weekend Wine, 03/01)
($42). Simply wonderful.
Lively and full-bodied, with wild berry
and spice flavors that linger nicely
on the generous finish. This wine can
be paired with any number of substantial
foods "traditionally" paired
with red wines -- lamb, roast pork,
grilled eggplant, and more. We thoroughly
enjoyed it paired with a Charcuterie
featuring Rabbit Pate and Duck Sausage
with a delicious salad of baby greens
in a Parmesan Crisp cup. (Weekend Wine,
03/01)
($37). This demi-sec
dessert style wine features velvety
pear, almond, and candied orange peel
flavors that linger delightfully on
the long finish. (Weekend Wine, 03/01)
($29). This Champagne
is soft and rather floral with orchard
fruit emerging on the finish. It is
a nice choice for an aperitif and as
a versatile accompaniment to appetizers.
We paired it with an array of hors d'oeuvres,
including succulent Char-Su Quail Breasts
with mango sauce. (Weekend Wine, 03/01)
($60). Don't let the
bubbles fool you -- this is essentially
a red wine. This blend of Pinot Noir
(60%), Chardonnay (35%) and Pinot Meunier
(5%) is rich and substantial, with spicy
cherry and earthy notes accented by
subtle fig and apricot from the Chardonnay.
(Weekend Wine, 03/01)
($43)
offers a fresh, fragrant bouquet that
introduces rich layers of citrus, brioche,
cream, and touches of apricot and butterscotch.
Stays lively throughout the pretty finish.
Ready to drink now. (Label Art 02/06)
($41).
A wonderful value on this rich, elegant
Champagne -- offering pretty citrus and
stone fruit flavors layered with creamy
vanilla and nutty, toasty oak. Ready to
drink now. (Weekend Wine 12/04)
($40).
Practically impossible to resist, with
its ripe, medium- to full-bodied style,
red berry flavors and smooth, subtle
spices. Balanced and easy to pair with
food - or enjoy all on its own. Ready
to drink now. (Wine Skinny Cooks 08/07)
NV Brut Champagne
($28). Possibly the best deal going
on really good NV Champagne, this offers
lush ripe pear and fig flavors layered
with bright citrus, honeysuckle, creamy
vanilla and a touch of spice that linger
on the pretty finish. Ready to drink
now. (Weekend Wine 08/07)
($100). A full-bodied beauty, with lovely
citrus, toast and caramel aromas and
flavors mingling with bold berry and
nectarine fruit. Long, complex finish
lingers beautifully. Ready to drink
now and over the next ten years. (Weekend
Wine 12/04)
($60). A classic Champagne, with richness
and elegance in equal parts. Beautifully
harmonious flavors include fig, apricot,
brioche, mineral, nutmeg and roasted hazelnut.
Offers plenty of structure and body --
could easily sell at twice the price.
(Shhh! Don't tell them.) Delicious now
and over the next 15 years. (Weekend Wine
12/04)
($40).
Nothing shy or suble about this one! Bursting
with red berry flavors and accented with
loads of warm, exotic spices (think allspice,
clove, anise, cinnamon...) on a full-bodied
frame. Focused finish. Excellent with
starter courses like smoked salmon or
trout. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine
12/04)
($26). Heck of a
deal - buy a case! (We did.) Medium-bodied,
with appealing creamy pear, bread, fig,
citrus - all round and ripe and with good
mouthfeel. Lingering, fruity finish. Ready
to drink now. (Party Planning, 04/04)
($49).
Always a favorite around here, with
its delicate, elegant style, pretty
apple and pear flavors, lemon zest and
toasty accents. Finishes soft and smooth.
Ready to drink now. (Splurge Wine 02/06)
($41). Our
annual favorite is fabulous again for
this year's holiday season. Seductive
and ripe, with luscious stone fruit,
citrus, and a wonderful creamy texture.
Lovely finish. Ready to drink now and
over the next couple of years. (Weekend
Wine, 12/02)
. Over
the recent holidays I was reminded how
much I absolutely adore (one must use
the word "adore" when speaking
of Champagne) this wine. For the past
few years, I have been busy sampling
Champagnes from other houses, but now
I’ve come home to Perrier-Jouet
again. Suggested retail is $32, but
I regularly see (and buy!) it for $28
or so. Creamy and luscious, with bright
apple fruit balanced with delicate toasty
yeast and pure honey notes, this is
just wonderful. Excellent on its own,
but also quite versatile with food.
Pop a bottle the next time you are nibbling
on smoked salmon and see what I mean!
(Robyn's Picks, 02/02)
($62).
Smooth, nutty with a nice full finish.
(Weekend Wine, 09/01)
($38).
Complex layers of fruit, spice, yeast
and stone wrapped up in a smooth, yet
full-bodied package. A sophisticated wine
with good balance, picks up appealing
toasted almond on the finish. Ready to
drink now. (Weekend Wine, 12/02)
($50).
Delicately sweet, floral aromas mingle
with crisp apple, juicy pear and orange
zest fruit flavors. Accents include
bread, almond and cream. A compelling,
energetic, delicious wine. Mouthwatering
finish. Ready to drink now and over
the next couple of years. (Splurge Wine,
06/03)
($48). Excellent
quality and value here. Starts with
a rich bouquet of toast, yeast, and
sweet fruit that is echoed on the palate,
along with racy fruit balanced with
appealing toasted bread and nut notes.
Elegant and full-bodied. Ready to drink
now and over the next couple of years.
(Weekend Wine, 12/02)
($35). A delightful change of pace that
would match nicely with a wide array of
foods, this wine offers generous spice
and acidity along with the green apple
and pear fruit. Finishes clean and bright
with a touch of mineral developing at
the very end. Ready to drink now and over
the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine,
12/02)
($40). Wildflower
honey, creamy lemon curd, mineral and
crisp apple notes mingle together in this
nicely balanced rich/sweet bubbly. Perfect
for summer fruit desserts. Ready to drink
now. (Wine Skinny Cooks 08/07)
($50). Focused green
apple fruit is softened slightly with
toast and honey notes. Medium-bodied and
versatile. Ready to drink now. (Weekend
Wine, 09/02)
($68)! Heady bouquet introduces voluptuous
sweet fruit balanced with a clean, mineral
through line. Elegant finish. Ready to
drink now and over the next couple of
years. (Wine, Food, Bookclub 10/01)
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