Vinsrare.com - Champagne

2004 Champagne H.Blin Brut - $54.99

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:33:40 UTC

This is one of the Vintage wines in the line up.Â 50% Chardonnay 50% Pinot Meunier all from fruit grown in 2004.Â Complex nose of berries and exotic fruit with nice acidity.Â If you told me this retailed for $90 I would not be surprised - this a back up the truck kind of wine.

Disgorged - June 2012

NV Selosse Initiale - $159.99

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:19:25 UTC

Brad Baker's Champagne Warrior, February 2010,
Utterly brilliant, with a massively rich, yeasty, citrus nose. This oozes with complexity, as spicy, nutty citrus flavors take your breath away and sharp, yeasty notes knock you silly. This is a powerful wine that leaves your knees shaking and your body aching, but it feels oh-so-good! I consider this one of the best releases of this cuvee in recent memory. Run, don't walk to the stores (or your keyboards) to place an order for this wine. It really is that good. (100% Chardonnay; From the Grand Crus of Cramant, Avize, Oger; Fermented and aged in oak barriques; No malolactic fermentation) 92-94 points.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, November 2011
The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Initial is absolutely impeccable. It's hard to know where to start. What is more impressive: the definition of aromas and flavors, or is it the wine's sublime texture? The Initial is remarkable for its nuance, clarity and overall sense of harmony. The mousse is impeccably fine from start to finish, while the expression of Chardonnay is all elegance. Juicy apricots, peaches, flowers, crushed rocks and spices meld together on the seamless, utterly impeccable finish. Initial is Selosse's largest production cuvee and is a blend of fruit from Avize, Cramant and Oger, all Grand Cru villages. Disgorged October 20, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2018. 95 points.

NV Selosse Version Original - $229.99

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:06:28 UTC

NV Selosse Version Original - $229.99

2004 Champagne Corbon Chardonnay Grand Cru - $49.99

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 22:44:06 UTC

2004 Champagne Corbon Chardonnay Grand Cru - $49.99

NV Jerome Prevost La Closserie Les Beguines Extra Brut (LC10) - $79.99

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:26:18 UTC

Not surprisingly, the 2010 Les Beguines from JÃ©rÃ´me PrÃ©vost is a very young wine, but it has absolutely stunning promise. The deep, pure and youthfully vibrant nose delivers a fine mix of pear, discreet tangerine, a bit of white cherry, a superb base of chalky minerality, fresh-baked bread, delicate smokiness, citrus peel and the gentle floral tones of pinot meunier. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with a racy spine of acidity, outstanding focus and balance, superbly elegant mousse and a very long, soil-driven and youthfully refined finish. This is a great vintage of Les Beguines and I cannot wait to drink this at the same point in its evolution as where the 2002 vintage is today! A great wine that should really be cellared at least for a handful of years and really let its secondary layers rise to the top. It is going to be a fascinating comparison between the 2009 and 2010 vintages of Les Beguines over the coming couple of decades! 2015-2035. 94. View from the Cellar

2004 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs - $109.99

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 03:11:17 UTC

It's fascinating to taste the 2004 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne after the 2002, something I have been able to do on a few occasions. The 2004 is all about minerality, precision and tension. It doesn't have the sheer richness or power of the 2002, but it makes up for that with its crystalline purity and sheer energy. Bright hints of lemon oil, white flowers and crushed rocks are layered into the pointed, vibrant finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2034. Wine Advocate 96

NV H. Billiot Cuvee Laetitia - $69.99

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 01:07:24 UTC

The flagship Multi Vintage Brut Cuvee Laetitia comes across as delicate and floral in this version. Pears, white peaches, flowers and spices are some of the nuances that are woven into a fabric of notable class. Layers of sweet perfumed fruit run through the understated finish. The flagship Cuvee Laetitia is a blend of vintages going back to 1983. My sense is that there is a fair amount of younger vintages here given the brightness of the wine. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged June 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020. Wine Advocate 92

Brad Baker, The Champagne Warrior, July 2010
The richest, most complex, and flat-out best Laetitia ever made. This wine explodes on the palate with peach, apricot, and spicy citrus. I have born witness: one sip has the capacity to result in an involuntary "Hallelujah"... this wine ranks with the best Billiot has ever made. Do yourself a favor and go find a bottle of this.

(Majority Chardonnay with the rest Pinot Noir; Ambonnay; 2005 base wine from a solera dating back to 1983 that is tilting more and more towards Chardonnay over time; Oak aging; Disgorged late 2009; 900 - 1800 bottles produced; $85-115 US) Â 91-94 points

Allen Meadows, Burghound, October 2009
(SRP $112) This is remarkably fresh for it to have such a large proportion of aged stock in it and while the nose is mature, there are absolutely no oxidative elements in it. In fact, I deliberately revisited this 24 hours after first opening it to see how the nose had evolved and I can report that there was very little discernable evolution. As I say, while fully mature, the mildly yeasty nose displays notes of baked apple, roasted nut and a dried rose petal nuance that also characterizes the rich, full and utterly delicious flavors that are also fresh and vibrant with plenty of energy and finishing punch. Often Champagnes with high percentages of reserves in them lack the same effervescence but that is certainly not the case here. This is a lovely effort that could be drunk now with pleasure or held for years to come. Â 93 points

2002 Pol Roger Champagne Blanc de Blancs - $89.99

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 05:12:28 UTC

White flowers, lemon, slate and chamomile are some of the notes that burst from the glass in Pol Roger's 2002 Brut Blanc de Blancs Extra Cuvee de Reserve. A bright, tightly coiled wine, the 2002 comes across as quite fresh and vibrant, especially within the context of the year. Sweet floral and minty notes run through the precise, crystalline finish. Although the 2002 is absolutely delicious today, I am intrigued to see how it might age. It is utterly brilliant today. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Wine Advocate 94

2002 Pol Roger Brut 1.5ltr - $145.00

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:19:07 UTC

2007 Champagne Bochet-Lemoine Brut - $49.99

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:12:07 UTC

50% Pinot Meunier
30% Pinot Noir
20% Chardonnay
Millesime - 2007
Disgorged - July 2012
Production - 8000btls

An excellent vintage, delicate aromas, complex, round and a true crowd pleaser!

Bochet-Lemoine is a relatively new endeavor, having come about in 1990, as a certain
Mademoiselle Valerie Bochet met a Monsieur Jacky Lemoine and subsequently brought together
127 two small, family Champagne houses when they were married in this year. The house is located
in the village of Cormoyeux, which lies about six or seven kilometers to the north of Ã‰pernay
(actually due north of the village of CumiÃ¨res to be more precise) in the VallÃ©e de la Marne.
Their Brut MillÃ©sime is a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, with the former grape ranging
from fifty to seventy percent of the blend, depending on the vintage, and the balance made up of
pinot (no precise information on the cÃ©page was available on the house's website). The 2007 is a
good wine, offering up a young and complex nose of apple, peach, warm bread, a touch of fresh
nutmeg, lovely soil tones and a gentle touch of smokiness in the upper register. On the palate the
wine is deep, full-bodied and complex, with lovely mid-palate depth, good, but not particularly
energetic mousse, crisp acids and lovely length and grip on the well-balanced finish. This is not
the most elegant Champagne, but it does deliver excellent complexity, plenty of weight at the
core and a long finish, so there is an awful lot to like here. Based on the aromatics, I would guess
that the 2007 vintage here was closer to seventy percent chardonnay. Good juice. 2013-2025+.
91+. View From the Cellar!

NV Champagne Louis Casters Brut Cuvee Superieure - $37.99

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:39:09 UTC

Pinot Meunier (the other black grape) has always taken a back seat to the other noble varietals grown in Champagne.Â Most of the time it is used as a blending grape to add lift.Â There are however a number of these small grower/producers that are making 100% cuvees of Pinot Meunier and doing an excellent job.Â My discovery last year were the Pinot Meurnier's being produced by Jerome Prevost - at half the price this wine from Louis Casters is a close second.Â Its wonderfully elegant with refreshing light airy consistency, refined fruit and white flower aromas make this a perfect Champagne to serve as an aperitif.Â Would also work very well with any type of sea food.

Base vintage 2009 but also includes a good portion of 2008
Dosage 9g/l
Disgorged - July 2012

NV Champagne Bernard Tornay Extra Brut - $41.99

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:05:19 UTC

This was a wine I tasted at a lunch a couple months back that really made me take note of this Champagne Importer.Â This cuvee is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay that is comprised of 4 vintages with the base being 1999.Â Yes 1999!Â Its a mature wine so the flavors give the impression of being big and fat but with Zero Dosage the wine maintains great freshness and lift.Â This is a steal at this price!

Disgorge - May 2012

NV Champagne Eric Isselee Cuvee Grappes d'Or Blancs de Blanc - $37.99

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:41:46 UTC

Eric Isselee is a small grower located in the village of Cramant.Â This cuvee, Grappes d'Or is a Blancs de Blanc (100% chardonnay). Its pale-gold in color with a nose of citrus, white flowers and dried fruits that again finishes with crisp vinous flavors.Â Hard to imagine the dosage is 9 grams as the finish is so clean.Â Highly recommended!

Base vintage - 2009
Disgorgement - Dec 2011
3,300 case production

NV Champagne Philizot Brut Numero 3 - $41.99

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:26:37 UTC

Another of the Grower Champagnes.Â A classic blend 33% Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.Â This wine composed of base vintage 2003/2004 has great focus, minerality and precision that needs to be tasted to be appreciated.Â Hard not to like at this price point.

Disgorgement - August 2011

2008 Champagne Savart Extra Brut - $74.99

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:57:40 UTC

This is another one of the grower champagnes I have recently discovered.Â Exceptional quality would stand this up against any of the Grand Marc Champagnes at any of the big houses.Â Great precision and focus with a finish that leaves you craving more. Vins Rare 94+

2008 vintage
45% Chardonnay
55% Pinot Noir
Dosage 5 grams
Disgorgement June 2010

NV Champagne Potel-Prieux Brut Rose - $41.99

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:41:03 UTC

I've recently begun working with a small Champagne importer based in Reims that is focused on tiny grower champagne producers. I've tasted through approximately 25 of the wines and have selected 8 that I feel offer exceptional quality given their price points - which by the way are all very friendly. This wine reminds me of a Billecart Salmon Rose at half the price!

33% Chardonnay
33% Pinot Noir with 4% red wine
33% Pinot Munier
Base Vintage - 2008 (2008 is the best vintage of the decade)
Production - 2500cs

A beautifully crafted, delicate rose based on the classic Champagne proportions. Good minerality, wonderful soft fruits and a perfect finish. Highly Recommended!

2002 Pol Roger Brut - $79.99

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:47:10 UTC

Pol Roger's 2002 Brut Extra Cuvee de Reserve is rich, creamy and seductive. An expressive, layered wine, the 2002 impresses for its overall harmony and balance. Light floral honey, mint, tangerine, cinnamon and dried pears are all woven together in this gracious, impeccable Champagne. This is a fairly reserved style for the year, but it works. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Wine Advocate 93

NV H. Billiot Brut Reserve - $44.99

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:22:46 UTC

Wine Spectator, December 2010
There's intensity to the firm acidity in this toasty Champagne, but it's well-balanced by vanilla- and smoke-tinged flavors of quince, candied orange peel, honey, mineral and salted butter. Big and mouthwatering, with a very long finish. Drink now through 2021. 92 points

Allen Meadows, Burghound, October 2009
A wonderfully expressive and extremely pretty nose that offers a near perfect blend of vinous character with classic Champagne characteristics of lemon, floral and brioche with discreet hints of green apple that can also be found on the delicious and moderately effervescent flavors blessed with impressive complexity and I very much like the mouth feel as it's round and almost creamy yet does not lose definition or become soft. The finish is agreeably dry but not aggressively so and the length is quite sneaky. An impressive non-vintage brut. 92 points

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2009
The NV Brut Grand Cru Reserve is a rich, boisterous wine that showcases incredible intensity in its fruit. The fat, rich style completely covers every inch of the palate and a sweet, perfumed finish reminiscent of ethereal plums and kirsch offers final notes of elegance. The Grand Cru Reserve is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay (all Ambonnay). The base vintage is 2006, with equal parts 2004 and 2003 that round out the blend. Disgorged: June 24, 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2015. 90+ points

Champagne Warrior, July 2010
Still on the young side, this is packed with oodles of potential. Classic Billiot flavors of fruity biscuits are covered up slightly by young, tart fruit at the moment, but give this a year or two and watch the flavors gallantly take control. Year after year, this cuvÃ©e remains a must-buy and a benchmark for reasonably-priced NV Champagne.

NV (2009) Cedric Bouchard Roses Jeanne Les Ursules Blanc de Noris Brut - $99.99

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:53:39 UTC

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:10:58 UTC

The NV Brut Cuvee de Reserve is striking. It shows fabulous cut and definition in its fruit, expressive aromatics all backed up by plenty of underlying structure. A bright, mineral laced finish rounds things out in style. This is superb entry-level wine from one of Champagne's top producers. The Cuvee Reserve is 100% Chardonnay. This year's release is based on 2008 (60%), with reserve wines going back to 1988, precisely 1988, 1990, 1993 and 1995-2007 (except 1999 and 2003). Dosage is 6.7 grams. Disgorged February 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.Â Wine Advocate 92

2002 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses - $199.99

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:16:46 UTC

The flagship 2002 Brut Clos des Goisses is simply stunning in this vintage. Seamless, ripe and beguiling, the 2002 is pure harmony in the glass. Dried pears, apricots, flowers, red berries and spices are some of the many notes that inform this towering, aristocratic wine. At once vertical yet endowed with serious length, the 2002 stands out for its breathtaking balance and overall sense of harmony. Layers of fruit built to the huge, creamy finish. This is a great showing from Philipponnat. The 2002 was disgorged in June 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2032. Wine Advocate 96

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:52:18 UTC

Vinsrare.com - Champagne

2004 Champagne H.Blin Brut - $54.99

NV Selosse Initiale - $159.99

NV Selosse Version Original - $229.99

2004 Champagne Corbon Chardonnay Grand Cru - $49.99

NV Jerome Prevost La Closserie Les Beguines Extra Brut (LC10) - $79.99

2004 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs - $109.99

NV H. Billiot Cuvee Laetitia - $69.99

2002 Pol Roger Champagne Blanc de Blancs - $89.99

2002 Pol Roger Brut 1.5ltr - $145.00

2007 Champagne Bochet-Lemoine Brut - $49.99

NV Champagne Louis Casters Brut Cuvee Superieure - $37.99

NV Champagne Bernard Tornay Extra Brut - $41.99

NV Champagne Eric Isselee Cuvee Grappes d'Or Blancs de Blanc - $37.99

NV Champagne Philizot Brut Numero 3 - $41.99

2008 Champagne Savart Extra Brut - $74.99

NV Champagne Potel-Prieux Brut Rose - $41.99

2002 Pol Roger Brut - $79.99

NV H. Billiot Brut Reserve - $44.99

NV (2009) Cedric Bouchard Roses Jeanne Les Ursules Blanc de Noris Brut - $99.99

NV Pierre PÃ©ters Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 375ml - $29.99

2002 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses - $199.99

NV Pierre PÃ©ters Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut - $58.99