December 2011 WSR Champagnes – Tim’s

As 2011 came to a close, Tim put together an exceptional champage list to end the year with and including some I have never had (being a novice and all).  It was good to finally taste a Crystal and Dom to see what all the hubub was about with these highend champagnes, still thinking about those!!

Tim added some notes to his email of which has been included here:

I think everyone took home some new knowledge and perhaps a whole new set of expectations.  There were quite a number of favorites among the group, not unexpected when you stack the deck (ratings were 93 or above for every wine), but then that really was my intent.  The take home message:  READ, READ and READ some more and when you find a general consensus of very favorable ratings by reviewers go out a try that particular wine, especially if it is $40. and not $200. as was the case with several wines last evening.  As I mentioned everything we tasted last evening is available at ‘local’ shops.

Aperitif                                                                     Price              Score

 Jaume Serra Cristalino – Brut Nature- 2008          $  13. (mag)     91 W&S

    30% Chardonnay, 30% Xarel·lo, 20% Macabeo. 20% Parellada          

 Sparklers :

 Flt 1 

Roederer – L’Ermitage – Brut – 2002                          $  39.              94 W&S

            60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay

Charles Heidsieck – Brut Reserve – NV                      $  38.              93 W&S

           34% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Meunier.

Dom Perignon – 2002                                                        $ 130.             96 RP

            Variable blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Veuve Cliquot – Brut – 2002                                           $  70.              94 WE

            60% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 7% Pinot Meunier

 Flt 2

Krug – Grande Reserve – NV                                               $ 160.             95 W&S, RP

       Variable blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, 9 or more vintages in the blend

Henri Billiot – Brut – 2004                                                $  63.              93 WA

            75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay

Roederer – Cristal – 2002                                                    $ 200.             100 W&S ,98 WE

            60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay                                                                    

Argyle – Brut – Extrended Tirage – 2000                       $ 51.              95 W&S

           54% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir

 Flt 3

Billecart-Salmon,Cuvee Nicolas-Francois Billecart 2000    $ 100.             95 WE

            60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay

Henriot – Brut – Blanc de Blanc – NV                                $  40.              93 RP

            100% Chardonnay

Charles Heidsieck – Brut Cuvee Royale 2002         $  75.              94 W&S

          50% Chardonnay, 41% Pinot Noir, 9% Pinot Meunier

Gramona – III Lustos – Gran Reserva – 1997           $  51.              94 ST

            70 % Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeo