Champagne blind tasting

Champagne blind tasting is always very interesting as the brands are very strong and can influence the perception!  We started with a flight of “Non Vintage Brut” where the Veuve Clicquot showed as best, probably helped by the 4 years cellaring that has softened the edges :-)… While the Moet showed very dissapointing, and the Roederer was quite young but with lot of potential… Moving to the Vintage Champagnes, the Moet 2000 showed great concentration and still alive after 17 years!!  Now the big boys, no surprise the Comte de Champagne from Taittinger were fabulous and best at 22 years of age… But the Dom Pérignon 1998 stole the show and showed even better than few years ago… Conclusion for me, don’t be afraid to cellar your good Champagne a few years if you have a good cellar!!

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne Brut – NV
This bottle has been aged for 5 years in my cellar after purchasing… Very nice nose of brioche and apricot… taste of yellow apple, no hard edges, nice balance, very nice!! (91 points)

NV Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut Impérial
Not very impressive, big bubbles, nose a bit closed… taste of yellow apple, hint of greenness in the finish… very disappointing! (85 points)

Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Premier – NV
Very nice nose of hazelnuts, toasted bread, yellow apple… taste of Grany Smith, nice balance, nice minerality. (90 points)

Ruinart Champagne Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs – NV
Light nose of hazelnuts, yellow apple… Grany Smith apple, nice acidity, very light greenness (89 points)

2000 Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut Impérial
Powerful nose of brioche, butter, yellow apple, hint of vanilla… Very woody, powerful, a bit too modern and heavy! (90 points)

Jean Milan Champagne Grand Cru Grande Reserve 1864 Blanc de Blancs – NV
Nose with a hint of vanilla, hint of smoke… taste of yellow apple, hint of vanilla, toasted bread, nice balance (92 points)

2006 Taittinger Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne
Nose of white flowers, honey, hint of brioche, hint of smoke, hazelnut… taste of grilled hazelnut, granny smith, nice acidity (93 points)

1995 Taittinger Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne
Nose of Mokka, biscuit, apricot, very brioche and butter… taste of delicious brioche and butter, very nice balance, very nice lenght !! (95 points)

1998 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon
Very nice nose of toasted bread, very elegant, hazelnuts, patisserie… taste of very nice roasted brioche, grilled almonds, hint of forest floor (96 points)