Chateau d’Armailhac 2009 & 2012

The colour is in both cases medium ruby. On the nose also pretty similar. Both display an aroma of herbs, red and black berries, with the addition of leather and tobacco for the 2009, and coffee and chocolate for the 2012. In the mouth they are both very elegant. The tannins of the 2012 are edgier. The aftertaste medium long in both cases.

This the first impression, with the bottles just opened. Continue reading “Chateau d’Armailhac 2009 & 2012”

Le Black Label Brut

The colour is medium gold, with fine, long lasting bubbles. On the nose pastry and bread crust. In the mouth refreshing, with a citrusy flavour. The aftertaste is fairly long.

Le Black Label Brut is a blend of 51% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier grapes. Continue reading “Le Black Label Brut”

La Closerie 2018

The colour is deep purple. On the nose ripe blueberries, blackberries, plumbs, licorice, pepper. In the mouth not very balanced. Soft at the beginning and edgy at the end. The aftertaste is medium long, but unpleasantly dry and bitter.

This wine is made with Syrah and Grenache grapes by Château Lavabre under the Pic Saint-Loup AOP. Continue reading “La Closerie 2018”

Femme de Champagne 2002

The colour is medium gold, with a fine perlage. On the nose floral, with oxidative and caramelised notes. In the mouth very tasty and elegant. The taste and the very long aftertaste remind of dry sherry.

Femme de Champagne is the top product of the Champagne House Duval-Leroy, an independent family business founded in 1859 and located in the prestigious Côte des Blancs. Continue reading “Femme de Champagne 2002”

Dom Pérignon Plénitude P2 2004

The colour is medium gold, with a fine perlage. On the nose citrusy notes of pink grapefruit, blood oranges, peaches, pastry cream, buttered toast. In the mouth elegant, very tasty, charming and succulent. The aftertaste is long.

Dom Pérignon exclusively makes champagne with grapes from a single year. There are some vintages that show extra potential and can benefit from extra time to age and mature. That’s the idea behind Dom Pérignon’s Plénitudes series. Continue reading “Dom Pérignon Plénitude P2 2004”

Clos des Goisses 2009

The colour is medium gold, with a fine perlage. On the nose complex, with spicy, toasted notes. In the mouth very tasty and elegant. The aftertaste is medium long.

Philipponnat’s Clos des Goisses 2009 is a blend dominated by Pinot Noir (61%) and complemented by Chardonnay (39%). The wine has been partially vinified in wood (37%) and spent 8 years on the lees. This Champagne has a low dosage of 4.5 g/L. Continue reading “Clos des Goisses 2009”

Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2013

The colour is medium gold, with a fine perlage. On the nose at first very subtle. When it opens, scents of bread crust, pastry and vanilla appears. In the mouth vibrant bubbles. The aftertaste is medium long.

A tribute to the statesman and Pol-Roger fan Winston Churchill, this champagne is only produced in the best vintages and presents itself after almost 10 years of maturation. Continue reading “Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2013”

Cristal 2014

The colour is medium gold, with a fine perlage. On the nose discrete, with sensation of cheese, almonds and candied fruits. In the mouth elegant. The aftertaste is medium long.

Cristal 2014 was made by Louis Roederer with 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay grapes. 32% of the wines were vinified in oak barrels. The dosage was 7 grams per litre. The 2014 vintage was characterised by strong contrasts in terms of climate. Continue reading “Cristal 2014”

Château Mouton Rothschild 1975

The colour is medium tawny, still clear and lively. On the nose mandarins, cooked black fruits, mushrooms. In the mouths silky and well balanced. The aftertaste is savoury and last for a while.

For this bottle I had very low expectations: 1975 was a tough vintage and the wine level in this bottle was barely mid-shoulder. I was afraid it wasn’t drinkable. Instead, what a surprise! The wine was not only drinkable but even enjoyable! Continue reading “Château Mouton Rothschild 1975”