David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

I don’t remember buying this or if it was a gift. However, I have ignored it for sometime. Hazards of loving Champange...especially, Rosé.

This is not really our style as it falls into more oxidation than we like. But, still enjoyable.

The nose reveals, bruised green-golden apple & Bosc pear, some apple cider, sour pineapple, lemon chiffon, white citrus blend, bread dough, baguette crust, nougat, sea spray, crumbled chalkiness, grey volcanic minerals, withering, yellow lilies and spring flowers.

The body & mouthfeel are nice. Bruised green-golden apple & Bosc pear, some apple cider, sour pineapple, lemon chiffon & poppy cake, cream, butter notes, white citrus blend, bread dough, warm toast, nougat with nuts, brown sugar spice w/ a little palate heat, vanillin notes, touch of butterscotch & caramel, sea spray, crumbled chalkiness, grey volcanic minerals, withering, yellow lilies and spring flowers. The acidity is good just not as lively as I like. The finish is rich, polished, well balanced and quite nice, just not outstanding.

Photos of; Domaine Simonnet-Febvre, street sign, stainless steel tank room and Burgundian vineyard.

Producer notes; In 1840, Jean Febvre, a barrel cooper from Montbard, founded the winery that is now Maison Simonnet-Febvre. It was exclusively specialized in the making of sparkling wines using the so-called “Traditional Method”.

Maison Simonnet-Febvre owns vineyards in Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru “Mont de Milieu” and Chablis Grand Cru “Les Preuses”. It produces and vinifies a large range of different wines from the diverse “terroirs” of the Chablis region.

Maison Simonnet-Febvre was purchased by Maison Louis Latour in 2003. — a day ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.4

Starting to show well, but obviously has miles to go. The vintage works well for the classic Krug style as this is opulent and loaded with rich toasty fruit showing apple, citrus and toffee. Supported by great acidity and has barely started to develop. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

At the Downs Club Magnum dinner. This is a mag of Pol Roger NV. All attendees signed the label. Always refreshing with great balance. An excellent summer time NV. — 3 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Pale lemon with aromas of ripe stone fruits with nutty mineral tones and a fine mousse. On the palate apple and apricot flavors with mineral and biscuit characteristics, bone dry and structured well. Full body, lively acidity on a medium length ending with crisp citrus and yeasty mineral notes. — 3 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time back at home with a glass of one of our very favorite N/V Champagnes. Ahhh!

Out of the deluge of rain with the house warm, Christmas lights and my custom Christmas mix (5 hour mix of old & new) on.

Happy Holiday Season all! Cheers! 🍾🥂 🌲 🎅 🎁 ❄️ ⛄️

Many previous notes apply. — 7 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.3

The 2008 Extra Brut Les Lumières Grand Cru is a blend of 65% Chardonnay (from Avize and Mesnil) and 35% Pinot Noir (from Aÿ) that spent ten years on its lees before being disgorged and given just the smallest touch of dosage. Creamy, resonant and expressive, the 2008 has so much to offer. Even so, it clearly needs at least a bit of time in bottle to be at its best. Tropical accents provide a hint as to where the 2008 will go over the next handful of years. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2019) — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Figured this would be a nice aperitif before Thanksgiving dinner and boy was I right. This was downright gluggable. White peach and lemon curd with a bit of brioche and a nice vein of minerals giving this all the life and lift a Champagne nerd can appreciate. I really dig this. — 13 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Long day cleaning & painting getting our rental property getting it ready for our new tenant. We are burnt but, a glass of Ruinart Rosé always perks us up.

We’ll be doing this a lot over the next two weeks. Hope everyone has better weekend plans than we do! Cheers!🥂

All my previous notes apply.

Photos of; the House of Ruinart, painting of Dom Thierry Ruinart, their caves & one of their Grand Cru vineyards. — 8 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Champagne is for celebrating, not that I need a celebratory reason to open a bottle as I am hooked on champagne. 💉

However, after installing 27 solar panels and waiting an additional seven weeks for my Tesla, I/we have almost erased our carbon footprint. Finally picked it up today. I believe we all need to do our part to save the glorious vines that bring so much happiness to our lives. 🍷🥂👍

As for the Baron Fuentes, the is a very good Champange and is perhaps the best QPR out of Champagne at $24.99.

Bright lemon, lime, grapefruit w/ sugar, bruised red apple & pear, touch of ginger & cider, bread dough, baguette crust, sea spray, white spice with some palate heat, sea fossils, grey volcanic minerals, spring flowers, lilacs and yellow lilies. The acidity is bright, crisp and lively. The finish is smartly polished, well balanced and persistent for minutes.

Whoo hoo! So close to carbon free! 🍾🥂 — 14 days ago

Michael Herzog

9.3

Nutty, toasty. So impressive what they do with such a large production. This has a lot of time left. — 2 days ago