Cote De Sézanne, Champagne

Philipponnat

Royale Réserve Brut Champagne Blend

David T
9.1

For $35 at the Benchmark Bin Sale I’m happy.

Reductive in style with shades of oxidative. Golden apple, bruised pear, apple cider notes, lemon & lime citrus, green melon, some pineapple juice, ginger, crumbled chalkiness, limestone, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, yellow lilies, white flowers w/mixed greens. Good acidity with a nicely balanced finish.

Visited the property in October 2022 and it is impressive. The walk through the Clos de Goisses vineyard was spectacular. Ate two bunches of the unpicked Pinot Noir, which only furthered the reason I can no longer eat table grapes. As well, the view of the Cote de Blancs from there is stunning!
— a year ago

Ted, Severn and 18 others liked this
Jay Kline

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That’s a ridiculous price! 💥

Agrapart & Fils (Pascal Agrapart)

Terroirs Grand Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Alder Yarrow
9.3

As we begin to return to dining out, it’s such a pleasure to have a nice bottle of wine outside on a warm day in San Francisco. My friend wanted some good Champagne, so I opted for a reasonably affordable bottle from one of my favorite producers. This is a non-vintage blend of 1-3 years worth of wines from several plots of Chardonnay that Pascal Agrapart farms organically around the Cote des Blancs. It has wonderfully crisp character and a nice unripe apple and pear quality along with its stony, cistern-like minerality and a faint saline note at the end. Mouthwatering and beautifully filigreed. — 4 years ago

Daniel, Romain and 11 others liked this

Charles Heidsieck

Brut Réserve Champagne Blend

David T
9.2

Haven’t sipped this in quite awhile. 375ml to refresh my palate memory.

40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier. Varietals fermented separately in stainless steel vats. 5 to 10% of wine is vinified in old Burgundy oak barrels.

Texture is round and elegant. The fruits are; both peach, mango, apricots, slightly oxidative white citrus-lime hovers the edges & pineapple juice. Nougat, marzipan, toasted nuts, brioche, saline, crushed chalk, white spice that presses into the palate, notes of cheese cloth, limestone marl, moist, pulpy, grey volcanic minerals, yellow lilies with spring white flowers, jasmine blooms, round, soft acidy and a well; balanced, structured & tensioned finish that lands squarely on mid minerality and lasts 90 seconds.

Photos; Charles Heidsieck signage, Charles Heidsieck, chalky tasting area in their cellar and Cote de Blanc vineyard.
— 9 months ago

Severn, Ira and 12 others liked this

Pierre Moncuit

Hugues de Coulmet Brut Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay Champagne

100% Chardonnay sourced from the Cote de Sezanne just south of the Cote des Blancs, the Hugues de Coulmet is single vintage cuvee that spends 24 months sur lie prior to release. Pale straw lemon color with frothy mousse and lively bead of bubbles. A nose of fresh fruit with yeast, nutty notes and floral scents. On the palate flavors of peach, berry and citrus flavors with biscuit tones. Nice balance with acidity, delicate textures, medium+ finish ending creamy with toasty oak and chalky mineral character. — 2 years ago

Daniel, Andrew and 4 others liked this

Jacques Selosse

Lieux Dits Mareuil Sur Aÿ Sous Le Mont Extra Brut Grand Cru Champagne Blend

I’m in the minority it seems in preferring the cote faron — 4 years ago

Ira liked this

Perle de ma Mère

La Perle Brut Blanc Crémant de Bourgogne Champagne Blend

Delicious cremant from the Cote D’Or. Crisp, dry, and balanced with nice minerals. — 4 years ago

Philipponnat

Extra Brut Mareuil sur Ay Champagne Blend 2008

David T
9.5

2008 doesn’t disappoint. My other bottles will lay down for another 5 years plus.

It is fresh, lush, rich with great o2. The flavors burst onto the palate. Bruised apple, Bosc pear, ginger ale to ginger, cream soda, cream, lemon, lime, orange citrus, biscuit, yeasty, limestone, chalk, saline, baguette crust, yellow & white florals, the acidity is outstanding. The finish is well balanced, structured, big structure and lasts two-minutes.

Pictures of my October visit Philipponnat. Pano from their Clos de Goisses of the beautiful Cote de Blancs, upward look at their Clos de Goisses, Clos de Goisses signage as you walk up to that vineyard and their cellar.

Really good w/ Himalaya Pink Salt Popcorn!!!
— a year ago

Severn, Jay and 16 others liked this
Jay Kline

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Oh hell yes! Assuming you also drank Clos de Goisses: what’s your feeling on when those will be ready?
David T

David T Influencer Badge

@Jay Kline that spends 12 years on lees. Despite that, 8-10 plus if you want it super special.

J.L. Vergnon

Resonance Millesime Blanc de Blancs Champagne 2008

Disg 28 Jan 2016. Lovely nose, and totally cote de blanc chard: lemon, lime, vanilla, mineral notes. On the palate: stunning acidity, more lemon, lime, vanilla custard, and lemon oil and stone finish. Soft mousse, and lovely density. Fantastic. — 4 years ago

Severn, Peter and 7 others liked this