Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It has been a while since I’ve opened a Clemence. A favorite of mine & Sofia once upon a time. Still drink it, just not as often as I have moved to mostly Extra Brut. This is a Brut at 8g. Excellent Champagne & value at $44.99.

I believe there are only two resellers you can acquire it, one east coast & one west-K&L. You have to buy it pretty quickly once they get their container. It took several yrs building that relationship as Launois is careful about who they let resell their cuvées. In fact, it is even difficult to get in France. K&L has standing orders from some French citizens they ship back to France once they receive it. Kinda crazy.

The palate has nice mousse with lively acidity and micro oxygenation. Lime/lemon pulp w/ zest, stone fruits-white dominant, grapefruit w/ pith, bruised red/golden apples, Bosc pear, caramel, vanillin, some yeast, baguette crust, white spice, gritty, grey volcanics, chalky bits, limestone marl, oyster shells, yellow flowers/lilies, spring flowers with a little greens mixed in, very good acidy, well; made/balanced/tensioned with a smartly polished, elegant finish that lasts minutes and land on excellent minerality.

If you get to Champagne, visit. They have a huge museum of champagne/wine artifacts that date back to BC. My two pics do not show its enormity. They are about 35-40 minutes south of Reims.

They are the only producer I know of that places a rubber casket attached to the bottom of their corks. So, next to never do their cuvées have cork taint.

Enjoying it with the Jasper Hill Farms - Willoughby, buttery washed soft white cheese. Try with Rainbow Crisp crackers or warm baguette. Also, on apples with and w/o honey. — 3 days ago

Steven Beishuizen

8.9

On the nose, this is stewed raspberry... On the palate, raspberry, rhubarb, cherry, and beet greens... Medium body and the tannins are quite soft... Pepper in the finish... This feels quite simple, but the peppery finish is actually quite nice. Value. — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Yowza. This is stunning. The secret power of this estate is the GG Riesling. What a nose. Impossibly complex minerality. Just staggering and delicate and so intense at the same time. Confectionary as well. Outrageous. Sweet greens as well. Smells so pure. Palate is just insane. So deep, so fresh, so elegant, so concentrated, so crystalline pure that you try so hard to find a flaw on that diamond but you can’t. This is a flawless diamond. Power without weight and just incredible density and structure. Just unbelievable. As this airs the nose gets to a 9.9. It’s so floral, so airy, so complex. Jaw dropping aromas. This is so delicate yet powerful. The marriage of density/minerality/sweet tart fruit on the mid and finish is all woven together like the finest silk. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Happy New Year all! 🍾🥂

This 07 outshines/performs the overall vintage.

Outstanding mousse & lively acidity. Lime zest, lemon pulp in juice, grapefruit w/ pith, orange citrus blend with peel, kiwi, tropical melons, white nectarines, excellent white spice, baguette crust, gritty white chalk, dry, crushed limestone bits, grey volcanics, oyster shells, saline/sea spray, light tones of fresh herbs, yellow lilies, spring flowers with greens, excellent acidity, well; structured, balanced, knitted, beautiful finish that is even and lands on minerality & spice. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Consistency is their middle name.

This has just started to shift from fresh to aging.

Bruised red apple/pear, lemon, lime zest, tropical melons, drier stone fruits, whipped cream, ginger, brioche, graham cracker, very light caramel/butterscotch notes, grey volcanics, limestone marl, sea fossils, gritty chalk, white & yellow flowers with greens, excellent lively acidity and a well balanced-knitted, elegant & smartly polished finish that lasts near two-minutes. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Yeah, this is really good. From one of the grandest Champagne vintages in a 100 years or so.

The nose is extremely complex. Notes of; mixed orange citrus, overripe golden apple, bruised pear, overripe papaya & mango, stone fruit, just a hint of Meyer lemon, brioche, biscuits, baguette crust, ginger ale to gingerbread, white spice, faint sea fossils, understated saline, limestone marl, soft herbaceous, beautiful, powdery chalkiness, heavy cream, yellow lilies, jasmine and spring flowers in a field of greens.

The palate is gentle, micro lean bubbles, amazingly, soft mousse. Just beautiful, orange citrus, overripe golden apple, bruised pear, overripe papaya & mango, stone fruit, just a hint of Meyer lemon, juicy lime pulp, brioche, biscuits, baguette crust, ginger ale to gingerbread, graham crackers, vanillin, white spice, crushed more pronounced sea fossils, understated saline, limestone marl, soft herbaceous, beautiful, powdery chalkiness, heavy cream, yellow & white lilies, jasmine and spring flowers in a field of greens. The acidity is perfect. The finish is excellent with similarities wire to wire. Lasts minutes.

Photos from my October visit to Billecart and my tasting with Mathieu Roland-Billecart. — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have enjoyed this producers vineyard over many vintage and this might be the best.

The 22 vintage is stunning and as good as it is, 23 might be better based on a somewhat limited exposure at this point.

The entry is glorious…such balance and wire to wire it doesn’t change much.

Green apple, perfect lemon & lime pulp into subtle candy, grapefruit, white stone fruit, kiwi, tropical melons, pineapple, cream reduction, saline, perfect sea fossils, fine powdery taut chalkiness, crisp volcanics, white spice, grey volcanic minerals, limestone marl, mix of fresh & dry stubble herbs, honeysuckle, light caramel, warm lightly done toast, yellow florals, spring flowers with greens, grand waterfall acidity, beautiful structure-tension, incredible balance with an elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and long sets on volcanic minerals and spice.

Decanted 1 hour.

When I first started buying this bottling, it was $50-$60, now $150. Might be my last bought. My white spend has a more limited range than my red. Don’t think I’m alone.

A property Sofia & I have visited in 2015. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Olivier’s craft is impeccable, even in Bourgogne.

Slightly sour Meyer lemons, lime zest, ripe pineapple flesh, green melons, cream, caramel & butterscotch notes, sea spray, oysters, volcanic minerals, shade of mushroom, sea fossils, some ginger, yellow flowers/lilies with greens, round vicious acidity, good balance, well knitted & elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on minerals & spice.

@SevenCaynonsSedona — 3 months ago

Daniel Bloom

9.2

N:Big black cherries,smoky, pomegranates, dried wood.
P: Tar, syrupy, campfire resin*, ha, liquorice, black plums, delicious w all day Pasilla, Ancho short ribs and polenta.
Boo Yah!
As this airs, pronounced chocolate/cocoa appears, mouthfeel definitely gets bigger.
Thanks @kerri& Dennis@Sokolinwines — 4 years ago

Matt

9.4

Damp earth, chesnut, witch hazel, spring flowers, spring greens, crisp pear, lemon peel, quinche, salted ham, flint, green tea. A riot of acid and waxy chenin richness, impeccable balance. First time getting this wine in the glass with some bottle age 😍 — 5 years ago