Enjoying this knowing my Cornhuskers already punched their ticket to their first ever Sweet 16 last night in one of the games of the tournament so far.
At this point, it’s a “pick’em” between the Bérêche Brut Réserve and Caillez-Lemaire’s “Éclats” for the title of, “Kline Fam house Champagne”. They just delivery in the way I want/trust/expect and can afford. This is the November 2025 disgorgement. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The Brut Réserve pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of apple, pineapple, raspberry, lemon curd, brioche, marzipan, and a mix of chalk and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and laden with minerals. So easy to love. Drink now but you can hold for many years if you want as well. — 19 days ago
Top côté qualité-prix. Sec, pas trop. Bulles parfaites, se boit tellement bien ! — 14 days ago
I generally don’t embrace this cuvée. Especially, at its price point. I’ll take Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Billecart St. Nicolas and few others before Cristal. But this 13 out of magnum shows promise.
Excellent with the Prosciutto & Melon. — 3 hours ago
Medium straw colour , quite fine relatively persistent perlage . Quite discreet at first with some orange peel , meaty porcini , still quite fresh and lively though , delicate touches of toasted brioche, white chocolate . On the palate this is quite refined and delicate in style , fruit peel , orange pith , porcini , brioche, touch of hazelnut . Good grippy acidity , saline , with decent , lightly toasty finish . This is fully mature and probably still at peak , not perhaps the longest or most complex DP, but perfectly well balanced and proportioned. Now and over the next few years , don’t think this will improve much from here . — a month ago
1988 vintage. Medium body. Lighter Sauternes color. Plenty of golden/ripe notes along with exquisite caramel influence but it was the acidity that stole the show. Didn’t even have to cross the fingers, hold my breath or “pretend” it was still alive. Fully mature and raring to go. Not improving but not declining either. So much life ahead. I think “Woof!” accurately sums it all up. 3.20.26. — 21 days ago
Just really starting to hit its perfect drink window. Really excellent Blanc de Blanc. Green apple, lime pulp with zest, amazing freshness & acidity. — 12 days ago
No notes taken after a large final day at the Australian Grand Prix in Casa Ferrari. I thought the matching glasses to the painted bottle a very classy touch. Pale salmon in colour. A lovely refreshing drink with notes of wild strawberry and a creamy sweetness to the palate. The mousse is not fine but it remains a delicious Rose Champagne. — a month ago
Willem Booij
Paaslunch op huis tuin en keukenniveau
Soms klopt alles. Gisteren was zo’n wijnmoment, vandaag was het weer zo’n moment waarop smaken, gezelschap en een glas uitzonderlijke champagne perfect samenkwamen.
In het glas: Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François 2008, een champagne met klasse, precisie en diepgang. Rijp en gelaagd, met tonen van geroosterde noten, citruszeste en subtiele brioche.
De mousse verfijnd, de afdronk eindeloos. Voor mij is deze champagne geen aperitief maar dit is een hoofdrolspeler.
De pairing?
Oesters, puur, zilt en perfect in balans met de frisheid.
Tartaar van wortel, sjalot, cornichon en kappertjes met sriracha-mayo, spannend en licht pikant, prachtig gedragen door de structuur van de wijn
Asperges met mousseline, gerookte zalm en Hollandaise, romig, rijk en precies waar deze champagne zijn diepte laat zien
Een paaslunch die nog wel even blijft hangen. De chef van de Kwalitaria was in vorm 😉
— 5 days ago