Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
93+
This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.
100% Chardonnay; 10+yrs on lees; 3g/l dosage
After having a bottle of this around Christmas, I immediately went out and grabbed three. Duval-Leroy isn’t one I see often but to get an ‘08 BdB at just under $100 is quite a steal. The profile here is like a hybrid of big house style (texture, toasty, polished) and grower style (3 grams, pure fruit expression). Beautiful yellow-gold in the glass. Aromatics of lemon pastry, citrus, honey and roasted cashews. It is both rich and energetic on the palate (as a lot of ‘08s can be) with electric acidity, chalky limestone, big lemon zest, the perfect amount of dosage to highlight pure fruit expression but also lengthen out the mid-palate and finish. Great depth. Still on the upswing and potential to improve over the next 7-10yrs. Lovely.
93+
This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.
100% Chardonnay; 10+yrs on lees; 3g/l dosage
After having a bottle of this around Christmas, I immediately went out and grabbed three. Duval-Leroy isn’t one I see often but to get an ‘08 BdB at just under $100 is quite a steal. The profile here is like a hybrid of big house style (texture, toasty, polished) and grower style (3 grams, pure fruit expression). Beautiful yellow-gold in the glass. Aromatics of lemon pastry, citrus, honey and roasted cashews. It is both rich and energetic on the palate (as a lot of ‘08s can be) with electric acidity, chalky limestone, big lemon zest, the perfect amount of dosage to highlight pure fruit expression but also lengthen out the mid-palate and finish. Great depth. Still on the upswing and potential to improve over the next 7-10yrs. Lovely.
