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Nathalie Falmet Le Val Cornet Brut Champagne 2010

Nathalie Falmet Le Val Cornet Brut Champagne 2010

From the Côte des Bar region of Champagne, Nathaalie Falmet’s single-vineyard 2010 Brut Le Val Cornet is a revelation—offering up rippling, glinting layers of yellow apple, golden raspberry, buttercream frosting, croissant, hazelnut skins, curling parchment, wet porcelain clay, and an ephemeral wisp of smoke. In the mouth, a burbling and delicate bead steadily rises through […]

Georges Laval Cumières Brut Nature Champagne Premier Cru 2008

Georges Laval Cumières Brut Nature Champagne Premier Cru 2008

The color of onion skin, the 2008 Georges Laval Cumières Brut Nature Champagne Premier Cru is earthy, smoky, and sensuous with swirling chalkboard dust giving way to preserved lemon and dried orange peel, granulated honey, whipped butter, and fresh croissant. The mousse is especially fine, and accented by a driving finish that peels back layers […]

André Jacquart Blanc de Blancs Brut Experience Champagne Premier Cru NV

André Jacquart Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Experience NV

A multifaceted sparkler, and frankly a stunning value, André Jacquart’s Blanc de Blancs Brut Experience Champagne Premier Cru is aged five years sur pointe and composed of 60% Chardonnay from Vertus vinified in stainless steel, and 40% Grand Cru Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Chardonnay vinified in neutral Burgundy oak barrels. Comice pear, apple, and persimmon lie beneath […]

Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Champagne Blanc de Blancs NV

Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Champagne Blanc de Blancs NV

An elegant Blanc de Blancs from Champagne Barons de Rothschild, this non-vintage Brut is a blend of 40% reserve wine and chardonnay harvested from the Avize, Cramant, Menil-Sur-Oger, Oger, and Vertus Crus. Aromas of baked apple, biscuit, blanched almond, and powdered ginger are held aloft on a fine mousse. On the palate, it’s crisp and […]

André Jacquart Rosé de Saignée Experience Brut Nature Premier Cru NV

André Jacquart Rosé de Saignée Experience Brut Nature Premier Cru NV

Carmine red in the glass, the André Jacquart Rosé de Saignée Experience Brut Nature NV Premier Cru is comprised of estate-grown fruit from the Doyard family’s 60-acre farm maintained under France’s strict sustainable “culture raisonnee” guidelines. It’s a vivacious blend of 80% Pinot Noir from a small parcel located within the Vertus Premier Cru and […]

J. de Telmont Cuvée Sans Soufre Ajouté Brut NV

J. de Telmont Cuvée Sans Soufre Ajouté Brut NV

A rarity in the Champagne world, J. de Telmont’s Cuvée Sans Soufre Ajouté Brut is crafted from biodynamically-grown grapes and is made entirely without the addition of sulfur—a practice that makes this former vintner a tad nervous. This bottle made its way back from Reims in my suitcase and weathered the trip well—and offers up […]

Besserat de Bellefon Champagne Cuvée des Moines Brut NV

Besserat de Bellefon Champagne Cuvée des Moines Brut NV

The color of onion skin, Besserat de Bellefon’s Cuvée des Moines Brut is offers decadent creaminess on the interior. The aromatic profile is decidedly autolytic—freshly churned butter, almonds, baked apple, pear skin, chalk and a trace of white wild flowers. In the mouth—focus and energy, as pent-up acid courses through a rich orchard-fruit-laden core. Ultra-fine […]

Spring Getaway: Dining in Champagne

Amuse bouche

My previous life as a winemaker found me living amidst the rolling hills of southeastern Washington’s Palouse. Carved out by the Missoula floods and crowned in layers of wind-blown loess, it’s a breathtaking landscape that attracts photographers from all over the world. Following harvest, the region changes her gown from green to gold. In the […]

Besserat de Bellefon Champagne Cuvée des Moines Brut Rosé NV

Besserat de Bellefon Champagne Cuvée des Moines Brut Rosé

Rose-gold in hue and yeast-driven in style, Besserat’s Champagne Cuvée des Moines Brut Rosé offers smoky overtones of brioche, bing cherry, red currant, and linden flowers. On the palate, pronounced autolytic tones of wet dough and a sensation of creaminess at the core sink beneath a garland of fine bubbles, cresting and dissolving into chalk […]

Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Vieille Vigne du Levant Grand Cru 2007

Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Vieille Vigne de Cramant Grand Cru 2007

With a mousse like seed pearls embroidered on golden-threaded brocade, Larmandier-Bernier’s 2007 Champagne Vieille Vigne du Levant is precise and delicate. And while there is vinosity and weight suggestive of old vines, its luminous and filligred layers are etched with the character of ancient limestone soils found in Cramant. Crushed oyster shell, wet chalk are […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com