@Delectable Wine : This is the Emilien Allouchery Le Répertoire cuvée. I didn’t see it in the database.
92-93 (same as the BdB, but I’m going a tick higher).
Opened the BdB in April ‘24. Same winemaking process (80% fermentation in oak barrels, 20% in amphora); same disgorgement (May ‘23); this BdN received 3.5g/l dosage versus the 1g/l of the BdB. Followed over two days and stayed consistent.
Very grower champagne and very BdN. As with the BdB, this is texturally really pretty but more powerful. Fruit dominates with caramel dipped apples, spiced pears, red berry fruits, honey and even some cider aromatics. Same thought process I had with the BdB in that I’m curious if the use of amphora adds to the mid-palate texture here (feels like it did with the vintage BdB Marie Courtin I had last month). More rich and spiced apples and pears, some lemon pastry and orange zest. This wears 3.5g/l dosage great, but the ripe fruit would handle a gram or two less no problem. — 16 days ago
Strawberries, whiff of dried herbs, dried flowers, some bready notes. Very vinous and inviting. The acidity is offset by the round fruit profile. Unusual translucent cranberry red color. Great stuff. — 4 years ago
Unique offering from Marie Courtin. Aged in amphora 11 months. Zero dosage.
60 Chardonnay/ 35 Pinot Blanc/ 5 Arbane
Not sure I’ve had an amphora aged champagne before, but it’s hard to not sense a creaminess in the texture that I’m assuming was intentional. Intense cheesy-leesy aromatics with plenty of spiced ripe fruits (pear, white peach, lemon). Yeasty but restrained. Not as powerful as other Marie Courtin champagnes but plenty ripe, suave, and balanced. My mind kept wondering what a simple gram or two of dosage would do to this to lengthen the semi-short finish, but this was lovely. I need to seek another out.
To this wines’ credit, it was amongst 2008 and 2015 Cristal, 2000 Krug CdM, Prevost La Closerie, and other grower champagnes and more than held its own. — a month ago
Delightful creamy mousse with hints of toasted brioche, red fruit, and hints of baking spice. Dances across the palate with surprising grace and lightness. Long lingering finish of ripe red apple and ripe pear. Impressive but makes me worry about what asshat’s tariffs will do to price snd availability. So “Cheers” and drink it now. — 8 months ago
Vinous style with some core power. There’s also delicacy and fineness you might not typically associate with the Cotes De Bar. A wine with multiple personalities. Very rad. — 5 years ago
Light tasting but strong, not too deep but very quaffable — 4 months ago
Matthew Cohen
Very lemony. A bit metallic. — 2 days ago