We knew the lovely cool sunny days of last week wouldn't last; summer is well and truly upon us, so we thought why not go ahead and do what anyone wants to do on a hot Saturday afternoon - drink champagne under the air-conditioning! There'll be ample variety of different delicious expressions on show, like the Palmer Blanc de Noirs, Bollinger's Rosé, Roederer's 2014 Brut, and the brilliant Princes from de Venoge. We look forward to seeing and popping some bubbly with you all this Saturday (19th November) from 12 to 2pm!
NV Champagne de Venoge Cordon Bleu Brut - $79 per bottle; $89 RRP
"The NV Cordon Bleu Brut is a classic De Venoge assemblage of 50% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Meunier from roughly 20 different villages. [...] Intense brioche and delicate chalky aromas flavor the fine and elegant bouquet. On the palate, this is a round, fresh and well-balanced Champagne with a tight structure and and impressive length. There is even a certain salinity that makes this Brut a first class aperitif and at a very good price point." - 91 Points, The Wine Advocate
"A creamy and fresh Champagne with aromas of almonds, white flowers, apricots and chalk. Round and fine bubbles. Crisp, biscuity finish. One third each of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier." - 91 Points, James Suckling
NV Charles Benoit Brut MAGNUM - $99 per bottle ; $110 RRP
"A lovely champagne with a good mouthfeel and fresh lively fruit. There is a layer of blueberries, greengage plums, grapefruit, Bosc pears, kumquats, and almonds in their skins. Beautiful lemon bread with edges of almond biscotti appear on the palate with some stewed apple, honey dew melon, flicks of quince, lemon marmalade and dried apricots. This is all surrounded by an edging of lemon curd and flicked with thyme and a sprinkle of walnut. This is excellent value for money and perfect for festive celebrations!" - Bernadette O'Shea, Champagne Consultant, TWE
NV Palmer & Co Blanc de Noirs - $112 per bottle ; $125 RRP
"Featuring a perfect balance between Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this prime blend of crus located in the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Bars and the Marne Valley is a contemprary expression of a Blanc de Noirs enriched by a Solera of Pinot Noirs from Mailly and Verzenay. The fruity structure of the Pinots is indeed expressed with suprising freshness. Delicate aromas of peach and apricot lifted by vibrant notes of grapefruit and gooseberries. A lovely combination of intense fruit aromas and finesse." - Winemaker Notes
NV Bollinger Rosé - $125 per bottle ; $139 RRP
// 62% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay and 4% Meunier
"Bollinger's Rosé has a very attractive pinot-esque thread to the nose with bright ripe red cherry fruit aromas, dried roses and gently toasty nuances. The palate adds yellow peach to the equation. Extremely luscious and exuberant style. Drink now." - 93 Points, James Suckling
"Disgorged in the first half of 2019 and based on the 2015 vintage, the latest release of Bollinger's NV Brut Rosé is showing very well, wafting from the glass with aromas of red apple, plum, yellow orchard fruit, white flowers, dried orange, ginger and honeycomb. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and vinous, with a fleshy profile that's enlivened by delicate phenolics. Fresh, precise and integrated, this is showing very well." - 92 Points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
2012 Champagne de Venoge Brut - $125 per bottle ; $139 RRP
"Layered with baked apples, cloves, salted lemons, hazelnuts and croissants. Creamy and delicious with an almost buttery note, but no malolactic here. Salty undertones. Very fine, soft bubbles. Gourmand finish. 70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay from premier and grand cru villages. Disgorged 2018 with 7g/L dosage. 5,000 bottles, only in best vintages. Disgorged November 2018. Drink now or hold." - 93 Points, James Suckling
2014 Louis Roederer Brut - $134 per bottle ; $149 RRP
// 71% Pinot Noir, 29% Chardonnay
"Yellow hue with shimmering, slightly amber, tints. Steady yet vibrant bubbles. Soft, almost sweet, intense and deep bouquet of slightly tart yellow (peach) and red (red currant) fruits. Hints of spice, cocoa beans and smoke add to this generous, complex and gastronomic bouquet. Broad, fruity and dense on the palate. The concentrated, ripe red fruit is transformed into nectar... a sensation of sweet concentration which turns to velvet thanks to the silky smooth, almost sensual, bubbles." - Producer Notes
"Roederer's 2014 Brut Vintage is beautiful, offering up aromas of pear, mirabelle plum, red berries, warm biscuits and smoke. Full-bodied, layered and elegantly muscular, it's seamless and complete, with terrific mid-palate depth and amplitude. Framed by bright acids and enlivened by a pinpoint mousse, it concludes with a penetrating finish. The blend is 70% Pinot Noir, emphasizing Verzy, and pressure is a touch higher than in its more ethereal Blanc de Blancs counterpart. As I wrote of its 2013 predecessor, this is a wine that puts many prestige cuvées to shame. Drink now to 2045." - 95 Points, William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
NV Champagne de Venoge Princes Blanc de Blancs Brut - $139 per bottle ; $159 RRP
100% Chardonnay //
"The House de Venoge resurrects the mythical Champagne Princes created in 1864 by Joseph de Venoge in honour of the Princes of Orange. Its elegant and famois carafe recalls the crystal flasks in which European aristocracy used to decant their champagnes in the early twentieth century. The Princes Blanc de Blancs is made only from Premier Crus and Grand Crus (Mesnil sur Oger, Trépail) which are rigorously blended by our Cellar master. This Champagne shows wonderful mineral notes and a great aging ability. Its freshness and elegance are underlined by subtle aromas of white flowers and citrus. Princes Blanc de Blancs will enchant your aperitif or pair nicely with a light starter." - House de Venoge
"Rich and dense blanc de blancs with cooked apples, dried pineapple and some caramel and fresh lemons. Full-bodied. Very long and flavorful. Shows pretty, old-wine style. Some light tannins give it depth and form. Disgorged in 2018. Drink now." - 92 Points, James Suckling
To purchase any of the champagnes in today's newsletter, please use the links above, phone us on (07) 3252 1117, or email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au - Prices valid until stock runs out or until Wednesday the 23rd of November