Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne La Grande Dame 1998

It is the cuvée de prestige, created in 1972, to solemnize 200 years since the founding of the Maison and, above all, is the ultimate tribute to Madame Barbe Nicole Clicquot, whose masterful work was essential for the expansion and reputation of this brand.

La Grande Dame, drawn only in exceptional vintages, is an assemblage dominated by the Pinot Noir - usually 65%-70% - and Chardonnay. Only grapes from its own vineyards, of 8 Grand Cru villages: Le Mesnil, Avize, Oger for Chardonnay; Bouzy, Verzenay, Verzy, Aÿ and Ambonnay for Pinot Noir. Between seven and ten years sur lattes and manual remuage. My bottle was disgorged 6 years ago.

A thin perlage, with the nose, elegant and lively, but not too complex, taking straight a refined and oriental road, - white pepper, cinnamon and saffron - while enter, with oxygenation, butter and quince, citrus fragrances and toasted almonds, with the mineral profile just basted and a little hidden.

A fresh mouth and almost symmetrical, continues the journey to the east, with a fine spicy texture - so much saffron - which is accompanied by malt, with clear hints of apricot and candied citrus, while the mineral aspect remains stalled. Tirelessly velvety and vibrant palate, for great tension sips and a really spicy and long finish.

An excellent drink and a bottle still growing, that could become overwhelming, in a few years.

 Best wishes

Merry Xmas and happy new year

Damiano Ciolli Cesanese Silene 2011

My first time with this grape variety (Cesanese), thanks to the advice of my wine shop’s friend. We are in the province of Frosinone and Damiano Ciolli, here, is a very serious winemaker.

Steel and cement for a ruby red, slightly discharged.

The nose, fresh and quite expressive encompasses as the floral profile - aromatic herbs and purple - as that fruity - plums and cherries, blackberries and wild berries - as well as a beautiful mineral and spicy texture.

The taste is pleasantly sincere and consistent with the olfactory properties.

A lot of red fruit - blackcurrant, strawberry and blackberry - with clean salty and mineral strokes, integrated tannins, for a very agile sip.

Agility and pleasure even thanks to a formidable alcohol control (14 °), which triggers an addictive drink.

Medium persistence, takes leave with subtle notes of red berries and black pepper.

Fleury Champagne Cépages Blancs Extra Brut 2006

No more than five thousand bottles for this 100% Chardonnay.

Not less than six years on the lees, bouchon liège, over 1 year of disgorgement.

Here we are in the south of Champagne land, in the Aube.

The perlage is very elegant, with a nose at once expressive and brilliant: lots of fresh fruit - exotic, citrus, plum and quince - and dry - almond and hazelnut - herbs and light tones rusks.

It is initially closed about the mineral and spicing, but it will demonstrate all its value and its size, right released the neck of the bottle.

Fine effervescence and a lot of stuff, chisel and clarity, even in the mouth.

Harmonies of fruit and spicy gusts, verticality, fine texture and freshness, are the expression of a balance beyond expectations.

Sip continuously straight and dynamic, very long, with final bitter notes, spice and flint.