Pol Roger Champagne Rich

The champagne, in demi-sec version, according to Pol Roger. To understand, sugary dosage at 35 gr./lt. (The maison maintains, precisely, they are 34).

The three classic cepages champenois, in equal parts and coming from 30 different cru. There are: the Pinot Noir, coming from the Reims Mountain, the Pinot Meunier, from the Marne Valley and the Chardonnay, from the Côte des Blancs. This cuvée, to which a 25% reserve wine is added, lasts four years, at least, on yeasts.

The result? Surprising for ... dryness. But not just that. Paradoxically, I've been drinking champagne brut, and perceiving them, very dosed, unbalanced doses. Nevertheless, as always, everything revolves around mastery and the magic of balance.

You expect a liquid, very sweet. Instead, it is so explicit the balancing between dosage and acidic verve, that originates exquisitely harmonious sips, with so many greetings to sweet feelings, put on the edge.

I find all the style and the maîtrise of the maison, of course, but there is also so much stuff, not only verticality. Sweet spices, in massive doses, dried fruits and finely boisée tones, with date and caramel, to embellish.

In the mouth, shrill and structure are intermingled elegantly. Sips full of incredible acidity, with very high cleaning power, which, gastronomically, make me prefer pairing with cheeses, rather than sweet.

Le Salon Du Vin de La Revue du Vin de France 11e édition | Paris

It is a must, in my opinion, one of the most important events of 2017, dedicated to the excellence of French wine productions, Champagne in the first place. This is the usual annual event - this year celebrating the eleventh edition - organized by the prestigious guide, as well as monthly magazine La Revue du Vin de France.

The Salon will be held in Paris, in May, on Fridays 19 - 11 am to 8 pm - and Saturday 20 - 11 am to 7 pm - in the classic location, the wonderful rooms of the Palais Brongniart, the ancient Bourse Palace, on Place de la Bourse.

In addition to the wine tasting about 250 selected maison, meetings, ateliers, dedicated theme and vertical tastings.

For the detailed program of the event, see the official website.

Eredi Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2008

A fine ruby red, for a nose, fresh, crisp and very tuscan.

Aromatic kit full of floral inspirations, berries, dark fruit - fine fleshy cherry - and spicy projections.

On the palate there are structure and virtuous acidity, balance and material, with fairly bushy tannic grain. Montalcino’s elegance, with fresh red fruit in the foreground, lying on a defined mineral carpet, accompanied by intense balsamic ribs.
Austere mouth and still slightly contracted, compared to olfactory.

From a historic Montalcino’s family producer, a young Brunello, whose further rest in glass, will allow him, undoubtedly, to grow and become “Messer Brunello”.

Gaston Chiquet Champagne Special Club 2007

Directly from the Club Trésors de Champagne – an association, about thirty récoltant - here is the 2007 vintage from Chiquet, a cuvée d'assemblage - 30% Pinot Noir and 70% Chardonnay - from 30 years old vineyards, on limestone-calcareous soils, from the villages of Mareuil sur Aÿ, Hautvillers and Dizy; at least 6 years on yeasts and disgorged June 2014.

It begins with freshness, with a lot of toasted notes, but quickly disappearing, releasing, immediately, intense notes of citrus and peach, apple and plum, with tea and dried fruit. It is, however, the strong chalk size, which turns out to be, in summary, the driving character of the olfactory profile.

In the mouth, the aromatic expression does not change, confirming broad and generous convergence. Always on the front line, the chalky timbre, here enriched with hazelnut inserts and the return of the fruit, also exotic.

Balanced drink, sustained by a significant acid plug, whose lack of complexity, however, rethinking to the millennium, did not catch me unprepared.

 

G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe 2012

A great classic, a Barolo grape from Barolo village, large barrels only, 36 months, the result of three vineyards assembled - La Volta, Costa di Vergne and Fossati - so, three different terroir, different for exposure and altitude.

The result? Beautiful, of course.

Nice ruby transparent, for a rich and harmonious nose: berries, rose and violet, red fruit - strawberry and raspberry, cherry and plum - and more than a spicy hint.

Balanced mouth and very consistent with the nose, with the addition of the red orange and rhubarb notes. Nit and velvet tannin, structure, but without encumbrances.

It stretches well in length, with a final phrasing of citrus and cloves.

All the tough character of the older brother - so to speak - Bricco delle Viole.