Category Archives: Champagne

CHAMPAGNE LE MESNIL BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU BRUT NV, AOC Côtes des Blanc, Champagne, France

12 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in Champagne, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $75.00 US
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: The Tasting Room & Wine Cellar
Country: France
Region: Côtes des Blanc, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Le Mesnil
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic expression of Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Positives: Rich, crisp and yeasty Champagne featuring a fine mousse, buttered brioche, green and yellow apples, lemon rind, cucumber and limestone

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: – 90% 2014 harvest, 5% 2013 harvest, 5% 2010 harvest

-Bottled in April 2015, minimum 3 years aged in cellar

-Disgorged in 2018 as Brut with sugar dosage 9 g/l)

-100% of vineyards of Le Mesnil sur Oger are ranked as Grand Cru

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10-15 of years on its own or pair it with crispy fried calamari.

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: January 12, 2019

LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT PREMIER CHAMPAGNE NV, À Reimes, Champagne, France

30 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Champagne, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $74.95 (Sale price: $69.95 until Jan 6, 2019)
Grape: 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: France
Region: À Reims, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Roederer Champagne
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Champagnes without breaking the bank

Positives: Rich gold in colour with a fine mousse that features, brioche, yeast, toast, lemon, green apples, Anjou pear, clementine, Herbes de Provence, hazelnut, smoke and vanilla.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10-15 of years. Drink on its own or pair it with oxtail ravioli in a garlic white wine butter sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: December 30, 2018

LCBO: 268771

BARON-FUENTÉ GRANDS CÉPAGES CHARDONNEY NV, Ac Champagne, France

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $71.95 (Sale Price: $57.75)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO Vintage
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baron-Feunté
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

This Blanc de Blanc is not for the faint at heart

Description: Bright gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon zest, green & yellow apples, pear, pink grapefruit, lime, ginger, cardamom, salted almonds and fresh cut carnations. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my wife for this Champagne for my birthday

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with Raspberry Point Oysters.

Tasted: 12 March 2017

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale Price: 9/10), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 471045

TAITTINGER BRUT RÉSERVE CHAMPAGNE NV, Ac Reims, France

09 Friday Dec 2016

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


img_9309

Cost: $60.95
Grape: 46% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Meunier
Category: Champagne Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Reims
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Taittinger
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious Champagne elegance

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, brioche, lemon, green apple, persimmon, white peach, pear, honeydew melon, honeycomb, almonds, and honeysuckle on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of the best values for higher end Champagnes and celebrated this fine Champagne today for getting my first hole-in-one in golf.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Truffle Risotto topped with grated fresh Parmesano-Reggiano.  

Tasted: 28 November 2016

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 365312

PIERREL LES ORESSENCES BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Ac Epernay, France

22 Sunday May 2016

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Pierrel

Cost: $42.95 (Clearance: $30.15)
Grape: 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pierrel
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A savory Champagne

Description: Deep gold in colour with an intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features yeast, toasted brioche, Boss pear, lemon meringue, Granny Smith apples, peach, pistachios, nutmeg,  and apple blossoms on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Bacon and Leek Quiche.

Tasted: 22 May 2016

Top pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 167502

DELAHAIE PRESTIGE PREMIER CRU CHAMPAGNE NV, Epernay, France

22 Sunday May 2016

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Delahaie-Cuvee-Prestige-Front

Cost: $31.05
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jacque Brochet
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A fresh, citric Champagne

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features yeast, toasted oats, lemon, tangerine, Anjou pear, Rainier cherry, macadamia nuts, candied ginger and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with pork Bibimbap

Tasted: 22 May 2016

Top pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

POL ROGER BRUT RÉSERVE CHAMPAGNE NV, AOC Epernay, Champagne, France

12 Saturday Mar 2016

Posted by in Champagne, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Pol Roger

Cost: $64.25
Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Epernay, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pol Roger
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Lighter style Champagne that is truly classic

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This Champagne features brioche, yeast, lemon/lime, Anjou pear, peach, grapefruit, green apples, pistachios, toasted coconut, limestone and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium body with crisp acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with lobster eggs Benedict.

Tasted: 12 March 2016 (Happy Birthday to me!)

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18.5/20

Top Pick

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO Online: 217158

PERRIER-JOUËT GRAND BRUT NV, Épernay, Champagne, France

11 Friday Dec 2015

Posted by in Champagne

≈ Leave a comment


perrier

Cost: $68.95
Grape: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Category: Champagne Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Épernay, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Perrier-Jouët
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Creamy, rich, smooth with finesse

Description: Pale straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This complex Champagne features light yeast, brioche, lemon, grapefruit, ginger, croissant, Swiss Chard, dill, limestone  and Easter Lily on the nose . Full body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10-15 years on its own or pair it with Brie on white cheddar & rosemary flavoured crackers.

Tasted: 4 Dec 2015 (Celebrating our 7th Wedding Anniversary)

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 155341

ARMAND DE BRIGNAC (ACE OF SPADES) BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France

12 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by in Champagne, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Armand

Cost: $260 Cayman Islands ($299.95 LCBO which is currently out of stock)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier & Chardonnay
Category: Champagne
Location Tortuga
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cattiers
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nothing but the best! Smooth as silk

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and very fine mousse. This complex Champagne features brioche, lemon pith, honeysuckle, toffee, sweet potatoes, butter cream, peach, kiwi, ginger, orange, limestone and smokey notes reminiscent of Oolong tea. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Made from 2003, 2005 & 2006 vintages

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Caviar

Tasted: 12 March 2015 (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!)

Top Pick

Score: 10/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 5

PERRIER-JOUËT BELLE EPOQUE BRUT 2004, Ac Épernay, Champagne, France

06 Saturday Dec 2014

Posted by in Champagne

≈ Leave a comment


Perrier-Jouet

Cost: $199.95
Grape Variety: 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 5% Meunier
Category: Champagne
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Épernay, Champagne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Perrier-Jouët
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic sophistication

Description: Deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex Champagne features toasted brioche lemon, white peach, pears, walnuts, marzipan and sweet spices. Full body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 20 years on its own or pair it with Raspberry Point oysters

Tasted: 4 Dec 2014 (My 6th Year Wedding Anniversary)

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 135798