Champagne Billecart Salmon Brut Réserve

• Country, Appellation: France, Champagne Vallée de la Marne
• Cru:
• Grape: Pinot Meunier, pinot noir and Chardonnay.
• Alcohol: 12%
• Date of tasting: oct 13, 2011 / pm
• Notes: Clear with gold color. Opening on yeast and an intense aroma of hot white brend with some hints of honey and dried fruit. Taste of green and citrus fruits (lemon). High freshness, elegant and bubbly. Thin length. To serve chilled with finger foods. It could be confused with another sparkling wines in a blind tasting.
• Conclusion: BUY at the lower market price (fair price: €25,00).
• Shelf Price: €30,00

Champagne Bollinger Vieilles vignes françaises 1998 Brut

• Country, Appellation: France, Champagne
• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 12%
• Date of tasting: October 10, 2011 / pm
• Notes: gold colour with a great complexity and intensity at the nose. Smoky and creamy with pronounced aromas with toffee and chocolate, honey and beeswax. Black tobacco and hot black bread. Great hints of anice and mint. Smooth palate with freshness and creamy taste. Some tannins are present and they are well-integrated. Fully developed palate, bodied and complex with a long, very long lenth with freshness and tertiary flavours aromas (liquorice and pepper). A unique emotion to drink without any pairings with food. First time in my life I drink such a great Champagne. The essence of Bollinger style and Pinot Noir from Ay. At peak. Ready to drink but will not improve.    
• Conclusion: BUY.
• Shelf Price: € 540

Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année 2000 Brut

• Country, Appellation: France, Champagne
• Grape: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Date of tasting: October 2, 2011 / pm
• Notes: Clear gold colour, creamy and pronounced aromas with toffee and chocolate, honey and beeswax. Black tobacco. Smooth palate with charred wood but medium freshness. Some dried tannins are present. Fully developed palate, bodied and complex with a long lenth and tertiary flavours aromas. Typical of Ay Champagne style and balanced thanks to a blend with Chardonnay. Ideally match with cuisine using crème fraiche, blue cheese and meat with black truffles. Outstanding wine for Bollinger fans only. At peak. Ready to drink but will not improve.    
• Conclusion: BUY (also if Gosset 2000 vintage offer a better quality/price ratio).
• Shelf Price: € 75

Champagne Gosset 2000 Brut

• Country, Appellation: France, Champagne
• Grape: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Date of tasting: October 2, 2011 / pm
• Notes: creamy, toffee and chocolat aromas, honey and beeswax. Smooth palate with charred wood flavours, mineral and fresh. Some tannins are present but it remains elegant, complex with a long lenth. Harmonious and balanced with acidity due to the blend with Chardonnay. Ideally match with cuisine using saffron and curry, blue cheese and a roasted Bresse chicken. Outstanding wine for champagne lover only. At peak. Ready to drink but will not improve.    
• Conclusion: BUY
• Shelf Price: € 60

Champagne Agrapart & fils "Terroirs" grand cru Brut

• Country, Appellation: France, Champagne
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay 
• Alcohol: 12%
• Date of tasting: Aprile 16, 2011 / am
• Notes: Clear and light yellow, nose with freshness and sweet hints of cream, nuts and honey. Elegant with a medium aromatic intensity covered by an unusual sweetness feelings not clear in the last tastings.  Palate elegant, sweet and sour with refreshing hints.  Need to taste further to understand if this quality represents the new winemaking style of agrapart. Medium quality wine for Champagne.   
• Conclusion: not to take in consideration today.
• Shelf Price: € 20