Moet and Chandon, Dom Perignon, 2000 $165.99
49% Pinot Noir (PN), 51% Chardonnay (CH) Review from the Wine Advocate: “The 2000 Dom Perignon is a gorgeous, seductive wine that floats on the palate with remarkable grace. Toasty aromas meld into freshly cut flowers, apricots and pears, with sweet notes of mint and licorice that linger on the long finish. This perfumed, inviting Dom Perignon is elegance personified, and in this vintage the wine fully merits its lofty reputation. 94/2009-2019.
Bollinger, Le Grand Année, 1999 $104.99
63% PN, 37% CH
Review from the Wine Advocate: “The 1999 La Grande Année is a refined, elegant wine with pretty, exotic notes of apricots, peaches, honey, flowers, smoke and tasted oak. There is a notable clarity and precision, in a style that is generous and approachable. The 1999 La Grande Année is 63% Pinot Noir and 37% Chardonnay, of which 82% came from grand cru vineyards while 18% came from premier cru sits spanning a total of 16 villages. The wine was aged in oak and dosage was 7-9 grams. (Disgorged in July, 2007)
Gimonnet, 1999 (Special Club)$84.99
100% Chardonnay
Review from Allen Medows, Burghound-“An extremely pretty nose that is justnow beginning to display some obvious development to the brioche and baked apple nose that complements the rich, delicious and solidly complex flavors that culminate in a moderately dry and tangy finish that delivers fine length. This is a really lovely effort and could be enjoyed now, though I would be included ot wait for another 2 to 3 years. 92/2012+ (Disgorged December 2007)
Paul Bara, 2000, Grand Cru, (Bouzy): $79.99
80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay. Review from the Wine Advocate: Bara’s 2000 Brut Grand Cru is a generous full-bodied wine bursting with the essence of honey, apricots, acacia blossoms and minerals. Expansive and broad on the palate, the wine offers outstanding length and plenty of style. 92/2008-2015.
Review from International Wine Cellar: Strongly scented bouquet of candied lemon, redcurrant, toasty lees and dried rose. Broad but penetrating citrus and red berry flavors are underscored by smoke and minerals. Becomes richer on the finish, which leaves lush orchard fruit and floral notes behind. 91
Rene Geoffroy, Cuvée Volupte, 2002, $79.99
20% PN, 80% CH
2002 is a superb vintage, widely regarded as the best since 1996. What we don’t sell this holiday season retires to our cellar to be on call for our various celebrations. I couldn’t find a review for this vintage, so will just share my tasting notes. The Geoffroy’s estate is in Cumieres, a premier cru site known for Pinots, though they own additional lots in Hautvillers, Damery and Fleury-la-Riviere. The wines don’t undergo malolactic fermentation so that their acidity remains pronounced, consequently encouraging greater aging potential. The 2002 has captivating aromas of orange peel, quince paste and honey. It is impressively complex, with some seductive baked apple and nuttiness. On the palate, it is creamy and energetic; it’s a great mouthfeel, rich and clean at the same time. Flavors include pear and quince again. I found myself thinking of orange creamsicles if only they were pear instead– a subdued pear flavored tempered by cream. (Disgorged June 2006)