Blue Chip Wines Flashcards
Brut Champagne, Dom Pérignon, 2013
P: In 1668, Dom Pierre Pérignon, a Benedictine monk, was appointed procurator at the Abbey of Hautvillers.
At a time when everything was guided by empirical methods, Dom Pierre Pérignon developed revolutionary techniques for viticulture and winemaking based on precise rules.
Father Pérignon modernized the abbey, restored its vineyard, and set about to make “the best wine in the world”.
The “wine of Father Pérignon” became one of the most sought-after wines in France. It was served at Versailles and enjoyed by none other than Louis XIV.
Profoundly inspired, his vision revolutionized winemaking with standards that remain at the heart of all champagne wines today.
G: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
V/V: cold, wet winter, spring was gray, quite cool and extremely rainy.
The vines began budding about two weeks later than the average for the decade, a delay that lasted all the way until the harvest. The hot and dry summer was the sunniest on record in the Champagne region,
T: Vetiver, mirabelle plums, apricot and orange blossom, saline and toasty hues.
The mouthfeel is elegant.
The refined and silky foundation.
The finish is dominated by a salinity that leaves a deep sensation of consistency.
Brut Champagne, Egly-Ouriet, “Grand Cru Prestige”, 2014
P: Highly sought after, a “cult” wine for Champagne lovers who crave the power and finesse of Pinot Noir-based wines. What you’ll find at this small family “grower” house is truly vinous Champagne, wines striking in their concentration and complexity. Francis Egly is the fourth generation of the Egly family to make wines from their exceptionally located, old vine vineyards in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay (home to some of the greatest Pinot Noir that can be found in all of Champagne), where he is considered the finest grower. Francis took over from his father Michel in 1980.
G: 70/30 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay
V/V: Estate vineyards are located in the grand cru village of Ambonnay. Soils combine chalk and limestone. Aged for nine years in bottle.
T: Precise, refined; flavors of lemon blossom, herbs, white pepper. Very long.
Brut Champagne, Salon, 2012
P: Created as the first über-luxury cuvée in 1911 (1905 first vintage released) for a select few, Salon has only been released in select vintages - 38, counting from its first commercial release (1921). The sister house Delamotte often will use the grapes in the vintages that aren’t declared, and often times the prime fruit that does not meet the extreme standards of the Salon brand.
G: Chardonnay
V/V: Typically the bottles see ten years’ time on their lees in the coldest of cellars, allowing the mousse to develop the most tiny, delicate but pervasive mousse. Absolutely no oak is used, and every bottle hand-riddled. The peak of Chardonnay!
T: aromas of white fruit, citrus zest and spring flowers capped by a touch of spice. With some air, pastry-like notes. On the palate, crystalline and elongated structure
Brut Champagne, Krug, “Grand Cuvée 171ème Édition”
P: Krug Grande Cuvée is born from the dream of one man, Joseph Krug, to craft the very best Champagne he could offer, every single year, regardless of annual variations in climate. Since 1843, the House of Krug has honoured this vision with each new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée: the most generous expression of Champagne.
G: 45% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay and 18% Meunier
V/V: Krug Grande Cuvée 171ème Édition is a blend of 131 wines from 12 different years, the youngest of which is from 2015, while the oldest dates back to 2000. A stay of around seven years in Krug’s cellars gives this Édition its remarkable expression and elegance
T: Aromas of flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits, as well as marzipan and gingerbread.
Grilled notes and flavours of almond paste, quince, lemon, limoncello and dried fruit
Extra Brut Champagne, Egly-Ouriet, “Grand Cru Vieillissement Prolongé”
P: Highly sought after, a “cult” wine for Champagne lovers.
G: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
60% 2014, 20% 2013, 20% 2012
From 90% Ambonnay Grand Cru, 10% Bouzy Grand Cru and Verzenay Grand Cru
V/V: Indigenous yeast
No malo
Fermented and aged in barrel (10% new)
Aged 84 months on the lees
Dosage: 3g/L
Unfined and unfiltered
T:
Brut Rosé Champagne, Paul Bara
P: The Montagne de Reims boasts some of the best Pinot Noir in the region—Bouzy is the capital. The key to its inherent greatness lies in its deep, chalky subsoil which imparts intense expression of fruit and great mineral complexity in its grand cru wines. The village of Bouzy and Champagne Paul Bara are practically synonymous. As the published village historian, Paul is indelibly linked to the lore of his hometown. Many call him their most renowned producer, one of the rare récoltants-manipulants in a region inundated with mass-produced wine. These R.M.s, as they are known, are of the few who still grow their own grapes and make their own wines. Chantale Bara
G: 68% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, 12% Red wine
V/V: Made by direct press. Aged 4 years on lees
T: Soft, pink colored champagne with abundant, fine bubbles. Aromas of red fruits dominated by wild strawberry and cherry, and the typical peppery note of Pinot Noir. The palate mirrors the nose with strawberry and raspberry flavours, leading into notes of freshly baked viennoiseries and a morello cherry finish.
Toscana, Bibi Graetz, “Testamatta”, Ansonica, 2021
P: The Bibi Graetz winery was founded in 2000 on the hill of Fiesole, overlooking Florence, where Bibi, who gre up in a family of artists, fell completely in love with wine and made it his life. The Bibi Graetz estate has assembled one of the largest collections of old vineyards in Tuscany
“Testamatta” - “crazy-head”
G: Ansonica or Inzolia is a white Italian wine grape planted primarily in western Sicily
V/V: vines, up to 100 years old. destemming process and a very soft pressing with dry-ice, we left the skins with the juice for less than 1 hour. After this short period of maceration the must was decanted for approximately 48 hours at low temperature in stainless steel tanks and then moved to new 225L barriques for the alcoholic fermentation at 20°C. After the fermentation the wine aged with the lees for 12 months, without any malolactic fermentation and then bottled.
T: It delivers perfumes of sliced apple, peach and lemon peel while the 12 months of aging provide final hints of toasted spices. Testamatta 2021 encompasses the power of the vintage with a bright acidity and minerality
Toscana, Le Macchiole, “Paleo Bianco”, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc, 2021
P: Dating back to the beginning of the 1980s, Le Macchiole is one of the historic wineries in Bolgheri, and over the years, it has become a reference point for quality Tuscan wine. Founders Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli were among the region’s pioneers, and they contributed in a significant way to Bolgheri’s growing fame thanks to their work in creating wines full of character and personality that have become a symbol of the region. Today, Cinzia runs the winery with the essential support of her sons Elia and Mattia
G: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Sauvignon Blanc
V/V: Paleo Bianco, hit the scene in 1991. It is produced in extremely small quantities. 8 months, 10% in new oak barrel, 70% in second, third and fourth passage barrel and tonneaux, 20% steel tank
T:
Toscana, Monteraponi, Trebbiano, 2021
P: The Monteraponi estate is located in the village of Radda, situated in the heart of Chianti. In the late 10th century, Monteraponi, an ancient medieval village situated on the hill by the same name in the heart of the Chianti area, belonged to Count Ugo, Marchese and Governor of Tuscany.
G: Trebbiano
V/V: Fruit comes from vineyards planted at 400-500 meters above sea level and is vinified as naturally as possible (native yeasts in cement tanks, bottled unfined and unfiltered. macerated on the skins for 48 hours and vinified in concrete vats and old barrels, followed by 8 months of aging in barriques from Burgundy.
T: green apple, lemon skin, wet stones, and bitter almond. full-bodied, rich, and long-lasting, with great character
Toscana, Querciabella, Batàr, Chardonnay & Pinot Bianco, 2021
Toscana, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, “Ornellaia”, Sauvignon Blanc, 2020
Montenidoli, “Carato”, 2020
Langhe Chardonnay, Cordero di Montezemolo, “Elorio”, 2020
Langhe Riesling, Borgogno, “Era Ora”, 2020
Langhe Riesling, Oddero, 2021
Alto Adige, Cantina Terlan, “Quartz”, Sauvignon Blanc, 2021
Friuli, Jermann, “Where Dreams Have No End”, Chardonnay, 2021
Venezia-Giulia, Josko Gravner, Ribolla Gialla, 2014
Soave Classico, Prà, “Monte Grande”, Garganega, 2021
Colli di Luni, Cantine Lvnae, “Eitchetta Nera”, Vermentino, 2023
Curtefranca, Ca’del Bosco, Chardonnay, 2018
Verdicchio dei Castelli de Jesi Classico Superiore, La Staffa, “Rincrocca”, 2022
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Emidio Pepe, 2007
Colli Aprutini, Emidio Pepe, Pecorino, 2019
Lazio, Tenute Principe Alberico, Sèmillon, 2016
Costa d’Amalfi, Marisa Cuomo, Falanghina & Biancolella, 2022
Apulia, Perrini, Fiano, 2021
Etna Bianco, Graci, “Acurià”, Carricante, 2021
Etna Bianco, Graci, “Muganazzi”, Carricante, 2022
Etna Bianco, IDDA, Carricante, 2022
Sicilia, Frank Cornelissen, “MunJebel® Bianco”, Carricante et al., 2021
Sicilia, Passopisciaro, “Passobianco Contrada PC”, Chardonnay, 2020
Classico, Fontodi, “Filetta di Lamole”, 2018
Classico, Villa Calcinaia, 1969
Classico Riserva, Castello di Ama, 2005
Castello di Ama, “Vigneto Bellavista”, 2011
Castello di Ama, “Vigneto La Casuccia”, 2007
Castello di Monsanto, “Il Poggio”, 2017
Castello di Monsanto, “Il Poggio”, 2018
Castello di Volpaia, “Coltassala”, 2019
Altesino, “Montosoli”, 2007
Biondi-Santi (Tenuta Greppo), 2017
Canalicchio di Sopra, 1995
Canalicchio di Sopra, 2006
Casanova di Neri, “Cerretalto”, 2018
Il Marroneto, “Madonna delle Grazie”, 2019
Livio Sassetti-Pertimali, 1988
Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja), “Sugarille”, 2018
Poggio di Sotto, 2019
Stella di Campalto, (Podere S. Giuseppe), “Bosco”, 2019
Stella di Campalto, (Podere S. Giuseppe), “Corso”, 2019
