Champagne Brut Millésimé Blanc de Blancs 2006 75cl

Sourced from six Grand Crus in the Côte des Blancs, the citrus-colored 2006 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Millésime Prestige indicates a very nice maturity on the nose, where ripe bright fruit aromas (such as honeydew melon and other tropical fruits) are displayed along with a rich, buttery, nutty (think of coconut milk) and herbal-flavored chalkiness. There are also mushrooms (dried porcini), popcorn and lemon peeling notes displayed. On the palate, this Chardonnay Vintage Brut is full-bodied, elegant and complex, revealing a perfect ripeness and a serious expression; it remains a rich and mouth-filling, but fresh and reasonably structured Champagne. It has a long and intense, but also refreshing, stimulating, nicely stringent and mineral finish. This is an excellent Blanc de Blancs to be served for dinner. This wine is from Lot number L4287PG18 and was disgorged in October 2014. Footnote: I have tasted an earlier disgorgement two years ago and – scoring the 2006 Millésime Prestige 90 points – was more difficult. Today I find this a very complex and matured, but refreshing 2006m and can only recommend it. Try a porcini Risotto with it, then go ahead.

A minerally version, fresh and focused, with a subtle, smoky underpinning and rich flavors of toasted brioche and coconut, poached pear, candied kumquat and chopped almond riding the fine, lacy bead. Disgorged February 2014. Drink now through 2026.