Champagne Philipponnat Royale Reserve Rose Brut NV

Date of Tasting: 3 August 2014

Wine Type: Sparkling (rose)

7Grape Varieties: 75% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, 5% Meunier

Alcohol: 12%

Origin: Mareuil-Sur-Ay, France

Appellation: Champagne

Expect to Pay: ~ THB2,000

Web: http://www.philipponnat.com/
Chubby Score: 91/100
Value for money: 7/10
Professional Rating: AG - 87/100, WS - 91/100, WE - 90/100, ST - 90/100, BH - 92/100, CT - 90/100

Appearance: pinky orange

Aroma: notes of strawberry, light red fruits, tangerine, and grapefruit. some smoky minerality.

Palate: full with purity and elegance. smooth crispy effervescence. fine fruit forward. it also shows bright acidity.

Based on 2008 vintage and disgorged in April 2013. Feminine in style with minor touch of sweetness in the background. Enjoy the round volume of this non vintage structure. It is superb as aperitif and to go with fruity based dessert.

Champagne Philipponnat Royale Reserve Brut NV

Date of Tasting: 5 July 2014

Wine Type: Sparkling

Grape Varieties: 65% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Meunier

Alcohol: 12%

Origin: Mareuil-Sur-Ay, France

Appellation: Champagne

Expect to Pay: ~ THB2,000

Web: http://www.philipponnat.com/
Chubby Score: 92/100
Value for money: 8/10
Professional Rating: AG - 88/100, WS - 92/100, WE - 91/100, ST - 90/100, BH - 90/100, JR - 16/20, DC - 16/100, CT - 89/100

Appearance: pale golden yellow

Aroma: citrus and white fruits aroma

Palate: primary note of lemon and grapefruit with mild toasted almond and apple. fine effervescence with creamy texture. dry. lingering acidity possessed with energy.

Disgorged in May 2013 and base on 2010 vintage. In short, refreshing and pretty nice as an aperitif. It is also great with seafood like oyster or sushi. Love the energy and fine structure. More bottles should be popped up. Big cheers!!!!!!!!!!

Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV

Date of Tasting: 31 December 2013

Wine Type: Sparkling White

Grape Varieties: 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier

Alcohol: 12%

Origin: Reims, France

Appellation: Champagne

Expect to Pay: ~ THB2,000

Web: http://www.louis-roederer.com/
Chubby Score: 89/100
Value for money: 5/10
Professional Rating: WA - 92/100, WS - 91/100, WE - 91/100, ST - 89/100, JR - 17/20, DC - 16.5/20, FS - 92/100, CT - 89/100

Appearance: pale lemony yellow with fine bubbles

Aroma: almond and toast character, lemon, and yeast

Palate: rich and dry with citrus and green apple flavour as well as mineral. acid is on somewhat high side. clean and sharp. fine and creamy mousse with lively texture. show medium length on the palate.

Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV is simply a beautiful non-vintage that can be perfect for all festive occasions. It combines power, complexity, and elegant together. This should be so good with sushi. I personally like this non-vintage champagne to a degree though champagne is never cheap.

Champagne Jacquesson Cuvee 736 Extra-Brut

Jacquesson is another big champagne house but rarely found in Thailand. Jacquesson Cuvee 736 is the latest release from the 700 series which is based mainly from 2008 harvest with some blend of 2007 and 2006. Well, let's see how it went.

Date of Tasting: 16 March 2013

Wine Type: Sparkling White

Grape Varieties: 53% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Noir, 18% Pinot Meunier

Alcohol: 12%

Origin: Champagne, France

Appellation: Champagne

Expect to Pay: THB1,500 – 2,500 (retail price in Thailand)

Web: http://www.champagnejacquesson.com/
Chubby Score: 89/100
Value for money: 6/10
Professional Rating: WA - 90-92/100

Appearance: pale golden yellow

Aroma: fresh citrus and flowers but rather mute

Palate: light and pure limestone with power of sea breeze, intense energy and power, rather fat bubbles but excellent acidity, very dry but easy to drink, still lack of complexity and dimensions

Perhaps this is the style of champagne I truly enjoy, unlike the great Dom Perignon 2003. Big and power but not elegant and classic. Though Champagne Jacquesson 736 may be ready to be consumed now, I would personally let it lay down and develop for a couple of years to show its true potential and let the fat bubbles fade away before enjoy it during the next decade.