We were fortuante enough to sample ten, yes I said ten, bottles of Champagnes, Champagne style wines and desert sparkling wines to bring in 2010. Â This is something I have been looking forward to for some time and I was not disappointed.
The tasting list consisted of three sparkling wines from the Champagne region of France, three domestic wines produced in the Champagne style, a pair of sparkling roses and if that weren’t enough, we concluded with two sparkling desert wines. Â Holy crap that was a lot of bubbles! Â Boy was it fun though.
Champagnes
Egly-Ouriet NV Brut, Grand CruÂ
Bollinger’s NV Brut Special Cuvee
Pierre Peters 2002 Brut Millesime
Champagne Style Wines
Domaine Meriwether Wines 1999 Captain Clark Vintage Cuvee’
Domaine Meriwether Wines 1998 Thomas Jefferson Prestige Cuvee
Tru Cellars 2007 Blanc de Blanc
Sparkling Rose´s
Argyle 2007 Brut Rose
Domain de Nizas Rose 2008
Sparkling Desert Wines
Cascina Castlet 2008 Moscato d’Asti
Tualatin Estate 2008 Semi-Sparkling Muscat Frizzante´
SCORE 14.75:94
| Category | Score |
| Eye | 1 |
| Nose | 3.75 |
| Taste | 5 |
| Mouth-Feel | 5 |
Value  94 Based upon an average purchase price of $69/bottle.
Tasting Notes: Golden hues. Â Plenty of lemon on the nose and palate, with hints of toasted nuts and butter. Â Fresh and lively tasting.
SCORE 14:90
| Category | Score |
| Eye | 1 |
| Nose | 3.5 |
| Taste | 4.5 |
| Mouth-Feel | 5 |
Value 90 Based upon an average purchase price of $69/bottle.
Tasting Notes: Light yellow. Apple and honey flavors with plenty of vanilla and toffee flavors on the finish. Well balanced.
SCORE 15.5:95
| Category | Score |
| Eye | 1 |
| Nose | 4 |
| Taste | 5.5 |
| Mouth-Feel | 5 |
Value  95 Based upon an average purchase price of $45/bottle.
Tasting Notes: Nice, straw yellow color. Floral nose. Â Full bodied sparkler with peach and citrus flavors.
SCORE 16.75:150
| Category | Score |
| Eye | 0.75 |
| Nose | 4 |
| Taste | 6 |
| Mouth-Feel | 6 |
Value  150 Based upon an average purchase price of $25/bottle.
Tasting Notes: Light yellow color. Spicy nose. Â Well balanced, with tropical fruit flavors. Â Nice long, clean finish.
SCORE 17.25:127
| Category | Score |
| Eye | 1 |
| Nose | 4.25 |
| Taste | 6 |
| Mouth-Feel | 6 |
Value  127 Based upon an average purchase price of $30/bottle.
Tasting Notes: Pinkish-yellow color. Abundant foam. Â Toffee and vanilla aromas. Â Very well balanced. Â The Pinot Noir fruit comes through on this wine. Â Elegant finish.
SCORE 15.25:90
| Category | Score |
| Eye | 1 |
| Nose | 4 |
| Taste | 5.25 |
| Mouth-Feel | 5 |
Value 90 Based upon an average purchase price of $36/bottle.
Tasting Notes: Light yellow. Lots of apple on the nose and palate. Â Medium body. Â Acidic, clean finish.
SCORE 16:100
| Category | Score |
| Eye | 1.25 |
| Nose | 3.5 |
| Taste | 5 |
| Mouth-Feel | 6.25 |
Value  100 Based upon an average purchase price of $45/bottle.
Tasting Notes: Pale pink. Mixed berry aromas. Â Berry and tropical fruit flavors are well balanced with acidity and tannins. Â Creamy, cherry finish.
SCORE 16.5:130
| Category | Score |
| Eye | 1.5 |
| Nose | 4 |
| Taste | 4.75 |
| Mouth-Feel | 6.25 |
Value  130 Based upon an average purchase price of $15/bottle.
Tasting Notes: Soft rose color. Â Floral aromas. Â Berry, spice and cherry flavors. Â Lush finish Well balanced.
SCORE 14.75:100
| Category | Score |
| Eye | 1 |
| Nose | 3 |
| Taste | 4.75 |
| Mouth-Feel | 6 |
Value  100 Based upon an average purchase price of $15/bottle.
Tasting Notes: Light straw-yellow in color. Â Floral aromas. Â Floral and stone fruit flavors. Â Slightly sweet, while still having a clean finish.
SCORE 16.5:120
| Category | Score |
| Eye | 1.5 |
| Nose | 3.5 |
| Taste | 5.5 |
| Mouth-Feel | 6 |
Value  120 Based upon an average purchase price of $15/bottle.
Tasting Notes: Clone of an Italian Moscato d’Asti. Light yellow. Berry and citrus aromas, follow with more berry and floral flavors. Â Medium body with a velvety, sweet finish.
How did I miss this one?! What a GREAT idea! Next time let me know and I’ll contribute one of ours, but moreover I’d like to “play”!
Sorry about the lack of communication on this event. It came together rather quickly. We’ll do a better job of communicating next time and we would love to have new wines to taste.
“good post”