Assemblage of vintage years
65% of the 2006

20% of the 2004

 

The grapes are supplied by ten of the most prestigious crus or villages, all of them Grands Crus classified at 100%, such as Ambonnay, Bouzy, Mailly, Avize, Cramant and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.

 

My Tasting Notes:  Wow!  This was the “star” of the tasting.  Creamy, round, with racy acidity.  As a magnum, it was aged on the lees for 16 years (6 years longer than the 750ml), and you can tell as it has more autolytic notes.   100% stainless steel, Grand Cru grapes only.  Amazing texture (creamy, long, with great acidity).  As it warmed up, it released richer and riper fruit.  A wow wine!

 

 

Fabulous aromas of brioche, pie crust, lemon tart and fresh apple. Full-bodied, very dense and layered with freshness and energy that couples well with the palate. Powerful acidity gives great structure to this. Goes on for minutes. Extremely structured. Three vintages – 2006 (65%), 2004 (20%) and 2002 (15%). Blend of 58% chardonnay and 42% pinot noir. From 11 grand crus. Aged in magnums. One for the cellar. Available only magnum. Drink or hold.

Being released in magnum, the NV Brut Grand Siècle #23 is showing beautifully, mingling aromas of peach, pear, fresh pastry, citrus oil, buttered toast and white flowers. Full-bodied, fleshy and ample, it's elegantly gourmand, with fabulous depth and a long, expansive finish. The volume and texture characteristic of the 2006 and 2002 vintages take the lead here, with the 2004 bringing supplemental aromatic complexity. One of the more demonstrative recent renditions of Grand Siècle, this is a fabulous choice for drinking over the next decade or two.

 

Produced from the 2006, 2004, and 2002 vintages, the NV Champagne Grand Siècle Grand Cuvée No. 23 has 7 grams per liter dosage and was released in March of 2022. It was the most restrained of the three iterations at this tasting. The nose has beautiful aromatics that lift with a veil of smoke and minerals of wet asphalt, green orchard fruits of pear and apple, white pepper, and lemon curd. The mousse is inviting and fine, with a fantastic silky mineral texture that defines the wine, orange citrus, and savory salinity. It offers a mineral-driven expression that is sure to age wonderfully over the next two decades.

Iteration No. 23 is the current release in magnum. The Pinot Noir (42% of the blend) is from the Grande Montagne, and the Chardonnay (58% of the blend) is from Côte des Blancs. The colour is a deeper gold, and the aromas are slightly more exotic, with notes of lime peel, passion fruit, pomelo and smoke. The texture is silky but complete and round, and the wine lingers winningly on the palate. This marvelous wine is accessible now but can age for decades to come.

 

Racy acidity sculpts this finely detailed Champagne, and a rich vein of minerally smoke and oyster shell underscores the layered flavors of poached apricot, ripe raspberry, biscuit and candied lemon peel. Linear and focused at first, before expanding on the creamy palate. Reveals hints of crystallized honey, fleur de sel and chopped almond on the lingering finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Tasted from magnum.

Racy acidity sculpts this finely detailed Champagne, and a rich vein of minerally smoke and oyster shell underscores the layered flavors of poached apricot, ripe raspberry, biscuit and candied lemon peel. Linear and focused at first, before expanding on the creamy palate. Reveals hints of crystallized honey, fleur de sel and chopped almond on the lingering finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Tasted from magnum.