We want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year! We graduated our fifth year at Rosso Wine Shop this past September and we are excited for the future. It is, and looks to be, a great time in the world of wine. Plenty of fantastic choices. And no shortage of good deals. If you look. And we do.
Here are some of our favorite non vintage Champagne picks (all from the Terry Thiese portfolio):
NV Chartogne-Taillet Brut Cuvée Ste. Anne $48.99
(90 Points: Wine Advocate) The NV Brut Cuvee St. Anne bristles with considerable energy for the year. It shows lovely balance in a fairly approachable style best suited to near-term drinking. The St. Anne is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, based on the 2007 vintage with 20% reserve wines from 2006 and 2005. In 2007 Chartogne was not happy with his Meunier, so it was left out of the blend. Dosage is 4.5 grams per liter. Disgorged June 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015.
NV L Aubry et Fils Brut $46.99
(90 Points: Wine Advocate) The NV Brut is a pretty, graceful wine layered with expressive red fruit, dried roses and sweet herbs. It shows plenty of the house’s understated finesse and personality. The finish is round, caressing and totally inviting. The NV Brut makes a great introduction to the wines of Aubry, one of Champagne’s most fascinating growers. The NV Brut is 25% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 45% Meunier and 5% other grapes. This version is 45% 2008 juice and 55% a solera reserve spanning vintages 1999-2007. Disgorged July 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015.
NV Pierre Peters Brut Cuvée Réserve Grand Cru $59.99
(92 Points: Wine Advocate) The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cuvee de Reserve is a gorgeous wine that captures the essence of Chardonnay in the Cote des Blancs. Pure, wiry and wonderfully expressive, the Cuvee de Reserve flows gracefully with layers of varietal fruit from start to finish. This shows superb clarity, depth and polish, particularly at the NV level. The current release is 65% 2007 and 35% reserve wines from a solera cuvee that contains 15 vintages. Roughly 2/3rds of the fruit comes from Mesnil, while the rest is from Cramant, Avize, Oger and Chouilly. This is Lot CBSAAI, disgorged: May, 2010 and bottled with 7 grams of dosage. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2016.
