J-M Seleque Champagne Premier Cru Partition

Opened well past the drink-by date. Flat, limp.

Impromptu Dinner w/Friends (Pa Lian Burmese, Wheaton, IL) : Courtesy of VM, disgorged June 2014. Clay, apple, marshmallow and caramel notes with hints of citrus underneath. Rich, with good fruit and balance. 92-93 pts.

This house is located in the Coteaux Sud d�Epernay. 72% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Meunier and 14% Pinot Noir. 3g/ltr of sugar. Disgorged June 2014. This is the top wine from this estate and 2008 was the first year this cuvee was made. Sourced from the following vineyards: La Justice (PremierCru Chardonnay from Vertus planted in 1950); Moque-bouteille (Premier Cru Chardonnay from Dizy planted in 1985); La Basses-Ronces (Chardonnay from Mardeuil planted in 1982); Les Frileux (Chardonnay from Epernay planted in …

Just took a taste on the way to other things, but zippy and focused.

Acid for daaaays. And I love it. Tons of green apple supported by citrus/lemon and chalky mineral notes. Bright, tension-filled palate that smoothed out over the two days this was tasted. Really fun Extra Brut that retains an acid-rich balance.

Rieslings, Rhones, Richebourg, and more at The Bristol (The Bristol, Chicago) : Really liked this. A fascinating contrast between ripe, slightly sweet apples and peachy fruit up front, and more savoury chalky and faintly nutty notes on the back end. There's a touch of sweetness here that hints at a little dosage, but there's no shortage of acidity to balance it, and it's a fantastic wine.

Salil does Chicago; 4/16/2015-4/19/2015 (Chicago, IL) : Disgorged June 2014. 72% chardonnay, 14% pinots meunier and noir. 3 g/L dosage. Almonds, minerals, chalk, and intense apples on the nose. (Before checking the label, I called this as a blend.) The palate also has an intense chalky texture, which when married with all the green apple acidity makes for a very well-balanced champagne. Juicy and delicious, and no worries about it being too brut. I found the balance here just right.