Perrier-Jouet, Champagne, Cuvee Belle Epoque, Fleur de Champagne, Brut 2000 The cork was quite compacted and the bottle opened with hardly a whisper. The color is taking on a light golden hue. Yet in the nose it delivers the fresh apples and apple pie, with a dash of cinnamon and vanilla on top. In the mouth it is vibrantly acidic, as if biting into green apples, very long yet losing effervescence.
The base wine is about half and half Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a touch of Pinot Meunier. P&B in Epernay, NM-267-001, 12.5% purchased for $139.99 at Traverso’s Perrier-Jouet
Domaine Carneros, Carneros, Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Le Reve 2003 This wine never fails to delight, year after year, amplifying the fresh fruit of the Carneros with a palpable dosage. The grapes are Chardonnay with the possibility of some Pinot Blanc and the wine was aged for 6 years, before release. Estate grown, produced and bottled in Napa 12% purchased for $79.99 at Bottle Barn.