Goutorbe 2001 Tasted 9/01/10
Champagne Goutorbe is owned and operated by husband and wife team Rene and Nicole Goutorbe with the assistance of their children Elisabeth and Etienne. Located in the village of Ay with 20 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards in the surronding hills they make complex flavour driven champagnes.
The 2001 is light yellow to green in colour and does not reflect it's 9 years of age. The nose is refined with lovely toasty, brioche aromas whilst still showing plenty of youthfulness as does the palate which is fresh and lively. This wine will benefit from further cellaring.
Pol Roger 1999 Tasted 5/02/10
The house traditional blend for the vintage cuvee is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Whilst the Chardonnay is in the minority it appeared to be having the dominant impact on this wine at the time of tasting. The wine had a youthful green colour and a fresh yeasty nose, quite restrained. The palate was equally refined and showed little of the power one associates with Pinot Noir. Youthful in every aspect this wine will benefit from futher cellaring.
Louis Roederer Rose 2003 Tasted 20/03/10
Rose champagnes vary wildly in the degree of red. Some have a very strong red hue others a very mild salmon pink. This champagne was very much in the later catergory. In the glass there was just the faintest of salmon pink hue to the wine. The palate too was elegant and extremely delicate. This champagne certainly wasn't overwhelmed by the addition of red wine which provides the colour and so often a greater sense of fullness on the palate. In many ways it was comparable to the Louis Roederer vintage champagne. An excellent champagne as an aperatif or accompaniment to a light entree.
