Champagne Discovery

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ABOUT US

We are Gita and Lee, two self-confessed champagne lovers for whom this effervescent drink has been a huge part of our lives since meeting twenty-three years ago. Our first trip to the region was in 1999 to source bottles for our wedding. Since then, we have been visiting several times a year, have tasted thousands of champagnes and continue to discover amazing new producers, incredible wines and stories. We are immensely passionate about the top quality smaller domaines who tell a narrative through their creations, from vineyard to bottle. As well as the bubbles, Champagne is home to some excellent still white, red and rosés too; not to forget Ratafia de Champagne. This famous region is fortunate to be home to a myriad of World class winemakers, producing an array of diverse wines, we really are spoilt for choice. We love wine, we absolutely adore champagne!

Tchin tchin!

Champagne of the Month
BOURDAIRE-GALLOIS
Millésime 2005

Our “Champagne of the Month” for October 2021 is the Millésime 2005 from Champagne Bourdaire-Gallois. Based within the Northernmost region of Champagne in the village of Pouilly on the Massif de Saint-Thierry; the domaine occupies 5 hectares. Along with Pouilly, plots are also located in the villages of Thil, Villers-Franqueux and Hermonville. The vineyards are found to the East of the Massif where they enjoy a South/South-East exposure. The soil found in this area is sandy loam which lends itself to Meunier which accounts for 85% of the vine stock, with 10% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Noir. The average age of the vines is 45 years with one plot due to celebrate its centenary in 2022.

David Bourdaire is the 10th generation of winegrowers but only the third since 1951to be producing his own champagnes. Previously part of the co-operative whereby the village press was used, David constructed his own pressoir ready for the 2002 harvest and with it was granted récoltant status.

The Millésime 2005 consists of 45% Chardonnay and 10% Meunier; both of which were vinified in old Burgundy barrels. Pinot Noir at 45% completes the cuvée which was vinified in stainless steel. It was disgorged without dosage on 5th July 2013 and sealed with a natural cork. Alcohol is at 12% abv.

Glassware used: Lehmann Absolus

Tasted: 18:25 hours, 27th September 2021 (flower/sowing day in the biodynamic calendar)

Appearance: Clear, medium, gold.

Flavour characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary notes of honeysuckle, lemon blossom, Bramley apple peel, baked apple, baked pear, lemon peel, orange peel, orange juice, apricot, mango, chiku, pineapple, pineapple cubes, raspberry compôte, raspberry, bramble, blackcurrant, prunes and baked figs. Secondary aromas consist of toast, vanilla, cloves, smoky, nutmeg, coconut, short crust pastry, mixed berry tart. There are tertiary notes of almond, marzipan, coffee, caramel, dried apricot, marmalade, ginger, hay and honey. The mousse was delicate and the wine had a long finish.    

An excellent, gastronomic wine that is drinking beautifully right now. There is enough primary fruit to suggest this has potential for further ageing but it is probably at its best now where the primary and tertiary notes are balanced harmoniously.

ŒNOTHÈQUE
 
our library of previous champagnes of the month