Vintage Tasting 2023

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This years vintage tasting will be on the 6th March 2023 starting at 6pm.

Location of this years event Fora - Borough - Top Floor, 180 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LB

Our function this year will again focus on ‘Vintage Cuvées’ from each of the 16 houses, special vintage that have been created that the house would like to show off.

Here what will be on show this year

Pommery Grand Cru 2004

An unprecedented agronomic yield, excellent maturity and exceptional weight of the bunches of grapes. 

A wine harvest of this exceptional quality could only be achieved through the vigilance of everyone involved and above all patience, the patience to wisely wait a few days before giving the green light to the hordes of grape pickers waiting to go and pick the grapes that contributed to the renown of this Millésime.

On the eye it presents a superb colour imbued with freshness thanks to the pale yellow flourishes with delicate green reflections. The effervescence expresses itself unflaggingly with great panache. 

The tiny bubbles are transformed into veritable magnets and reflectors of light. The desire to taste this Grand Cru becomes more intense. 

On the nose it delivers up all its treasures with the honesty and noblesse worthy of its standing. It opens the door to a highly floral universe where the aromas of beeswax, almost honey-like, are elegantly paired with some notes of dried lemon zest revealing the natural freshness of this wine. Then, ever so gently, the yeasts unleash their riches culminating in creamy, brioche notes.

Bollinger 2014

Tinted with golden glints that reflect the wine's maturity and Bollinger vinification techniques. 

A precise and fruity nose with a slight scent of sea-air. Aromas of cherry and lemon mingle with quince and bergamot. Then notes of hazelnut and almond, peach and mirabelle plum complete this wine's range of aromas. 

The initial sensation is a fine and intense effervescence, followed by a wonderful vinosity, and then balanced with delicate acidity. Its very fine texture and sea-air finish bring excellent length on the palate, accompanied by a delicate minerality and the complex flavours of orchard fruit and citrus. 

This wine unfurls gradually, revealing its full potential and intensity. 

Charles Heidsieck 2012

Deep golden in appearance with generous effervescence. On the nose the aromas are autumnal and warm with notes of praline and lightly toasted hazelnuts.

The palate is rich, as would be expected from a warm and generous vintage, with intense notes of dried apricots, dates and figs.

Full bodied and layered, and lasting on the finish.

This millésime was composed of 11 crus, including the vineyards that form the cornerstones of the house style - Oger, Avize, Vertus and Cramant for Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir from Mailly and Ambonnay.

Piper Heidsieck 2014

Its golden robe recalls the sun's glints gleaming over the Mediterranean Sea. The golden, crystalline bubbles of this lush vintage glow in the glass.

The initial nose delivers fresh citrus notes of lime or tangerine leaves, reminiscent of a summer on the Mediterranean shores. Its solar accents are then enhanced by warm, smoked notes. A touch of almond then offers a voluptuous, vivid vibrancy

In the mouth notes of pomegranate and almond open with the expression of a plush texture of smoked tea or freshly harvested honey, the juice of ripe black cherry and blueberries. The long, silky finish is perfect both as a prelude or the accompaniment to a gourmet meal.

Veuve Clicquot 2012

With grapes exclusively from Grands and Premiers Crus, Pinot Noir dominates the blend (51%) and provides the structure that is so typically Clicquot, followed by Chardonnay (34%) that adds finesse and elegance essential in a perfectly balanced wine, and then Meunier (15%) that rounds out the blend. The uniqueness of the Vintage 2012 lies in the addition of 11% of wines aged in large wooden casks (foudres), bringing strength and aromatic intensity. The cask-aged wines act as spices to the blend, bringing very lightly woody, vanilla and toasted aromas.

To the eye, a bright yellow colour with refined gold hints. Aromas of candied citrus, roasted pears, green hazelnuts and almonds.

On the palate, the attack is fresh and frank. Then appear the first aromas of fruits with mirabelle tart, candied citrus and roasted pears notes. Finally, refreshing notes of green hazelnuts and almonds arise.

Krug 2008

A Krug Vintage is a blend of the most expressive wines from a single year enhanced by a stay of over ten years in the cellars. Every Krug Vintage is different: it is the music of the year, captured by Krug.

At first sight, an intense and brilliant golden hue.

An expressive nose that is rich and ample with patinated aromas of honey, liquorice, menthol, orange peel and grapefruit. 

Vivacious, intense and harmonious with great tension on the palate, expressing notes of quince, candied fruits and citrus,  yellow kiwi, star fruit, honey, apple tart, butter cookies,  orange peel, peony and fennel, with floral and menthol undertones. It has a long, balanced and precise finish with astounding structure.

2008 was one of Champagne's coolest in 14 years, and also one of the region's least sunny in almost half a century. It was a classic northern climate, one that has not been seen much since.

Rainfall was normal, the summer was dry, and temperatures were constant throughout the growing season. This absence of extremes resulted in slow and steady grape maturation. Under these

circumstances, the fruit was intense, elegant and beautifully structured. Heterogeneity in the vines brought great complexity, with a full spectrum flavours and aromas observed upon harvest. 

Moet et Chandon 2015

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015 is marked by a year of tension. The Champagne evokes an awakening, the first rays of a day full of promise. The 76th vintage in the history of the House, Grand Vintage 2015 is distinctive for its brilliance, tender bouquet and enveloping palate.

A tender and vegetal bouquet.

The nose first expresses itself with restraint, subtly hinting a soft and fresh white-green universe. Initial notes of breadcrumbs, fresh brioche and almond paste give way to elderflower and jasmine, then to fruit such as white peach and watermelon. Notes of garrigue at dawn complete the ensemble, a frank and enveloping palate.

The attack on the mouth is direct and confident. The structure is generous, ample and supple, reminiscent of the cotton flower. The enveloping and caressing texture is accompanied by floral, aniseed and mentholated nuances which bring lightness and freshness for such a solar vintage. The finish lingers on a slightly sappy note, with a delicate bitterness evoking fresh almonds.

Generous, ample and supple in structure, reminiscent of the cotton flower. Floral, aniseed and mentholated nuances bring lightness and freshness. The finish lingers on a delicate bitterness evoking fresh almonds.

Ruinart Blanc de Blanc

A distinctive golden yellow colour with subtle green highlights. Its delicate colour is heightened by the transparent bottle. The substantial effervescence and delicate bubbles decorate the glass with a ribbon around its inner edge while revealing an elegant radiance and purity.

On the nose fresh fruit (mostly citrus) combined with aromas of white flowers & white fruits (peach).

Very attractive Blanc de Blancs, pure distinct & clear-cut. Evolves in the mouth, fluctuating between freshness, suppleness & fulness.

Lanson 2012

Despite significant climatic contrasts, 2012 was a miraculous year that produced one of the greatest vintages over the past few decades. The succession of unpredictable weather events, which saw a tough winter with hard frosts combined with a spring where rain alternated with hail, fortunately gave way to fine weather in August. The exceptionally sunny summer enabled the grapes to ripen slowly and perfectly until the harvests mid-September. The relatively modest yields of the 2012 harvest gave concentrated wines.

Generous and intense on the nose, with notes of candied fruit, dried apricots and almonds, punctuated by aromas of acacia honey and sweet spices.

The identity of the 2012 Vintage is revealed on the palate. Density, texture and freshness come together in wonderful harmony. The texture feels generous, offering notes of honey, brioche and dried fruits. The freshness extends and blends delicately into a long and refined finish.

Laurent Perrier 2012

The Vintage is the choice of an exceptional year from which only a selection of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Grands Crus will enter into a future iteration of Grand Siècle. It is a rare and outstanding wine that expresses the character of the year in the Laurent-Perrier style.

The year 2012 is characterized by successive climatic incidents. Firstly there is the winter frost that makes the vine more sensitive. Then comes the spring frost as well as a dozen hail storms causing considerable damage and affecting many areas of the vineyard. Finally a violent thunderstorm accompanied by strong hail breaks out on the 7th of June and destroys large land areas in the surrounding villages. In spite of these climatic incidents the dry, sunny summer allowed for an exceptional ripening of the grapes.

Mumm 2015

Mumm Millésimé 2015 is a pale yellow hue with subtle golden highlights.

The first nose reveals slightly reduced notes, followed by aromas of peach, ripe pear and acacia honey that find wonderful harmony against subtle notes of honeysuckle and kiwi and toasted aromas.

The attack is fresh and expressive, with enticing aromas of blood peaches and ripe pear with honeyed notes. Hints of exotic fruit (kiwi, litchi), honeysuckle and hawthorn precede a finish characterized by toasted aromas and notes of biscuit that bring the wine's balance to utter perfection.

Perrier Jouet 2015

A mild winter was followed by a cool, wet spring which resulted in the late blooming of the vines between 16th and 21st June 2012. The summer was hot and bathed in sunshine from mid-July all the way until the end of the harvest, favouring the maturity of the grapes.

The rain only returned at the end of the harvest period. These excellent conditions produced an ideal balance between sugar and acidity, resulting in a wine of exceptional harmony, with great energy, character and potential.

Taittinger 2015

On the nose, the 2015 Vintage is simultaneously precise, pure and fruity. It abounds in aromatic finesse and good minerality. This lively freshness feeds into a bouquet of white flowers - orange blossom, lime flower and honeysuckle -punctuated by the aroma of fresh fruits like lime and white peach, delicately accompanied by notes of lightly toasted almonds.

On the palate, the attack is full of energy, precise

and focussed. This rich, fruity and smooth sensation, with a

hint of citrus, provides excellent balance between structure

and finesse. Its almost chalky finish caresses the palate with a

long and lingering saline tone.

Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Gold Top 2012

Light golden yellow in colour, it boasts brilliant reflections which afford this wine its full lustre.

The initial impression on the nose is of an aged, open wine with layers of complexity. It has tertiary aromas of toast and vanilla. It gives the impression of being a generous, truly characterful champagne with notes of smoke and brioche.

It feels voluptuous in the mouth. It is full and generous. Its initial flavours are of mocha and candied fruit. Then, gradually, woody notes and hints of dried fruit and hazelnuts begin to emerge. This vintage develops very nicely. It is long lasting on the palate. It is delightfully fresh and lively and it is essentially creamy.

Pol Roger 2015

Brut Vintage 2015 displays a lovely golden hue with silver highlights. The subtle first nose opens with notes of fleshy ethereal hints of rose petals.

Expressive and full of freshness, the bouquet is reminiscent of patisserie, pastries and dried nuts. It then evolves to reveal aromas of honey and apple jelly.

The palate is round and elegant. A slight zesty quality sets off the notes of brioche, patisserie and toast, combined with liquorice and dried nuts.

The silky texture is accompanied by a lovely lingering acidity right through to the finish.

The 2015 vintage brings us a warm and very fine champagne

Louis Roederer is 2015

Deep yellow hue with golden and slightly amber tints and vigorous, lively bubbles. The intense Pinot noir bouquet includes notes of zesty red fruit (redcurrants) and juicy, sun-drenched yellow fruit (mirabelle plums, wild peaches). After aeration, the nose evolves towards the more classic aromas of the Pinot noirs grown in "La Montagne": dried fruit and smoky notes

combined with a few zesty and spicy aromas (white pepper).

The palate is dynamic, concentrated and powerful. The texture is fleshy and vinous with a lovely acidity that incorporates the freshness and concentration of the juice with great ease. The structure is energetic, well-honed, firm and almost classic. The fruity aromas gradually give way to sweeter notes of chocolate (cocoa beans) and even delicate roasted notes. The finish reveals concentrated roasted and stewed fruit underpinned by saline, mouthwatering flavours leaving a magnificent final sensation of lightness, generosity and elegance.