NV Taittinger Brut La Française Champagne

This is the real deal. It’s not Sparkling Wine but actual Champagne from the Champagne region of France. Since 1932, this house in the heart of Reims has delivered an innovative style that conveys quality, elegance and freshness.  This is a medium-bodied cuvee with rich flavors of apple, lemon, toast and spice. It finishes long and firm with a hint of minerality. Brut champagne pairs well with salty or delicately sauced fish, so caviar, smoked trout or salmon would go well. Lightly spiced Asian dishes would also work as would crab cakes or scallops with a citrus beurre blanc sauce. Classic flavors with a comeback for more finish, you can assure your status as a wine connoisseur even if you show up late with this wine.

Rating: Excellent (90) | $40 | 12.0% ABV

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2005 Domaine Carneros Blanc de Blancs Carneros Le Rêve

Come Valentine’s Day if you want to be living the dream you need to get yourself a bottle of this Blanc de Blancs made from certified organic estate grown Chardonnay. It is made from Domaine Carneros, the USA outpost of famed French Champagne house Tattinger. The Carneros AVA of Napa County is one of the few locations here in the United States that produces Sparkling wine on par with the quality of real Champagne.  This wine opens with aromas of freshly baked buttery bread and freshly roasted Marcona almonds with a decadent citrusy mist wafting from your champagne flute.  The flavors are definitely reminiscent of wines from Epernay or Reims but maybe even more sophisticated.  This wine exudes opulence. The flavors of ripe pear and freshly ground cinnamon stick are plush and complex delivering layer after layer of flavor. The finish blends balanced acidity with a refreshing and sexy texture beckoning to take one more sip. Sparkling wine is very versatile when it comes to matching food. This would pair up great with Lobster or King Crab in a drawn butter, Dover Sole, or any white fleshed fish with a lemon butter sauce would be dreamy. Sounds like a great Valentine’s Day dinner (Hint Hint!)

Excellent (93) | $95 | 12.0% ABV

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