Chartogne-Taillet, Couarres Extra Brut

Chartogne-Taillet, Couarres Extra BrutIssuing from the single vineyard site of Les Couarres in Merfy, with sandy and clay rich soils over limestone, this Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blend tends to be one of the most expressive wines in its youth. Yields from this plot of vines are often the most generous and are usually controlled by extensive de budding. In the cellar, Les Couarres is more prone to oxidation than his other wines, so barrels are regularly topped up (in contrast to Les

It takes a little while to find its bearings

but it doesn’t have the same depth as previous vintages

Sappy and pliant on the finish

sultanas and toffee

Far too young

Despite its slender personality

A vivid Champagne

spicy and earthy with background hints of mocha and coffee that are followed by robust

With the 2009

and it is nearly as sublime

The 2007 Vinedo Chadwick has a lot of vanilla-y new oak on the nose although there is plenty of voluptuous black fruit to support it

Well muscled through the mid palate