Champagne Laurent-Perrier’s Post

Dom Perignon P2 2000 Dom Pérignon was the 17th century Benedictine monk who has gone down in history as the person who "invented" Champagne. His name was originally registered by Eugène Mercier. He sold the brand name to Moët & Chandon, which used it as the name for its prestige cuvée, which was first released in 1937. A rigorous selection process in both the vineyard and winery ensures that only the best grapes go into Dom Pérignon champagne. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are used in roughly equal proportions without one variety dominating the other. There are three plenitudes in the life of a given vintage: the first plenitude spans between seven to eight years after the vintage, which is when Dom Pérignon Vintage is released, while the second one arrives between 12 and 15 years – which was previously the first oenothèque release, but from now will be branded as P2. The third window comes after around 30 years, when the Champagne has spent more than 20 years on its lees, which will now be termed as P3.

The 747 is the new release for Jacquesson's 2024 'Programme,' as they call it. The 700 series represents an interesting approach to non-vintage Champagnes, aiming to release the best cuvée each year anew and no longer adhering to a specific style. The logic behind this decision is apparently that the 700 series represents the best cuvée produced in a given year, and therefore, another cuvée with the same vintage cannot be released. Champagne has a terroir character, which, as a natural product, varies from vintage to vintage, origin, and growing conditions. It focuses on the distinct personality of a vintage, which is then stylistically complemented by noble reserve wines from older vintages. The 742 DT is the second new release for Jacquesson's 2024 'Programme. The 700 series Dégorgement Tardif DT : Since Jacquesson has moved to the philosophy of only releasing the 700 series wine every year, they decided to hold some back each year for an extended aging period on the lees with natural cork (sous-liège) and to release this wine as "Dégorgement Tardif" 5 years later.  Dizy Terres Rouges 2015 is the only lieu-dit new release for Jacquesson's 2024 'Programme. The lieu-dit (single-vineyard) line-up: Jacquesson also produces tiny quantities of its terroir-based cuvées, each from a unique parcel of vines. These Champagnes showcase some of the region’s finest terroirs and is a must buy for collectors and anyone interested in the terroir of Champagne, demonstrating an extraordinary vinosity and expression of place. Now available at the-champagne.ch Zürcher-Gehrig AG since 1987

Chateau d’Armailhac 2009 & 2012: The colour is in both cases medium ruby. On the nose also pretty similar. Both display an aroma of herbs, red and black berries, with the addition of leather and tobacco for the 2009, and coffee and chocolate for the 2012. In the mouth they are both very elegant. The tannins of the 2012 are edgier. The aftertaste medium long in both cases. This the first impression, with the bottles just opened. After a while, the superiority of the 2009 vintage clearly shows off. In fact, 2009 was a great year for Bordeaux, while the 2012 is considered a classic vintage. The 2009 vintage is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The 2012 is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Château Mouton d’Armailhacq was classified as a Fifth Growth in the famous 1855 classification drawn up by Bordeaux wine brokers. Count Adrien de Ferrand, "son-in-law of Armailhacq", acquired the estate in 1878. Following the difficulties created by mildew, phylloxera, WWI and the 1929 crash, in 1930 some Médoc’s Chateaux were auctioned or sold off cheaply. In this financially difficult context for the entire vineyard, in 1931 the Count of Ferrand created the “Société anonyme du Domaine de Mouton d'Armailhacq”. A back then young Baron Philippe de Rothschild became a minority shareholder. In 1933 he bought all the shares. In 1956 Mouton d’Armailhacq was renamed Mouton Baron Philippe, then Mouton Baronne Philippe until the vintage 1988. In 1989 Baroness Philippine decided to restore Mouton d’Armailhacq to its original identity and renamed it Château d’Armailhac. I bought both wines En Primeur. I paid 39.20 EUR for the 2012 and 46.80 EUR for the 2009. Nowadays they sell for 60 EUR ( 50%), respectively 80 EUR ( 70%). An appreciation of roughly 3.8% a year each.