Winery - Duval-Leroy
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Finely balanced, crisp and clean, a pure delight. The wine has a delicious swathe of fresh strawberry and pink grapefruit, in a style that is wine-y, ready for food. The final acidity is soft, but always fresh.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Duval-Leroy has its finger on the consumer hot button; this is what most people conjure up in their mental palate when the word Champagne pops up. Full, almost fleshy, and richly delicious, this is not the most complex or elegant bottle. But in terms of delivering big, friendly flavor at a fair price, this is the one to beat. I particularly like the way the wine continues to evolve on the back palate; it doesn’t just sit there and grin at you. It smoothly rides into a toasty sunset, waving its big hat.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
It is appropriate that Duval-Leroy has Femme as its top wine, since the company is run by one of the legendary “Champagne widows” Carol Duval-Leroy. This wine is an indication of the great quality now coming from this producer. It’s an elegant wine, dominated by Chardonnay, with intense green fruits, a fine structure, no sign at all of aging. With the wine this fresh it could probably age another 5–10 years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Designed as a dessert Champagne, this is made from 100% Pinot Noir, giving a soft, raspberry-ade style of wine, and soft, ripe red fruits. It has softness, rather than great sweetness, but it certainly works with the berry fruits.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Hay, nutmeg and sourdough are aromatic partners to the toasty char and cheese flavors. Although a bit frothy, the flinty acidity and dry finish leave the palate clean and refreshed. This is young, mainstream and tasty.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Much drier than many non-vintage Champagnes, this is full of crisp grapefruit flavors, lively green fruits, and a touch of bready yeast. It is a deliciously fresh wine, dancing across the palate.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
As they begin to mature, it’s good to be reminded of the 1996 vintage. The initial austerity is now blossoming into finely balanced wines, even though the acidity is always going to be a dominant factor. This wine is still young, in fact, still with its fresh fruits, only just showing some mineral and toast character. Age for 10 years or more.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The name indicates that this Champagne gets its delicate onion skin pink from the grape skins and not the addition of red wine, as with most rosé Champagnes. Does this make it any better? It’s certainly a well integrated wine, the berry fruits very much part of the overall richness and, the acidity in a great supporting role.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A wonderful discovery, spicy and pungent, with forward, very fresh and pretty aromas of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry fruit. Vivid, vivacious and very nicely balanced, this wine invites sip after delicious sip with its lively, crisp finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Some gunmetal scents are followed by flavors of ripe fruit, just bordering on overripe. Definitely a California style, with early signs of oxidation making for a fleshy, forward, succulently fruity wine. Ready to go right now.
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