Cuvee Louise Brut 1996 by Champagne Pommery, 75cl bottle

Tasted on July 26, 2008

Venue: "海石榴"日本料理

Pale gold with green hints. Subtle effervescence with very fine bubbles.

Elegant and charming floral notes gradually gave way to refreshing apple and

comforting/calming raspberry.

Fresh, gentle and delicate on the palate, with surprisingly tamed acidity for a 1996 vintage! To be enjoyed on its own for romantic moments. But it's apparently young with some raw elements yet to be integrated. Will have to wait for 5 to 8 years for more integration and complexity. 

This one will age gracefully.    

Another tasting in end Oct., 2009:

Still very pale in color with reflections of jade. Truly refined, almost 'smoky' effervescence, but not persistent enough (I think this has to do with the not-so-good storage condition of this bottle previously...)

The nose is rather restrained and discreet: firstly grass and almond, then hints of burnt toast and spice(white pepper), gradually evolves towards roasted hazelnut and milk butter, with only slightest hint of acacia honey.

The palate is light-bodied, soft and polished, actually a bit too polished...yet under such uneventful surface, it has built up a serious hazelnutty depth which is textbook stuff without doubt. The fruit is still young but lean, with lime and lemon zest lingering on the aftertaste...The left-over drops in the glass started to take on a lovely coffee tone, after 1.5 hours from uncorking, which promises the future for a sound bottle.