Deutz 'Cuvee William Deutz' Millesime 1999 Brut Champagne (750ml)

Thanks to Xiao P for sharing nice bubbly & photos!

Tasted in April, 2014

Served upon uncorking.

Smooth, overt tones of ripe apple, apricot, hawthorn & fig with sour cream & spice greet the nose first, soon overtaken by penetrating mineral scents mingled with toasted bread, nut & a charming touch of tobacco. Actually the aromas evolve rather quickly in the glass, but the refinement & detail are unmistakable.

The palate shows immediate, overt fullness & weight, with tons of juiciest red citrus, red apple & hawthorn and mouthwatering ripe acidity. But such is the windfall ripeness of the dominant Pinot that one can't help wondering how long this wine can hold.

2nd pour around 15 minutes after uncorking, the full, windfall ripe Pinot seems to have vanished into thin air, while the linear, poised, mineral Chardonnay has its run now, with vivacious mousse and detailed nuances of toast, nut & toffee. A classic episode of poise & finesse.

But shortly afterwards, the overt fullness & ripeness of Pinot come back again, and this round the wine quickly loses the foothold.

Cuvee William Deutz 99 surely demonstrates the stuff & refinement of its class, but due to  limitation of the vintage, it does not hold long enough (drinkability around half an hour)... 

Drink up now. Do not keep.