Gosset Brut ExcellenceChampagneNon-Vintage

Naked Wine Review 112

Wine: Champagne

Grapes: 45% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay & 13% Pinot Meunier 

Producer: Gosset

Vintage: Non-Vintage

Region: France>Champagne

Price: 38.00

Date tasted: 12/21/12

Place tasted: I was at an End of the World, Solstice, Saturnalia, and early (as the world was ending before it) birthday celebration for my BFF. All the big names were there; Richard Brautigan, Lar Xydefub, Kerlopetron Zingwinger, just to name a few. Times like these it's so nice to have a poet, a garden gnome, and an alien physicist around to keep you company. Lar had a few too many and at one point turned poor Kerlopetron into a fish. It was a temporary spell and we all had a good giggle....well, most of us did. Dick even wrote a poem about it. Never dare a garden gnome in front of a mad poet! Lesson learned.

I wish you all laughter and a home filled with kindred spirits, whatever occasion you decide to celebrate. A votre sante!

Served with: Goat cheese stuffed mushrooms with bread crumbs & rosemary; and Smoked salmon & caviar yum yums. It's very versatile and food friendly, so pair with whatever strikes your fancy.

Appearance: Tight bubbles dance up the center of the glass as if playing in deep golden liquid sunshine. 

On the snoot: Subtle sweet floral bouquet with just a hint of pear.

Taste: A crisp citrusy grapefruit with slight mineral etchings brings balance to her soft delicate and somewhat creamy inner nature. Finish has a light juicy elegance with tight little naked bubbles that almost seem to evaporate before tickling down the back of your throat. 

Balance: Beautifully balanced with all the grace and poise of a prima ballerina. Swan Lake comes to mind as I sip and contemplate....

Comments: She's obviously been to finishing school and graduated with honors. I don't have much experience with Champagne but color me smitten and impressed. Try some yourself and ring in the new year in style. 

Here's to you, my dear friends. May we all savour abundant good fortune and rewards for our efforts in the coming year and always...So mote it be!!

Rating: 4 tipsys

Bourgogne La ChapelleNotre-Dame Pinot Noir 10'

Naked Wine Review 111

Wine: P. Dubreuil-Fontaine Bourgogne La Chapelle Notre-Dame

Grape: Pinot Noir

Producer:  P. Dubreuil-Fontaine Pere & Fils

Vintage: 10'

Region: France>Burgundy>La Chapelle Notre-Dame>Bourgogne Controlee

Price: 20.00

Date tasted: 12/12/12

Place tasted: I was in an abandoned tree house in the middle of ol' Grapers back woods. Someone would have asked me if I were alright had I not messed up my trail of bread crumbs. It had snowed on my gold fish earlier which made him happy as he chased the little flakes around his bowl. There was a nice selection of wine in that warm solar-paneled tree house so I chose this French Pinot Noir to sip on as my view expanded over twilights indigo kingdom; crescent moon shining silent and empty on the earths snowy winter facade.

Served with: I had it with baked salmon and miso butter served on a bed of spinach and fresh basil garnished with lemon wedges. 

Fish, chicken, duck, cream sauces, mushrooms, brie...all good choices. Go with subtle flavors to complement the delicate beauty of this wine.

Appearance: A pale clear candy apple red through which a gentle neon orange glow emanates.

On the snoot: Strong powerful floral nose mingling with strawberries and soft wet moss.

Taste: Fruit forward with strawberries, clean and dry. Complexities featuring slight mushroom and sweet earth join the ride in mid palate followed by a slight feather dusting of tannin on the finish which lingers and levitates like a blessing before her final ascension.

Balance: Well balanced, light and dry. She is elegant with colorful complexities, depth of character, and well defined integrity. 

Comments: All good wines go to heaven, and this truly fine Pinot Noir has earned her wings. She tastes like an exotic floral bouquet (and I don't say that to all the wines).

p.s. May you all have a marvelously decadent Solstice & Saturnalia. Exchange garden gnomes, eat human shaped biscuits(good luck getting the one with the bean), drink up the good cheer and drunken naked carol till your cold hard nipples and neighbors can't take anymore. Io! Saturnalia! 

Rating: 4 staggering tipsys!

-A special thank you to CVS Pharmacy in Missoula, MT for their fantastic wine selection and knowledgeable staff. Everyone loves the wine guy!