Champagne Pommery Cuvée Louise (Sparkling white)

2005

Pale yellow gold. Subtly oxidative autolysis on the nose with notes of toasted brioche, rich oxidative ripe fruit, and soft honeyed floral notes, almost honeysuckle and violets, shifting increasingly from floral and herbal to toasty as it opens up. On the palate, first impressions are that the wine is soft and mellow, but firm white citrus and white mineral notes carry the wine through with great length. Showing some age, the acidity is starting to mellow and integrate, with a fine chalky texture and hints of darker blue floral notes coming through on the mid-palate. Loving the progression from smooth easy drinking to something quite weighty and complex. This wine is bold, rich and concentrated, but also restrained with lovely intensity, hints of herb garden and slight pepperiness on the finish. Intensity defines the wine, giving it an amazing gastronomic potential, showing maturity, but certainly not 17 years! Champagne at its best.

Tasted October 2022