NV A. Margaine 1er Cru Demi-Sec Champagne

Marc Hanes

Marc Hanes
From a half bottle I have had for a few years, treated it as the bottle of Champagne to have on reserve in the house ("break in case of emergency" or "hot chick who wants to drink Champagne," both descriptors coeval). Disgorged September 2005. So, been in the fridge for extended periods, traveled a lil bit here and yon. Been almost popped, but then not. Finally decided tonight to chug it, needing more than the usual nightly serving size, as well as fearing its condition.

Well, lucky me. I think this producer does better than most with demi-secs and whatever abuse I may have shown this, it rocked. No official "five minute to read" tasting note but it displays a strong penetrating nose of honey, orange glaze, thick peach, apricot, nectarine fruit, floral musk and even something like mintiness. Full-bodied, no slouch in the acidity department, some bready notes but equally so stone and mineral elements. Elegant, hell no, lots of foam and more apt to hug you than cut you. The floral wisps persist and at times the honey almost seems caramelized. Candied orange peel. Long, lip smacking finish. $17.99 when I bought it at Astor and stupidly this was the only one I bought (having tasted it before in 750ml format and loving it). That's life in the big city I used to live in.
 
"chug", "lip smacking finish," "life in the big city" and "floral wisps." i'd ban them all if I were voting.
 
originally posted by Marc Hanes:
NV A. Margaine 1er Cru Demi-Sec ChampagneFrom a half bottle I have had for a few years, treated it as the bottle of Champagne to have on reserve in the house ("break in case of emergency" or "hot chick who wants to drink Champagne," both descriptors coeval). Disgorged September 2005. So, been in the fridge for extended periods, traveled a lil bit here and yon. Been almost popped, but then not. Finally decided tonight to chug it, needing more than the usual nightly serving size, as well as fearing its condition.

Well, lucky me. I think this producer does better than most with demi-secs and whatever abuse I may have shown this, it rocked. No official "five minute to read" tasting note but it displays a strong penetrating nose of honey, orange glaze, thick peach, apricot, nectarine fruit, floral musk and even something like mintiness. Full-bodied, no slouch in the acidity department, some bready notes but equally so stone and mineral elements. Elegant, hell no, lots of foam and more apt to hug you than cut you. The floral wisps persist and at times the honey almost seems caramelized. Candied orange peel. Long, lip smacking finish. $17.99 when I bought it at Astor and stupidly this was the only one I bought (having tasted it before in 750ml format and loving it). That's life in the big city I used to live in.

Great to see you here! Agree on the wine, probably the best demi-sec I've had. Not that I have wide experience in this regard since IIRC only the Moet Nectar Imperial is imported into the US.
 
originally posted by Chris Coad:
Jay, you can't get Asti Spumante where you live?

One of the few things I can get.

But seriously a new wine store opened on Jersey Ave which is way overpriced but carries a bunch of Chadderdon wines including one Huet (an '05 sec, don't recall which one).
 
Back
Top