Champagne Collet Esprit Couture Premier Cru Brut Review
It was dressed up just like its name, to appear as if it were Couture and it certainly left a visual impression. I enjoyed how it sort of melted in my mouth, dissipating slowly and gracefully.
Wine review by: Jessyca Frederick |
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About this Wine
Wine: 2012 Esprit Couture Premier Cru Brut
Blend: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
Dosage: Undisclosed (by law, less than 12 g/L to be called Brut)
Region: 11 different Premier and Grand Crus, Champagne, France
Retail price: $150
I consumed it: November 2022
My source: The Champagne Club by Wine Access
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From this wine club: The Champagne Club by Wine Access
From this winery: Champagne Collet
Wine color/style: Sparkling wine
Grape variety or blend: Champagne
Tasting notes: Lemon, Baking spice, Bright, Brioche, Saline
Other characteristics: Premier cru
Esprit Couture Premier Cru Brut: What I think
I referred to this bottle as The Grand Poobah of the shipment. I call it this, in reference to the Flintstones, which in turn references Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, not just because of its price, but also because of its package. It was dressed up just like its name, to appear as if it were Couture and it certainly left a visual impression. It was included in this shipment of The Champagne Club, I assume, at least in part because 2012 was a spectacular year in Champagne, possibly the best ever vintage (only time will tell).
We very much enjoyed this Champagne, but it didn’t leave us wanting more. I smelled lemon custard and baking spice, and tasted a bright, complex blend of toasted brioche and appreciable salinity. I enjoyed how it sort of melted in my mouth, dissipating slowly and gracefully. There were subtle hints of apple and cinnamon as it warmed up a skosh.
Notice: I hold no formal wine credentials. I am a wine geek who has consumed 1000+ of bottles from 100+ different wine clubs and 1000s more bottles that didn’t come from those wine clubs. I do not accept payment for wine reviews, and I do not accept payments to influence my opinions. I happily accept free wine (and I buy wine).
Why read my wine reviews: Wine taste is subjective. What I like may not be what you like. I try to leave room for you to form your own opinions, so I don’t provide a score or a rating. I do point out wines that are an incredible value or truly not worth the money. I note flaws, wines that don’t have typicity (because this matters if you are buying wine without having tasted it yourself), when wines are out of balance, and when wines lack appropriate body.
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