2003 Tarlant La Vigne Royale Blanc de Noirs

The 2003 Brut Nature Vigne Royale, disgorged with no dosage in this, its final bottling, is now fully mature. Orange zest, hazelnut, spice, candied fruit and brioche are some of the signatures. All things considered, the 2003 has aged well, but its time has also come. Disgorged: November 2015.

Disgorged in December 2015, the NV La Vigne Royal Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature is 100% Pinot Noir harvested exclusively in 2003. It's a dry, elegant, full-bodied and complex Champagne, with lots of finesse and freshness, but also great purity. Very good length. Nice maturity.

The 2003 Extra Brut La Vigne Royale, 100% Pinot Noir done in oak, is one of Tarlant's more resolved 2003s in that the textures are soft, supple and moving towards being fully resolved, all of which make the 2003 an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years. Hints of almond, hazelnut, dried pear, smoke and game add nuance on the supple finish. While still a very pretty wine, the 2003 has either evolved at a fast pace over the last six months or this is not a great bottle, as other examples have been quite a bit more compelling. Disgorged December 20, 2014. Dosage is 1.7 grams/liter.