Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
Happy New Year! This is the best week of the year for bubbles! I am an avid fan of sparkling wine of all shapes and sizes. Here are several of my favorites that you may want to ‘POP’ at your house this New Year’s Eve. This has been a spectacular year for me and I hope you all have enjoyed this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it for you. I will be available through email if you have any questions or needs. THANK YOU!
Jean Pierre Marniquet Prestige Brut 1995 (MY TOP PICK OF THE YEAR)
Champagne, France
Cash Price $99.74
Pinot Meunier gives the bubbles a refreshing youthfulness of vibrant fruit and texture. Red fruits are prevalent and consistent through the tight bubbles. Butter, brioche, mushrooms, hazelnuts, citrus, bready, baked confection with medium plus acids. Button mushroom, cellar door, toast, cream, vanilla. Truly developed. Deliciously bone dry. Absolutely Stunning. ONLY 2 BOTTLES LEFT! James Score: 98+
Marcel Moineaux Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc N/V
Champagne, France
Cash Price $39.89
100% Chardonnay that offers complex flavors of brioche, confection, and toasted almonds that are encompassed by zesty acidity and tight bubbles. Notes of citrus, green apples, and lemon show into a key lime pie finish. I paired this yesterday with scratch chicken nuggets and homemade mac n cheese. It was divine. James Score 93+
Michel Mailliard ‘Cuvee Alexia’ Brut Rose N/V
Champagne, France
Cash Price $49.99
This Bubbly is a veritable fruit cocktail with clean, delicious sparkles. Flavors of strawberry, raspberry and bing cherries explode in the palate. The mid palate shows fleshy citrus fruits that are encompassed by a rich, creamy complexity that mellows into touches of dark chocolate and rose petals. WOW! James Score 94+ Points
Chateau de Breze Cremant de Loire Rose N/V
Loire Valley, France
Cash Price $17.99
Breze is 100% Cabernet Franc (you all know I love Cab Franc!) and delightfully refreshing. I happened upon this gem at lunch this past month. Fresh and popping flavors of wild red cherries, limeade, and fleshy cranberries dance through stunningly refreshing acidity. Yum! James Score: 90 Points
James C. Barlow
Certified Wine Educator
Certified Sommelier
The Wine Epicure by James Barlow 
James,
I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all the information you share with everyone during the year. My wife and I truly enjoy reading your emails and learning about new wines (even though I don’t drink).
I hope you have a wonderful and safe New Year. We are in Germany transiting to Italy for the week. I’ll bring you back some of this years olive oil.
All the best,
Ryan
Sent from my iPhone
>