Community Review

Le Mesnil 'Sublime' 2005

Champagne, France

Community Score: 4.1/5
Community Reviews: 2

Sweetness: Dry
Alcohol: 13%

Drink: 2014-2020

Keith Robinson reviewed this wine as follows:

2005 Le Mesnil “Sublime” Grand Cru Brut

Price: $67

Availability: Highlander

Assessed by: Keith Robinson

Tasted: March 2014.

Product Details: Grapes sourced from Grand Cru vineyards of Mesnil sur Oger. 100% Chardonnay. 12.5% Alcohol.

In the Champagne region of France, about 15 kilometres south of the town of Epernay is the tiny, charming village of Mesnil sur Oger. Mesnil sur Oger is famous as the source of Krug's Clos du Mesnil and Champagne Salon.

Grand Cru – unlike Bordeaux, where the producer is rated, or Burgundy, where the vineyard is rated; in Champagne the village is rated. Only 17 villages (about 9% of the total) are rated Grand Cru.

Le Mesnil is a cooperative of dozens of the village's wine farmers. Chardonnay is the only grape planted. “Sublime” is their vintage offering, produced only in the best years. So this wine is both Grand Cru and vintage, a rare find.

Consumer tip: Most wine cooperatives produce generic, bland, lowest-common-denominator products. Le Mesnil is an exception. Their offerings are top drawer at ridiculously low prices for the quality. The challenge is finding them. Oh well, another reason to go to France...

The tasting: To the eye the 2005 “Sublime” shows a lovely light lemon skin. On the nose you are struck by the intense smell of baked bread and apples. Liquid apple fritters! In your mouth the texture is creamy punctuated by the fine sparkling mousse. The wine also shows a nutty, reductive character which I like very much.

Music Pairing: String Quartet Op. 18 #1. Beethoven

When to drink: The ultimate frugal pleasure for the anti-snob. With oysters and someone who desires you for reasons other than your wallet. Or (no kidding) with Chinese take out noodles. The yeasty character will match the soy sauce and the acidity will perfectly balance.

Read Natalie's Full Review

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