Pascal Bardoux’s Traditionnel and Rosé Champagnes will be featured in this Sunday’s September Futures notes, but not his Vintage cuvée. Bardoux skips years he thinks don’t deserve the “Millesimé” label, and 2011 didn’t meet his lofty standards.
We tried to purchase more of his exceptional 2010 Millesimé cuvée, but there’s none left to buy. After sustaining a 45% loss to his 2010 crop from bad weather and winning several awards from renowned journals, we’re left with only our current warehouse stock.
But we can’t say we’re surprised — the 2010 Blanc de Blancs is extraordinary wine. Bardoux produced only 300 cases, and when a wine is this good we’re rarely the only ones to notice.
Bardoux’s 2010 Champagne Millesimé is his first 100% blanc de blancs. It’s all chardonnay, and comes with an impressive collection of accolades. The Guide Hachette awarded a Coup de Coeur, finding it “rich, silky, and fresh.” It also won gold at the prestigious Effervescents du Monde competition, where it placed 8th in a field of 548 sparkling wines.
More than any other Bardoux wine, this cuvée distinguishes Champagne as head and shoulders above other sparkling wine. The nose shows anise, pomegranate and cream, with a subtle toastiness that’s both charming and serious. The mouth is smooth and long, with very fine bubbles, and notes of quince, grape skins, peach and plums.
Bardoux’s Traditionnel and Rosé are delicious, and at under $45/bot in Futures they’re a steal. But when the moment calls for something unusually special, try one of the last few of these 2010s — whomever you’re sharing it with will thank you.
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Bardoux Champagne Millesimé 2010
bottle price : $75
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON ANY 12 BOTTLES