2005 Amour de Deutz

Completely made from Chardonnay grapes sourced in the Grand Crus of Avize (60%), le Mesnil-sur-Oger (35%) and Villers-Marmery (5%), the brilliantly citrus colored 2005 Amour de Deutz Brut offers an intense though precise and elegant, well balanced bouquet of lemon and, initially, earthy-herbal and yeasty aromas which slowly make way to pineapple and white-fleshed peach flavors along with some hints of Brazil nut on a complex mineral background. Full-bodied, clear and elegant on the palate and with the straight, Deutz-typical raciness, the earthy flavors are initially repeated whereas the fruit seems better hidden than the sweetness (that seems to be on the edge of Brut here). However, with a lot of aeration the pineapple fruit complex assumes the lead but the wine is less focused and transparent than in the beautiful 2008 Blanc de Blancs or in the new Amour de Deutz Rosé from the 2006 vintage. Not fully convinced of the performance in this tasting, I will be tasting another bottle of Deutz's white Prestige Cuvée 2005 for part two of my Champagne tastings.

(100% chardonnay grown in Le Mesnil, Avize and Villers-Marmery; disgorged October 12, 2011; LA109D29111): Bright yellow-gold. A heady, complex bouquet evokes dried citrus fruits, quince, white flowers and iodine, with a hint of truffle in the background. Shows both power and finesse, offering lively Meyer lemon, orange pith and fresh fig flavors. The floral quality builds with air and carries through a very long, mineral-accented finish.

Completely made from Chardonnay grapes sourced in the Grand Crus of Avize (60%), le Mesnil-sur-Oger (35%) and Villers-Marmery (5%), the brilliantly citrus colored 2005 Amour de Deutz Brut offers an intense though precise and elegant, well balanced bouquet of lemon and, initially, earthy-herbal and yeasty aromas which slowly make way to pineapple and white-fleshed peach flavors along with some hints of Brazil nut on a complex mineral background. Full-bodied, clear and elegant on the palate and with the straight, Deutz-typical raciness, the earthy flavors are initially repeated whereas the fruit seems better hidden than the sweetness (that seems to be on the edge of Brut here). However, with a lot of aeration the pineapple fruit complex assumes the lead but the wine is less focused and transparent than in the beautiful 2008 Blanc de Blancs or in the new Amour de Deutz Rosé from the 2006 vintage. Not fully convinced of the performance in this tasting, I will be tasting another bottle of Deutz's white Prestige Cuvée 2005 for part two of my Champagne tastings. eRobertParker.com.November, 2014