A (not so late disgorged) Leclerc Briant Millesime 2007

Here’s a prime example of a good Champagne that could be sublime, but just lacks some vitality. Disgorged in December 2015 and I wonder if sitting around in warehouses and shops since has hurt the freshness. Still, it’s a rich and broad shouldered style with strong autolysis and bottle age development, aldehyde and then biting citrus acidity. I find the balance just a little jarring here – the cheesy development is obvious, the style large and full but then the acidity hits hard, before it falls away a little to finish. Still quality, but I expected more. Best drinking: Last year. 17/20, 90/100. $90. Would I buy it? No.