Some Champagne´s From AR Lenoble

I got an invitation from Valid Wines to meet Christian Holthausen and taste some wines from AR Lenoble. Of course I jumped at the chance, I adore the Chouilly (mostly) bubbles they produce, as seen from some of my previous notes, see below.
Christian held a fetching presentation of the wines and the philosophy behind this small, family owned winery, info here. And he mentioned a newly released 88, my favourite vintage, mmm...

NV Intense Mag 14
The Intense is light and elegant on the nose with notes of lime peel, thai basil, red currants, gravel and summer flowers. High and pure.
The taste is fresh and juicy with notes of lime, gravel, spices and some dried fruits. A very fine acidity. This is for happy everyday drinking. Mag 14 means that the base vintage is 2014. A blend of 45% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay.
89p   (tasted 2018/10)

NV Brut Nature Dosage Zero
I liked the non dosage better last time, see the Tasting lunch with Anne Malassagne below. This time I felt that the nose was very rocky, flinty and a tad one dimensional with notes of shellfish, chalk and cigarette ash.
The taste dry and chalky with notes of the white inside a lime, chrushed rocks and oyster shells. A high acidity. Linear. Could evolve nicely though. Base vintage 2013. 35% Pinot Meinier, 35% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.
86p   (tasted 2018/10)

NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Mag 14
Also with the base vintage of 2014, the Blanc de Blancs is a beauty, with a fresh, racy nose with notes of dried apriocts, freshly washed clothes, lemon cream and some smoky scents. High and fine.
The taste is young, tight and intense with notes of lemon cream, yellow apples, smoke and chalk. Long and refined. Gotta get me some of this.
91p   (tasted 2018/10)

2008 Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
I have tasted the 08 two times before (and have some in the cellar), see below, and this still is, and will continue to be, an awesome bottle of bubbly. The nose is balanced and handsome with notes of white peach, sunwarm asphalt, butter cookies and spices. Very, very fine.
The taste is concentrated, focused and fine with notes of grilled lemons, chalk, smoke and spices. Long and luscious. A really great wine that will go on for 10+ years.
94p   (tasted 2018/10)

2012 Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs Bisseuil
Imagine a Premier Cru Faiveley, Grivot or Confuron - red that is - with bubbles! A stunning nose, vivacious and lively, with spicy Pinot fruit and notes of red beets, autumn leaves, root vegetables and violets. Different and just splendid!
The taste is very young, concentrated and focused with notes of ripe lingonberries, moist earth, a touch of coffee and light licorice notes. Very long, very intense and very, very lovely. Gotta get hold of this one as well!
94p   (tasted 2018/10)

Tasting Lunch With Anne Malassagne
NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs L´Epurée
1996 Grand Cru Bland de Blancs
2008 Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
2004 Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs
2006 Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs
2002 Gentilhomme
2006 Gentilhomme
MV Les Aventures (1990. 1995, 1996)