2008 Vouette et Sorbee Fidele Extra Brut

The 2008 Fidele emerges from the glass with sweet red berries, flowers and mint. It reveals gorgeous transparency through to the crystalline finish. White flowers and minerals are nicely layered on the close. The Fidele is round, pretty and just dazzling in every way. Fidele is 100% Pinot Noir. This is Lot 4-10-10 R 08. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. I was thrilled with the wines I tasted from Vouette et Sorbee this year. The wines have often been great, but the estate’s Achilles heel has been consistency. I hope these wines signal a level the estate will be able to maintain, because the world needs these wines, and needs them to be truly great. Like many artisan Champagnes, the Vouette et Sorbee are wines first and foremost. They should be opened in advance, given some air and served in regular white wine glasses, never flutes. All of the wines are fermented in barrel, using only indigenous yeasts. There is no cold stabilization, fining or filtering and the wines are bottled with no dosage. When the wines are on, they are among the most exciting wines being made in Champagne. Importer: Domaine Select, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799