I came across Champagne Tarlant during a trade tasting organised by their UK importers / agents Charles Taylor Wines. I hadnt come across Tarlant before and the five Champagnes I tried on the day were singularly superb and I can heartily recommend every single one of them. I dont know where you can find them retail; I'm sure their UK agents, Charles Taylor, will help you. Apologies for the poor picture quality.
Champagne Tarlant Brut Zero Nature
B+
Good freshness; plenty of vibrantacidity but it isnt overdone / piercing, just fresh and steely. Slight bready / brioche nose; focused and nervy.
Champagne Tarlant Reserve Brut
B+
An equal blend of Chard / Pinot Noir / Pinot Meunier, mostly from the 2006 vintage, dosage 6g/l.
Slightly nutty / oxidised on the nose, more secondary notes of yeast and bread; fatness on the palate, good acididty still but its wider and isnt as linear as the Brut Zero. Well balanced.
Champagne Tarlant Tradition Brut
A-
Only 6% Chardonnay, remainder predominantly Pinot Noir; mostly 2004 vintage, dosage 6g/l.
Rich flavours; theres bready and yeasty notes; but the mouthfeel is very plush and rounded, decent weight too; very seductive style; all tempered by a nervy, focused acidity. Such purity and generosity of fruit showing; really love this style.
Champagne Tarlant 2000 Vintage Cuvee Prestige
A-
Golden in colour; nose is developed with bready and brioche notes, along with a slight oxidised note; also quite creamy / buttery. Palate is generous, perhaps a touch savoury; much more nerve and backbone here; not as plush but has longer, persistent finish; more structured and grown up. Complex, very composed.
Champagne Tarlant Cuvee Louis
A
From one single plot 'Les Crayons' in Oeuilly; equal split Chardonnay / Pinot Noir; blend of vintages 96, 97, 98; dosaged at 3g/l.
Nutty and creamy on the nose, with oxidative notes. Rich flavours, quite nutty, fat generous acidity, such presence and complexity on the palate; great concentration and weight, really makes you linger and mull over it; very very long finish. Exceedingly gentle mousse, just reminding you its a Champagne not an aged Grand Cru Burgundy. Unusual style, but astonishingly good.
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