CHAMPAGNE

Krug 2006 is composed of 45% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier and shows an impressive aromatic richness of white flowers, smoke and toasted hazelnuts. There’s both density and crystalline texture here, with... Read More

The NV (2019) Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru was harvested in Chouilly Cramant Avize Oger and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The nose brims deliciously with lemon cold sour cream butter and raw short crust pastry. The palate is rounded... Read More

The NV Brut Origine was harvested in Fèrebrianges Etoges and Congy and is a blend of 70% Chardonnay 20% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier based on 2021 partially fermented in small oak with 30% reserve wines. Mirabelle ripeness... Read More

Renoir's 2018 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Montants has turned out very well bursting with aromas of pear white flowers verbena buttery pastry and hazelnuts. Full-bodied broad and muscular its textural attack segues... Read More

A new cuvée in Renoir's range debuts with the NV Extra-Brut Grand Cru Le Cépage (2019 base) produced from Pinot Noir grown in Verzy and emphasizing the more saline mineral expression of that variety in this village. Delivering... Read More

The NV (2019) Initiation a blend of 77% Pinot Meunier and 23% Pinot Noir from two parcels in Fossoy is a fine entry-level offering. Dried flowers mint spice and ginger all grace this attractive mid-weight Champagne. There is a... Read More

The Brut Reserve is a light fine and harmonious champagne. Its blend is made with Pinot Noir Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier from three different years sourced from the best sites in the Champagne region.

The Brut Reserve presents... Read More

Billecart-Salmon's 2016 vintage continues the house's drive to creatively lower dosage levels coming in with just 1.9g/L in this year of extreme weather. The 2016 will be at its best from mid-2024 but is already showing... Read More

This has a lovely copper color with aromas of cloves spiced apples raspberries gingerbread and pastries. Delicious yeasty and spicy undertones. Excellent density and focus with fine and firm bubbles yet it’s light on its feet... Read More

A full-bodied sparkling with sliced cooked pears and apples. Dusty chalk and some mineral and stone undertones. Full-bodied with firmness and tightness at the end. Linear and compact on the palate. Tangy finish. Drink or hold.... Read More

Attractive salmon color with aromas of dried strawberries and lemons, as well as hints of flowers. Full-bodied with tight tension from the fine phenolics that run through the palate. Hints of white pepper, peaches and sliced green... Read More

Attractive salmon color with aromas of dried strawberries and lemons, as well as hints of flowers. Full-bodied with tight tension from the fine phenolics that run through the palate. Hints of white pepper, peaches and sliced green... Read More

Baked raspberries, salted yellow plums, figs, walnuts, orange zest, mahogany and some toasted vanilla on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with beautifully integrated, very fine bubbles. Dry, with exciting and unique white-pepper... Read More

The 2009 Champagne Blanc De Blancs Louis Salmon Brut comes from Mesnil Cramant and Chouilly and was all fermented in stainless steel tank. Since 2009 was a warmer vintage they did not use wood as they were looking to preserve... Read More

The 2008 Champagne La Grande Année is another brilliant 2008 that delivers the goods. Straight-up awesome notes of stone fruits, white flowers, honeysuckle, and an incredible, liquid rock-like minerality all emerge from... Read More

Raised entirely in barrel, the 2014 Champagne La Grande Année Brut is all about finesse and capturing the cool, mineral tension and floral notes of the vintage. Enhancing those qualities, a bit higher proportion of Chardonnay... Read More

Enticing fragrant aromas of toast lemon zest and an earthy-smoky nuance lead to a palate of subtle Bosc-pear mango papaya even pineapple flavors. Lifted by fresh acidity on the medium-bodied palate the wine keeps unfolding in... Read More

The NV PN AYC 2018 is the newest edition in Bollinger’s range of single village-based Champagnes a series of wines created by former Chef de Caves Gilles Descôtes who passed away earlier this year. Tense and vibrant with notable... Read More

Strong golden yellow with silver reflections and a very persistent fine mousse. Fine nuances of yellow plum and gooseberries a touch of pickled cherry a touch of bakery almond and walnut smokey savouriness nuances of citrus and... Read More

There is an apparent paradox with concentration and movement vying for ascendancy. The structure of the wine is tense and assertive. Its energy almost tactile is contained for a moment before vibrating and exploding. Its opulence... Read More

The NV (2019) Brut Cuvée Ste.-Anne is fabulous. Rich, ample and layered, the Brut Cuvée Ste.-Anne hits all the right notes. I especially admire its vinous intensity and overall resonance. Dried pear, flowers mint,... Read More

A blend of the six Grand Cru villages of the Cote de Blancs, with 6.5 grams per liter dosage, the 2014 Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut is fresh and precise, with aromas of vibrant green apple, pleasant reduction with flint, and... Read More

Effusive and fleshy the 2016 Champagne Millésime Brut pours a medium-golden hue and offers forward aromas of golden apple ginger and honeyed citrus. Medium to full-bodied it’s expansive on the palate with a pithy texture and... Read More

The 2015 Dom Pérignon is terrific. Bright and poised, the 2015 shows terrific energy. Citrus peel, white flowers, mint, white pepper and slate all race across the palate. There's gorgeous tension and backbone here,... Read More

A firm and vivid Champagne with a precise focused palate. Full-bodied and dry. It’s very layered and bright with light pineapple peach praline cooked-apple and stone aromas and flavors. It’s very subtle and focused at the... Read More

A driven and serious DP with aromas of chalk biscuits apricot stones a

2015 is unusually giving and luscious at this early stage full of apricot pastry bittersweet orange citrus and bitter almond brightened by some pithy herbal characters that signal the year’s singular growing season yet also... Read More

The 2009 Dom Pérignon Rosé marks a return to a richer style of Rosé following the more ethereal 2008 Rosé. Sweet red cherry blood orange spice and pomegranate all build in a creamy sensual DP Rosé that hits all the right... Read More

And so from P1 methuselah to P2, which for Geoffroy ‘goes beyond Champagne’. P2, he continues, must be ‘deeper, richer, longer…better than P1' - otherwise why release it? Well, they haven't yet,... Read More

And so from P1 methuselah to P2 which for Geoffroy ‘goes beyond Champagne’. P2 he continues must be ‘deeper richer longer…better than P1' - otherwise... Read More

The P2 late-release concept does seem to work wonders with riper heavier vintages and 2006 is no exception. The sheer fruitiness of orange confit juicy stone fruit mango and roasted citrus has quietened a little into an integrated... Read More

The 2016 Champagne Côte Grand Cru pours a youthful straw hue and opens to aromas of fresh flowers yellow pear and Meyer lemon. Focused and more linear in its profile it has a refined and creamy mousse and a stony chalky texture.... Read More

From Mesnil sur Oger the 2017 Champagne Côte Grand Cru pours a bright straw hue and is aromatic with notes of yellow apple and chalky stones. The palate is very long with a silky chalk texture as well as notes of lemon balm.... Read More

The 2016 Champagne Cote is bright effusive and charming right out of the gate. Apricot white flowers mint tangerine oil and marzipan are nicely pushed forward in this soft open-knit Champagne from vines in Cramant. Drink it over... Read More

This is supple with a vinous quality to the harmonious range of black cherry and apricot fruit backed by hints of blood orange peel chalk graphite and fragrant spices. There’s a raw silk–like feel to the mousse and a clean-cut... Read More

Coming exclusively from other wine growers the NV Champagne Vallée Premier Cru is 70% Pinot 20% Chardonnay and 10% Meunier with 2015 as the base. It’s expressive with ripe aromas of tangerine savory broth and ripe nectarine... Read More

The NV Extra Brut V.P. Grand Cru (Vieillissement Prolongé) is a rich textured Champagne that expresses all of the natural intensity gained after having spent eight years on its lees. Baked apple tart pastry spice chamomile... Read More

The NV Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Crayeres Grand Cru explodes from the glass with a range of Pinot aromas and flavors that is just breathtaking. Bright acids and beams of saline intensity offer striking contrast. Even though it has... Read More

Just being released now, the 2008 Brut Millésime Grand Cru is quite possibly the most elegant, most refined Champagne I have ever tasted at Egly-Ouriet. Francis Egly captures the freshness and verve of 2008 as expressed... Read More

Powerful and vinous in the glass the Boulard's NV Brut Nature Petraea shows the natural radiance of the 2012 vintage off to great effect. Dried flowers mint orchard fruit and lemon confit all infuse the Petraea with notable... Read More

"White truffle and Parmesan cheese hints on the nose as well as a deeply golden hue hint at the depth and complexity of this statuesque Champagne. Softly creamy in texture with the fine china–like acidity and a streak of salinity... Read More

The ninth time the Celebris has been produced in over 400 years the 2012 Champagne Celebris is exceptional with layered complexity in its aromas of quince fresh apple blossoms and pure honey without being oxidative. Medium to... Read More

A bright straw/silver hue the 2015 Champagne Brut does a great job at retaining the fresher side of the vintage offering up notes of cherry blossom fresh nectarine and fresh almond. It’s medium to full-bodied and although it... Read More

The NV Extra-Brut Cuvée No. 742 Dégorgement Tardif (2014 base) is another terrific wine from Jacquesson. Now at its first plateau of maturity this is an exotic beauty. Kirsch ginger spice menthol licorice and dried herbs build... Read More

The new release of Jacquesson “Cuvée 744� Extra Brut from the Chiquet family is from the base year of 2016 and was disgorged in January of 2021. It was finished with a micro dosage of .75 grams per liter. It is hard to believe... Read More

Based on the generous 2018 vintage the 746 fills the glass with a pale pink nuclear explosion of fine bubbles forming columns of visible freshness. A blend of 60% Chardonnay 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier it is perfumed... Read More

A structured and creamy-textured Jacquesson NV with a very fine-bubble texture and lovely polish. It's medium- to full-bodied with length and sophistication in a friendly and approachable way. Yet there is something that tells... Read More

A very charismatic fresh nose promise of natural intensity and elegance with strong presence of fruits fruits of all types. A diverse bouquet of orange aromas with some notes of liquorice and light chocolate biscuit can be enjoyed.... Read More

This bottle spent at least 13 years in Krug’s cellars receiving its cork in spring 2016. Composed of a selection of the year’s most characterful wines Krug 2004 is the expression of the year... Read More

The 2008 Krug Vintage is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of this year and it is going to be a stunning year for this iconic bottling so start making plans early. Cellar Master Julie Cavil notes that 2008 was a classical... Read More

Because 2011 was a challenging vintage for Champagne it would be very easy to over-generalize as many readers may have had less than ideal experiences elsewhere. But Krug’s 2011 Champagne Millesime Brut is not... Read More

Bright, radiant golden yellow with silver reflections and a very fine, lively mousse. The bouquet opens with white flowers, ripe apple and lime zest. Underneath, there is some light nougat and herbs, a touch of kumquat; with more... Read More

Singly and emphatically the greatest Champagne release of recent years. Grand malic acidity of dizzyingly heightened proportions is swept up in an immense, all-consuming tidal wave of frothing, sea-salt minerality, crashing with... Read More

The first aromatic impression is surprisingly floral in the context of such a hot vintage and then evolves to reveal elements of menthol liquorice and yellow fruit. With aeration the bouquet blossoms to reveal increasing complexity... Read More

The 2008 vintage of Clos du Mesnil is slated to be released in September of this year. I was fortunate to have a chance to preview the wine during Krug’s Cellar Master Julie Cavil’s recent visit to New York. As readers may... Read More

To the delight of Krug Lovers around the world, a very limited number of Krug Vintage bottles are kept in ideal conditions in the House’s cellars. They are tasted and appraised as they wait to blossom into a second life.... Read More

The tightness and tension of this is impressive considering the youngest wine from this is 2015 (hot and dry year) with some wines going back to 2000. Ginger and orange zest. Some creme brulee. It's medium-bodied with apple... Read More

The tightness and tension of this is impressive considering the youngest wine from this is 2015 (hot and dry year) with some wines going back to 2000. Ginger and orange zest. Some creme brulee. It's medium-bodied with apple... Read More

The 172ème édition based around the 2016 vintage is a delicate floral and saline Grande Cuvée at this early stage in its life. The palate it taut tightly wound gradually unfurling into toasted fruit bread rye bread and roasted... Read More

The 2013 Extra Brut Les Empreintes is a wine of extraordinary beauty. Vivid and precise the 2013 is just so expressive today. The blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir works beautifully here. Like so many of the wines in this tasting... Read More

The 2018 Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Longues Voyes 1er Cru, 100% Pinot Noir, is the most engaging of the three parcellaire wines today. Aromatic, deep and exquisitely layered, the Longues Voyes is super-expressive today. Crushed... Read More

The 2018 Extra Brut Vignes d’Autrefois is a selection of 100% Meunier sourced from vines planted between 1947 and 1964. Deeply-pitched and vinous, the Autrefois fills out beautifully with a bit of time in the glass. The... Read More

The NV Extra Brut Petit Meslier is fabulous. Rich and effusive the Petit Meslier exudes tremendous aromatic intensity and depth. Yellow flowers mint spice lemon confit and marzipan are some of the many notes that soar out of the... Read More

Airy bright and fresh like freshly squeezed citrus and white bread. Lightly smoky apricot and mandarin with beautifully integrated pastry notes. Razor-sharp citrus and turbo-charged acidity give way to a focused balanced and confident... Read More

This iteration of Grand Siècle is almost entirely composed of two of Champagne's greatest recent vintages so expectations are high. The wine more than meets them tempering the generosity of 2012's fruit – ripe apricots... Read More

A 100% Brut-Zero Chardonnay disgorged in April 2023. This has a gorgeous nutty nose with brioche and toasted almond aromas - smells nicely mature with soft buttery and floral notes. Crisp and dry on the palate clean and lively... Read More

The 2015 Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésime was given at least five years aging sur latte prior to disgorgement finished with a dosage of eight grams per liter and then allowed an additional six months of bottle aging... Read More

The 2016 Brut Blanc de Blancs Vintage is laced with hints of tropical fruit lime mint passionfruit and crushed rocks. Intensely aromatic and light on its feet the 2016 impresses with its gracious understated personality. Sourced... Read More

The 2008 Louis Roederer Brut Vinta

The 2016 Brut Rosé is charming. Soft and inviting the 2016 will drink beautifully right out of the gate. Readers will find a beautifully perfumed gracious Rosé. The 2016 is not the richest or most complex vintage Rosé Roederer... Read More

Complex nose of restrained strawberries and lemon zest with macerated flowers and shortbread. Full body and plenty of concentration with pinprick mousse long and chewy integrated acidity and amazing length. Pinot noir and chardonnay.... Read More

The 1996 Rosé Late Release immediately shows the pedigree of the vintage. Crushed rocks slate mint dried rose white pepper blood orange mint and dried herbs are all beautifully delineated. Time has softened some of the edges... Read More

The 1997 Rosé Late Release is a fine choice for drinking now as it is fully mature. Sweet dried cherry mint spice caramel tobacco cedar and lightly honeyed notes are nicely lifted throughout. The cool year helped preserve a measure... Read More

The 1998 Rosé Late Release is laced with hints of wild cherry mocha chocolate leather and dried herbs. Even in this under the radar vintage the Rosé shows so much character and freshness. At times it comes across as a mini-Cristal... Read More

The 1999 Rosé Late Release is terrific. Rich deep and creamy the 1999 hits all the right notes. Wild cherry ginger spice and rose petal build effortlessly in the glass. Still quite fresh and vibrant the 1999 is superb. This was... Read More

The NV Champagne Collection 243 Brut is the third release and is based on the 2018 vintage with the addition of 30% of the perpetual reserve started in 2012 and 10% reserve wine that has been aged in oak. It is ripe and balanced... Read More

Restrained green apple lemon bush and lime plus light brioche and chalk. Medium to full body with fine nicely persistent bubbles and good substance on the mid-palate. Almost biting yet polished at the end with long refreshing... Read More

The 2002 Cristal is one seriously big huge even Champagne and while this cuvee normally shows a seamless elegant style the 2002 vintage’s fruit profile dominates this wine. Toasted bread oak spice orchard fruits... Read More

"Deep pinot-driven presence is the first and lasting impression. Power with control. Superfine bead bread and spiced biscuits candied ripe red fruits and a sense of tight-knit complexity. Some grapefruit lemon pith & gently flinty... Read More

The 2008 Cristal is a perfect wine and Champagne simple does not get any better. This incredible wine offers a beautiful perfume of clean crisp fruits layers of complexity in its toasted spice and white flowers and an utterly... Read More

The 2009 vintage of Cristal is composed of a blend of sixty percent pinot noir and forty percent chardonnay with none of the vins clairs this year undergoing malolactic fermentation. Sixteen percent of the base wines were barrel-fermented... Read More

An open and inviting nose references cream oatmeal and Amalfi lemon with the slightest edge of smoke. The palate immediately strikes with a mouthwatering lemon ripeness and a juicy mouthfilling generosity reminiscent of yellow... Read More

The 2016 Cristal is a blend of 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay with 7 grams per liter of dosage. No malo-lactic was performed here and 31% of the base wines were aged in French oak. The nose begins with bright red berry notes... Read More