Champagne Wine

Expert Reviews 

Audrey Frick writes: (Tasted November 7, 2022) The NV Champagne La Cuvée Brut Rosé is entirely Pinot Noir from 10 crus in the Montagne de Reims. It is forward in the glass with ripe currants, fresh herbs, and smoky perfume. This continues to the palate, with notes of ripe wild raspberry and tangerine, and it has a medium to full-bodied texture that is pure and lightly savory on the finish. Fantastically paired with beef tartar and other richer raw preparations, this is a wonderful and food-friendly expression. Drink 2022-2032.  - Jeb Dunnuck 92

Winemaker Description 

A white gold in color with delicate and persistent bubbles, Grand Siecle No. 26 offers a very complex nose which mixes honeysuckle, lemon, clementine and fresh butter aromas, followed by notes of hazelnut and a touch of honey. The feel in the mouth is very delicate and fresh with candied lemon and fresh hazelnut aromas. The palate is silky and mineral with notes of honeysuckle, flaked almonds and clementine.

It pairs with high quality produce and refined dishes, including shellfish, noble fish and white meats such as Thai style langoustine tartare and fine roasted poultry.

Expert Reviews

100 James Suckling James Suckling's #1 Wine of 2023 |  This is really something. Electric on the palate. The aromas are so complex with sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel. Toasted bread, too. Always subtle. The palate is full- to medium-bodied yet hemmed-in with a freshness and balance that draws you back. Savory and vibrant. It's full of energy. Spectacular. Fascinating. Symphonic blend of 2012, 2008 and 2007. 65% of the 2012, 25% of the 2008 and 10% of the 2007. Eight grand cru. Chardonnay 58% and 42% pinot noir. Disgorged February 2023. 10 years on the lees. 7g/L dosage.

97 Points Wine Enthusiast | Tautly textured, the Champagne is delicious with a poise between white and citrus fruits along with touches of maturity coming through. Drink this magnificent wine now for its great balance and intensity.

96 Points Decanter | 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, white peach, clementines and sunny, zesty citrus – with a pitch-perfect streak of 2008 tautness and structure. There are some fleshy, creamy notes of papaya and toasted white sourdough, but everything is as delicately rendered as expected and impeccably shaped, with a sleek, silky mousse. A little more approachable than Itération No. 25, it will welcome extended bottle age rather than demand it. The blend is 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir from eight grand cru vineyards. 65% is from the 2012 vintage, 35% from 2008 and 10% from 2007.

96 Points Robert Parker | Unfurling in the glass with scents of crisp nectarine, pear and honeyed citrus fruit that mingle with notions of fresh mint, blanched almonds and iodine, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated and tightly wound, with broad structural shoulders, tangy acids and a long, intense finish. It's a great Grand Siècle in the making.

95 Points Wine Spectator | A graceful Champagne, with flavors of boysenberry and black cherry fruit, toast, blanched almond and grapefruit pith, graphite and fleur de sel gliding across the satiny mousse. Reveals racy acidity that sculpts fine definition, allowing the detailed profile to expand on the palate, while minerally hints of chalk and oyster shell linger on the finish. 

Laurent-Perrier · Harmony Demi-Sec Champagne

Harmony is Laurent-Perrier’s Demi-Sec Champagne, rounded and delicate, with a high proportion of Chardonnay balanced by dosage. Its intense golden-yellow color leads into dried-fruit aromas of almond and hazelnut, with toasted notes. With age, the nose develops toward honey and pine resin. On the palate, it is full-bodied, generous and rounded.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast · 91 Points | This perfumed, off-dry Champagne is ripe with soft acidity and white fruits. Balanced with a fresh edge, the wine is ready to drink.

Winemaker Description

Laurent-Perrier Harmony is a Demi-Sec wine, rounded and delicate, thanks to a high proportion of Chardonnay and a well-balanced dosage. A brilliant and intense golden yellow in color. An intense and rich nose with notes of dried fruit (almonds and hazelnuts) as well as toasted or grilled aromas. After a few years of ageing, the nose evolves towards deeper notes of honey and pine resin. Full-bodied and generous, it is a rich wine with a rounded feel.

Pairings

Harmony brings out the best in sweet-savory dishes, desserts and pastries, and can add depth and flavor to a meal.

At a Glance

• Producer: Laurent-Perrier
• Cuvée: Harmony
• Style: Demi-Sec Champagne
• Origin: Tours-sur-Marne, Champagne, France
• Grape profile: High proportion of Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml

Off-dry balance, generous texture and toasted, honeyed notes make Harmony a natural alongside dessert.

A Champagne of extraordinary purity and precision — the Leclerc Briant Millésime 2019 is a 100% Grand Cru cuvée from one of the most celebrated biodynamic houses in Champagne. Sourced exclusively from three of the appellation's most revered villages, it delivers the intensity and complexity of a great vintage with the freshness and mineral tension that define Leclerc Briant's singular style.

Critical Acclaim

• 96 Points — Jeb Dunnuck: "Intense, precise notes of fresh pear, bright crushed stones, delicate flinty reduction, Meyer lemon, and fresh lemongrass."
• 95 Points — James Suckling: "A Vintage Champagne of remarkable balance."

Vineyard & Assemblage

• 100% Grand Cru provenance — among the rarest designations in Champagne
• Pinot Noir (50%) from Grand Cru villages of Verzy and Mailly-Champagne
• Chardonnay (50%) from the legendary Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru
• Produced by Leclerc Briant, one of Champagne's leading biodynamic estates
• Extra Brut dosage — minimal intervention, maximum terroir expression

The 2019 Vintage

2019 is widely regarded as one of Champagne's finest recent vintages — a warm, dry growing season that produced grapes of exceptional ripeness and concentration, balanced by the region's natural chalk-driven acidity. The result is a vintage of remarkable depth and longevity, with the structure to age gracefully for a decade or more.

Tasting Profile

Bright yellow-straw with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose is intense and precise — fresh pear, Meyer lemon, lemongrass, crushed stones, and a signature flinty, mineral reduction that speaks directly to the chalk terroir of Le Mesnil. On the palate it's focused and elegant with vibrant acidity, creamy mousse, and a long, mineral-driven finish of extraordinary precision. A Champagne that rewards both immediate enjoyment and extended cellaring.

Perfect Pairings

Serve at 46–50°F with oysters, sea urchin, Dover sole, lobster, seared scallops, or aged Comté. Equally compelling as a standalone prestige aperitif. A Champagne for moments that deserve the very best.

Leclerc Briant Réserve Extra Brut — Épernay, Champagne, France NV

Leclerc Briant is one of Champagne's most celebrated and pioneering grower-producers — a historic house based in Épernay with roots going back to 1872, and today one of the region's most committed advocates for biodynamic viticulture. Under the stewardship of the Lignac family, Leclerc Briant farms its vineyards according to strict biodynamic principles — certified by Demeter — believing that the health of the soil is the foundation of great Champagne. The estate works with the lunar calendar, uses only natural preparations, and practices minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the terroir of their Marne Valley and Côte des Blancs vineyards to express itself with clarity and precision. The Réserve Extra Brut is the house's signature non-vintage cuvée — a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay, based on the 2019 harvest, with reserve wines adding depth and complexity. Extra Brut in style, it is drier and more precise than a standard Brut, allowing the terroir and the fruit to speak without the softening effect of dosage.

The color is bright pale yellow with a fine, lively mousse. The nose is complex and inviting: wet asphalt, ripe white peach, fresh redcurrant, pear, verbena, lime, herbs, and a touch of menthol — the signature of biodynamic Champagne. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and approachable with a rounded mid-palate, chalky and pithy texture, and sleek acidity animating flavors of chopped raspberry, nectarine, preserved lemon, and oyster shell. The finish is persistent, lightly spiced, and mouthwatering — clean, energetic, and long.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 — "Wet asphalt, ripe white peach, and fresh redcurrant. Rounded mid-palate, chalky and pithy texture with a lively yet fine mousse. Attractive and balanced with a clean finish."

Wine Spectator 92 — "Lithe and graceful, with sleek acidity animating flavors of chopped raspberry, nectarine, preserved lemon and oyster shell. Fine and satiny in texture, offering a persistent, lightly spiced finish."

Wine Advocate 90 — "Lively, fresh bouquet of pear, verbena, lime tree, herbs and menthol. Vinous and energetic with an incisive mid-palate and a mouthwatering, fresh finish."

• Producer: Leclerc Briant, Épernay, Champagne, France (est. 1872)
• Style: Extra Brut NV
• Blend: 40% Pinot Noir / 40% Pinot Meunier / 20% Chardonnay
• Base Vintage: 2019
• Farming: Certified Biodynamic (Demeter)
• Dosage: Extra Brut (very low dosage)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White peach, redcurrant, raspberry, nectarine, preserved lemon, oyster shell, wet asphalt, chalky texture, persistent spiced finish
• Style: Precise, energetic, terroir-driven
• Best Paired With: Oysters, sushi, grilled fish, lobster, soft cheeses, charcuterie, caviar

Biodynamic Champagne from one of Épernay's most celebrated grower-producers — Leclerc Briant Réserve Extra Brut is precise, energetic, and triple 90+ point rated.

Winemaker Description

Leclerc Briant was an early adopter of organic practices beginning in the 1960’s and pioneered the concept of single-vineyard Champagne starting in the 1970’s. Fifth generation vigneron, Pascal Leclerc began to follow biodynamic principles in 1988, with part of the production Demeter certified since 2003.

Expert Review

Wine Advocate 94 Points | The 2018 Les Monts Ferrés Blanc de Blancs derives from vines planted in the eponymous parcel in the 1er cru village of Vertus. It reveals a delicate, fine bouquet with aromas of fresh bread, acacia, spring flowers and ripe orchard fruits. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced, it’s enveloping and structured with both racy and bright acidity. This is a tension-filled, ethereal Champagne with a dosage of 1.4 grams per liter.

Winemaker Description

An open-knit nose of wild plum, almond and orange with underlying notes of salted bread. On the palate, the wine shows considerable body and a complex array of flavors including lemongrass, peppermint and quince. As the wine breathes scents of orange blossom and honeysuckle come to the fore and mingle with the soft, spicy accents of cumin and nutmeg.

Louis Roederer · Collection 246 · Brut NV · Champagne · France

Louis Roederer is among the last great family-owned Champagne houses, and Collection 246 is its non-vintage flagship — a wine of uncommon ambition and transparency. Based on the 2021 base vintage, Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon made a bold call: bumping Chardonnay to 54% (vs. the typical 44%) to navigate a challenging year, blending in 35% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and 11% Meunier. The blend draws on 55% base 2021 wines, 30% perpetual reserve stretching back to 2012, and 10% young-vine juice from Cristal plots aged in cask — a Cristal pedigree at a fraction of the price. Triple 93 points from Wine Spectator, Vinous, and James Suckling.

The Collection 246 opens with white cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel, and biscuit — precise and inviting. On the palate, brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper, and slate. The mousse is silky and soft, the finish creamy and chalky with delicate spice and floral accents. Harmonious, impeccably balanced, and built to drink beautifully now through 2030.

Expert Reviews

“A harmonious Champagne with impeccable balance, depth and focus. White cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel and biscuit, retaining vibrancy and grace. Chalky underpinning on the creamy finish with delicate spice and floral accents. Drink now through 2030.”
— Wine Spectator · 93 Points

“Positively stellar. Brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper and slate. No hard angles or awkward contours — impeccably done and absolutely delicious.”
— Vinous · 93 Points

“Pretty and elegant aromas of pears, apple blossoms, grapefruit and chalk. Silky, fresh and beautifully balanced with very soft bubbles.”
— James Suckling · 93 Points

• Producer: Louis Roederer, Reims, Champagne, France
• Cuvée: Collection 246 (base vintage 2021)
• Blend: 54% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 11% Meunier
• Reserve: 30% perpetual reserve (back to 2012) + 10% Cristal-plot cask-aged juice
• Vinification: 24% fermented in oak; ~30% malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: 7 g/L Brut
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel, biscuit, orchard fruit, mint, white pepper, slate, chalky finish
• Pairings: Oysters, sushi, lobster, creamy risotto, Brie, Chaource
• Drink: Now through 2030

WS:93 · V:93 · JS:93 · Champagne — Cristal reserve wines, Chardonnay-forward precision, and triple 93-point acclaim from one of the great family houses.

Winemaker Description

A perfect combination of softness and concentration, matched by a masterful maturity, The 2015 Cristal Brut delivers intense and delicious aromas with a superb energy and a magical vibration.

This is a timeless champagne with a chalky temperament, sustained by its soils, freed from the sunny character of the vintage.The nose begins with hints of yellow fruit, toasted almonds and wheat from the Chardonnay, combined with the juicy red fruit of the Pinot Noir. 

Then comes the great surge of energy from the wine's structure, a vibratory intensity that transforms into a gentle caress, a silky texture interwoven with fine flavors of candied citrus and iodized spices.The vintage's chalky character thus bursts forth in a bracing, vertical effervescence, with an insistent, precise and finely honed freshness.

The finish is underpinned by subtle oaky, sappy and saline notes, which creates the ultimate sensation of delicacy and concentration.Cristal 2015 remains a wine of supreme balance and measure, resonating from the chalky nature of its soils rather than the sunny character of its vintage.

A perfect Cristal, intensely of the 2015 vintage, with enormous ageing potential.

Expert Reviews 

James Suckling 97 Points | The warm and dry vintage this has tremendous freshness and elegance. The complex nose of citrus blossom, mint, lemon and lime zest opens up slowly as this aerates in the glass. The wine’s ample structure is still quite firm, which is a vintage characteristic, the mousse very fine but also very lively for an eight-year-old champagne. Cristal fans will love this as it is, but a year or two more in the bottle will do a lot for the very long mineral finish of this youthful masterpiece. A cuvee of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, picked from all 45 Cristal vineyard plots. Tasted at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023.

96 Points Wine Spectator | This mouthwatering Champagne has an ethereal quality, with a frame of chiseled acidity and focused precision to the pointillisme-like, vibrant mousse. Yet this shows depth and generous expression, with the finely spun notes of patisserie apple and blackberry fruit opening beautifully on the palate and through the minerally finish, with notes of grated ginger, blood orange granita, salted Marcona almond and anise.

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck | I had the opportunity to taste the 2015 Champagne Cristal twice, both at the house in Reims as well as at my home office. On both occasions, the wine offered a terrific balance of decadence and notable freshness for this vintage, which was highly expressive on opening. The release reveals layered custardy notes of lemon balm, incense, apricot, and hazelnut. Medium to full-bodied, the mousse is fluffy and rounded out beautifully through the palate. Round and approachable, it has a well-managed richness along with underlying savory sapidity and saline to keep this going over the coming three or more decades, with a chalky tannin structure to support it.

95 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate | If the 2014 vintage was especially open and demonstrative, the 2015 Cristal is going to require more patience. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp stone fruits, white flowers, crushed mint and subtle hints of buttery pastry, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a deep, concentrated and rather introverted core of fruit framed by chalky extract and animated by a pretty pinpoint mousse. This is a serious, vinous Champagne that has considerable substance to age and may well evolve along the lines of the lovely 1985.

95 Points Decanter | 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 plum. It stays true to the trademark sleekness of Cristal and speaks of the concentration of 2015. Fine mousse accentuates the fullness and roundness of the wine while the long finish hints at chalky depth which, for now, is dominated by ripe stone fruit and more of that textured, rich notion of oatmeal. Definitely a Cristal to enjoy soon.

Moët & Chandon · Grand Vintage · 2016 · Extra Brut

The 77th vintage Champagne in the history of Moët & Chandon, Grand Vintage 2016 reflects the Cellar Master’s personal interpretation of a challenging year. The blend combines 48% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, and 18% Meunier, with six years of cellar aging and at least six months of aging after disgorgement.

Vintage & Character

The supplied notes describe a turbulent growing season followed by well-ripened fruit. Baked bread, hazelnut, orange blossom, and fine minerality shape the wine’s layered profile, while a round, supple palate is framed by structure and tension. A dosage of 5 g/L completes its Extra Brut style.

Winemaker Description

Moët & Chandon · Supplied 2016 Notes
The 2016 Grand Vintage Extra Brut is the 77th vintage Champagne released by Moët & Chandon. Comprising 34% Pinot Noir, 48% Chardonnay and 18% Meunier, it was aged for six years prior to disgorgement. It will offer complex, layered aromas and flavours, including baked bread, hazelnut, orange blossoms, and fine minerality, all framed by superb structure and tension. A classic in every sense.

Each Grand Vintage is unique, expressing Moët & Chandon’s Cellar Master's personal interpretation of the year. In Champagne, 2016 was a year of turbulent weather, full of twists and turns at the whim of nature.

The serenity after the storm, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016 expresses grace and peace, harmony born from masterful winemaking and six years resting in the cellars. The 77th vintage in the history of the House, Grand Vintage 2016 is a radiant champagne with a round and supple palate.

The grape harvest of 2016 in Champagne reflects the region's traditional unpredictability. Winter was wet and a cool causing some mildew and grape loss, followed by a rainy spring and a summer that dried the vineyards but also led to water stress and further fruit loss.

Despite these challenges, the remaining grapes ripened well, especially the Meuniers and Pinots Noirs.

Serving & Pairing

Serve chilled in a tulip-shaped or white-wine glass. Suggested pairings include roast chicken, seared scallops, or a mushroom dish, complementing the wine’s bread, hazelnut, and mineral notes.

Details

• Producer: Moët & Chandon
• Cuvée: Grand Vintage
• Vintage: 2016
• Origin: Champagne, France
• Style: Extra Brut
• Blend: 48% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, 18% Meunier
• Cellar aging: Six years
• Aging after disgorgement: At least six months
• Dosage: 5 g/L
• Bottle size: 750ml

A layered vintage Champagne balancing a supple palate with structure and tension.

Don't let a half-finished bottle of Champagne go flat. The Monopol Vermo Champagne Stopper creates an airtight, pressure-locking seal that keeps your bubbles alive and your wine fresh — so every glass is as celebratory as the first.

How It Works

Simply insert the stopper into the open bottle and clamp the hinged wings down over the lip of the bottle. The secure mechanical seal locks in carbonation and preserves freshness, keeping your Champagne or sparkling wine lively for up to several days in the refrigerator.

Key Features

• Pressure-locking clamp — hinged wings grip the bottle lip for a secure, airtight seal
• Preserves carbonation — keeps Champagne and sparkling wine fresh and fizzy for days
• Universal fit — compatible with standard Champagne and sparkling wine bottles
• Durable construction — built to last with quality materials
• Elegant design — at home on any table or in any cellar
• Made in Germany — Monopol/Vermo is a trusted European barware brand

Perfect For

• Preserving leftover Champagne, Prosecco, Cava or any sparkling wine
• Entertaining — open multiple bottles without waste
• Wine lovers and collectors who want to protect their investment
• A thoughtful, practical gift for any sparkling wine enthusiast

The Monopol Vermo is the stopper of choice for sommeliers and sparkling wine lovers across Europe. Simple, reliable, and indispensable — the smartest $22 you'll spend on your wine collection.

Winemaker Description 

This has always been the top vineyard at the estate and produces Meuiner with fruit flavors that veer towards exotic hints of mandarin orange, papaya, guava and even litchi, alongside the more typical red-fruit flavors that one might expect from Meunier.

• Practicing organic
• 100% Meunier
• A single site on the top of the hill in Cuisles
• Terroir of green clay and limestone marl
• Yes malo
• Fermented and aged in stainless steel
• Aged 48 months on the lees
• Dosage: 0.5g/L

Winemaker Description

Champagne Palmer & Co concentrates its vineyard holdings in the Montagne de Reims: in the grand cru villages of Mailly and Verzenay and the premier cru villages of Trépail and Villers-Marmery. While they also have holdings in the Marne Valley, the Côte de Sézanne and the Côte des Bar, their prestige cuvée Grands Terroirs, channels those north- and north-east-facing slopes with power and precision.

The 2015 vintage is blended from 50% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay and 12% Pinot Meunier, sourced from Mailly and Verzenay as well as Trépail, Villers-Marmery, Ludes, Chigny-les-Roses and Rilly-la-Montagne. Palmer & Co refers to the vintage as “exceptional” because it combined high temperatures and little rainfall – spelling little disease pressure and even ripening. Sunny days and cool nights in August, they say, allowed for “perfect” ripening.

The nose, subtle and charming, opens with notes of orange blossom and acacia, mixed with notes of yellow fruits, then it evolves towards lovely and delicately spiced aromas of fried pineapple and tonka bean. The palate is characterized by freshness, with citrus fruits sublimating the notes of brioche and dried fruits. Its creamy texture stretches deliciously into a persistent finish. 

Expert Reviews

92 Points Wine & Spirits | Markedly youthful in its smoky reduction, this wine sees its sulfur blow off quickly, leaving a flinty scent and an impression of clarity. It’s bright with pretty scents of black tea and herbs, firmed up by strong acidity.

92 Points James Suckling | A chalky and mineral Champagne with aromas of blanched almonds, chalk, seashells, biscuits, lemon pith and dried apples. Creamy mousse. Dry and bright, with a rounded finish. Drink now or hold.

A distinctive, terroir-driven rosé Champagne from Pascal Doquet, one of the Côte des Blancs’ leading organic grower-producers. Anthocyanes is crafted from equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all harvested in 2018, combining the mineral precision of the Côte des Blancs with the structure and expressive red-fruit character of Pinot Noir.

The Pinot Noir comes from La Barre, a named vineyard site in Vertus. It is macerated on the skins for approximately 48 hours before pressing, extracting its vivid color and aromatic intensity through the traditional saignée method. The wine is then matured in barrel for up to one year before being blended with Chardonnay from Vertus and bottled for its secondary fermentation.

The name Anthocyanes refers to anthocyanins, the natural pigments found in grape skins that give the Champagne its striking rosé color. Despite its depth of color and character, this is not a heavy or overtly vinous rosé. It retains the freshness, finesse and mineral energy associated with Pascal Doquet’s Champagnes.

Pale to medium salmon-pink in the glass, it opens with aromas of sliced strawberries, red berries, citrus peel and rose petals, followed by delicate notes of honey, spice and chalk. The palate is lively and finely textured, with elegant bubbles, bright acidity and a balanced combination of ripe red fruit, citrus freshness and savory mineral character. The finish is dry, energetic and persistent.

This expressive rosé Champagne is excellent as an aperitif but also has enough structure for the table. Pair it with salmon, tuna tartare, sushi, shellfish, roast poultry, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, creamy cheeses or aged goat cheese.

Grapes: 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir
Region: Champagne, France
Village: Vertus
Classification: Premier Cru
Pinot Noir Vineyard: La Barre
Base Vintage: 2018
Farming: Certified organic
Production: Rosé de saignée
Maceration: Approximately 48 hours
Maturation: Pinot Noir aged in barrel for up to one year
Style: Rosé Premier Cru Brut
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%

Highly Rated

90 Points — The Wine Advocate
90 Points — James Suckling

Pascal Doquet | Diapason | Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs | Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne | 2015 Base | Organic

Pascal Doquet is one of the Côte des Blancs' most respected grower-producers, farming certified organic vineyards in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger — one of Champagne's most celebrated and prestigious Grand Cru villages, renowned worldwide for producing Blanc de Blancs of extraordinary mineral precision, tension, and longevity. Doquet has farmed organically for many years and has been certified by Ecocert since 2010, a commitment to the land that translates directly into wines of exceptional purity and terroir transparency.

Diapason is a remarkable Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from the celebrated Cretaceous chalk soils of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The ripe 2015 harvest forms the base of the cuvée, complemented by reserve wines maintained through a perpetual reserve system. The fruit comes from old Chardonnay vines rooted deeply in Le Mesnil's chalk, including parcels planted as far back as the 1920s — vines whose extraordinary depth of root gives the wine its signature tension, salinity, and finely etched mineral character.

Grapes are harvested by hand and fermented with indigenous yeasts. Approximately half the wine is vinified in neutral oak barrels, the remainder in enamel-lined tanks — preserving freshness while adding subtle texture and complexity. Malolactic fermentation is completed, and the Champagne spends an extended period aging on its lees before disgorgement at a restrained dosage of approximately 3.5 g/L, allowing the purity of fruit and terroir to remain at the forefront.

The bouquet opens with vibrant aromas of lemon peel, Asian pear, gooseberry, white flowers, and passion fruit, followed by deeper notes of pastry dough, toasted almond, dried apricot, and chalk. On the palate, concentrated yet beautifully controlled — a creamy, finely textured mousse supported by bright acidity and a firm mineral structure. Citrus, nectarine, pear, ginger, and salted almond develop across the palate, leading to a long, precise, and distinctly saline finish. Powerful enough to accompany a meal, refined enough to serve as an aperitif.

Pair with oysters, lobster, scallops, caviar, grilled white fish, sushi, roast chicken, creamy cheeses, and aged Comté. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F in a white wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.

• Producer: Pascal Doquet
• Cuvée: Diapason
• Classification: Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
• Appellation: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Grape: Chardonnay (100%)
• Base Vintage: 2015
• Farming: Certified Organic (Ecocert since 2010)
• Soils: Cretaceous chalk; vines from the 1920s
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts; 50% neutral oak, 50% enamel-lined tanks
• Dosage: ~3.5 g/L (Extra Brut)
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Pascal Doquet | Champ d'Alouettes | Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut | Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne | 2005

Pascal Doquet is one of the Côte des Blancs' most respected grower-producers, farming certified organic vineyards in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger — one of Champagne's most celebrated Grand Cru villages, renowned worldwide for producing Blanc de Blancs of extraordinary mineral precision, tension, and longevity. Doquet has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2010, a commitment to the land that translates directly into wines of exceptional purity and terroir transparency.

Champ d'Alouettes — "Field of Larks" — is a single mid-slope lieu-dit in the heart of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The parcel's chalk-rich, freely draining soils encourage the vines to develop extraordinarily deep root systems, giving the finished Champagne remarkable mineral intensity and depth. Pascal Doquet selected fruit from some of the estate's finest vines in this parcel to produce a wine that reflects the identity of the site with exceptional clarity.

The 2005 vintage in Champagne was warm and generous, producing wines of exceptional concentration and ripeness. The wine was vinified and matured partly in oak barrels, adding texture and subtle breadth without overwhelming its mineral character. Malolactic fermentation was deliberately avoided to preserve the natural freshness and tension of the Chardonnay. It then spent an exceptionally long period — approximately 15 years — aging on its lees in bottle, developing the fine mousse, creamy texture, and complex mature aromas associated with carefully cellared vintage Champagne. Final dosage of approximately 3 g/L places it firmly in the Extra-Brut category.

Deep golden in the glass with a fine, persistent bead. The bouquet opens with lemon oil, candied citrus peel, baked apple, and ripe pear, followed by layers of toasted brioche, hazelnut, almond, dried white flowers, and subtle honeycomb. With air, notes of crushed chalk, oyster shell, smoke, and warm spice emerge, revealing the extraordinary complexity of extended lees aging. On the palate, structured, vinous, and beautifully concentrated — preserved lemon, yellow apple, Mirabelle plum, and citrus zest balanced by toasted nuts, biscuit, and delicate spice. A firm chalky backbone provides freshness and precision despite the richness of the mature vintage. The Extra-Brut dosage keeps the finish dry, focused, and saline, with lingering notes of citrus, roasted hazelnut, and mineral chalk.

A fully developed, gastronomic Champagne drinking beautifully now. Serve moderately chilled in a generous Champagne or white wine glass. Pair with oysters, scallops, langoustines, lobster, turbot, sole in beurre blanc, roast chicken with mushrooms, truffle risotto, aged Comté, Parmesan, and mature goat cheese.

• Producer: Pascal Doquet
• Cuvée: Champ d'Alouettes
• Classification: Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
• Appellation: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Grape: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2005
• Farming: Certified Organic (Ecocert since 2010)
• Soils: Cretaceous chalk; single lieu-dit Champ d'Alouettes
• Vinification: Partly in oak barrels; no malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: ~15 years on lees in bottle
• Dosage: ~3 g/L (Extra-Brut)
• Alcohol: ~12.5% ABV
• Availability: Extremely limited
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Pascal Doquet | Mont Aimé — Cœur de Terroir | Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs | Côte des Blancs, Champagne | 2007 | Organic | No Added Sulfites

Pascal Doquet is one of the Côte des Blancs' most respected grower-producers, farming just under nine hectares of certified organic vineyards across several important Champagne villages. Widely recognized for mineral-driven wines made with a strong commitment to vineyard health and organic agriculture, Doquet has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2010. His Cœur de Terroir — "heart of the terroir" — collection identifies his most site-specific and limited-production wines: single-village, single-vintage bottlings intended to capture the identity of an individual place with exceptional clarity, rather than blending fruit from several villages.

Mont Aimé is a historic chalk outcrop situated east of Vertus in the southern Côte des Blancs — a less familiar but genuinely distinctive corner of Champagne. Although the vineyards face south, the site has a noticeably cooler microclimate than Doquet's parcels in Vertus and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The Chardonnay here ripens approximately one week later, extending the growing season and helping the fruit retain exceptional freshness, acidity, and aromatic precision. The site's chalky soils contribute the firm mineral structure and persistent saline character that distinguish this Champagne.

The 2007 Mont Aimé is therefore both a mature vintage Champagne and a focused expression of this cooler terroir. Made without added sulfites. Extended bottle aging has given this Champagne considerable depth and tertiary complexity while preserving the energy and mineral definition associated with Pascal Doquet's wines.

Creamy, finely textured, and beautifully balanced. The nose opens with ripe apple, spiced pear, and exotic spices, evolving into layers of cinnamon, subtle chocolate, toasted pastry, and chalky minerality. On the palate, medium-bodied with fine bubbles, fresh acidity, and a precise, flavorful, and persistent finish. Ready to enjoy now, with continued evolution under proper cellar conditions.

Serve slightly warmer than a young non-vintage Champagne to allow its mature aromas to fully emerge. Pair with seared scallops, lobster, roasted turbot, grilled seafood, mushroom dishes, poultry in cream sauce, aged Comté, creamy washed-rind cheeses, and aged French goat cheese.

• Producer: Pascal Doquet
• Cuvée: Mont Aimé — Cœur de Terroir
• Classification: Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs
• Appellation: Mont Aimé, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Grape: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2007
• Farming: Certified Organic (Ecocert since 2010)
• Sulfites: No sulfites added
• Alcohol: ~12.5% ABV
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2007

• James Suckling — 93 pts: Beautifully mature and terroir-focused — creamy texture, refined bubbles, exotic spice, and the distinctive chalky freshness of Mont Aimé. Balance, comforting texture, and spicy complexity.

Pascal Doquet | Vertus — Cœur de Terroir | Premier Cru Vintage Champagne | Vertus, Côte des Blancs, Champagne | 2009 | Organic

Pascal Doquet is one of the Côte des Blancs' most respected grower-producers, farming certified organic vineyards across several important Champagne villages. His Cœur de Terroir — "heart of the terroir" — collection is devoted to individual villages, historic parcels, and the distinctive character of their soils. The Vertus Cœur de Terroir was the very first wine conceived for this series — a fitting tribute to Vertus, the village at the heart of Doquet's estate.

The fruit comes from Pascal's finest Premier Cru sites in Vertus: Barrilliers, Nuisats, Vieille Voie, Corvées, Grange au Bar, Les Grues, and La Barre — vineyards rooted in Cretaceous chalk and clay that give the wine both mineral definition and a broader, more generous texture than the sharply linear Champagnes of nearby Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. All vineyards are certified organic by Ecocert.

The 2009 blend is composed of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir — the Pinot Noir sourced from La Barre, contributing structure, depth, and a subtle red-fruit character, while the Chardonnay provides freshness, chalky tension, and length. The wine was vinified and matured for approximately 11 months in neutral oak barrels, with full malolactic fermentation adding creaminess and roundness. After bottling, the Champagne spent an exceptional 12 years aging sur latte before disgorgement, developing extraordinary complexity and richness while preserving the mineral energy of the Vertus terroir. Finished with a very low dosage of approximately 2 g/L MCR — stylistically near Extra-Brut despite the Brut designation.

Full-bodied and deeply layered with a fine, persistent mousse. Aromas of ripe apple, preserved lemon, and pear joined by toasted brioche, hazelnut, dried flowers, and subtle red-fruit notes. With air, mature tones of pastry, warm spice, chalk, and savory lees emerge. On the palate, broad and creamy, balanced by bright acidity and a firm mineral core. The finish is long, dry, and saline, with lingering notes of citrus, orchard fruit, toast, and chalk. A gastronomic Champagne with the depth and maturity to accompany a full meal.

Serve in a white wine glass rather than a narrow flute to fully appreciate its developed aromas and layered texture. Pair with roasted poultry, veal, lobster, scallops, mushroom dishes, truffle risotto, creamy sauces, aged Comté, Gruyère, and mature goat cheese.

• Producer: Pascal Doquet
• Cuvée: Vertus — Cœur de Terroir
• Classification: Premier Cru Vintage Champagne
• Appellation: Vertus, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Blend: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2009
• Farming: Certified Organic (Ecocert)
• Vineyards: Barrilliers, Nuisats, Vieille Voie, Corvées, Grange au Bar, Les Grues, La Barre
• Soils: Cretaceous chalk and clay
• Vinification: 11 months in neutral oak; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: 12 years sur latte
• Dosage: ~2 g/L MCR (near Extra-Brut)
• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Perrier-Jouët · Belle Epoque Brut Vintage 2016 · Champagne Gift Set · 750ml

Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 2016 combines vintage Champagne with a presentation made for gifting. The supplied listing describes a gift box containing one 750ml bottle and two signature flutes, ready for a special occasion or a shared celebration.

Character & Style

The supplied notes describe a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, with white blossom, pear, honeyed citrus, brioche, and almond. Tastings.com highlights a creamy yet racy palate, silky bubbles, and a long finish layered with citrus, fruit, and pastry notes.

Expert Review

Tastings.com · 96 Points
Clear yellow straw color. Minerally, complex aromas and flavors of toasted brioche, lemon curd, apricot tartine, and white raspberry with a creamy, racy, bubbly, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, complex, long finish that shows notes of grilled pineapple, toasted almond, orange scone, and heirloom pear with well-integrated tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. Opulent layers of brioche, lemon curd and pineapple give sumptuous decadence on a palate that is accented with electricity, silky bubbles and refreshing opulence.

Gift Presentation

Gift box with two signature flutes, as described in the supplied product information. A thoughtful option for an anniversary, milestone, or celebratory dinner.

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Serve chilled. Enjoy as an aperitif or consider lobster, scallops, roast poultry, or a delicate mushroom dish.

Wine & Set Details

• Producer: Perrier-Jouët
• Cuvée: Belle Epoque
• Vintage: 2016
• Style: Brut Champagne
• Origin: Champagne, France
• Grapes listed: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Presentation listed: Gift box with two signature flutes
• Supplied rating: Tastings.com, 96 points

Expert Reviews 

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Oyster shell, smoke and fleur de sel aromas lead on the nose of this mouthwatering Champagne, while the plush, creamy mousse carries flavors of poached quince, tangerine sorbet, candied ginger and brioche. Long and minerally on the well-cut and re- freshing finish. Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay.

James Suckling 91 Points | A silky Champagne with aromas of apricot pie, shortcrust, croissants, lemon curd and seashells. Very fine, soft bubbles. Gentle salinity underneath the pastry notes, with a soft finish. Drink now.

Memo Summary Notes

The Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut is the signature, non-vintage blend of this prestigious Champagne house, famous for its delicate floral notes and Art Nouveau-inspired bottle design.

Its balanced nature and subtle floral notes make it a phenomenal aperitif, but it also pairs beautifully with lighter, more delicate dishes.

• Seafood: Oysters (a classic pairing), shrimp/prawns, or fish carpaccio.

• Poultry: Oven-fried chicken or braised chicken with lemon and thyme.

• Appetizers: Crisp vegetables, tofu dishes, or delicate pastries.

Philipponnat Champagne Reserve Perpetuelle Brut NV 750ml

Producer Notes

Philipponnat's Réserve Perpétuelle Brut NV represents a landmark rebranding of the house's flagship “Royale Réserve” — a name now updated to reflect the perpetual reserve (solera) system the house has maintained since 1946, where older wines are continuously refreshed with younger vintages to ensure a consistent, complex, and deeply layered house style.

Based on the 2021 base vintage with over 50% reserve wines, this is a Pinot Noir-driven expression that emphasizes the vinous, gastronomic character of the Mareuil-sur-Aÿ terroir. The blend — 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Meunier — is vinified primarily in stainless steel, with reserve wines aged in oak and partial malolactic fermentation. Disgorged December 2024 with 8g/L dosage.

Expert Reviews

Decanter 94 Points — A distinctly red-berry nose of red currants and small forest fruit. Red Delicious apple carries a telltale Pinot scent. The palate has pure, bright apple fruit, a lemony verve, and a very delicate mousse backed by gently salty autolysis. Vanilla oak comes through like the custard on an apple crumble, carrying freshness and flavour to a lingering finish.

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points — The nonvintage cuvée from this producer, based on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, is beautifully judged. Rich while also showing great freshness from citrus fruit flavors.

James Suckling 93 Points — Complex and smoky nose with orange blossom, green apple, licorice, chalky minerality, and toasted bread. Refined palate with pinprick mousse, crisp acidity, and a tight, tense, clean aftertaste.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points — Bright straw color. Inviting and pure, with gorgeous red fruits, notes of almond, peaches, red berries, and fresh bread. The mousse is elegant and integrates beautifully into the wine.

Wine Spectator 92 Points — A baseline of chalky minerality supports juicy pear and white cherry fruit, lemon peel, and pickled ginger alongside rich accents of crystallized honey and biscuit. Harmonious and finely knit, with good length through the lightly spiced finish.

Wine Advocate 90 Points — Opens with an inviting bouquet of ripe peach, red berries, pear, and pastry. Medium- to full-bodied, broad-shouldered and textural, delivering a generous, enveloping style energized by racy acidity.

Food Pairings

A gastronomic Champagne with the body to carry a full meal. Exceptional with scallops in butter sauce, lobster, roasted poultry, premium charcuterie, and high-quality sushi or sashimi.

Wine Details

Producer: Philipponnat
Cuvée: Réserve Perpétuelle Brut NV
Blend: 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Meunier
Base Vintage: 2021
Disgorgement: December 2024
Dosage: 8 g/L
Appellation: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Champagne, France
Size: 750ml

Philipponnat Champagne Rose Royal NV · Champagne, France

Producer Description

“Rosé” is the new name of the House’s Royale Réserve Rosé cuvée. This simple, clear choice is designed to convey the natural elegance and purity of expression of this Champagne. This name affirms the wine’s unique identity, combining finesse, freshness and authenticity.

For a long time part of the “Royale Réserve” trio alongside the Brut and the Non Dosé, Rosé is now fully distinct from it, embracing its singular character and asserting its special place within the range.

The Rosé cuvée strikes a refreshing balance between colour and fruit. This rosé Champagne is made from the same blend as the Réserve Perpétuelle cuvées. In addition, there is a small proportion of the most mature possible red Champagne wine from our very best vineyards. This wine is concentrated by saignée and gains in intensity without becoming overloaded with tannins or vegetal characteristics, instead developing aromas of red and black fruit.

Most of the Pinot Noir and the small proportion of the Chardonnay used to make Rosé come from Premiers and Grands Crus. Only the first presses are selected, guaranteeing finesse and concentration. The blend includes 53% reserve wines, matured in oak, which bring complexity and depth to the wine, while preserving the freshness essential to its balance.

The House

Apvril Le Philipponnat (the ‘Le’ was subsequently dropped during the French Revolution) was the earliest member of the family to settle in Champagne. Captain of a Swiss military unit from the canton of Fribourg, he joined the French military during the war between Francis I and Italy. He is known to have married Marie d’Ambonnay, through whom he owned vineyards in Mareuil and Ay. The House dates its establishment in the Champagne region from 1522. Apvril is mentioned as the owner of Ay on this date in the will of Dom Jean Royer, the last Regular Abbot of Hautvillers.

In 1696, Apvril’s descendants, who were often ‘Royal Mayors’ of Ay, registered the family coat of arms in the Armorial de France. Today, this same coat of arms adorns all the House’s bottles. The labels of Philipponnat, vineyard owners and wine merchants, were among the first to bear the signature of sparkling Champagnes as early as the mid-19th century. Later, in 1910, Auguste and Pierre Philipponnat gave the family business a broader and more modern scope by creating their own company and acquiring the Château de Mareuil cellars.

Over the course of its long history, the House of Philipponnat has developed twenty hectares of vineyards of Premiers and Grands Crus, ideally located in the heart of the Champagne region, while maintaining special relationships with their partner viticulturists, who entrust the House with their output. They supply grapes for a broad but very balanced range of Champagnes that are both rich and distinctive.

Bold and refined, the Rosé cuvée reveals a beautiful aromatic intensity. Its generous red fruit aromas are enhanced by a hint of spice. Thanks to the quality of its blend, Rosé offers excellent ageing potential, evolving nobly over the years. Produced in brut, this Champagne goes perfectly with characterful dishes and reveals all its liveliness when served chilled. Rosé is the ideal wine for summer evenings.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling, 92 Points — Good reserve and freshness to this Champagne, which shows peonies, rose petals, bread crumbs and cinnamon and spice. A vertical palate follows, where tangy acidity punctuates integrated and creamy bubbles and carries subtle stone fruit medium-long. Drink now.

The Wine Advocate, 91 Points — Based on the 2015 vintage with 40% reserve wines, the NV Brut Rosé Royale Réserve was disgorged in August 2019 with nine grams per liter dosage. Revealing a lovely bouquet of red apples, honeycomb, cherries, peach and beeswax, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and gourmand, with a generous core of fruit, lively acids and a refined mousse.

The Wine Spectator, 90 Points — Dry and sharp, with a mix of berry and biscuit flavors accented with citrus and spice. Persistent from beginning to end, starting off with a fine mousse and finishing with a squeeze of lemon.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Region: Champagne, France
• Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
• Type: Sparkling
• Style: Brut

Pierre Moncuit Coulmet Brut Blanc de Blancs (Base 2020) is a beautifully expressive Grower Champagne made from 100% Chardonnay sourced from the Côte de Sézanne, just south of the famed Côte des Blancs. Produced by the historic family-run house of Pierre Moncuit, this cuvée offers a fresh and approachable introduction to the domaine's elegant, Chardonnay-driven style.

Though labeled non-vintage, this release is based on the 2020 harvest. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and aged on the lees for approximately 24 months before release, giving it lovely texture and finesse while preserving its bright, mineral character.

In the glass, Coulmet opens with inviting aromas of white peach, lemon zest, green apple, fresh flowers, and light pastry notes. The palate is crisp and lively, with fine bubbles and flavors of citrus, orchard fruit, chalk, and subtle brioche. Clean, balanced, and refreshing — an exceptional aperitif and a wonderful match for shellfish, sushi, light seafood dishes, and soft cheeses.

A terrific value in Grower Champagne and a perfect bottle for those discovering the purity and charm of Blanc de Blancs.

"The NV (Base 2020) Brut Blanc de Blancs Coulmet, from vines in Sézanne, is soft, open-knit and gracious, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Baked apple tart, apricot, dried flowers and spice are all beautifully laced together. This is such a pretty and alluring Champagne. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: May 2025."
— Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media | 91 VM

"The wine (Base 2020) offers up a lovely nose of pear, raw almond, chalky soil tones, bread dough and a topnote of white flowers. On the palate the wine is bright, zesty and full-bodied, with a good core of fruit, fine mineral undertow, elegant mousse, brisk acids and fine length and grip on the complex and well balanced finish. Good juice. (Drink between 2024–2045)"
— Jeb Dunnuck | 90 JD

Wine Details

• Producer: Pierre Moncuit
• Cuvée: Coulmet
• Style: Brut Blanc de Blancs
• Base Vintage: 2020
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Subregion: Côte de Sézanne
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Vinification: Stainless steel
• Aging: Approx. 24 months sur lie
• Dosage: 7 g/L
• Disgorgement: May 2025

About Pierre Moncuit

Based in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne Pierre Moncuit is a historic family estate particularly renowned for its Chardonnay-based Champagnes. While the estate's flagship Delos cuvée comes from Grand Cru Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Coulmet draws from the family's holdings in the Côte de Sézanne — a region prized for its rounder, fruit-forward expression of Chardonnay.

Why We Like It

Coulmet delivers the hallmark precision and elegance of Pierre Moncuit at an accessible price point. The Côte de Sézanne fruit adds a generous, approachable character that makes this an ideal everyday Champagne — and a compelling introduction to the world of Grower Champagne.

PIERRE PAILLARD CHAMPAGNE 1ER CRU EXTRA BRUT BLANC DE NOIRS LUDES 2020 | 750ML

🇫🇷 France — Pinot Meunier | Ludes, Montagne de Reims, Champagne

A terroir-driven Blanc de Noirs of rare precision and mineral intensity. The bouquet opens with ripe white peach, apricot, nectarine, red apple, citrus peel, brioche, and subtle floral accents. On the palate it is vinous yet sharply defined — fine bubbles, lively acidity, and a pronounced chalky salinity that takes precedence over the grape’s naturally generous fruit. The finish is long, dry, and energetic with an elegant, pleasantly bitter edge. A powerful yet beautifully controlled expression of Meunier — more linear, saline, and structured than the grape is often expected to be.

Produced entirely from old-vine Pinot Meunier (planted 1970) grown in the lieux-dits Les Hautes-Pertes and Les Vigneulles-de-Devant in the Premier Cru village of Ludes, near Grand Cru Mailly-Champagne. The soils are highly calcareous with very little clay over deep chalk subsoil — the source of the wine’s distinctive mineral tension. Vinified and aged in oak barrels, bottled under natural cork for secondary fermentation, then matured approximately 4.5 years on the lees before disgorgement at a very low dosage of 2 g/L.

94 Points — James Suckling

Pairs well with: Oysters, sushi, sashimi, smoked trout, grilled white fish, scallops, shellfish, roast poultry, and creamy cheeses. An exceptional aperitif.

Grape: 100% Pinot Meunier
Classification: Premier Cru
Village: Ludes, Montagne de Reims
Vintage: 2020
Lees Aging: ~4.5 years
Dosage: 2 g/L (Extra Brut)
Format: 750ml
Score: 94 pts James Suckling

Pierre Paillard Les Parcelles Extra Brut Grand Cru — Bouzy NV

Pierre Paillard’s Les Parcelles is the definitive expression of Bouzy Grand Cru — a mosaic cuvée assembled from approximately 25 distinct parcels across the village’s sun-drenched, south-facing slopes. The blend is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, based on the 2020 harvest with 20% reserve wines, and it captures everything that makes Bouzy one of Champagne’s most celebrated Grand Cru villages: power, structure, and a chalky subsoil that keeps the wine focused and precise. Fermented in 350-liter oak barrels and cellared three years on the lees before disgorgement, the wine is dosed at just 2 g/L — Extra Brut in spirit and in fact. Rated 92 points by The Wine Advocate.

The bouquet is expressive and layered: pear, ripe citrus, and warm spices mingle with toasted bread, orange zest, and a whisper of brioche. On the palate, the wine is medium- to full-bodied with a lively, luminous fruit profile driven by racy acidity. The Pinot Noir from Bouzy’s south-facing slopes delivers depth and structure, while the Chardonnay adds finesse and brightness. The finish is long and pronounced, with a saline, chalky mineral drive that is the hallmark of great Bouzy terroir.

Wine Advocate 92 — “Livelier, more luminous fruit… racy acidity and a pronounced saline finish. A precise expression of Bouzy terroir.”

• Producer: Pierre Paillard, Bouzy, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Village: Bouzy (south-facing slopes)
• Blend: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
• Base Vintage: 2020 (with 20% reserve wines)
• Parcels: ~25 distinct parcels across Bouzy
• Style: Extra Brut
• Vinification: 350-liter oak barrels
• Lees Aging: 3 years before disgorgement
• Dosage: 2 g/L
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Pear, ripe citrus, warm spices, toasted bread, orange zest, brioche, racy acidity, saline chalky finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, roast chicken, duck, charcuterie, aged cheeses, mushroom dishes

92 points from The Wine Advocate. 25 parcels. 3 years on the lees. 2 g/L dosage. Pierre Paillard’s Les Parcelles is Bouzy Grand Cru Champagne at its most precise and compelling.

Pierre Paillard Champagne Extra-Brut Grand Cru Bouzy Les Terres Roses XIX | 750ml | Bouzy Grand Cru, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France

Pierre Paillard's Les Terres Roses XIX is a refined and vinous rosé Champagne produced entirely from the Grand Cru vineyards of Bouzy, one of the Montagne de Reims' most celebrated villages. Bouzy is particularly renowned for its powerful, deeply flavored Pinot Noir, while its chalk-rich soils bring freshness, structure and mineral definition to the finished wine.

The XIX release is based primarily on the 2019 harvest and is composed of approximately 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. Five percent of the blend is Bouzy Rouge — a still red wine made from old-vine Pinot Noir — which contributes the cuvée's delicate color, red-fruit character and subtle tannic structure.

Fermentation takes place in oak, followed by approximately three years of aging on the lees before disgorgement. A low dosage of 2 grams per liter preserves the wine's dry, precise Extra-Brut character while allowing the richness of the Bouzy fruit to remain beautifully expressive.

Pale pink in color, Les Terres Roses XIX opens with pure aromas of raspberry, red currant, wild strawberry and cherry, joined by notes of grapefruit, mandarin, iris blossom and crushed chalk. The palate is generous yet finely structured, balancing ripe red fruit with vibrant citrus acidity, a creamy mousse and a subtle touch of toast from its oak fermentation and extended lees aging.

The finish is long, dry and mineral-driven, with lingering notes of red berries, citrus peel, almond and saline chalk. It is both elegant enough to serve as an aperitif and sufficiently structured for the table.

Food Pairing

An excellent pairing with smoked salmon, tuna tartare, lobster, grilled shrimp, roast poultry, duck, charcuterie, mushroom dishes and soft-ripened cheeses. Serve well chilled in a white-wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Pierre Paillard
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Village: Bouzy
• Area: Montagne de Reims
• Cuvée: Les Terres Roses XIX
• Base Harvest: Primarily 2019
• Wine Type: Rosé Champagne, Extra Brut
• Blend: Approximately 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, including 5% Bouzy Rouge
• Farming: Certified organic
• Fermentation: Oak
• Lees Aging: Approximately 3 years
• Dosage: 2 grams per liter
• Classification: Grand Cru, Extra Brut
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Expert Reviews

Decanter Magazine by Simon Field MW writes 93 Points |  Made up, half and half, of base wine from the sunny 2018 harvest, and reserve wine from Rodolphe’s Perpetual Reserve which goes back to 1988, this is one of the most consistently excellent NV wines on the market. Its current iteration is especially impressive, floral, chalky, upstanding, and very complex; the palate sharing notes of dried apricot, plum and lemon pith with more developed intimations of sour honey and patisserie. An exemplary wine with real purity and precision on the finish. 

The Wine Spectator by Alison Napjus writes 91 Points | Sleek and mouthwatering, with a fine, satiny mousse and a fresh panoply of crunchy pear, grapefruit sorbet, pickled ginger and spring blossom notes. Bright and finely knit, with rich hints of toast and mineral echoing on the finish. Disgorged November 2019. Drink now through 2025.

Winemaker Descriptions

Discover the elegance and purity of Pierre Peters Cuvée de Réserve Blanc de Blancs, a non-vintage Champagne crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes. This refined Champagne offers delicate aromas of citrus, white flowers, and brioche, with a crisp acidity and a long, elegant finish.

Memo Summary Notes

Produced by Rodolphe Péters, this wine is celebrated for its precision, chalky minerality, and the unique use of a "perpetual reserve" system that dates back to 1988.

Its high acidity and saline finish make it a perfect match for raw oysters, sushi, or creamy risotto.

Piper-Héidsieck Champagne Brut NV — Half Bottle (375ml)

Founded in 1785, Piper-Héidsieck is one of Champagne’s most storied and celebrated houses — a name synonymous with elegance, festivity, and the art of the blend. With a history of dressing Hollywood royalty and gracing the world’s most celebrated tables, Piper-Héidsieck has long stood for a bold, fruit-forward style that is instantly recognizable and endlessly appealing. The Brut NV is the house’s signature expression: a classic, well-structured Champagne that showcases the Piper style at its most vibrant.

Crafted from fruit sourced across more than 100 of Champagne’s crus, the blend is led by Pinot Noir for structure, complemented by Pinot Meunier for fleshy fruit expression, and Chardonnay for elegance and acidity. Precious reserve wines ensure a consistent, recognizable flavor profile year after year. Now available in a convenient 375ml half-bottle — perfect for a solo celebration, a romantic dinner, or a gift.

Pale gold with a festive shimmer and lively, precise bubbles. The nose offers almond, fresh hazelnut, croissant, dried lemon, and apricot. The palate is lively and balanced — fresh pear, apple, pomelo, and juicy white fruits — with a creamy mousse, bright acidity, and a smooth, rounded finish.

Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points

“Balanced between a soft Brut character and crisper lemon flavors. That balance gives a fine wine, open and easy, but with a fine bite of acidity at the end.”

Wine & Spirits — 90 Points 

“A clean Champagne, green-gold in color with the flavor of peaches just coming into ripeness. Its cool mineral savor brings to mind grapes sautéed in butter.”

James Suckling — 90 Points

“Attractive aromas of croissants, sourdough, dried lemons, apricots, figs and walnuts. Soft and balanced on the palate, with a medium body, creamy mousse and a dry, rounded finish.”

Blend: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Appellation: Champagne AOC, France
Style: Brut NV
Format: 375ml (Half Bottle)
Scores: 90 pts WE | 90 pts W&S | 90 pts JS

Winemaker Description

The 2008 Rare Rosé is Piper-Heidsieck's second ever prestige cuvée rosé — an extremely premium and rare offering 11 years in the making. The legendary eye of Régis Camus saw a rare opportunity in the 2008 Champagne vintage, a beautifully complex and eccentric year. It is an audacious wine, born of intuition, vision, and aspiration — the very definition of Rosé. Following an attack that is both elegant and generous, the velvety texture unfurls to offer minerality and subtlety. The exuberant vitality of dark fruits and citrus is followed by vibrancy, smoky notes of star anise and violets.

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points | The 2008 Champagne Rare Rosé is straight-up sensational. Only the second time they've produced this cuvée, it offers a deep, full-bodied, powerful yet chiseled and laser-focused style carrying loads of wild strawberry fruit as well as notes of orange blossom, spice, and crushed rocks. Backward, austere, yet simply loaded with potential, it needs a solid 4–5 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for two decades or more.

Wine Spectator 97 Points | A vibrant Champagne, ballet-slipper pink in color, featuring intense flavors of nectarine, ripe raspberry, grilled nut, espresso and graphite, with a touch of dried sage, all riding the finely detailed mousse. Like a ballerina, this offers power in a graceful form. A beautiful skein of spice unravels on the lasting finish. Drink now through 2033.

Food Pairings

Best enjoyed with lobster, langoustine, seared duck breast, wagyu beef, and aged hard cheeses. A world-class prestige Champagne for the most special occasions.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: 2008
Region: Champagne, France
Appellation: Champagne AOC
Style: Brut Rosé Vintage Champagne
Producer: Piper-Heidsieck
Cuvée: Rare Rosé — Prestige Cuvée

Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut — Champagne NV

Piper-Heidsieck is one of Champagne’s most iconic and storied houses, founded in 1785 and long favored by royalty and Hollywood alike. The Cuvée Brut is the house’s flagship non-vintage expression — a Pinot-dominant blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay that delivers the house’s signature vivacity, richness, and precision. Consistently earning scores of 90–92 points across the world’s most respected publications, this is a Champagne of genuine pedigree at an exceptional price.

The nose is complex and inviting: black cherry, white peach purée, croissant, sourdough, dried lemon, apricot, and salted almond, with bright florals and a racy finesse. On the palate, it is creamy and mouthwatering — soft Brut character balanced by a crisp bite of acidity, a finely detailed mousse, and a spiced, rounded finish of honey, red fruit, and toasted brioche.

Wine Spectator 92 — “A vivacious Champagne. Flavors of black cherry, toast point, white peach purée and salted almond on a finely detailed mousse. Creamy and mouthwatering on the spiced finish.”
Decanter 92 — “Racy nose of real finesse. A well-hewn palate with bright florals, red fruit and delicate flavours of honey.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 • Wine & Spirits 90 • James Suckling 90

• Producer: Piper-Heidsieck, Reims, Champagne, France
• Founded: 1785
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, white peach, croissant, sourdough, dried lemon, apricot, salted almond, honey, red fruit, creamy mousse
• Best Paired With: Oysters, sole, lobster, smoked salmon, soft cheeses, charcuterie

Founded in 1785, favored by royalty, and scoring 92 points — Piper-Heidsieck’s Cuvée Brut is Champagne history you can drink tonight.

Pommery Champagne Brut Royal NV — Half Bottle (375ml)

Pommery is one of Champagne’s most storied and innovative houses, founded in 1836 and famously credited with introducing the first successful dry “Brut” style Champagne to the world in 1874 — a style they have been perfecting ever since. Based in Reims, Pommery is known for its elegant, refined approach and its iconic Art Nouveau cellars, carved deep into the chalk beneath the city. Brut Royal is the house’s signature non-vintage expression: an equal blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, crafted to showcase the balance, finesse, and minerality that define the Pommery style. Now available in a 375ml half-bottle.

The Wall Street Journal’s Lettie Teague describes it as “a lithesome, compulsively drinkable dry sparkler with notes of citrus and pear and a long minerally finish” — and calls it “a terrific aperitif.” The nose is civilized and elegant, with apple, lemon, peach, grapefruit, biscuit, and dried fruit. The palate is creamy and round, with citric balance, real poise, and a refreshing bite of citrus on the finish. Sleek bubbles throughout.

Decanter — 93 points

“Civilised apple, lemon and dried fruit nose. There’s a nice lift in the mouth with citric balance and real poise. Full of character.”

James Suckling — 92 points

“Peach, lemon, grapefruit, biscuit and some honey on the nose. Creamy and round with a juicy, peachy palate. Sleek bubbles. Base vintage 2018.”

Wine Enthusiast — 90 points

“A reference in the region. Fine balance, rich but with good touches of minerality and crisp white fruits. The finish with its bite of citrus is attractively refreshing.”

Wall Street Journal — Lettie Teague

“A lithesome, compulsively drinkable dry sparkler with notes of citrus and pear and a long minerally finish… a terrific aperitif.”

Food Pairings

Oysters, smoked salmon, sushi, soft cheeses, and light appetizers. Perfect as an aperitif or to open any celebration.

Blend: Equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Appellation: Champagne AOC, France
Style: Brut NV (base vintage 2018, 9–10 g/L dosage)
Format: 375ml (Half Bottle)
Scores: 93 pts Decanter | 92 pts James Suckling | 90 pts Wine Enthusiast

Winemaker Description

Created as a tribute to Louise Pommery, Cuvée Louise is an absolutely pure wine which quintessentially conveys the wine-making expertise of the Pommery champagne house. 

The wine has a yellow, slightly golden color with an exceptional brightness and limpidity. The effervescence is fine and delicate.

This 2005 is marked by floral notes in all their complexity. Owing to the long aging, notes of linden, hawthorn and vineyard peach. With its high purity, the bouquet is delicately blended with buttery notes. After aeration, the Pinot Noir expresses itself and the wine gains aromas of roasted hazelnuts and mild tobacco.

This wine is like a caress, its texture is velvety and creamy. The attack is frank, without asperity and imbalance. With incredible harmony and minerality, the heart of the tasting is intensive and structured. The finale, with the gentleness of honey and lemon, comes to punctuate this wine and provides the vintage with signature delicate flavor, noble bitterness and structure.

Expert Reviews

97 Points James Suckling | Grilled bread with flowers, pears and apples. Lots of perfumes. Lavender and some herbs and nutmeg. The palate is tight and solid with fine phenolics and a long, intense finish. Pure and extremely linear and lively. Sophisticated and thought-provoking.

92 Points Wine Spectator | A fresh and lacy Champagne, with a pleasing, creamy range of golden apple, blanched almond and lemon pound cake underscored by a streak of minerally saline and brine.

92 Points Wine & Spirits | A ghost of chardonnays past, this tastes like white grapefruit without the acidity, as if a grapefruit could age past its acidity and still remain fresh. From three estate parcels— chardonnay from Avize and Cramant, pinot noir from Aÿ—this is an elegant Champagne at a peak moment of maturity, flinty and airy with a deep leesy savor.

R. Pouillon & Fils | Les Blanchiens | Premier Cru Brut Nature | Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne | 2017 | Biodynamic | Zero Dosage

R. Pouillon & Fils is one of Champagne's most exciting and principled grower-producers, based in the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Vallée de la Marne. Fabrice Pouillon farms his vineyards according to biodynamic principles — a commitment to the land that goes beyond organic certification, working in harmony with natural cycles to produce wines of exceptional purity, vitality, and terroir expression.

Les Blanchiens is considered one of the defining wines of the Pouillon estate — a mono-cru vintage Champagne from a single south-facing parcel in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, farmed biodynamically on clay-limestone soils. An equal blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the two varieties are fermented separately in used neutral barriques and raised for approximately 18 months in neutral oak before bottling — the restrained use of older oak adding texture and complexity without masking the purity of the fruit or the distinctive character of the terroir.

As a Brut Nature Champagne, Les Blanchiens is finished without dosage — zero grams per liter — placing the focus entirely on the quality of the fruit, the structure of the vintage, and the mineral tension of the vineyard. This is a wine that demands and rewards attention.

The bouquet is distinctive and complex — opening with unique aromas of black tea and bitter orange, joined by ripe citrus, orchard fruit, dried flowers, gentle spice, toasted grain, and subtle chalky minerality. On the palate, powerful yet remarkably light on its feet: Pinot Noir provides drive and structure, while Chardonnay contributes brightness, precision, and energy. Finely delineated texture with vibrant acidity and a persistent mousse carrying the wine into an exceptionally long, focused finish. A vinous, gastronomic Champagne that continues to reveal new layers as it opens in the glass.

Pair with oysters, caviar, lobster, grilled fish, scallops, roast poultry, mushroom dishes, aged Comté, and other firm or nutty cheeses.

• Producer: R. Pouillon & Fils
• Cuvée: Les Blanchiens
• Classification: Premier Cru Brut Nature (Zero Dosage)
• Appellation: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France
• Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2017
• Farming: Biodynamic
• Soils: Clay-limestone; south-facing
• Vinification: Varieties fermented separately in neutral barriques
• Élevage: ~18 months in neutral oak
• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
• Dosage: Zero (Brut Nature)
• Bottle Size: 750ml