Sparkling

Winemaker Description 

Rich palate of ripe peaches and apples, with toasted, buttery brioche and butterscotch.
Franciacorta is Italy's answer to Champagne, made using a combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco, vinified using the traditional method.

Ca' del Bosco is one of the leading wineries in Franciacorta.

This wine spends 24 months on the lees, contributing brioche flavours and creating a fine, persistent mousse.

Wonderful for any celebration or as an aperitif.

Winemaker Description 

A sweet sparkling wine with light ruby red nuances with a lively and persistent perlage. Both at the nose and in the mouth, all the aromatic peculiarities of the vine are best expressed; intense aromas of Bulgarian rose and berries accompanied by a sweet aftertaste balanced by a good acidity.

A perfect dessert wine paired with fresh strawberries, fruit salads, fruit pies and small pastries.

Winemaker Description 

Straw yellow with green highlights. In true Pinot Grigio style, this wine shows delightful aromas of fresh citrus, green apple, orange blossom, and tropical fruit, with a floral hint. Medium-bodied and well-balanced, flavors of fresh tropical fruit are complemented by hints of almond.

Winemaker Description 

The froth is evanescent with a violet color and continuous perlage. Its color is a brilliant ruby red color, the perfume is fruity with flowery notes and the taste is sweet and harmonious. 

Lambrusco, a lightly sparkling, slightly sweet red wine is served well-chilled, and so is a godsend in the summer, when simpler fare, especially grilled or cured meats, call for a similarly light-hearted wine.

Lambrusco makes an exceptional, if unexpected, match with fiery hot-and-spicy dishes because its bubbly nature and slight sweetness make it work more like beer than wine to quench the flames. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description 

When Edmond de AYALA founded the House in 1860, he focussed on crafting a champagne with a distinct and recognisable style, known today as AYALA Brut Majeur. A pure and balanced champagne which showcases the diverse personalities of Champagne’s different Terroirs.

Crafted with a unique diversity of crus from Champagne’s vineyard, this cuvée is a multi-cru and multi-vintage blend with Chardonnay as main grape variety.

To preserve this pure style, the House brings its expertise and meticulous approach to the micro-vinification process, always with a minimum of intervention on wines.

Crisp, fresh and effortlessly cool, our CHANDON Brut is your go-to choice bubbly for entertaining, sipping and gifting. A classic expression of our California vineyards, signature green apple, pear and citrus notes precede a soft, dry finish. 2023 Decanter Bronze Medal 91 Points

2022 Decanter Bronze Medal 88 Points

2022 Women's Wine & Spirits Awards DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL winner!

2022 Sommelier’s Choice Award 88 points SILVER medal!

2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition SILVER medal!

VINOUS 93 Points

The NV Extra Brut Rosé ADN de Meunier is a classic-layered and supple with rose petals, mint, dried cherry, mint, spice and orange peel. Assembled with the inclusion of 10% still red Meunier, the Rosé is exquisitely nuanced and super expressive, offering great depth and tons of personality.

Winmaker Notes

Cipriani Bellini is the world-famous cocktail made with white peach pulp and brut sparkling wine. It was invented in 1948 by Giuseppe Cipriani of Harry's Bar in Venice and is served in every Cipriani location around the world. A great way to start any party or to have with Sunday Brunch! Cipriani Bellini shows elegant, fresh, and fruity aromas with a balanced sweetness and fragrant bubbles. Perfect anytime, great as an aperitif.

A sweet and easygoing drink that pleases both the palate and the eyes. The peach Bellini is made with only the best white peach puree, whose smooth texture combines with the sparkle of Prosecco to conceive a joyous cocktail that celebrates life.The Bellini recipe has used the same quality ingredients since its original inception. The Prosecco and peach puree complete each harmoniously, no other aromas or flavors required.

GLASS BOTTLE: 750 ml | 200 mL

PRESERVATION PERIOD: 20 months

STORAGE TEMPERATURE: 60-70 °F

OCCASION: A timeless cocktail for any occasion. The Bellini is, however, tightly tied to the Italian tradition of aperitivo.
So, it is best shared in good company with tasty snacks in hand.

ALCOHOL CONTENT: 5.5%

SERVING TEMPERATURE: 37-40 °F

Expert Review

Decanter 91 Points | The oldest producer in Emilia, Cleto Chiarli is better known for producing high-quality Lambrusco Secco, but this Grasparossa Amabile is just as captivating. Round and creamy but not cloying, touches of pepper and cinnamon complicate cherry jam flavours. Excellent acidity keeps the residual sugar in balance, underpinning a savoury and slightly grippy finish.

Winemaker Description 

A semi-sweet wine of an intense red color. The wine has very fruity aromas and all the grape fragrances can be felt. Lively and fading bubbles are of a marked rose color. Its smoothness makes it surprisingly pleasant, though avoiding excesses. A captivating wine.

Paired well with traditional cuisine from Emilia, it is also a wonderful accompaniment to desserts.

Winemaker Description 

Delicate pink in color this wine features bright highlights. It is crisp, lively and fresh, full of ripe cherry and berry flavors. The body is exceptionally light and satiny. It has a pleasing long, dry finish. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Col De’ Salici "Rosé de’ Salici" Spumante Brut is a charming and versatile sparkling rosé from the Veneto region of Italy. Often described as a "step up from standard Prosecco," it is appreciated for its vibrant color and crisp, dry profile.

Unlike typical Prosecco (which is almost always 100% Glera), this spumante uses a unique blend of red and white grapes to achieve its structure and hue.

Because of its crispness and fruit-forward nature, it is an excellent "aperitivo" wine but also holds up well to food:

• Brunch: Smoked salmon bagels, eggs benedict, or fruit tarts.

• Appetizers: Prosciutto and melon, caprese salad, or fried calamari.

• Main Courses: Spicy Thai or Indian cuisine (the bubbles and fruit help temper the heat) and grilled shrimp.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

Notes of acacia flowers, apple, lemon peel and grapefruit are balanced by refreshing and bright acidity.Produced using the Charmat, or tank method, the wine is a bright, straw yellow and presents a delicate and persistent bead.Produced using the Charmat, or tank method, the wine is a bright, straw yellow and presents a delicate and persistent bead.

Winemaker Description 

Crafted with fine effervescence that tickles the palate, Cupcake Moscato d’Asti is a vibrant wine with flavors of nectarine, honey and peach. Pair with coconut pudding or a fruit tart.

Expert Reviews 

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  The NV Champagne Le Mesnil Sur Oger Brut is a terrific Champagne, offering lots of juicy citrus and stone fruits as well as more apple and brioche characteristics with time in the glass. Possessing a medium-bodied, fresh, lively style, with a distinct minerality on the palate, it has an elegant mousse, fine acidity, and a great finish. The blend is 55% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and the balance Pinot Meunier, with only a portion of the blend going through malolactic fermentation.  - Jeb Dunnuck 90

William Kelley writes:  The latest release of Delamotte's NV Brut is especially charming, bursting with aromas of crisp orchard fruit, peach and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and enveloping, it's a fleshy, giving wine that's ample and pliant, with a pinpoint mousse and a nicely defined finish.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 90

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 97 Points | A super-complex Champagne with chewy tension. Aromas of coffee beans, lemon peel, burnt sugar, chalky minerality, barley candy and tarte tatin. Fine pinprick bubbles with flavors of lemon leaves, aspirin and Mirabelle plums, plus a touch of grapefruit bitterness keeping the tension. Zesty yet integrated chewy acidity and a medium body with a toasted finish. Drink of hold.
96 Vinous

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | 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, with bright saline notes that extend the mid-palate and finish. This is a fine showing in a vintage that has proven to be tricky. I am intrigued to see how the 2015 develops in the coming years.

The Wine Spectator 95 Points | Disgorged in January 2023, the 2015 Dom Pérignon shows a singular, ethereal profile with aromas of white pepper, iodine, ripe orchard fruits, toast, smoke, herbs and spices. Medium to full-bodied, layered, and structured, it’s enveloping and round with a delicate phenolic mid-palate that underlines chalky dry extracts, concluding with a sapid, penetrating finish with gastronomic bitterness. This iteration of Dom Pérignon, though replete with the customary charm and vinous generosity that typify the label, distinguishes itself by its structural delicate austerity and a notably phenolic profile, giving rise to a remarkably linear and well-defined style that diverges markedly from the more familiar expressions of Dom Pérignon. This is a blend of 51% Pinot Noir and 49% Chardonnay with a dosage of 4.5 grams per liter; it will age wonderfully and can be enjoyed now or over the next 20 years.

Decanter 94 Points | There's a well-spiced, zesty edge to the flavors of glazed apple, mandarin orange peel, pink grapefruit pith and crème de cassis as they ride the finely detailed mousse of this fresh, focused Champagne. This vivid display is enriched by notes of canelé pastry, chopped almond, pastry cream, smoke and vanilla, all coming to the forefront through the midpalate and chiming on the lasting finish. Drink now through 2035.

Winemaker Description

Dom Pérignon Vintage 2015 stands out for its complex aromatic flavor profile combining intense roasted and cocoa notes, balanced by delicate floral aromas of lime blossom, jasmine and peony. Elevated by a bouquet of spices such as aniseed and cardamom, Dom Pérignon 2015 also offers a fruity, botanical freshness, with subtle hints of orange and green papaya. This blend of flavors creates the perfect taste harmony for lovers of fine wine.The 2015 vintage wine is characterized by its breadth and delicacy, offering a unique sensory experience. Notes of peach, nectarine, citrus and gentian create a harmonious blend, giving the wine a rich texture and a diverse aromatic palate. This rich, well-balanced cuvée captures the essence of the exceptional terroirs from which it comes, promising a memorable wine tasting experience.

Expert Review - Vintage 2010

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 98 Points  | Dinner starts with a fresh, briny oyster and a glass of 2010 Dom Ruinart. It’s a beautiful pairing. I have always loved the 2010 for the way it straddles the worlds of Champagne and still wine. It is absolutely glorious on this night. In fact, I could have had it for the entire meal. A deep, luscious morel broth and Brittany scallops are other highlights among the amuse-bouches. (Drink between 2023-2050).

Winemaker Description 

Indulge in the pure expression of Chardonnay with Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010. A vintage Champagne capturing the elegance and finesse of Chardonnay, with notes of citrus blossom, green apple, and a refined minerality. A perfect aperitif or accompaniment to delicate seafood dishes.

Domaine Du Clos Naudin Philippe Foreau Vouvray Extra Brut 2019 is an elegant, méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine from France’s Loire Valley. Crafted from 100% Chenin Blanc, it offers crisp acidity, fine bubbles, and complex aromas of green apple, citrus, and minerality. Dry and refreshing, it’s a perfect pairing with seafood, creamy cheeses, or as an apéritif. 🍾✨

Producer Description 

From the warm (even by today’s standards) 2019 growing season comes this masterful Vouvray Extra-Brut, which spent four full years on its lees, and to which Philippe and Vincent applied a mere 1.33 grams-per-liter dosage—their lowest ever.

Philippe prefers a small dosage to none, as he states that it improves the wine’s capacity to age, and he and Vincent employ rigorous double-blind dosage trials to determine the final amount.

With its low-for-Vouvray acidity and its full malolactic fermentation (rare for Foreau), this wine benefits from its modest dosage, as it maintains taut acidity and clings mightily to the palate as its notes of truffle, candied lemon, and lanolin echo far into the distance.

Producer Description 

From the Cremant d'Alsace in France. Notes of citrus and crisp apple play on the nose. The palate is brisk with citrus and tart greengage fruit.

Aged in our cellars for many months, our crémant is recognized for its great finesse. it goes well with festive moments, aperitifs, and desserts but also with veal roasts, a pan of mushrooms, poultry dishes in sauce... Serve chilled.

Kosher for Passover. Mevushal. 

Winemaker Description 

The Crémant d’Alsace Brut Zero Rosé from Valentin Zusslin is 100% made with Pinot Noir, raised according to the traditional method for 18 months on slats, without dosage or addition of sulphites. The dress has salmon shades typical of this grape variety and reveals a beautiful fine effervescence, a sign of a neat farm.

On the nose as in the mouth, it delivers net aromas of red fruits – currant, blackcurrant, raspberry – supplemented with sweet spices and gourmet notes of hazelnut or macaroon. The tasting shows it brightly, dry, very digestible and with a controlled aromatic finish.

James Suckling writes | A rosé that for its class is relatively dry and winey, making it an excellent sparkling wine to accompany a meal.

Memo Summary Notes 

The Domaine Valentin Zusslin Crémant d'Alsace Brut Zéro Rosé is a highly regarded, biodynamic sparkling wine from Alsace, France. Known for its purity and lack of added sugar (Non-Dosé), it is a favorite among fans of "natural" and terroir-driven wines.

Paring Suggestions

Aperitif: Excellent on its own to wake up the palate.

Winemaker Description

Mevushal. The Carte d'Or cuvée is the very expression of the Drappier style. With its very high proportion of Pinot Noir, one is almost tasting a Blanc de Noirs. Champagne with a fine aromatic richness, it opens with aromas of stoned fruits such as white vineyard peach. A spicy hint announces a powerful complex palate. A vinous Champagne of lovely complexity with a characteristic note of quince jelly. 

Ideal as an apertif. At the table, it goes with white meats, rolled fish fillets, Chaource cheese. 

Expert Reviews

91 Points Robert Parker | Disgorged in April 2021, Drappier's new NV Brut Carte d'Or delivers attractive aromas of golden orchard fruit, stone fruit, honeycomb and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, it's charming and elegantly vinous, with a flavorful core of fruit, lively acids and a chalky finish.

91 Points James Suckling | This has aromas of pear tart, pie crust, praline and apricot. Bright, with a creamy mousse and attractive biscuity and nutty layers. Dry feel at the end. 80% pinot noir, 15% chardonnay and 5% pinot meunier. Dosage 5,5 g/L.

91 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The NV Champagne Carte d’Or Brut is 75% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier, and the remainder Chardonnay, with 6.5 grams per liter dosage. There is 80% base wine from the 2019 vintage and the remainder reserve wine. This is their historical style, with the nose offering up aromas of ripe apricot, yellow flowers, and cherry liqueur. The palate is round and a bit more structured, with more stone fruit and kirsch. Best after 2022.

90 Points Wine Spectator | Racy acidity enlivens this crisp and lacy Champagne. Well-knit, with the delicate mix of ripe white cherry, blanched almond, yellow plum and grated ginger flavors.

The Carte d'Or cuvée is the very expression of the Drappier style. With its very high proportion of Pinot Noir, one is almost tasting a Blanc de Noirs. Champagne with a fine aromatic richness, it opens with aromas of stoned fruits such as white vineyard peach. A spicy hint announces a powerful complex palate. A vinous Champagne of lovely complexity with a characteristic note of quince jelly.

Ideal as an apertif. At the table, it goes with white meats, rolled fish fillets, Chaource cheese. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews

The Wine Advocate 94 Points | In 2012, severe weather conditions posed significant challenges for the Drappier family; hail impacted almost 70% of their village, and frost hit 20% of the La Grande Sendrée plot. This resulted in a limited yield of the 2012 Brut Grande Sendrée, which has a delicate, deep bouquet with aromas of pear, peach, orchard fruit, baked bread and spices. Medium to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, it’s a layered and structured, tension-filled but ethereal Champagne with racy acidity. Although already thoroughly enjoyable, it should age well over the next 10 years. This is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay, disgorged with 4.9 grams per liter dosage

Decanter 95 Points | This delightful wine is a benchmark for the Aube. Its exquisite texture boasts a delightfully creamy, dense feel and vibrant energy. The fruit aromas range from ripe pear to apricot and quince, accented by fresh white flowers and a firm mineral note. The grapes come from a single site that has been in the family since the 19th century that is organically farmed and worked by horse. The base wines are fermented in large oak uprights and dosed at 4.5g/L after eight years on the lees. 

Expert Reviews

~ Rosé made using the saignée method
~ Zero dosage
~ Natural
~ Very low sulphur content
~ Aromas of red fruits, mandarin orange and white pepper
~ Pinot Noir

Vinification of the Brut Nature Rosé cuvée

~ Rosé made using the saignée method with maceration in vats lasting 3 days
~ Only the juices from first pressing are used
~ Minimal use of sulphur
~ No filtering
~ Use of gravity to avoid oxidation
~ Then total and natural malolactic fermentation
~ Zero dosage
~ 100% of the wines are made in vats to preserve freshness
~ After bottling the cuvée is aged for 2 to 3 years sur lattes (on laths)

GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir

FOOD PAIRINGS: Ideal as an aperitif. Goes perfectly with salmon carpaccio or scallops, sushi, grilled meats. Serve at: 45°F.

TASTING NOTES: On the nose, very evocative of strawberry and raspberry with a floral note of rose petals. The palate recalls red fruits and is augmented by hints of citrus fruit, mandarin orange and a small, very refined touch of white pepper.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Expert Review

Vinous 90 Points | A new wine in the Egly range, the NV Brut Les Prémices is a Chardonnay/Pinot Noir/Meunier blend from Trigny, all 2016 vintage. Bright floral notes and the natural richness of Pinots come together nicely in this entry-level bottling. There is good energy, but naturally not quite the textural breadth of the top wines. Disgorged: July, 2020, with 36 months on the lees.

Winemaker Description

The Cava Brut by Elvi is a highly drinkable sparkling wine made from grapes grown in Spain's fertile wine regions. The coloring is very light, and nearly translucent with a straw coloring and some greenness. The bubbles are nice and prominent, both pleasurable to the eye and mouth.

The aroma is complex, with many different notes. A touch of fruit, a touch of yeast, and a touch of almond swirl around in the nose. The texture feels nice in the mouth with lighter acids that fall away at the end and a shorter aftertaste. Very enjoyable and easy to drink.

Expert Reviews - Base 2021

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | Emmanuel Brochet’s NV Le Mont Benoit (2021 base), which includes 40% reserve wines from 2020 and 2019, was disgorged in May 2024 with a dosage of four grams per liter—slightly higher than usual. He notes that this modest adjustment was necessitated by the incisive profile of the base vintage. The wine unfurls from the glass with aromas of green apple, chamomile and peeled almond. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied, chiseled, bright and laden with electric acidity, culminating in a long, chalky finish marked by a distinctive bitterness. Stylistically, this bottling slightly diverges from recent iterations shaped by a string of warm vintages, but qualitatively speaking, it is unmistakably the same superb cuvée. While Brochet himself expresses a degree of dissatisfaction due to its higher malic acid, such critique speaks to the standards of a perfectionist. This rendition, in all likelihood, will age beautifully over the coming years.  

Memo Summary Notes

The Emmanuel Brochet Rosé de Saignée Extra Brut "R21" is a highly sought-after, "unicorn" grower Champagne. It is crafted by Emmanuel Brochet, a cult producer based in Villers-aux-Nœuds on the Montagne de Reims, known for his tiny production and extremely meticulous organic farming.

The "R21" notation indicates that the base year for this non-vintage release is the 2021 harvest.

Expert Reviews - Digorged 2024

The Wine Advocate 93 Points | Disgorged in November 2024 without dosage yet retaining over six grams per liter of residual sugar, Mousse's NV Blanc de Noirs Eugene is a perpetual cuvee, composed of 50% wine from the 2022 vintage, with its origins tracing back to 2003. Comprising 80% Pinot Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir—whose ripe skins impart a delicate pink hue—it unveils an expressive bouquet of candied orange peel, pear, peach, plum and pastry. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, rich and multidimensional, with a concentrated core of fruit, succulent yet racy acidity and phenolics that lend a gently bitter edge to the long, resonant finish. While the residual sugar lends it a touch more giving style, it represents a considerable step up in complexity from L'Esquisse and comes highly recommended.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Made from 80% Meunier and the rest Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Eugene is a bright yellow color and reveals honeyed aromas of ginger, honeycomb, preserved red berries, and flowers. Medium-bodied, it takes things up a notch in quality on the palate, with a more serious texture, although it remains easygoing and approachable, with a fluffy mousse and a note of savory broth on the finish. It's a very well-styled sparkler to drink over the coming 10 years. Disgorged July 2023.

Decanter 92 Points | Coming from a perpetual reserve started in 2003, it's a delicate but cleverly opened-up, youthful style of dried apple and pear, peach and blossom, succulent with soft cherry but snappily dry and light-footed. 20% Pinot Noir adds a little structure and weight. Cédric Moussé turns out some of the Marne Valley's most refined, charming Meunier wines from the south-facing slopes of Cuisles on the north bank of the Marne river.

Memo Summary Notes

This is the defining feature: it uses a Perpetual Reserve (similar to a Solera system) that blends the current vintage with reserve wines going back many years (often to 2003).

This adds immense complexity, depth, and consistency to the wine.
This is an excellent example of a Grower Champagne that provides the complexity of a much more expensive bottle, thanks to the Perpétuelle reserve system.

Winemaker Description 

    •    Practicing organic
    •    80% Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir
    •    70% 2022, 30% perpetual blend 2003-2021
    •    From Cuisles, Jonquery, Châtillon-sur-Marne
    •    40+ year old vines
    •    Yes malo
    •    Fermented and aged in stainless steel
    •    Aged 18+ months on the lees
    •    Dosage: 0g/L

Winemaker Description 

Charmat method sparkling wine.

This is a refined Brut with a delicate mineral nature and a flowery, welcoming bouquet which charms the senses.

Each sip conjures fresh sensations and light thoughts.

Soft pressing in pneumatic press, sedimentation of must and fermentation at controlled temperature with inoculation of selected yeasts. Aflnation in steel barrels for at least 4 months.

Charmat method for 30 days in autoclave. 

Winemaker Description 

This Prosecco, boasts a flavor profile guaranteed to delight your palate. With notes of white peach and ripe apple, as well as dog roses and other florals, this white wine is perfectly balanced.

Memo Summary Notes

Fasol Menin "Leonte" Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry is the most classic and representative version from this artisanal winery in Valdobbiadene. It is a Prosecco that focuses entirely on the balance between the typical softness of the residual sugar (Extra Dry) and the mineral freshness of the Treviso hills.

Food pairing: It pairs beautifully with finger food, shellfish, legume soups (such as the typical Venetian pasta and bean soup in a lighter version), and fresh cheeses. It's also surprisingly good with not-too-spicy Asian cuisine (sushi and sashimi).

Winemaker Description

Francesc Ricart Brut is a cava made following its Traditional Method in the most representative area of the DO Cava, which is the region of Penedes and Sant Sadurní d´Anoia.

Expressing aromas of toast, honeycomb, sourdough and nougat. Elegant sparkling wine with an intense flavour of the local varieties and fine texture. Citrus peel and hint of forest floor flavours are supported by the toasted bread. 

A careful selection of the best Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Perellada local varieties and a meticulous winemaking process -the second fermentation and the subsequent ageing take place in the bottle- are the basis of this cava. This cava respects the essence of a traditional brut and it is a fresh and easy-drinking wine.

Winemaker Description 

A balanced bouquet of wild red berries and floral violet notes. This Chianti has a mélange of dryness and great freshness, with soft tannins and a medium body. The lingering finish of berries on the palate is pleasant and smooth.

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | Medium golden yellow hue, the NV Champagne La Vallée Suspendue Extra Brut is expressive on the nose and leaps from the glass with rounded aromas of lemon curd, merengue, pastry dough, marzipan, and red berries. It has more intensity on the palate, becoming more savory and salty, with a brothy feel, a fluffy mousse, and a chalky, textured finish. This is a solid wine with a lot of character to enjoy over the coming 10 years.

Vinous 93 Points | The NV (2016) Extra Brut La Vallée Suspendue is a blend of 80% Meunier, 15% Pinot Noir and 5% Chardonnay, based on 2016 with 50% reserve wines from a perpetual reserve that goes back to 1999. Those elements combine in a rich, resonant Champagne that is incredibly distinctive. Dried pear, spice, tangerine oil and exotic yellow flowers all build in the glass, but it is the wine's overall balance I admire most. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: June 2023.

Expert Reviews 

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | This plush Champagne has delicate apple blossom and chamomile notes wafting through finely meshed flavors of white cherry, peach skin, raw almond and fleur de sel. Well-balanced, bright and lightly mouthwatering, with a minerally finish. Disgorged December 2022. Drink now. 500 cases imported.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | The NV Champagne Rive Droite Blanc des Noirs Brut (60% Meunier and the rest Pinot Noir) reveals aromas of ripe red berries, currants, and wet rock, and more red fruit, all fresh, fills the palate. Drink this over the next 10 years. Best after 2022.

Vinous 90 Points | The NV Brut Blanc des Noirs Rive Droite (base 2020) is laced with sweet red plum, kirsch, ginger, spice and dried flowers. Medium in body yet quite persistent, the Blanc de Noirs has a ton to offer. It's rich but not at all heavy, and certainly well balanced. Pretty floral accents lift the finish. The Rive Droite is a bit reticent but very nicely done.

Memo Summary Notes

The Gamet "Rive Droite" Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut is a standout grower Champagne from the Gamet family, who have been farming the Right Bank of the Marne Valley since the 1950s. This specific cuvée is a "Meunier-heavy" masterpiece, showcasing the power and plushness of the Right Bank's sandy, fossil-rich soils.

Food Pairings: Its savory, salty finish makes it perfect for East Coast oysters, charcuterie, or roasted chicken with herbs. It also has enough weight to handle a triple-crème cheese like Brillat-Savarin.

Expert Reviews

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | Disgorged in January 2019, the latest release of Gaston Chiquet's NV Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs d'Aÿ is showing beautifully, opening in the glass with scents of crisp yellow orchard fruit, white flowers, blanched almonds and fresh peach. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, bright and charming, with a succulent core of fruit, a delicate pinpoint mousse and a nicely defined finish. Elegant and expressive, this is a beautifully balanced Blanc de Blancs that would make for a perfect aperitif.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | The base vintage of the NV Champagne Blanc De Blancs D'Ay Grand Cru Brut is from 2019, and it spent 4 years on the lees. A robust style of Blanc de Blancs, it’s assertive with notes of ripe pineapple, preserved lemon, honeycomb, and fresh walnut. Flesh and full-bodied, it has a soft, pillowy mousse, a persistent core of acidity, and a powerful drive through the finish. It will need some age to improve, as its tertiary notes should start to integrate and harmonize, rounding out its muscular personality.

The Wine Spectator 90 Points | Disgorged in January 2019, the latest release of Gaston Chiquet's NV Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs d'Aÿ is showing beautifully, opening in the glass with scents of crisp yellow orchard fruit, white flowers, blanched almonds and fresh peach. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, bright and charming, with a succulent core of fruit, a delicate pinpoint mousse and a nicely defined finish. Elegant and expressive, this is a beautifully balanced Blanc de Blancs that would make for a perfect aperitif.

Winemaker Description 

A vibrant yellow-green in color, the Blancs de Blancs, d'Aÿ Grand Cru offers a delicate and fruity nose of citrus, pineapple, grapefruit with a hint of lemon. Lively on the palate with the finesse of Chardonnay and notes of citrus, white flowers, mandarin, fresh sage, and a long and fresh finish.

Producer Description

100% Pinot Noir

• From Cumières 1er Cru, three plots all on the midslope
• A pure expression of Pinot Noir from Cumières
• No malo
• Fermented and aged in demi-muids and barrels
• Aged 66 months on the lees
• Dosage: 3g/L
• On the nose, a complex bouquet of aromas of red fruit, baked apple and hints of dried fruit. Airy, lively and nervous on the palate. With its balance of richness and freshness, this Champagne stands out. It has the depth and complexity to accompany a gourmet meal. A fine match for roast poultry or mature cheeses.