Sparkling

Expert Reviews 

Eric Guido of Vinous writes 91 Points | A beautiful platinum pink with orange hues in the glass. The NV Brut Rosé Mirabelle opens with a perfumed blend of nectarines, ginger and spiced orange rind. This impresses with a sweet and sour combination of citrus and minerals carried across a core of zesty acidity. A chiseled bead of bubbles massages the palate. The Mirabelle finishes quite savory yet fresh. A salty flourish mingles with toasty brioche notes.  Drinking 2023 - 2025.  

Erin Brooks of the Wine Advocate writes 92 Points | The NV Mirabelle Brut Rose has a pale cherry-pink color and scents of green melon, citrus blossoms and creamy undertones with stony wafts. The palate is rounded and floral with fragrant flavors, energetic mousse and a long, flavorful finish.  Drinking 2022 - 2025. 

91 Points James Suckling | Lush fruit aromas of tangerines, ruby grapefruit and raspberries followed by brioche and bread crumbs. Full-bodied with creamy beads and crisp acidity. Glossy and citrusy. Nice crunchiness at the end. Drink now.  

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | This wine is delicious but subtle as it weaves tempting notes of raspberry and cream with toasted nut and baked bread nuances that provide complexity and layering. It has both a vivid crispness and a subtle smoothness that coats the mouth and helps the finish linger.

Winemaker Description 

The Mirabelle Brut Rosé is a specially crafted blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Schramsberg's select cool-climate vineyards in Carneros, Anderson Valley, and the Sonoma and Marin coastal areas of Northern California. Pinot Noir lots, including a few fermented with skin contact, provide brightness of berry fruit and body, while Chardonnay lots lend length and zest to the palate. Additional flavor depth and aromatic complexity results from the blending of base wine lots aged in barrels and tanks for one or more years. The finished Brut Rosé exhibits fresh, elegant and toasty aromas of red berries and lemon-lime. Upon first sip, flavors of juicy red apple, pineapple, and orange lead into a lively and delicious finish on the palate.

Blend: 54% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews 

Erin Brooks writes of the Wine Advocate 90 Points | The NV Mirabelle Brut features baked yellow apples, toasted brioche, beeswax and floral aromas on the nose. Medium-bodied and dry, it has vigorous mousse and a gentle roundness to its texture. It balances savory and toasty flavors with youthful fruit and has a long, crisp finish.  Drinking 2022 - 2027.  

Tim Fish of the Wine Spectator 91 Points |  Plush and generous, with refined pear and cherry flavors accented with yeast roll and hazelnut as this glides on the silky finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now.   

Winemaker Description 

A sparkling wine with great body. Just a touch of biscuit notes on the body, almost a touch of a savory quality, solid acidity. Can be enjoyed with or without food. Traditional method. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Descxription 

MUSE DE MIRAVAL is a rigorous selection of the château's oldest and best plots and the finest expression of this unique terroir!

Organically farmed.

This rosé cuvée, mostly vinified in egg-shaped concrete vats, is also aged to a lesser extent in special oak barrels (so-called demi-muids). Each of its aromas evokes a chapter in Miraval's history, reflecting the place and its fragrance, which is typical of this Provençal winery. The unique shape of its handcrafted bottle (available only in magnum) and its very own rosé wine celebrate Miraval's timeless style with rare elegance.

Winemaker Description 

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. ​

PINOT NOIR 34%, CHARDONNAY 48%, MEUNIER 18%

Ageing period in cellars: 6 years

Ageing after disgorging: at least 6 months

Dosage: 5g/liter (extra brut)

Winemaker Description

An elegant golden straw yellow with amber highlights. Its aromas are radiant, revealing bright yellow-fleshed fruits (apple, pear, yellow peach), honey, floral nuances (lime blossom) and elegant blond notes (brioche and fresh nuts). The palate is seductive, richly flavorful and smooth combining generosity and subtlety, fullness and vigor, followed by a delicately fresh crispiness (fruit with seeds), to reveal the magical balance of Champagne. 

Expert Reviews 

93 Points The Somm Journal | When it comes to finesse, this classic—roughly equal parts Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with a slightly smaller amount of Chardonnay—doesn’t miss: It’s comme il faut from the unending bead onward. Joined by biscuit and almond aromas, ripe golden apple on the nose turns to green on the palate, where citrus—lime, grapefruit, mandarin orange—cycles through high-flying acidity even as luscious pear adds weight and chalk conveys elegance through the finish. 

92 Points Wine Spectator | An elegant version, fine and creamy in texture and backed by lively, orange peel acidity. A streak of smoke-tinged minerality underscores flavors of almond madeleine, poached pear, anise and preserved lemon. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Drink now.

91 Points James Suckling | This is showing aromas of apricots, grapefruit, pears and short crust. Some walnuts, too. Medium-bodied, with soft bubbles and tasty nut and pie crust notes at the end. Blend of pinot noir, meunier and chardonnay. 24 months on the lees.

90 Points Wine Spectator | A hint of smoke wafts through flavors of black currant, lemon-infused pastry cream and crystallized honey in this fresh, well-meshed Champagne, with a touch of Mandarin orange peel and a fine mousse.

Winemaker Description

An elegant golden straw yellow with amber highlights. Its aromas are radiant, revealing bright yellow-fleshed fruits (apple, pear, yellow peach), honey, floral nuances (lime blossom) and elegant blond notes (brioche and fresh nuts). The palate is seductive, richly flavorful and smooth combining generosity and subtlety, fullness and vigor, followed by a delicately fresh crispiness (fruit with seeds), to reveal the magical balance of Champagne. 

Expert Reviews 

93 Points The Somm Journal | When it comes to finesse, this classic—roughly equal parts Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with a slightly smaller amount of Chardonnay—doesn’t miss: It’s comme il faut from the unending bead onward. Joined by biscuit and almond aromas, ripe golden apple on the nose turns to green on the palate, where citrus—lime, grapefruit, mandarin orange—cycles through high-flying acidity even as luscious pear adds weight and chalk conveys elegance through the finish. 

92 Points Wine Spectator | An elegant version, fine and creamy in texture and backed by lively, orange peel acidity. A streak of smoke-tinged minerality underscores flavors of almond madeleine, poached pear, anise and preserved lemon. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Drink now.

91 Points James Suckling | This is showing aromas of apricots, grapefruit, pears and short crust. Some walnuts, too. Medium-bodied, with soft bubbles and tasty nut and pie crust notes at the end. Blend of pinot noir, meunier and chardonnay. 24 months on the lees.

90 Points Wine Spectator | A hint of smoke wafts through flavors of black currant, lemon-infused pastry cream and crystallized honey in this fresh, well-meshed Champagne, with a touch of Mandarin orange peel and a fine mousse.

Winemaker Description 

Old vines, steep slopes, organic viticulture and hand-harvested grapes all add to the quality and enjoyment of this top-notch Prosecco from Mongarda. Mineral, clean and fresh, the tiny bubbles keep the bright apple and pear fruit in perfect balance. Try with some prosciutto and hard cheeses.

Expert Review

Eric Guido writes:  Zests of lime give way to crushed rocks and minty herbs as the 2023 Extra Dry Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore opens in the glass. It splashes across the palate with a wave of silken bubbles offset by saline minerals and tart orchard fruits. A spike of acidity adds lovely balance. The 2023 leaves a tinge of sweet spice contrasted by sour citrus, tapering off with wonderful length and freshness.  Drinking 2024 to 2027.  - Vinous 92

Our Expert Review 

"Lovely nose of orchard fruit: White peaches, Green Apples and pears. Medium-bodied with nice long-lasting bubbles. The Perfect Aperitif Prosecco to take to a Picnic or BBQ."
- Oscar Garcia, Wine buyer | 67 Wine

Producer Description 

Brut, acidic, citrus notes, strawberry notes, light cherry notes, hint of rhubarb, fresh, refreshing. Sweetness varies from very dry to medium-sweet. Their rich fruitiness is typically balanced with a crisp acidity. Ideal for toasts, socialising and buffets, or to accompany shellfish, fish and vegetable dishes. 

Producer Description 

Brut, acidic, citrus notes, strawberry notes, light cherry notes, hint of rhubarb, fresh, refreshing. Sweetness varies from very dry to medium-sweet. Their rich fruitiness is typically balanced with a crisp acidity. Ideal for toasts, socialising and buffets, or to accompany shellfish, fish and vegetable dishes. 

Winemaker Description

A complex assemblage of primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Brut Prestige opens with gorgeous layered white blossom aromas, followed by creamy vanilla, citrus, stone fruit and melon. With elegant acidity and crisp structure, this medium-bodied sparkling wine displays an excellent mousse and a rich, lingering finish. Refreshing acidity and fruit character makes Brut Prestige an excellent food wine. 

Expert Reviews

90 Points Wine Spectator | Delicate in style yet plush, with pretty cherry, lemon verbena and yeast roll flavors that linger on the supple, refreshing finish. Drink now.

90 Points Decanter | A snappy sparkling that begins with a seriously fresh nose of green apple, orange blossom, citrus and gingerbread. These continue on the palate, driven by vibrant acidity and the unmistakable tang of freshly baked bread. Medium-bodied, balanced, crisp and complex, with a lengthy finish.

Expert Review

Wired.com writes | For a red wine alternative, I looked for something with wow factor that I could pair with food but also sip by itself, something that would honor the ritual of drinking wine. Muri fits the bill. It's a Copenhagen-based company that celebrates the tradition of Danish gastronomy, and its fermented wine alternatives are works of art. Unsurprisingly, founder Murray Paterson previously worked as a distiller at Copenhagen’s Empirical Spirits which creates similarly novel beverages. Fade to Black is made with black and red currant, kefir, and pine needles. It’s fermented and fizzy but much more pleasant than kombucha. It’s fruity, rich, and earthy.

Producer Description 

Sparkling - Light Tannins- Red Berries

A dark red with a fun-yet-grown-up flavor profile and a delightful effervescence. Fade To Black is our sparkling cuvée of fermented red currants, chamomile kefir, fig leaf and pine needle kvass. 

Ingredients

Red Currants, Black Currants, Chamomile, Malt, Fig Leaf, Pine Needles, Sugar, Salt, Yeast.

Pairing & Serve

Serve as a party aperitif or pair with anything mezze to tartare. 

Details

Type:  Sparkling
Size:  750mL
ABV:  <0.5% Non-alcoholic drinks are defined as containing less than 0.5% abv. 

Allergens:  Contains Gluten and may contain sulfites

Inspired by the thriving Copnhagen culinary community, Muri is much more than a non-alcoholic wine; it is a complex fruit-based beverage with an extraordinary range of unique flavors.  Their Yamile features raspberry, gooseberry, honey, smoked rhubarb, goldenrod, angelica root, star anise, and pink peppercorn. It's an NA beverage that drinkers choose to drink.

Producer Description 

Aromatic - Funky - Smoky

Soft red fruits and creamy smokiness, with a delicate aromatic finish. Yamilé is refreshingly dry, bubbly and approachable with playful flavour complexities and vinous funkiness.

Ingredients: Carbonic raspberry and gooseberry mead, smoked lacto-fermented rhubarb, goldenrod and pink peppercorn kefir

Pairing Notes: Pair with seafood, smoked fish, or creamy desserts. Once opened consume within 2 days.

Serve: Serve chilled in your favorite white or rosé wine glass.

Winemaker Description

It is composed of Chardonnay for elegance and delicacy, Pinot Noir for roundness and structure and Pinot Meunier for fruitiness. Pale gold in color, abundance of delicate bubbles. Floral aromas of fruit with subtle predominance of white fruits: pear, apple, almonds and hazelnuts. Fresh opening, smooth, pleasant and balanced.

This wine is an ideal accompaniment for Breton lobster and cream sauce, sole morel mushrooms, chicken brochettes with citronella. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews

92 Points Tasting Panel | Light golden color and aromas of fresh pear. A charming wine with moderate but firm bubbles and expressive pear and apricot notes. Crisp, tangy, and lively; balanced, juicy, and long.

91 Points James Suckling | Baked peaches, tart tatin, apricot pie and honey. Lemons, too. Medium-bodied with a creamy mousse and vibrant acidity. Pretty pastry notes to close. Drink now.

91 Points Wine Spectator | This fresh, harmonious Champagne is fine and creamy on the palate, offering an appealing range of patisserie apple and pear fruit, pink grapefruit pith, orchard blossom and oyster shell notes. Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay.

Winemaker Description

Made in the heart of the Prosecco DOCG zone, Nino Franco’s Rustico Prosecco Superiore is unquestionably the world’s finest value in a high-quality sparkling wine. Made from 100% Glera (traditionally called Prosecco), the non-vintage, light-bodied Rustico offers gorgeously elegant notes of pear, citrus and honeysuckle. The texture is creamy, soft and delicate with persistent effervescence.  

The word ‘Rustico’ dates back to an old winemaking tradition where Prosecco was made using a short second fermentation in the bottle and leaving the sediments in the wine. Although no longer the technique, the name ‘Rustico’ has remained as a reflection of quality and tradition.

Pair with charcuterie, risotto, vegetables, seafood and delicate pasta dishes.

"Rustico" opens with firm bubbles and crisp acidity. Light aromas of banana on the nose lead to fresh pear on the palate. It finishes clean and works well as an aperitif or matches with lighter hors-d'ouevres, salads, and light seafoods. Rustico is for everyday consumption and Primo encourages traditional Italian service in a wine glass (no flute) to get the most out of his wines.

Expert Reviews 

Eric Guido for Vinous writes 91 Points | The NV Prosecco Superiore Rustico wafts up with a remarkably fresh mix of sweet florals, melon and smoke. It washes across the palate with an elegant wave of ripe orchard fruits and sweet spices; a twang of sour citrus adds contrast. There's a slightly tropical feel to the finale, yet savory as well. The Rustico keeps the mouth watering, and hints of candied almonds slowly fade. Anyone looking to take their prosecco game to the next level without breaking the bank, look no further. 

Monica Larner for Robert Parker writes | Showing a light golden color, the NV Valdobiaddene Prosecco Superiore Rustico Brut is steely, dry and tonic with lots of tart lime, unripe peach and white flower. This perky bubbly makes good use of its Brut designation with tight, spicy beading and a very direct or immediate delivery. This is an ambitious and well-priced production…  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 

Ned Goodwine MW for James Suckling writes 91 Points |  A good style, gently turbid and highly textural. Alpine herb, almond meal and orchard fruit accents meander along a bead, more terse and direct than the norm, as if reaching for greener pastures somewhere higher up. The finish, dry and quinine bitter, evincing a touch of authority in the context of the style. Drink now.  - James Suckling 91

Alison Napjus writes:  Fresh and floral, this is softly sparkling and creamy, offering notes of peach skin, green melon, verbena and honeysuckle.   - Wine Spectator 

94 Points Wine Enthusiast | This lovely sparkler never disappoints. It's fragrant, with delicate scents of white spring flowers and white stone fruits while the dry, refreshing palate offers ripe pear, apple and white peach alongside a hint of fennel seed. An elegant perlage and fresh acidity provide the backdrop

Winemaker Description

Les Sablonnières comes from a tiny plot (23.64 ares) near the village of Beaunay in the Coteaux du Petit Morin. The parcel has a south-southwestern exposure at 200m planted to pinot noir and pinot noir droit (a small-berried clone prized for its structure) on sandy-clay topsoils, over a chalky subsoil. 2019 was the first time this vineyard was fermented alone and the results are stunning. Les Sablonnières is particularly suited to producing fine pinot noir that is both well-structured and immediately inviting, with a beautiful nose and effortless grace. 

Handed harvested fruit is  taken to a state-of-the-art press house located just five minutes from her vineyards in the village of Vert-Toulon, where they were pressed in a Coquard press with an inclined plate (the latest generation of Coquard). Only the heart, or the coeur de cuvée, of the first pressing is utilized. 90% of primary fermentation occurs in used (5-7 years old) 228L Burgundy oak barrels, and 10% in new barrels, without fining, filtration, or cold stabilization. Malolactic fermentation is natural and spontaneous in the barrel. Wines are naturally stabilized and aged for ten months in the same oak barrels with bâtonnage three times. Aged 36 months in bottle before disgorgement and a dosage of 3g/L from concentrated grape must from her vineyards.

Expert Reviews

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.

Winemaker Description

Exceptionally fruity! Palmer & Co has created a rosé combining exceptional fruitiness and delicate notes of spice. At the heart of the blend lies a unique Solera of Pinot Noir, a perpetual reserve of several decades reflecting the House’s celebrated expertise. The intense nose is dominated by the energising aroma of wild strawberries with tantalising light notes of red and black currants in the background, overlaying very delicate notes of vanilla and cinnamon spice. Fresh and full-bodied on the palate, it is drawn out in finely tannic, succulent bubbles in the same register of fruity elegance. 

Expert Reviews

New York Times 

"This might have been a classic cava, if all cavas were farmed organically and made with as much care. Instead, it stands out. Parés Baltà uses only the traditional grapes, xarello, parellada and macabeu, with the emphasis on xarello. It’s fresh, lively and dry. Other good Spanish sparklers to seek out include Gramona, AT Roca, Recaredo and Raveentos Blanc" - Eric Asimov’s New York Times Article Dec. 21, 2023.

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia Moncada 67Wine.com | For those seeking a superb sparkling wine made the Traditional method and blending the flagship Cava Varietals, Xarel.lo, Parellada and Macabeu, Pares Balta Brut Nature NV should be on your wine  radar. 

Tasting Notes: Aromas to green apples, citrus fruit and brioche. Medium-bodied with superb fine bubbles. Crisp and enticing mouthfeel. Bone-dry with a refreshing finish.

Winemaker Description

Pares Balta Cava Pink is smooth, refreshing and very graceful on the palate, packed with ripe, red berry fruit and balanced by a crisp, fresh acidity. Ideal for helping you to enjoy the summer sunshine. Or a rainy Tuesday evening!

Made using the traditional method developed in Champagne, this terrific Parés Baltà Pink Cava is quite stunning, and it is by far the best rosé Cava we've tasted for the price. This modern blend sees the traditional Xarel.lo component of white Cava replaced by 38% Garnatxa, alongside the 32% Parellada and 30% Macabeu.

Grape Variety: Garnatxa, Parellada, Macabeo/Viura

Redcurrant color with a very good sparkling crown of bubbles. On the nose aroma of red fruit with a light floral notes. In the mouth it is appetizing and fresh with hints of redcurrant and raspberry. Long, sweet and pleasant finish. Serving temperature: 8 – 10°

Expert Review 

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | This wine's shy nose reveals only lemony hints of chalk. Touches of Mirabelle appear on the palate alongside more notions of chalk and lemon, presented against a textured backdrop on a taut body. The finish is dry, subtle and enticing.

Producer Description

Paul de Coste is located in Salon-de-Provence in the south of France. Made with 60% Chardonnay, and 40% Ugni Blanc.  A pale straw color with an abundance of citrus fruit.  It is bursting with freshness. Wonderful luscious finish.   

Winemaker Description

Well-balanced, delicate on the nose, with fruity and floral notes that range from apple, pear and citrus to hawthorn.

Exquisitely acidulous, velvety, full-flavored on the palate, unfolding to a complex array of white-fleshed fruits nuances and smoothing out to a fresh, persistent finish.

Winemaker Description

The wine making land at Maison Philipponnat spans 21 hectares, and the work carried out here leans increasingly towards a closer relationship with the terroir and the nature of its vines. This modest, vintage cuvée is made entirely from Chardonnay and is a blend of first-press premiers and grands crus. This cuvée was vinified in vats, with a partial malolactic fermentation followed by an oak-barrel stage. It has a low dosage of 4.25g/L. In the glass, it has a clear and golden appearance with delicate bubbles. On the nose, floral and citrus notes come through. Its palate is elegant with notes of Mirabelle plum. It should be served cool and will pair nicely with fruit sorbet, lemon tart or scallops. 

Expert Reviews 

Wine Advocate 92 Points |  The latest rendition of the NV Brut Rosé Royale Réserve is based on the 2019 vintage and was disgorged in March 2023 with nine grams per liter. Revealing a fresh, fruity bouquet with aromas of strawberries, rose petals, menthol and pastry, it’s medium to full-bodied, vinous and generous with a gourmand mid-palate and a long, saline finish. 

James Suckling 92 Points | Walnuts, apricot stones, honey, sourdough and orange fruit here. Creamy and balanced, with a medium body and fine bubbles. Excellent persistency. 67% pinot noir, 31% chardonnay and 2% meunier. 2019 base with 34% reserve wines. Disgorged January 2023. 

Decanter 93 Points |  Few producers do Pinot Noir-dominated NV as well as Philipponnat, the latest edition showcasing ripe apricot, orange citrus and pale raspberry fruit backed by precise lemon peel energy and subtle resonance from a 34% oak-aged perpetual reserve. Hugely expressive, yet without an inch of fat, this is another irresistible NV: 67% Pinot Noir, 31% Chardonnay, 2% Meunier, largely from the Grande Vallée de la Marne and Vertus, based on 2019. 

Wine Spectator 93 Points | A poised Champagne that shows impeccable balance, integrating a delicate frame of acidity with flavors of black cherry, crushed almond, pickled ginger and candied lemon peel. Reveals a chalky note that lingers on the satiny finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now through 2028. 

Audrey Frick writes: The current release of the NV Champagne Royale Reserve Brut is 69% Pinot Noir, 28% Chardonnay, and the rest Meunier, mostly from the 2018 harvest and 26% reserve wine. It has a pale straw color and is fresh with white flowers, ripe peach, and rounded brioche. The palate is approachable and refreshing, with pithy citrus of lemon and orange, red fruits, and bread dough. Its ripe but fresh style casts a large net. Drink 2022-2030. Disgorged May 2022.  - Jeb Dunnuck 90

Expert Review - Vintage 2008

97 Points Wine Spectator:  Like a stallion out of the gate, this shows an initial explosion of power, in the form of mouthwatering flavors and fine texture, before quickly settling into an elegant gait. The racy acidity is seamlessly knit, buoying the lacy mousse and flavors of cassis, toasted brioche and tangerine, with accents of candied ginger, hazelnut and fleur de sel lingering on the long, creamy finish. Drink now through 2035.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast:  The new release of this producer's prestige cuvée comes in its usual beautifully sculpted bottle. The Champagne, from a great vintage in the region, is just approaching maturity still showing minerality from the high amount of Chardonnay in the blend. Nutty flavors are creeping in, keeping the great texture adding complexity. Drink this very fine wine now although it will also age further.

96 Points Decanter: Rare Champagne boasts an illustrious past, with its first vintage having been presented to Marie Antoinette in 1785. The wine is produced in very limited quantities and is restricted to exceptional years, with only 11 vintages being declared over the past four decades of production. 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir from selected grand cru vineyards. Simon Field MW: Gentle bead, lovely evolved notes of hazelnut, even a hint of praline, enrobed and ennobled by firm acidity and a persuasive finish. Alan Bednarski: Great, pure wine with still-fresh zesty flavours, delicate palate and sweet yeast notes, with a long flavourful finish of ripe melon. Tim Hall: A challenging, pressing start, wanting to overwhelm with shimmering and sharp attack, but shows intensity on the palate to match. Lovely lemon-apple notes and tempered texture.

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: The 2008 Champagne Rare is luxurious with aromas of graham cracker, honeysuckle, quince, and orange zest. It is round and opulent, with a fine and pillowy mousse, and retains freshness throughout, with apricot and yellow flowers. It is impressive and long, and fully luxurious. Drinking well now, it is sure to hold its own for years to come. Drink 2022-2044.

93 Points Wine Advocate:  The newly released 2008 Brut Cuvée Rare is very promising, unwinding in the glass with a youthfully reserved nose of citrus oil, crisp green apple, freshly baked bread, iodine and oyster shell, as well as some rather herbaceous characteristics that depress my score a little, even if I suspect that they will resolve with a bit more bottle age. Medium to full-bodied, incisive and tightly wound, if the 2006 vintage was gourmand and demonstrative, the 2008 is slower to show all its cards. Built around racy acids and complemented by a pillowy mousse, this rendition of Cuvée Rare will reward a few years more on cork.

Winemaker Description

The 2008 Rare Rosé is Piper-Heidsieck's second ever prestige cuvée rosé. This extremely premium and rare offering has been 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 vintage. 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. Initially, the exuberant vitality of dark fruits and citrus is followed by vibrancy, smoky notes of star anise and violets. 

Expert Reviews 

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.

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. 

Expert Reviews 

96 Points Wine Advocate | The salmon colored 2007 Rosé Millesimé Rare has a clear, fresh, slightly oaky-nougat and pretty vinous bouquet. It is a rich and slightly sweetish yet pure, refined, elegant and well-structured Rosé Champagne with good grip and tension as well as a long, intensely aromatic and powerful finish. This is great and enormously complex Champagne with an extraordinary, complex finish. The 2007 is based on 56% Chardonnay and 44% Pinot Noir.

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck | Another sensational Champagne, as well as the first vintage for the cuvee, the 2007 Rare Rosé (56% Chardonnay and 44% Pinot Noir) offers that beautiful complexity and nuance you only get from top rosé Champagnes. Orange blossom, strawberries, spice, dried flowers, toasted bread, and orange peel notes all emerge from this richly concentrated, medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured 2007. With a fine, yet layered mousse, incredible complexity, and a great finish, this blockbuster effort will be better with 2-3 years of bottle age and shine for 10-15 years or more. Rating: 96+

95 Points Wine Spectator | Toasted brioche and ripe blackberry notes leap from the glass in this lovely rosé Champagne. Glides like raw silk on the palate, with a deftly woven mix of dried white cherry, spun honey, baking spice and blood orange zest flavors. Long and persistent on the vibrant finish, showing more fruit and a rich pastry character. Drink now through 2027.

Winemaker Description 

Pale gold in color with delicately toasty aromas alongside fruit and complexity. This wine is creamy and beautifully balanced with a dry, harmonious finish.

Expert Reviews 

93 Points Decanter | Richly biscuity on the nose, with steamed rice, fresh pear and citrus blossom complexity. Creamy mousse dissolves into red apple peel, lemon and stone fruits, with a depth of honeyed biscuits. The Reserve NV from Pol Roger is a blend of base wines from at least three vintages. With 6 months of post-disgorgement ageing, the wine is ready to enjoy now.

James Suckling 92 Points | Fresh Amalfi lemons, pear skins, apples, rhubarb and hints of anise on the nose. Excellent depth and flavor concentration here, with a medium body and creamy bubbles. Fruit and spice deliciously integrated.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 92 Points | The current release of Pol Roger's NV Brut Réserve is quite dramatic, bursting with aromas of mandarin oil, honeycomb, elderflower, fresh bread and musky peach. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, it's generous and textural, with a rich core of fruit, lively acids and a pillowy mousse.

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | The nonvintage Champagne from this producer always has richness from the Pinot Noir in the blend. This bottling also has a touch of toast, showing some bottle aging. Put the two elements together and this satisfyingly ripe wine is ready to drink.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | Equal parts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier make up the NV Champagne Reserve Brut, with 8 grams per liter dosage. The nose is bright and fresh with green apple and lively lemon lime citrus as well as fresh pastry. The palate is dry though generous, with fruit upfront of ripe red berries and grapefruit. Well-suited as an aperitif, it is ready to drink now or over the next 10 years.

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.