Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne Non-Vintage
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Non-Vintage ( )
The thrilling energy of this splendid season charges it with a vibrancy and definition that places this blend on a plateau elevated high above even the lofty heights that this cuvee has attained under the new Charles Heidsieck. In searching for any other entry non-vintage cuvee to which to compare it, I can fathom none short of the mesospheric heights of Krug itself. In sheer age (current Krug Grande Cuvee is only one year older) and depth of reserves, this Charles Heidsieck splendidly upholds its elevated position among Champagne's richer NVs... In sheer, breathtaking calibre for the price, this is the greatest Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve I can remember. It deserves to be the house champagne we all have chilled perpetually at the ready this year. Rating: 96/100.
Pol Roger Reserve Brut Non-Vintage ( )
Now this half bottle is handy if you wish to toast yourself. Pol Roger is one of the world's power house champagne houses. Famously quoted by the likes of Winston Churchill and the champagne of choice for Her Majesty the Queen. An equal blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, with addition of 20% reserve wines. It is impressively fresh and vivacious with more depth than most aperitif styles.
Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Non-Vintage
The House of Ruinart stands in a league of its own, defying convention and captivating with its unique legacy. Founded in 1729, it holds the distinction of being the very first Champagne House, a visionary endeavour inspired by the foresight of a monk who possessed a remarkable intuition far beyond his era. In the heart of the Champagne region, specifically in Reims, a significant moment unfolded on September 1st, 1729. It was then that Nicolas Ruinart, driven by the profound influence of his visionary monk uncle, drafted the historic charter that marked the birth of Maison Ruinart, forever etching its name as the world's pioneer in champagne production. Little did they know that this bold initiative would pave the way for an enduring enterprise that thrives and prospers even after nearly three centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the course of history. During the remarkable period of the mid-18th century, Ruinart made a significant acquisition to enhance its champagne production. The House secured ownership of ancient crayères, subterranean chalk quarries meticulously carved beneath the historic city of Reims. These extraordinary caverns served as the ideal sanctuary for storing their precious bottles, ensuring optimal aging and maturation. Building upon its reputation for innovation, Ruinart continued to push boundaries. In 1764, the House achieved yet another milestone by successfully shipping the first-ever Rosé champagne across the vast expanse of Europe. This ground-breaking achievement introduced a new dimension to the world of champagne, captivating connoisseurs with its captivating hues and captivating flavors. Bestowed with nobility and adopting the esteemed name Ruinart de Brimont in 1817, the family has diligently guided the House for over two centuries. With each passing generation, a new Head of House emerges, bringing forth their unique talents and unwavering commitment to serve the lineage of Ruinart. This steadfast succession ensures the preservation of the family's legacy, as each successor devotes themselves to upholding the traditions and values that define Ruinart. Their collective efforts have propelled the House to unparalleled heights, solidifying its reputation as a bastion of excellence in the world of champagne. Ruinart Blanc de Blancs embodies purity of the Chardonnay grapes from which it is made exclusively. Made primarily with Premiers Crus from the Cote des Blancs, and Montagne de Reims Terroirs, it is intensely aromatic. The blend is 100% Chardonnay from various years (20 to 25% of which are reserve wines from the 2 previous years). The nose is powerfully reminiscent of fresh fruits with dominant notes of citrus and exotic fruits, followed by a touch of jasmine, white peaches and pink peppercorns. A perfect champagne for aperitifs, particularly in spring and summer. It is an excellent complement to seafood and shellfish; perfect with a sea bass or bream tartare. It would also be very good with seared sole. Note - this item does not come with a gift box.
Bollinger PN VZ 19 Champagne
Product Description: This cuvée represents the union of tradition and innovation, with each release of Bollinger’s PN series acting as a tribute to the House’s history and expertise. With its moderate dosage of 6 grams per litre and an extended maturation period far surpassing the AOC requirements, PN VZ19 offers a wine that not only respects its heritage but also pushes the boundaries of Champagne-making. PN VZ19’s elegance and vibrant acidity make it an ideal companion to dishes with delicate flavours and a touch of richness. Consider pairing it with Breton lobster, roasted summer vegetables, or a spiced tomato juice for a harmonious dining experience. Maker: Since 1829, Champagne Bollinger has been making great wines with a powerful, refined and complex style, expressing the aromas of the fruit in all its dimensions. This truly unique taste is the result of a particular affinity for the elegance of pinot noir, uncompromising excellence, an exceptional vineyard and traditional craftsmanship handed down through the generations with the utmost care since 1829. The story begins with Athanase de Villermont, who inherited a vast estate from his family on the outskirts of Aÿ. He instantly sensed the extraordinary potential of the wines of Champagne, but as a member of the aristocracy, he was forbidden from taking part in any commercial activity. Then he met Joseph “Jacques” Bollinger, who specialised in selling the wines of Champagne, and Paul Renaudin, a born-and-bred Champenois fascinated by the world of wine. On 6 February 1829, the company Renaudin-Bollinger & Cie was founded. Joseph was in charge of sales, while Paul oversaw the cellar. Athanase had founded a Champagne house that would transcend centuries. Through turbulent times including the phylloxera crisis throughout Europe's vineyards and World War I, Georges Bollinger, son of founder Jacques, steered the house with resilience and dedication. His son, Jacques Bollinger, continued the legacy, expanding the estate and modernising facilities while upholding Bollinger's exacting standards. After Jacques' passing, Madame Bollinger, known for her business acumen and global ambassadorship, navigated the post-war recovery and succession planning until 1971, ensuring the house thrived. Successive leaders like Claude d'Hautefeuille (appointed chairman from 1971) and Christian Bizot (1978) upheld Bollinger's legacy, with Ghislain de Montgolfier (1994) and Jérôme Philipon (2008) furthering its global stature and quality standards into the modern era. Since 2017, Charles-Armand de Belenet became Chief Executive Officer of Champagne Bollinger, embracing both tradition and innovation, maintaining its prestigious position in the Champagne world while fostering continued growth and excellence. Philosophy: Over the years, Bollinger has built its vineyards at the heart of the finest crus in Champagne. Champagne Bollinger’s 180 hectares of vines are made up of 85% Grand and Premier crus and are farmed by our teams of growers across 7 separate vineyards: Aÿ, Avenay, Tauxières, Louvois and Verzenay for pinot noir, around the Montagne de Reims, Cuis for chardonnay on the Côte des Blancs and Champvoisy for meunier in the Vallée de la Marne. Another of Bollinger’s distinctive features are two plots, the Clos Saint-Jacques and Chaudes Terres, which have never succumbed to phylloxera. These ungrafted vines are entirely tended by hand and reproduced using a form of layering called provignage, thereby providing the means to preserve this extraordinary heritage from which the very exclusive Vieilles Vignes Françaises cuvée is produced. With regards to sustainability. In 2012, Champagne Bollinger was the first wine house in France whose vineyards were certified as ‘High Environmental Value’ (HEV). Two years later, it was also the first to receive the Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification. These prestigious labels assure the highest standards in environmental practice. Herbicides have also been banned on our vineyards since 2016. Each and every day, the managers of Bollinger vineyards use natural techniques to limit the pressure on the soil. These include the establishment of cover crops, mulching and environmentally-friendly grazing. In addition to sustainability Champagne Bollinger is proud to have B Corp certification, maintaining its ongoing commitment to the Land but also to its people, and to its Bollinger's illustrious legacy. On the subject of legacy and preservation Bollinger is home to the last resident cooper of the Champagne region. Cooperage is a highly skilled craft: each one of Bollinger’s 4,000 aged barrels, of which some are nearly 100 years old, requires great attention. Learning to maintain this legacy in perfect condition requires rigorous training, which is why cooperage is a craft that must be passed on to younger generations. Bollinger attaches great importance to preserving this valuable expertise. Tasting Notes Nose Expressive, Fruity, Harmonious An aromatic symphony of orchard fruits, followed by enticing red and exotic fruit notes. The delicate yet expressive fragrance is both complex and ethereal. Palate Vibrant, Silky, Elegant The fruitiness from the nose is complemented by fresh Granny Smith apple acidity, mingled with the fleshy sweetness of vine peach and the vibrant tang of blood orange. The texture is smooth and silky, with a subtle touch of salinity, adding depth and complexity. Finish Complex, Saline, Lingering The finish is long and satisfying, with the wine’s inherent tension and mineral character leaving a lasting impression, offering a final flourish of complexity.
Lanson Black Label Brut
Gosset Grand Blanc de Blancs Non-Vintage
Product Information: This Champagne highlights the more mineral characters of the different Champagne varying terroirs. Dialling into the chalky minerality, the Chardonnays are selected from various crus - Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Villers-Marmery, Trépail - where the chalk breaks through to the surface in the Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs. Earthy mineral aromas, very refined, delicate and attractive overall, with aromas of white flowers, citrus and a trace of honey. Lovely tension! As crisp and lively as it gets. Bottled at the end of the spring following the harvest and with 4 years minimum ageing in the cellars. The dosage is a low 7g/l adjusted with precision to preserve the balance between freshness and fruit without masking the wine’s character and purity. Maker: The oldest Wine House in Champagne: Aÿ 1584 The history of the Gosset family goes back five centuries to Jean Gosset (1484-1556), “Lord of Aÿ and Mareuil”, who was the first official ancestor in the lineage. The origins of “Maison Gosset” itself date back to the year 1584 when Pierre Gosset, Lord and Alderman of Aÿ, decided to set up a négociant business. 16 generations, all of direct lineage, have continued to build upon his work in Aÿ-Champagne and ensured that Champagne Gosset’s savoir-faire, lives on. Towards the end of 1993, the Champagne Gosset became part of the family-owned Renaud-Cointreau group which has since made it its mission to preserve the Gosset style. In the late 20th century, Champagne Gosset’s association with the Cointreau family, as well as the birth of the Gosset Celebris vintage cuvées, propelled the Champagne House to be amongst the most prestigious Champagne Houses. The unique bottle Jean Gosset first used the antique bottle that would become the emblem of the Gosset Champagne House in 1760. This bottle is an exclusive model that used to be part of the family’s collection of ancestral bottles. It owes its name to the “antique glass” colour of the glass paste from which it is produced. This elegant bottle is bears a neck label known as the “necklace medallion” named after Albert Gosset (truly one of a kind in the Champagne region), is instantly recognisable. Philosophy: Gosset is dedicated to crafting wines with perfect balance between freshness and distinctive character. Each cuvée reflects the region’s diverse terroirs, sourced from 140 hectares of Champagne vineyards. Their unique vinification process preserves natural fruit freshness and enhances aromatic expression, resulting in Champagnes with great mineral freshness, deep varietal character, and excellent aging potential. This approach delivers rich, balanced, and complex drinking experiences for connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike. Nose - Chalky, Savoury, Herbaceous Earthy mineral aromas, very refined, delicate white flowers, marjoram and floral honey. Palate - Lemon, Sherry Notes, Energetic Nervy, crisp and lively on the palate. Lemon peel, white peach, subtle nougat and sherry complexity. Young and fresh overall. Finish - Chalk, Sea Spray, Minerality A clean, appetising finish and aftertaste. Lip-smacking.
Billecart-Salmon Brut Blanc de Blanc
This Chardonnay cuvee has been elaborated from five grand cru vineyards of the Cote des Blancs with the blend of this wine coming from two different years. The palate reveals the special qualities of Chardonnay - rich and creamy with buttered brioche. The finish is utterly persistent with a fresh and elegant sweetness.
Pommery Millesime Vintage
The hallmark of this Champagne has always been elegance and extreme purity of fruit. Still extremely youthful, the chardonnay component gives lovely white floral aromas and tropical citrus flavours. The lingering persistent finish showing toast, grilled almonds and French pastry, Very stylish indeed.
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Vintage
Veuve Clicquot has been producing fine quality Champagne since it was founded in 1772. In 1810, Madame Clicquot broke new ground by creating the first vintage Champagne, made of grapes from one single harvest. Veuve's non vintage is consistently rated in the top handful of NV Champagnes and delivers a powerful bubbly with a rich mouthfeel. The Ponsardin vintage is elegant with generous freshness and the Pinot Noir lends body to a very lively wine. On the palate there's layers of floral and fruity complexity that flows into a remarkably long and powerful finish.