Krug 171st Edition
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Blanc de Blancs
A legacy since 1734, Champagne Taittinger is the largest eponymous family owned Champagne House and one of the top, independent champagne brands in the world. This family of growers cultivates the second largest vineyard in the Champagne region. The composition of the house’s cuvées is a result of an intuitive and complex process, one which the Taittinger family know how to create and sustain; a Champagne which is completely unique. The Taittinger Comtes Blanc de Blancs 2007 is a lively champagne with a light, abundant bubble. There is a bouquet on the nose of pears and fresh cut flowers and flavours of lemon zest and fresh pineapple. A delicate balance of finesse and aromatic intensity.
Bollinger R.D.
Champagne Bollinger is a prestigious and renowned champagne house that has been producing exceptional sparkling wines since 1829. Founded by Athanase, Paul and Joseph, the house quickly gained a reputation for excellence. Over the years, successive generations of the Bollinger family continued to uphold the tradition of producing exceptional champagnes. The acquisition of prime vineyards and the marriage of Jacques Bollinger to Lily Bollinger were significant milestones in the house's history. Lily Bollinger played a crucial role in preserving the quality and integrity of the champagnes during challenging times. Champagne Bollinger remains family-owned and is known for its commitment to traditional winemaking methods, resulting in complex and age-worthy champagnes. Located in the heart of the Champagne region in France, Bollinger is known for its commitment to quality, tradition and craftsmanship. One of the distinctive features of Bollinger champagne is its use of a high proportion of Pinot Noir grapes in the blends. This gives their champagnes a unique richness and depth, setting them apart from other houses. Bollinger carefully selects grapes from its own vineyards and trusted partner vineyards, ensuring that only the finest grapes are used in the production process. Bollinger takes pride in its traditional winemaking methods, which have been handed down through generations. The champagnes are aged for an extended period, well beyond the minimum requirements, allowing them to develop complexity and character. This dedication to time-consuming aging is a testament to Bollinger's commitment to producing exceptional wines that stand the test of time. Bollinger's commitment to quality extends to every aspect of their production, from the vineyards to the cellars. They have their own cooperage, ensuring that the barrels used in the aging process are of the highest quality. The champagnes are aged in cool dark cellars allowing them to mature gracefully and develop their signature flavors. Bollinger stands out among Champagne houses for its exceptional approach to reserve wines. Instead of storing them in tanks, Bollinger bottles the reserve wines, allowing them to age in magnums for several years. This unique process, called "prise de mousse," stabilizes the aromas of the wines. These reserve wines provide a rich palette of aromas for the Cellar Master to create blends with explosive yet subtle and precise flavors. The result is Bollinger's incomparable character and consistent quality in their wines year after year. Bollinger R.D. is an extraordinary wine that stands apart from the rest. It undergoes a unique aging process on the lees for an extended period before being hand-disgorged. The result is a powerful and rare vintage that showcases a beautiful contrast between an exceptional freshness on the palate, enhanced by the extra-brut dosage, and the aromatic intensity of the greatest vintages. In the case of the 2007 vintage, Bollinger R.D. takes a nostalgic turn, returning to its roots and historic label. The original material and legendary font from the 1952 vintage have been restored, proudly displaying the date of disgorging. This attention to detail and authenticity is a true rediscovery. The blend of the 2007 vintage consists of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, featuring an impressive 91% Grands Crus and 9% Premiers Crus. A total of 14 crus are carefully incorporated into the blending process. Fermentation takes place entirely in oak barrels, adding depth and complexity to the wine. Bollinger R.D. is released for sale just a few months after disgorgement, with an extremely low dosage known as "extra brut" at only 3 grams per litre. This recent disgorgement ensures that the wine maintains its remarkable freshness. Bollinger R.D. 2007 1.5L Magnum offers intense shimmers of gold, captivating the eye. On the nose, it reveals a complex profile with enticing aromas of honey and brioche. These initial notes are followed by a delightful array of spices, including ginger, cumin, caraway and more. As the wine evolves, it unveils additional layers of flavour, with hints of mirabelle plum, dried apricot and fresh hazelnut. Upon tasting, Bollinger R.D. 2007 1.5L presents a lively and clean opening, showcasing notes of white plum, walnut and aniseed. Its freshness is truly remarkable, creating a beautiful tension on the palate. To fully appreciate the wine's unique style, it is recommended to serve Bollinger R.D. at a temperature of 8°C, allowing its aromas to evolve throughout the tasting experience. There are two distinct experiences when enjoying Bollinger R.D. The first involves tasting the wine shortly after disgorgement, offering a specific aromatic range with complex fruity notes. Alternatively, one can choose to cellar Bollinger R.D. for several more years, allowing it to mature and reveal the depth of aromas typically found in the finest vintages.
Krug Grande Cuvee Champagne Non-Vintage
Krug Grand Cuvee is unique in the world of premium champagne in so much as rather than being a vintage champagne it is re-created every year, and is a blend of over 120 individual wines from more than 10 different years. The fullness or flavours and aromas achieved by this careful art of blending would be impossible to express with the wines of a single year. Recognised as the first and last word in luxury, Krug is rightfully recognised as the King of Champagnes. Fun fact: Each bottle of Krug has a unique ID which allows the drinker to learn the Winemaking team's impressions of the year, a detailed story of the bottle, food pairing suggestions, recommendations for ideal storage and service, as well as Krug Music Pairing suggestions to enhance every Krug Lover’s tasting. Luxurious indeed.
Pommery Brut Royal Non-Vintage Jeroboam
Established in 1836, Madame Pommery is credited with creating the first vintage ‘brut’ style of Champagne in 1874, at a time when most champagnes were excessively sweetened with sugar. This revolutionary dry style set the benchmark for the rest of Champagne and it is in this spirit that the style of Pommery endures; with each cuvée displaying sublime elegance, finesse and freshness. Brut Royal NV has incredible balance and is a cheerful, lively and delicate wine.Pommery is one of the few Champagne houses that produce the large formats in their original bottles, to allow for optimal ageing. The Jeroboam comes individually packed in a timber case.