Billecart Salmon Cuvée Louis Blanc de Blancs
Founded in 1818 by husband and wife Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, the Billecart-Salmon House is rich with history. For nearly two hundred years, the Billecart family has been handing down the secrets to making exceptional champagne from generation to generation. The Champagne House is special for many reasons, but one notable reason is that it is one of very few to remain Family owned. The Billecart-Salmon House covers around 50 hectares, and gets its grapes from a total of 170 hectares of land. Frequently cited for the quality of its vintages, the House pays particular attention to selecting the best grapes.
Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Brut
The first release from Champagne Armand de Brignac, the Brut Gold remains the most iconic cuvée in the range. Rich with the old-world tradition of champagne blending, it is a trio of vintages from some of the most lauded terroirs of the region, resulting in a cuvée expressing vibrant and fresh fruit character with a soft texture. The striking gold bottle design and unquestionable quality of the Ace of Spades champagne makes it an exceptional bottle of champagne. A marvellously complex and full bodied champagne with a smooth and lengthy finish. A perfectly balanced blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier wine. Aromas of apricot, peach, and red berry are followed by crystalized citrus, hints of brioche, and orange blossom. The palate is rich with cherries, exotic fruits and a touch of honey, lemon, and vanilla. The mouth feel is creamy and soft, with a hint of toastiness, from the unique Armand de Brignac dosage which is aged for one year in French oak barrels.
Dom Pérignon Brut Vintage (Luminous Edition)
Dom Pérignon is vintage champagne only. Each vintage is a creation, singular and unique, that expresses both the character of the year, and the character of Dom Pérignon. After at least eight years of elaboration in the cellars, the wine embodies the perfect balance of Dom Pérignon, the Plénitude of harmony. This limited edition 2008 vintage Dom Pérignon Brut Vintage has a luminous label. With the press of a button, the bottle label with light up. 2008 was dominated by grey, overcast skies – an exception in a decade characterized by bold, generous sunshine. Just when the harvest was getting underway, the weather conditions were finally perfect: blue skies and prolonged north-northeasterly winds. The grapes were riper than anyone dared hope, and had truly outstanding balance. The vines were in perfect health. To the bracing acidity, concision and aromatic purity expected of the 2008 vintage, Dom Pérignon adds depth, density and complexity. The light is warmer and less harsh.
Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
Product Description Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2013 is a rare and exceptional cuvée that reflects the unique characteristics of a vintage marked by a very late harvest. The year 2013 stood out with cool and rainy weather, resulting in a delayed harvest that only began at the end of September. This late ripening process gave rise to grapes with a rare balance of freshness and depth, producing a wine of great finesse and complexity. The blend is made exclusively from Grand and Premier Cru Chardonnay, with 70% sourced from the Côte des Blancs and 30% from the Montagne de Reims. With over 9 years of ageing on lees and a dosage of 5.5 g/L, this Champagne presents the ultimate expression of Ruinart’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality. The result is a cuvée with an extraordinary combination of freshness, depth, and a distinctive toasty character. The wine is vinified with meticulous care, following traditional techniques such as manual disgorgement and ageing under cork, a process that imparts a unique richness and subtlety to the wine. The late ripening of the grapes gives the wine its unmistakable structure and precision, while the chalky terroir of the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims provides a mineral backbone that enhances the wine’s complexity. Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2013 is a Champagne that balances elegance with boldness, and its unique character makes it a true standout in the world of luxury Champagne. Maker The House of Ruinart, founded in 1729, is one of the oldest and most prestigious Champagne houses, known for its uncompromising dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Ruinart is renowned for its exceptional Blanc de Blancs, a signature style that showcases the elegance and freshness of Chardonnay. Each cuvée is a reflection of the House’s century-old legacy of blending expertise, rooted in the distinctive terroirs of Champagne. Ruinart’s commitment to excellence is evident in every bottle, from the selection of the finest vineyards to the meticulous ageing process in the cellars. At the helm of Ruinart’s winemaking is Cellar Master Frédéric Panaïotis, who brings his passion for Champagne and his innovative approach to the craft. Under his leadership, Ruinart continues to create wines that push the boundaries of what Champagne can be, balancing tradition with modern techniques. The House’s dedication to quality is exemplified in the use of manual disgorgement and the reintroduction of the traditional cork ageing technique, ensuring that each bottle of Ruinart Champagne delivers a unique and exceptional tasting experience. Philosophy Ruinart’s philosophy is rooted in a commitment to creating Champagne that expresses the unique characteristics of the land and the year. The House believes that great Champagne is born out of a deep connection to nature and a respect for the elements. Each cuvée is an exploration of terroir, with a focus on expressing the purity of the grapes and the richness of the environment. By allowing nature to guide the process and using time-honoured techniques such as ageing under cork and manual disgorgement, Ruinart creates wines that are as much about tradition as they are about innovation. At Ruinart, the pursuit of excellence is constant, and every vintage is an opportunity to refine and perfect the art of Champagne making. The House’s philosophy is not just about creating wine—it’s about creating an experience that captures the essence of a place, a moment, and a story. Each bottle of Ruinart Champagne is a testament to this philosophy, offering a taste of the craftsmanship and dedication that has defined the House for over 290 years. Tasting Notes Appearance Golden with Green Reflections The wine presents an intense golden hue with subtle green reflections, offering a glimpse of its youthful character and the rich minerality imparted by its terroir. Nose Complex & Toasty On the nose, Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2013 reveals a complex bouquet with aromas of ripe citrus fruits, dried fruits, and subtle floral notes. Toasty hints of gingerbread and almond mix harmoniously with delicate minerality and a fresh, powdery edge. These fragrances are further complemented by a subtle touch of smokiness, adding depth and complexity to the profile. Palate Fresh, Structured, and Lively The palate is marked by its crystalline freshness, with vibrant citrus and floral notes that echo the nose. The structure is firm and precise, showcasing the balance between the minerality of the Côte des Blancs and the richness of the Montagne de Reims’ terroir. A delicate yet powerful tension between freshness and maturity drives the wine’s dynamic profile, leading to a long and satisfying finish marked by a delightful hint of bitter orange peel and a lingering minerality. Finish Long & Elegant The finish is elegant and refined, with a remarkable persistence of citrus and floral notes. The wine’s subtle bitterness, combined with its refreshing minerality, creates a finish that lingers, inviting further exploration. Style - Champagne Varietal - Chardonnay Country - France Region - Champagne Vintage - 2013 Bottle Size - 750ml ABV - 12.5%
Penfolds Lot 3-175 Champagne Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Pinot Meunier
Immerse yourself in aromas of fresh dark berries and a delicate floral lift, underpinned by intriguing hints of forest floor and a subtle smokiness. The taste is expansive, revealing layers of dark fruit, a fine chalky minerality, and a precise acidity that carries through to a persistent, beautifully structured finish, showcasing the strength of Pinot Noir.
Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne
Cristal is a remarkably balanced and refined champagne whose length is inimitable. It has a silky texture and fruity aromas, complemented by a powerful mineral quality with white fruit and citrus notes. Cristal is a wine that keeps well: it can be conserved for over twenty years without losing its freshness and character. Produced uniquely during the best years, when the Chardonnay (around 40%) and Pinot noir (around 60%) grapes have attained perfect maturity, Cristal is aged for 6 years in Louis Roederers cellars and left for a further 8 months after dégorgement. Today Louis Roederer remains one of the very few remaining family owned Houses in Champagne with 7th generation Frederic Rouzaud at the helm. From the 100 hectares acquired in 1850 by Louis Roederer, the Domaine today extends over 240 hectares averaging 98% on the official Echelle classification. All vineyard acquisitions follow Louis Roedererâs strict 70% policy â that is ownership of at least 70% of the total production. All Louis Roederer Cuvees are Estate grown with the exception of Brut Premier which is 60% estate fruit and 40% fruit sourced from long-term contracted growers. Louis Roederer farm 65 Ha of their Domaine vineyards under a biodynamic and organic regime as part of what Chef de Cave Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon says is a work in progress. In 2012 Louis Roederer became the largest biodynamic producer in Champagne.
Chateau Cos d'Est ournel
Majestic, intense, full-bodied and tannic, Cos dEstournel is considered the leading wine of St Estèphe. Highly tannic in its youth, over time it develops much much like the great wines of adjoining Pauillac. A true "super second" growth.
Bollinger La Grande Année Rose
The addition of the red wine is evident as this is more deeply hued than the NV Rosé. Ripe aromas of cherry, strawberry, rose petal, citrus and yeast give way to impressively voluminous and rich flavors that possess excellent mid-palate concentration.
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is the finest expression of the world famous wine from one of the greatest Champagne Houses. First produced in 1952, Comtes is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes from 6 Grand Cru sites in the Cité de Blancs. Showing a pristine pale yellow colour with very light, abundant bubbles which rise uniformly to form a fine mousse. The evocative bouquet opens with notes of pears and fresh cute white flowers. Left in the glass for a time, the nose develops a richness and density of pure character. Once on the palate, Comtes is lively, direct and precise with flavours of candied lemon zest and fresh pineapple. The balance is something to behold. This Champagne's marriage of finesse and aromatic intensity is a promise of further potential, but already offers very pleasurable drinking.
Château Canon St-Émilion
Chateau Canon shows no shy and retiring character in 2010, set to a naturally ripe and high 15% alcohol. Though power and density is a motif in 2010, there is a surprising suppleness in this wine, born from central St-Emillion vineyards and the same family of wine as Chateau Rauzan-Segla of Margaux. Almost evenly split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc usually, it''s three quarters Merlot in 2010; the wine matures in oak barrel for 18 months, with around 70% of those offering new wood character. While dense and compact, there is a succulence to the wine that suggests cellaring to two decades would be apt.