Pommery Cuvée Louise half
Created in homage to Louise Pommery, daughter of Madame Pommery, Cuvée Louise is a wine of exceptional and absolute purity which expresses the quintessence of the knowhow of the Maison Pommery.Cuvée Louise finds its origin within three grands crus; Avize, Cramant and Aÿ - true gems of the Champagne region.The 2006 vintage, uniquely available in half bottle size, expresses all its lightness and delicacy with subtle minerality. The harmony is perfect. Aromas of white flowers are wonderfully associated with hints of prunes and white peaches, creating a silky and fine effect. It embraces the palate with grace and elegance, the finale is long and tense.
Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésimé
The origin of the House dates back to 1812, created by André Michel Pierlot, it will take the name of Veuve Laurent-Perrier when Mathilde Emilie Perrier, widow of Eugène Laurent decides to combine the two family names while she ensures the development. Eugénie Hortense Laurent, his daughter, inherited the House in 1925 and sold it to Marie-Louise de Nonancourt, née Lanson, in 1939. The 2012 Vintage is the choice of an exceptional year from which only a selection of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Grands Crus will enter into a future iteration of Grand Siècle. It is a rare and outstanding wine that expresses the character of the year in the Laurent-Perrier style. Laurent-Perrier very rarely makes vintages, declaring less than one out of two years compared with the market average of over three out of four years. The wine is white gold in colour with a fine sparkle. A flowery nose of great complexity, with notes of citrus and white peaches. A wine that is very present with a lively attack and great finesse with good minerality and notes of grapefruit on the finish. The Vintage 2012 pairs well with seafood and noble fish as well as with poultry or veal. This wine sublimates hard pressed cheeses such as a young Comté or a Beaufort.
Ayala Le Blanc de Blanc
Founded by Edmond De Ayala in 1860, the House Ayala possesses a remarkable history, rooted in the visionary spirit that resonates with its melodious name from distant lands. The name Ayala appears almost serendipitous, intricately tailored for the village of Aÿ, where the House has proudly stood since its inception. Edmond De Ayala, an inquisitive and bold personality, consistently pursued the path less travelled. Vibrant with the essence of excellence and a spirit of adventure, the House of Ayala continues to be inspired by the indomitable founder who paved its way. In contrast to the prevailing French tradition of dosage, which exceeded 150 g/L during that era, Edmond De Ayala took a bold and audacious move by unveiling "dry champagne" in 1865, with a mere 21 g/L dosage. As a true pioneer, he possessed a discerning vision to revolutionize the Champagne landscape by introducing a drier style, which has created a profound impact to the modern world. Through bespoke craftsmanship, House Ayala employs a tailored approach, working with a diverse selection of crus to achieve the utmost balance and skilfully express the exceptional terroir surrounding Chardonnay, the house's emblematic grape variety. Champagne Ayala relentlessly pursues the finest raw materials from the Champagne region and currently boasts a palette of 70 crus, with 50 of them dedicated to Chardonnay. These crus are sourced from the most esteemed terroirs of Champagne. This remarkable diversity, a distinctive feature of the house, contributes to the complexity and vibrant aromatic freshness found in their blends. The house maintains 20 hectares of their own vineyards, situated in esteemed locations such as the Montagne de Reims, encompassing Aÿ Grand Cru and Dizy, as well as the Côte des Blancs, including Chouilly and Oger, both classified as Grands Crus. Additionally, they have vineyards in Champvoisy and Passy-Grigny in the Vallée de la Marne. With an unwavering commitment to pure expression of the raw materials, Champagne Ayala is transitioning their vineyards to organic viticulture and has obtained HEV and VDC certifications. The House consistently fosters trusting relationships with winegrowers and supports them in their environmental endeavours. Elaborated in limited quantities, exceptionally during the most expressive years, Le Blanc de Blancs brings to the light all of the elegance and the purity from the Chardonnay of the Côte des Blancs. This terroir is home to the most beautiful Chardonnays with a great ageing potential, including three Grands Crus which form the fundamentals of the blend. Chouilly, the House’s own vineyard, complete and subtle, brings a silky texture, a freshness, and an aromatic diversity to the cuvée. Le Mesnil-sur-Oger brings the tension, the precision, and a beautiful ageing capacity, in perfect harmony with the chalky minerality of Cramant. A signature blend, enriched by a selection of remarkable Premiers Crus. Recognizable by its both pure and creamy style, Le Blanc de Blancs is a genuine ode to Chardonnay. The signature cuvée of Caroline Latrive. Ensuring a consistent style, she does not hide her love of Chardonnay, and gives it a central place in her blends. Brilliant and contemporary, this prestigious cuvée flourishes in a special bottle, promoting the development of the organoleptic profile during the 6 years of ageing on lees in the cellars. The ultimate epicurean aperitif, Le Blanc de Blancs 2016 also marvellously goes with a lemony sea bream ceviche, a prawn risotto, or a braised veal fondant with rosemary.
Yeringberg Pinot Noir
The Pinot noir vines used for this wine by Yeringberg were planted in 1969, 1970 & 1974. There are two clones the younger vines are MV6 and the older vines are known as the Rutherglen clone. All the fruit is crushed, de-stemmed and inoculated. Fermentation is generally rapid, with temperatures reaching 32°C. Ferments are plunged by hand every 8 hours. It is pressed as soon as the ferment is dry. The wine is matured in hogsheads, about 30% new, for about 18 months, with 2-3 rackings. Not filtered.
Taittinger Prestige Rosé Non-Vintage
The Taittinger Prestige Rose is a unique and complex blend. The signature Taittinger high proportion of Chardonnay (30%) brings elegance and delicacy to the blend, while a quantity of still red wine (15%) produced from the best Pinot Noirs from Montagne de Reims and Les Riceys is added to the final blend. It is this still red wine that gives the cuvee its unmistakable colour and vibrant intensity on the palate. The Prestige Rose can be described as lively, fruity, fresh and elegant.
Bollinger Special Cuvée
Bollinger Special Cuvée is unquestionably one of the finest of all French champagnes, the Bollinger style is distinctive for its full-bodied toasty character derived from a high proportion of Pinot Noir and the inclusion of base wine that has been matured in oak.
Bollinger Rosé
The House of Bollinger has been producing fine wines of Champagne since 1829. In the last 180 or so years they have built a reputation of the highest standard. Rich and subtle with a pleasant nose and flavours that come back begging you for more, this is one of the finest non vintage Rosé Champagnes.
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.
Besserat De Bellefon Champagne Vintage
The house of Besserat de Bellefon was founded in 1843 near Ay in Champagne, and is now based in Epernay. The hallmark of the house is the lower than normal pressure that the wine is kept at under cork. This lower than normal pressure does not reduce the effervescence, but softens it, allowing the wine to partner better with food. Aspect: Deep, intense yellow Bouquet: Citrus, confits, honey, sweet spice, panettone, praline Palate: Generous freshness, opulence, purity, natural, exceptional Assemblage : Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier.
Amisfield Pinot Noir
Central Otago is regarded as the best for NZ Pinot Noir. Ripe bouquet of satsumas, plum & meat. Firm soft tannins.