Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart Brut, Champagne The name Billecart-Salmon comes from the joining of two families by the marriage of Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon. This prestige cuvée vintage Champagne, first created in 1964, is named in honour of co-founder Nicolas François. "The mark of Billecart is made not by the heavy foot?all of concentration, power and presence, but rather by the fairy touch of delicacy and crystal/clear fidelity."- Tyson Stelzer, The Champagne Guide. 60% Montagne de Reims pinot noir, 40% Côte des Blancs Chardonnay; 18% barrel-fermented in old oak casks; no malolactic fermentation; 4g/L dosage

The Bollinger La Grande Année is the pinnacle of Bollingers Champagne styles and is produced only in the best years. Fruit is sourced entirely from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyard sites in Champagne. The base wine was aged solely in old oak barrels, providing additional depth and nutty complexity. After secondary fermentation, the wine is aged on lees for more than five years before disgorgement. La Grande Année shows complexity and richness from the long ageing on lees and oaked base wines used in the cuve. The wine typically displays richness and depth of toast and bready characters, creamy palate texture, chalky minerality and great persistence. A vintage style it can be enjoyed upon release or carefully cellared for up to 10 years.

Krug is well and truly one of the great wine experiences in the world. It is an exercise in balance and poise, being at once as fine and delicate as crystal and rich with meaty nuttiness. With an almost ethereal bead, there is plenty of toast, dried fruit and hazelnut complexity. Magnificent!