Bollinger Special Cuvee is the result of the delicate blending between harvest grapes and a majority of reserve wines, including some, ages in magnums for more than 15 years in Bollingers cellars. To the eye: A golden colour, distinctive of black grape varieties. Very fine bubbles. To the nose: A beautiful aromatic complexity. Ripe fruit and spice aromas. Hints of roasted apples, apple compote and peaches. To the palate: A subtle combinations of structure, length and vivacity. Bubbles like velvet. Pear, brioche and spicy aromas, notes of fresh walnut.

Product Information: Salon's newly released 2013 Blanc de Blancs comes from a challenging growing season that is emerging, at least with respect to the region's top cuvées, as one of the most underestimated vintages of the last 15 years. With a dosage just 5.5 grams per litre, the 2013 Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil possesses a complex, fruity bouquet mingling aromas of orchard fruit with notions of lemon oil, exotic fruits, spring flowers, almond and hints of menthol and buttery pastry. It's full-bodied, rich and dense, with lively acids. Maker: Salon champagne stands apart as something truly special, shaped by its distinctive terroir and grape variety. It comes from the Côte des Blancs, from the singular cru of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, crafted solely from Chardonnay grapes harvested in exceptional years and is of one man's vision Eugène-Aimé Salon. The first vintage of Champagne Salon was 1905 by the hands of Eugène-Aimé Salon, a remarkable man with unwavering ambition. In love with champagne and captivated by the terroir of Le Mesnil, Eugène-Aimé Salon created a Blanc de Blancs Champagne. Initially it was only for his personal pleasure – but by 1920s he began to share his passion with the rest of the world. Champagne Salon comes from a single hectare plot called 'the Salon garden' and nineteen other small plots in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger selected by Eugène-Aimé Salon at the beginning of the 20th century. The wines are aged in cellar for an average of ten years, after which they finally start to reveal their complexity and finesse. The fact that Salon still conserves bottles in its cellars from nearly every vintage is testament to its legacy. To demonstrate how rare these wines are, just 37 vintages were produced in the 20th century, a unique phenomenon in the world of wine. Vineyard: 2013 is a cool, late-ripening vintage in Champagne, hallmarked by October harvest in cool but sunny conditions. Despite a challenging growing season for some producers, this is a superb Salon with a long, resonant finish. After a cold winter, budbreak was relatively late. The weather was rainy throughout the spring, followed by hail episodes in the Côte des Bar, in Vallée de la Marne and in Côte des Blancs, notably in Epernay. In mid-July, the weather turned hot, sunny and dry until early September. Unfortunately, the rains returned until the end of the month, causing damage and precipitating a virulent attack of gray rot (botrytis) in some locations. Harvest took place at the beginning of October. The houses that managed to contain the attacks of gray rot and to pick the grapes during the mild days of October succeeded in making excellent wines with a classic, chiseled profile that has become only too rare in the interim. Nose - Browned Pastry, Orange Cream, Floral Honey Orange cream, floral honey and lemon peel, backed up with delicate browned pastry, milky oyster and nut oil complexity that speaks of the long lees ageing. Palate - Creamy, Fine Mousse, Salty Edge Full-bodied, rich and dense, with lively acids, notably complex and incisive. Finish - Taut, Lemon Peel, Chalky Fine mousse with a savoury/salty edge freshening up the finish.

PHILIPPONNAT Blanc de Noirs Extra-Brut Vintage, Champagne

This champagne is a brightly sparkling, light golden yellow liquid with an abundance of fine and elegant bubbles. The nose reveals initial aromas of ripe fresh fruit (white and yellow peaches, apricots), tropical notes (lychee and pineapple). It then opens up with the fragrance of vanilla before developing notes of milky caramel, breadcrumbs and yeast, culminating in aromas of dried fruit and honey. An explosion of freshness in the mouth, followed by strong persistence. The complex aromas of fresh fruit and caramel perpetuate the intensity. Mumm Grand Cordon signifies triumph and elation – a symbol of success to be experienced and celebrated, whether as a toast for the ultimate moment or savoured with a meal of white meat or fish such as monkfish or red mullet. Mumm Cordon Rouge provides a distinctive aperitif with confident freshness. When combining with food, its aromatic richness perfectly compliments white meat and fish such as monkfish or red mullet, taking the experience to new heights. The crisp elegant structure of the champagne also complements the creamy flavours of foie gras, making an exhilarating contrast.

The Dom Pérignon Brut Vintage 2015 is an exceptional wine for pairing with luxurious, high-end dishes. Its complexity and balance make it an ideal companion to seafood, particularly caviar, king crab, and langoustine. The wine’s delicate profile also complements meats with tangy notes, such as roasted pork, lamb, or duck. For a truly unique experience, try pairing this vintage with exotic fruits like kiwi and guava, or dishes with green curry spices, to accentuate its stimulating complexity. Maker: In 1668, Dom Pierre Pérignon was appointed procurator at the Abbey of Hautvillers. For 47 years, he worked to make the “best wine in the world”. Three centuries later, the Maison Dom Pérignon perpetuates this creative ambition through the constantly renewed quest for harmony as a source of emotion. All creative processes have their constraints. Dom Pérignon’s constraint is the vintage: an ambition to bear witness to the harvest of a single year, whatever the challenges may be, even if it means choosing not to declare the vintage. Dom Pérignon is always an assemblage, forming the foundation of the Dom Pérignon style. It is guided by timeless principles that have always taken precedence over winemaking techniques and their evolution. Time is also part of the equation for Dom Pérignon. During the time of active maturation on the lees, in the darkness of the cellars, the aesthetic and sensory values of each vintage are played out: precision, intensity, touch, minerality, and complexity. Dom Pierre Pérignon's legacy has often been misconceived, overshadowed by myths of inventing Champagne, and even unfounded rumours of blindness. However, what remains true beyond doubt is his extraordinary hard work and dedication to crafting the finest wine in the world. His innovations were groundbreaking. He developed the gentle 'coquard' press, which enabled him to produce clear, still white wine from black grapes. Pérignon also understood the unique challenges of Champagne's marginal climate, pioneering the art of blending grapes from different vineyards to create a more complete and balanced wine. His use of stronger verre anglais ('English glass') bottles, designed to withstand pressure, and the reintroduction of cork as a reliable closure were crucial advancements in winemaking. Through his tireless efforts, Pérignon laid the groundwork for the Champagne and the modern wine world. Philosophy: The philosophy behind Dom Pérignon is one of unwavering commitment to creating Champagne that transcends time, showcasing both the current expression and the potential for future development. Dom Pérignon believes that great Champagne is not simply made—it is born out of nature’s elements and transformed through time, patience, and a deep passion for excellence. With a focus on vintage production, Dom Pérignon captures the essence of each harvest, allowing each bottle to express the unique conditions of the year and the terroir it comes from. The House’s philosophy is reflected in its approach to both blending and aging. Each vintage is crafted to express the duality of fruit and structure, with a delicate balance between power and elegance. The wines are carefully aged to allow them to evolve, with each bottle revealing new dimensions of flavour and complexity as it matures. Dom Pérignon’s philosophy extends beyond just winemaking—it is about creating something that will stand the test of time, an expression of both the present and the future. Tasting Notes Nose Roasted, Floral, Spicy Deep, roasted notes of cacao powder and toasted aromas, gradually unfolding to reveal floral fragrances of lime blossom, jasmine, and peony. A spicy dimension of anise and cardamom adds depth, while a touch of green papaya and orange peel invigorate the overall profile. Palate Broad, Tactile, Generous The wine is broad and tactile, spreading across the tongue with a delicate yet generous texture. Fresh peach, nectarine, and citrus are complemented by sculpted bitter notes of citrus and gentian, creating a harmonious and balanced tasting experience. Finish Fresh, Balanced, Long The finish is long and smooth, with a lingering sweetness that ties together the bright, fresh fruit and the subtle bitterness. The wine’s vibrant acidity and finely textured tannins leave a lasting, memorable impression. The 2015 Dom Pérignon is terrific. Bright and poised, the 2015 shows terrific energy. Citrus peel, white flowers, mint, white pepper and slate all race across the palate. There's gorgeous tension and backbone here, with bright saline notes that extend the mid-palate and finish. This is a fine showing in a vintage that has proven to be tricky. I am intrigued to see how the 2015 develops in the coming years. 2025-2045. - Antonio Galloni (03/2024), Vinous, 96 Points. Disgorged in January 2023, the 2015 Dom Pérignon shows a singular, ethereal profile with aromas of white pepper, iodine, ripe orchard fruits, toast, smoke, herbs and spices. Medium to full-bodied, layered, and structured, it’s enveloping and round with a delicate phenolic mid-palate that underlines chalky dry extracts, concluding with a sapid, penetrating finish with gastronomic bitterness. This iteration of Dom Pérignon, though replete with the customary charm and vinous generosity that typify the label, distinguishes itself by its structural delicate austerity and a notably phenolic profile, giving rise to a remarkably linear and well-defined style that diverges markedly from the more familiar expressions of Dom Pérignon. - Yohan Castaing (05/2024), Wine Advocate, 95 Points. Remarkably pale at this early stage in the glass, the nose hits Dom Pérignon's classic gunsmoke and flint notes together with sweet and bright citrus. Packed with silky ripe fruits on both nose and palate, this is approachable now. Notes of fresh mint and fresh bread dough add to the layers on the palate, which has a creamy mousse but well-defined and vibrant acidity. Chalky in texture on the finish, this is ready to drink but will doubtless evolve well in bottle for over a decade. - Thomas Parker MW (07/2024), 94 Points.