Champagne Wine

J. Vignier Deux Terres Blanc de Blancs Brut — Cramant & Côte de Sézanne 2010

Deux Terres — “Two Lands” — is J. Vignier’s most geographically ambitious cuvée, drawing 100% Chardonnay from two distinct and contrasting terroirs: Le Bateau in the Grand Cru village of Cramant on the Côte des Blancs, and Les Bercottes in Barbonne-Fayel on the Côte de Sézanne. The connection between the two sites runs deeper than geography — the Sézanne vines were planted by massal selection using cuttings from the family’s oldest Cramant vineyards, creating a living lineage between the two parcels. The vines are 50 to 60 years old, rooted in Cretaceous chalk, marl, and clay. Vinified in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation and aged a minimum of eight years en tirage, the 2010 vintage — one of Champagne’s finest of the decade — emerges with extraordinary depth, integration, and a long, dry finish. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Elegant and finely structured: citrus, orchard fruit, toasted brioche, almond, and subtle pastry notes on the nose, deepening with air into mature Champagne complexity. The palate is rich yet focused — Cramant’s chalky precision and Sézanne’s generous, expressive fruit resolved into a wine of remarkable harmony. Eight-plus years on the lees have built a creamy mousse and seamless texture, while the naturally bright acidity keeps everything energetic and long on the finish.

“Deux Terres is a study in complementary opposites — Cramant’s mineral precision and Sézanne’s generous fruit, united by 50-year-old vines and eight years of patience.”

• Producer: J. Vignier, Champagne, France
• Vintage: 2010
• Appellation: Champagne
• Vineyards: Le Bateau, Cramant (Grand Cru) & Les Bercottes, Barbonne-Fayel (Côte de Sézanne)
• Vine Age: 50–60 years
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and clay
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Minimum 8 years en tirage
• Residual Sugar: 2.8 g/L | Acidity: 4.8 g/L | Alcohol: 11.8%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, orchard fruit, brioche, almond, pastry, creamy mousse, chalky minerality, long dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, lobster, scallops, roasted fish, creamy poultry, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses

2010 vintage. 8+ years on the lees. Two terroirs, one lineage. J. Vignier’s Deux Terres is among the most compelling aged Blanc de Blancs Champagnes available today.

J. Vignier Ora Alba Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut — Côte des Blancs 2013 Base

Ora Alba — "the first light of day" — is J. Vignier's interpretation of northern Côte des Blancs Chardonnay at its most luminous and precise. Produced entirely from Grand Cru fruit sourced from three prestigious villages — Cramant, Chouilly, and Oiry — the cuvée draws on deep Cretaceous chalk complemented by marl and clay, a geology that yields Champagne of both mineral tension and generous texture. Cramant contributes structure and pronounced chalky minerality, Chouilly adds elegance and ripe fruit, and Oiry brings freshness and linear precision. Vinified and aged in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation, then aged on the lees for an extended period before disgorgement, the 2013 base gives the wine exceptional depth and a decade-plus of development. Certified sustainable by Socofret.

Fresh and refined on the nose: lemon zest, white peach, green apple, and delicate white flowers, with subtle brioche and toasted almond emerging with air. The palate is precise and energetic — layers of citrus, orchard fruit, and chalky minerality carried by fine bubbles and a softly creamy texture. The finish is long, dry, and elegant, with a persistent mineral drive that speaks clearly of its Grand Cru origins.

"Ora Alba is the Vignier family's vision of northern Côte des Blancs Chardonnay — bright, luminous, and deeply mineral."

• Producer: J. Vignier, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2013
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Villages: Cramant, Chouilly & Oiry
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Brut
• Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and clay
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: Extended aging before disgorgement
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lemon zest, white peach, green apple, white flowers, brioche, toasted almond, chalky minerality, long dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, caviar, lobster, scallops, sushi, roasted white fish, creamy poultry, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses

A 2013 base. Three Grand Cru villages. Extended lees aging. J. Vignier's Ora Alba is northern Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most precise and compelling.

J. Vignier’s Pur Cramant is a rare, single-vineyard Grand Cru Champagne created to capture the character of one exceptional parcel in Cramant. For this cuvée, Nathalie Vignier selects a different lieu-dit from her family’s Cramant holdings according to which site she believes most clearly expresses the personality of the vintage. For the 2016 release, that vineyard was Les Fourches.

Located in the southern part of Cramant, close to the renowned Bateau vineyard, Les Fourches is planted with Chardonnay vines more than 55 years old. The parcel’s northeast-facing slopes and distinctive combination of clay-rich marl over pure Cretaceous chalk create a Champagne with both depth and precision. The marl contributes texture and power, while the deep chalk subsoil provides freshness, tension and the refined mineral character associated with the finest wines of the Côte des Blancs.

Produced entirely from Grand Cru Chardonnay, the wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel to preserve the purity of the fruit and the clarity of the vineyard expression. It underwent full malolactic fermentation and remained on its lees until bottling in April following the harvest. The Champagne then spent approximately 64 months aging en tirage before disgorgement, developing a fine mousse, greater complexity and a beautifully integrated texture.

Pur Cramant Les Fourches is precise, concentrated and elegantly structured. Aromas of lemon zest, white peach, green apple and white flowers are complemented by subtle notes of brioche, almond and chalk. The palate is energetic and finely textured, with bright citrus, ripe orchard fruit and a pronounced mineral core. Its Extra-Brut dosage keeps the finish dry, focused and persistent while allowing the character of the old vines and chalk-rich terroir to remain at the forefront.

This is a sophisticated, terroir-driven Champagne that is equally compelling as an aperitif or served with food. Pair it with oysters, caviar, scallops, lobster, sushi, roasted white fish, creamy poultry dishes, mushroom risotto or aged cheeses.

Wine Details

• Producer: J. Vignier
• Cuvée: Pur Cramant
• Lieu-Dit: Les Fourches
• Vintage: 2016
• Region: Champagne, France
• Appellation: Côte des Blancs
• Village: Cramant
• Classification: Grand Cru
• Wine Style: Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut
• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
• Vine Age: More than 55 years
• Orientation: Northeast
• Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and clay
• Farming: Certified sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Stainless steel
• Élevage: Stainless steel
• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
• Lees Aging: Approximately 64 months en tirage before disgorgement
• Residual Sugar: 4.3 g/L
• Acidity: 4.4 g/L
• pH: 3.07
• Alcohol: 12.25%
• Bottle Size: 750ml

J. Vignier QVFMR “Les Jardins d’Elise” Grand Cru Extra Brut — Cramant 2008

Les Jardins d’Elise is among the most extraordinary Champagnes we carry — a single-vintage, single-village Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from J. Vignier’s Cuvée Éphémère collection, produced in tiny quantities and released only when the wine is ready. The cuvée honors Nathalie Vignier’s great-grandmother Elise, who helped establish the three Cramant lieux-dits at its heart: Chenelots, Marais, and Herbin. The vines were between 25 and 45 years old at harvest, rooted in Cretaceous chalk, marl, and loam — the geological foundation of Grand Cru Cramant Chardonnay. Fermented and aged in neutral oak barrels on the fine lees, bottled in June 2009, and then aged an extraordinary 13 years en tirage before hand disgorgement. Dosed at just 2.7 g/L. This is a Champagne of rare depth, heritage, and patience.

Richly developed yet remarkably precise: preserved citrus, ripe orchard fruit, toasted almond, brioche, and subtle pastry notes on the nose, deepening with air into savory, almost oxidative complexity. The palate is creamy and layered — the 13 years on the lees have built a refined mousse and profound mineral structure — while the chalk-rich Cramant terroir keeps the wine fresh, focused, and long on the finish. Acidity at 6.2 g/L and pH 2.97 ensure this will continue to evolve for years to come.

“Les Jardins d’Elise is a Champagne of rare heritage and patience — 13 years en tirage, three historic Cramant lieux-dits, and a family story that stretches back generations.”

• Producer: J. Vignier, Cramant, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Collection: Cuvée Éphémère (QVFMR)
• Vintage: 2008
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Village: Cramant
• Vineyards: Chenelots, Marais & Herbin
• Vine Age: 25–45 years at harvest
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
• Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and loam
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Neutral oak barrels on fine lees
• Bottled: June 2009 | Lees Aging: 13 years en tirage
• Disgorgement: Hand-disgorged
• Dosage: 2.7 g/L | Acidity: 6.2 g/L | pH: 2.97 | Alcohol: 11.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Preserved citrus, orchard fruit, toasted almond, brioche, pastry, creamy mousse, chalky minerality, long saline finish
• Best Paired With: Caviar, oysters, lobster, scallops, turbot, roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, aged Comté, mature cheeses

2008 vintage. 13 years en tirage. Three historic Cramant lieux-dits. Hand-disgorged. J. Vignier’s Les Jardins d’Elise is one of the most compelling aged Blanc de Blancs Champagnes available today.

Winemaker Description

Its traditional production makes Vocation Champagne a Blanc de Noirs to enjoy on any occasion and turn it into a memorable moment.

The Champagne region is synonymous with excellence, hard work and continuous work to continue offering recognized world-class wines and bubbles. Our vocation and respect for nature, as well as our lives, manage to create the best fruit which is the basis and structure for our final offering.

Vocation is the living representation of what has been our home for centuries and radiates our values ​​as a family by making and respecting the traditional way of making champagne, the precious liquid.

Experience the pinnacle of champagne craftsmanship with Krug Grande Cuvée 172nd Edition, an exceptional prestige cuvée presented in an elegant gift box. This iconic champagne represents the artistry of blending 146 separately vinified wines from 11 different vintages, with the 2016 vintage as its foundation.

Why Choose Krug Grande Cuvée 173rd Edition?

• Exceptional Ratings: 98 points Wine Enthusiast, 97 points Decanter & James Suckling, 96 points Wine Spectator
• Perfect for Gifting: Arrives in a luxurious presentation gift box
• Masterful Blend: 51% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay, 11% Pinot Meunier
• Aging Potential: Drink now through 2040 or cellar for 5-10 years

Tasting Profile

Discover a symphony of flavors including toasted brioche, lemon curd, dried apricot, hazelnut, and hints of ginger and white flowers. The palate is rich yet refined, with vivacious bubbles, bright acidity, and an exceptionally long, elegant finish with notes of salted butter and roasted nuts.

Expert Reviews - 172nd Edition

Wine Enthusiast 98 Points | This is the most recent bottling of this iconic Champagne. There is a touch of toast as well as enticing apple and citrus aromas. On the palate, this wine is rich, intense, poised between maturity and ripe white fruits.

Decanter 97 Points | The 172ème édition, based around the 2016 vintage, is a delicate, floral and saline Grande Cuvée at this early stage in its life. The palate it taut, tightly wound, gradually unfurling into toasted fruit bread, rye bread and roasted nuts, wrapped around an intricate and taut lemon core. It's exceptionally long, spicy, rounded and spherical in shape.

James Suckling 97 Points | Beautiful notes of dried citrus fruit, lemon curd and dried apples with hints of spices, dried flowers and subtle brioche. I like the polished and caressing texture and steady, refreshing acidity. It's fresh and even austere, with notes of ground spices. So vertical and firm. Structured and long.

Wine Spectator 96 Points | This classy Champagne waltzes across the palate with fluid poise and grace. The mousse's pointillismlike beads and a vivid frame of acidity buoy the detailed range of aromas and flavors, including chopped cherry, dried apricot, tangerine peel and plum cake notes, plus fragrant hints of grated ginger, lime blossoms, ground coffee and grilled nuts.

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | Outstanding. It reveals a complex, slightly spicy bouquet of white fruits, beeswax, marzipan, hazelnuts, dried herbs, ripe orchard fruits and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated on the palate, it has a subtly spicy entry, an enrobing and layered texture and a fleshy core of fruit framed around a perfectly balanced, fresh and mineral finish.

Perfect Pairings

Elevate your dining experience by pairing this prestigious champagne with oysters, caviar, aged Comté cheese, roasted poultry, or creamy risotto. Its complexity and structure make it ideal for special celebrations or as a sophisticated aperitif.

About Krug Champagne

Since 1843, Krug has been synonymous with the finest champagne in the world. Each Grande Cuvée is a unique blend that showcases the house's commitment to excellence and the art of blending across multiple vintages.

L. Aubry Fils | Brut | Premier Cru | Montagne de Reims, Champagne | NV (70% 2021 Base) | Transitioning Organic

Wine and Spirits: 92 Points — Fresh and complex, showing red currant, green pear, red apple and wildflower honey. Praised for its lively herbal acidity, generous fruit and the additional character contributed by Champagne's rare historic grape varieties.

James Suckling: 92 Points — Smooth, rounded and beautifully balanced, with bright lemon and citrus flavors, gentle nuttiness and a refined pastry-like texture on the finish.

Wine Spectator: 91 Points — Firm and mineral driven, with wild cherry, berry fruit, wet chalk and brine. A fine mousse carries notes of whole-grain toast, grapefruit pith and lemon thyme through the finish. (Disgorged March 2025)

Vinous: 91 Points — Gracious, elegant and charming, with delicate notes of orchard fruit, spice, dried flowers and mint. (Disgorged May 2021)

L. Aubry Fils is one of Champagne's most singular grower-producers. The Aubry family has cultivated vines in the region since 1790, and brothers Philippe and Pierre Aubry now run the estate from the Premier Cru village of Jouy-les-Reims in the Petite Montagne de Reims. Their particular distinction lies in the preservation of Champagne's rarest historic grape varieties — Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Fromenteau (the local name for Pinot Gris) — cultivated today by only a handful of producers in the region. These varieties appear in the Brut alongside the three classic Champagne grapes, lending the wine an aromatic complexity and originality that sets it apart from the mainstream.

The current release is composed of 31% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir, 31% Pinot Meunier and 7% Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Fromenteau, drawn from Premier Cru vineyards in Jouy-les-Reims, Villedommange, Pargny-les-Reims and Coulommes-la-Montagne. The soils are fossil-rich limestone, contributing brightness, pronounced acidity and a firm mineral character. The estate is progressively transitioning toward organic farming, with close attention to soil health and the long-term preservation of its historic varieties.

The base is 70% from the 2021 harvest, supplemented by 30% reserve wines dating back to 1998 — a perpetual reserve that adds depth, maturity and consistency across releases. Vinification is primarily in stainless steel, preserving freshness and fruit purity, with a portion of the Chardonnay matured in previously used oak barrels for texture and subtle pastry richness. Malolactic fermentation is completed in full. After secondary fermentation in bottle, the wine ages more than 18 months on its lees and is finished at a dosage of approximately 4 grams per liter — dry, energetic and food-friendly.

The wine opens with aromas of green pear, crisp apple, white peach and red berries, followed by white flowers, citrus peel, fresh bread and subtle wildflower honey. With air, notes of toasted grain, almond, dried herbs and chalk emerge. The palate is lively and finely balanced — fresh orchard fruit and bright citrus are joined by wild cherry, raspberry and red currant, while a delicate mousse carries whole-grain toast, grapefruit pith, lemon thyme and roasted nuts. Firm acidity and a mineral foundation of wet chalk and brine lead to a clean, persistent and gently saline finish.

Serve as an aperitif or pair with oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, smoked salmon, sushi, roast chicken, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, fried appetizers and moderately aged cheeses. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F in a white wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.

• Producer: L. Aubry Fils
• Cuvée: Brut
• Classification: Premier Cru Brut
• Appellation: Champagne, France
• Region: Montagne de Reims
• Villages: Jouy-les-Reims, Villedommange, Pargny-les-Reims and Coulommes-la-Montagne
• Grape Varieties: 31% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir, 31% Pinot Meunier, 7% Arbanne / Petit Meslier / Fromenteau
• Base Vintage: 70% 2021 harvest
• Reserve Wines: 30%, dating back to 1998
• Farming: Transitioning organic
• Soils: Fossil-rich limestone
• Vinification: Primarily stainless steel; portion of Chardonnay in used oak
• Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
• Lees Aging: 18+ months
• Dosage: ~4 g/L
• Bottle Size: 750ml

As a non-vintage Champagne, grape proportions, base vintages, reserve wine percentages, dosage, lees aging period and disgorgement dates may vary by release. Critic ratings may refer to different disgorgements of the same cuvée.

Laherte Frères Ultradition Brut NV — Champagne

Laherte Frères is a benchmark grower-producer in Chavot, farming biodynamically and organically across 10 hectares in the Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne. The Ultradition is their signature cuvée — a multi-vintage blend anchored by old-vine Pinot Meunier, built to express terroir transparency and minimal intervention. Wine Spectator awarded it 92 points, calling it “vivid” and “clean-cut and minerally on the finish.” John Gilman added 92+ points, praising its “superb soil signature, refined mousse, and a very long, complex, dancing finish.” At this price, it is one of the most compelling values in grower Champagne.

The nose opens with white peach, spring flowers, chalky soil tones, gentle smokiness, and a dollop of brioche. On the palate it is full-bodied and extremely elegant — pure, with a fine core, refined mousse, and a long, dancing finish of citrus and mineral. Pinot Meunier at its most expressive.

Wine Spectator 92 • Vinous 92 • John Gilman 92+ — “Pure, full-bodied, and extremely elegant, with a very long, complex and dancing finish.”

• Producer: Laherte Frères, Chavot, Champagne, France
• Style: Brut NV
• Blend: 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Dosage: 6–8 g/L
• Farming: Biodynamic, Organic
• Format: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White peach, spring flowers, chalk, brioche, citrus, mineral finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, sushi, aged Comté, roast chicken, caviar

A 92-point biodynamic grower Champagne at an honest price — Laherte Frères’ Ultradition is the benchmark for what Pinot Meunier-driven Champagne can be.

Lallier Brut Réflexion R.021 — Aüy-en-Champagne, France

The Brut Réflexion R.021 is the signature non-vintage cuvée of Lallier — a grower-focused Champagne house based in Aüy-en-Champagne, one of the appellation's most prized Grand Cru villages. Blended from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier, the R.021 is built on the house's philosophy of precision and transparency: each release is numbered to reflect the blend year, and each bottle is crafted to express the purity of the terroir rather than the weight of oak or dosage. James Suckling awarded it 92 points. Restrained, citrusy, and beautifully precise.

The nose opens with vibrant lime and mandarin, lifted by elegant floral touches and mature hints of brioche and fresh hazelnut. On the palate, the mousse is frothy and light-bodied with remarkable purity and freshness — a delicate salty sensation balanced by the structure of Pinot Noir and the soft roundness of Meunier. The finish is long, deep, and aromatic, with a youthful crispness that rewards both immediate drinking and short-term cellaring.

“Restrained and citrusy with lemon peel and stone fruit. Slightly toasty with a leafy touch. Quite frothy bubbles with light body, a substantial palate and a crisp finish, precise and youthful.” — James Suckling, 92 Points (2021)

• Producer: Lallier, Aüy-en-Champagne, France
• Release: R.021 (Non-Vintage)
• Appellation: Champagne AOC — Grand Cru
• Blend: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier
• Style: Brut
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Lime, mandarin, brioche, hazelnut, floral, salty minerality, crisp finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, soft cheeses, charcuterie, or as a refined aperitif

A 92-point Grand Cru Champagne built on precision and terroir — Lallier's Brut Réflexion is the benchmark for what grower-focused, non-vintage Champagne can be.

Winemaker Description

Produced from a small walled vineyard close to the Lanson winery in Reims, this is a splendid wine. Its richness is balanced by the intense freshness and minerality of the Chardonnay, with apple and citrus flavors that still in the background. Now mature, this wine is ready to drink.

Expert Reviews

Wine Enthusiast 97 Points | Produced from a small walled vineyard close to the Lanson winery in Reims, this is a splendid wine. Its richness is balanced by the intense freshness and minerality of the Chardonnay, with apple and citrus flavors that still in the background. Now mature, this wine is ready to drink.

Wine Advocate 94 Points | Disgorged in July 2016 with only three grams per liter dosage, the 2007 Brut Blanc de Blancs Clos Lanson is showing very well indeed, unwinding in the glass with notes of dried white flowers, citrus oil, toasted brioche, oyster shell and smoke. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and vibrant, with a racy spine of acidity, good concentration and chalky structuring extract. This is quite a tightly knit, tensile wine, despite the warm mesoclimate and two years on cork, which suggests it will enjoy a long future.

Vinous 93 Points | Clos Lanson's 2007 Brut Blanc de Blancs is a very pretty, soft Champagne that can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. Bright citrus and floral notes, along with soft contours, give much of its immediacy and sheer allure. Understated and classy, the 2007 will drink well for a number of years, but it is also remarkably giving and enjoyable today for a relatively young Blanc de Blancs. Although it is not super-complex, the 2007 offers quite a bit of freshness and character. An open bottle was still in great shape when I re-tasted it a few days later. Disgorged: July 2016.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Fragrant, featuring lime blossom and ground spice notes, this fine and creamy Champagne offers a broad range of lemon parfait, chopped hazelnut, spun honey and dried cherry flavors, underscored by chalky minerality. Elegant and well-knit, with a firm, focused finish. Disgorged July 2016. Drink now through 2030. 665 cases made.

Lanson Champagne Père & Fils Brut — Champagne NV

Founded in 1760, Lanson is one of Champagne’s most storied and consistent houses — and the Père & Fils Brut is its definitive expression. Crafted by chef de cave Hervé Dantan from 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, and 15% Meunier sourced from 100 villages across the region, with 30% reserve wines spanning 10 vintages back to 1995, this is a non-vintage Champagne of remarkable depth, consistency, and integrity. Four years on the lees — well above the minimum — adds richness, complexity, and a fine toasty character that sets it apart from the crowd. Decanter calls it “one of the best and most consistent of the bargain set.” At this price, it is hard to argue.

The nose is fresh and inviting: green apple, pear, pie crust, and a touch of toast from extended lees aging. On the palate, it is ripe and well-balanced — Pinot Noir’s weight and red fruit character is lifted by Chardonnay’s precision and fine bubbles, with a crisp, dry finish of real elegance. Already drinking beautifully, with the structure to reward short-term cellaring.

Decanter 92 — “A class act and a resounding statement of talent. One of the best and most consistent of the bargain set.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 — “Back on form, giving a ripe style dominated by Pinot Noir. Fine balance between the fruits and touches of toast from four years on the lees.”
James Suckling 92 — “A fresh, balanced palate with green apples, pie crust and pears. Fine bubbles and a crisp, dry finish.”

• Producer: Lanson, Reims, Champagne, France
• Founded: 1760
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier
• Sources: 100 villages across Champagne
• Reserve Wines: 30% across 10 vintages
• Aging: 4 years on the lees
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, pear, pie crust, red fruit, toast, fine bubbles, crisp dry finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, smoked salmon, grilled fish, soft cheeses, charcuterie, light appetizers

Founded in 1760, scoring 92 across the board, and priced for every occasion — Lanson Père & Fils is the Champagne house that history and critics agree on.

Expert Reviews 

Audrey Frick writes: (Tasted November 7, 2022) The NV Champagne La Cuvée Brut Rosé is entirely Pinot Noir from 10 crus in the Montagne de Reims. It is forward in the glass with ripe currants, fresh herbs, and smoky perfume. This continues to the palate, with notes of ripe wild raspberry and tangerine, and it has a medium to full-bodied texture that is pure and lightly savory on the finish. Fantastically paired with beef tartar and other richer raw preparations, this is a wonderful and food-friendly expression. Drink 2022-2032.  - Jeb Dunnuck 92

Winemaker Description 

A white gold in color with delicate and persistent bubbles, Grand Siecle No. 26 offers a very complex nose which mixes honeysuckle, lemon, clementine and fresh butter aromas, followed by notes of hazelnut and a touch of honey. The feel in the mouth is very delicate and fresh with candied lemon and fresh hazelnut aromas. The palate is silky and mineral with notes of honeysuckle, flaked almonds and clementine.

It pairs with high quality produce and refined dishes, including shellfish, noble fish and white meats such as Thai style langoustine tartare and fine roasted poultry.

Expert Reviews

100 James Suckling James Suckling's #1 Wine of 2023 |  This is really something. Electric on the palate. The aromas are so complex with sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel. Toasted bread, too. Always subtle. The palate is full- to medium-bodied yet hemmed-in with a freshness and balance that draws you back. Savory and vibrant. It's full of energy. Spectacular. Fascinating. Symphonic blend of 2012, 2008 and 2007. 65% of the 2012, 25% of the 2008 and 10% of the 2007. Eight grand cru. Chardonnay 58% and 42% pinot noir. Disgorged February 2023. 10 years on the lees. 7g/L dosage.

97 Points Wine Enthusiast | Tautly textured, the Champagne is delicious with a poise between white and citrus fruits along with touches of maturity coming through. Drink this magnificent wine now for its great balance and intensity.

96 Points Decanter | This iteration of Grand Siècle is almost entirely composed of two of Champagne's greatest recent vintages, so expectations are high. The wine more than meets them, tempering the generosity of 2012's fruit – ripe apricots, white peach, clementines and sunny, zesty citrus – with a pitch-perfect streak of 2008 tautness and structure. There are some fleshy, creamy notes of papaya and toasted white sourdough, but everything is as delicately rendered as expected and impeccably shaped, with a sleek, silky mousse. A little more approachable than Itération No. 25, it will welcome extended bottle age rather than demand it. The blend is 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir from eight grand cru vineyards. 65% is from the 2012 vintage, 35% from 2008 and 10% from 2007.

96 Points Robert Parker | Unfurling in the glass with scents of crisp nectarine, pear and honeyed citrus fruit that mingle with notions of fresh mint, blanched almonds and iodine, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated and tightly wound, with broad structural shoulders, tangy acids and a long, intense finish. It's a great Grand Siècle in the making.

95 Points Wine Spectator | A graceful Champagne, with flavors of boysenberry and black cherry fruit, toast, blanched almond and grapefruit pith, graphite and fleur de sel gliding across the satiny mousse. Reveals racy acidity that sculpts fine definition, allowing the detailed profile to expand on the palate, while minerally hints of chalk and oyster shell linger on the finish. 

Laurent-Perrier · Harmony Demi-Sec Champagne

Harmony is Laurent-Perrier’s Demi-Sec Champagne, rounded and delicate, with a high proportion of Chardonnay balanced by dosage. Its intense golden-yellow color leads into dried-fruit aromas of almond and hazelnut, with toasted notes. With age, the nose develops toward honey and pine resin. On the palate, it is full-bodied, generous and rounded.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast · 91 Points | This perfumed, off-dry Champagne is ripe with soft acidity and white fruits. Balanced with a fresh edge, the wine is ready to drink.

Winemaker Description

Laurent-Perrier Harmony is a Demi-Sec wine, rounded and delicate, thanks to a high proportion of Chardonnay and a well-balanced dosage. A brilliant and intense golden yellow in color. An intense and rich nose with notes of dried fruit (almonds and hazelnuts) as well as toasted or grilled aromas. After a few years of ageing, the nose evolves towards deeper notes of honey and pine resin. Full-bodied and generous, it is a rich wine with a rounded feel.

Pairings

Harmony brings out the best in sweet-savory dishes, desserts and pastries, and can add depth and flavor to a meal.

At a Glance

• Producer: Laurent-Perrier
• Cuvée: Harmony
• Style: Demi-Sec Champagne
• Origin: Tours-sur-Marne, Champagne, France
• Grape profile: High proportion of Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml

Off-dry balance, generous texture and toasted, honeyed notes make Harmony a natural alongside dessert.

A Champagne of extraordinary purity and precision — the Leclerc Briant Millésime 2019 is a 100% Grand Cru cuvée from one of the most celebrated biodynamic houses in Champagne. Sourced exclusively from three of the appellation's most revered villages, it delivers the intensity and complexity of a great vintage with the freshness and mineral tension that define Leclerc Briant's singular style.

Critical Acclaim

• 96 Points — Jeb Dunnuck: "Intense, precise notes of fresh pear, bright crushed stones, delicate flinty reduction, Meyer lemon, and fresh lemongrass."
• 95 Points — James Suckling: "A Vintage Champagne of remarkable balance."

Vineyard & Assemblage

• 100% Grand Cru provenance — among the rarest designations in Champagne
• Pinot Noir (50%) from Grand Cru villages of Verzy and Mailly-Champagne
• Chardonnay (50%) from the legendary Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru
• Produced by Leclerc Briant, one of Champagne's leading biodynamic estates
• Extra Brut dosage — minimal intervention, maximum terroir expression

The 2019 Vintage

2019 is widely regarded as one of Champagne's finest recent vintages — a warm, dry growing season that produced grapes of exceptional ripeness and concentration, balanced by the region's natural chalk-driven acidity. The result is a vintage of remarkable depth and longevity, with the structure to age gracefully for a decade or more.

Tasting Profile

Bright yellow-straw with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose is intense and precise — fresh pear, Meyer lemon, lemongrass, crushed stones, and a signature flinty, mineral reduction that speaks directly to the chalk terroir of Le Mesnil. On the palate it's focused and elegant with vibrant acidity, creamy mousse, and a long, mineral-driven finish of extraordinary precision. A Champagne that rewards both immediate enjoyment and extended cellaring.

Perfect Pairings

Serve at 46–50°F with oysters, sea urchin, Dover sole, lobster, seared scallops, or aged Comté. Equally compelling as a standalone prestige aperitif. A Champagne for moments that deserve the very best.

Leclerc Briant Réserve Extra Brut — Épernay, Champagne, France NV

Leclerc Briant is one of Champagne's most celebrated and pioneering grower-producers — a historic house based in Épernay with roots going back to 1872, and today one of the region's most committed advocates for biodynamic viticulture. Under the stewardship of the Lignac family, Leclerc Briant farms its vineyards according to strict biodynamic principles — certified by Demeter — believing that the health of the soil is the foundation of great Champagne. The estate works with the lunar calendar, uses only natural preparations, and practices minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the terroir of their Marne Valley and Côte des Blancs vineyards to express itself with clarity and precision. The Réserve Extra Brut is the house's signature non-vintage cuvée — a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay, based on the 2019 harvest, with reserve wines adding depth and complexity. Extra Brut in style, it is drier and more precise than a standard Brut, allowing the terroir and the fruit to speak without the softening effect of dosage.

The color is bright pale yellow with a fine, lively mousse. The nose is complex and inviting: wet asphalt, ripe white peach, fresh redcurrant, pear, verbena, lime, herbs, and a touch of menthol — the signature of biodynamic Champagne. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and approachable with a rounded mid-palate, chalky and pithy texture, and sleek acidity animating flavors of chopped raspberry, nectarine, preserved lemon, and oyster shell. The finish is persistent, lightly spiced, and mouthwatering — clean, energetic, and long.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 — "Wet asphalt, ripe white peach, and fresh redcurrant. Rounded mid-palate, chalky and pithy texture with a lively yet fine mousse. Attractive and balanced with a clean finish."

Wine Spectator 92 — "Lithe and graceful, with sleek acidity animating flavors of chopped raspberry, nectarine, preserved lemon and oyster shell. Fine and satiny in texture, offering a persistent, lightly spiced finish."

Wine Advocate 90 — "Lively, fresh bouquet of pear, verbena, lime tree, herbs and menthol. Vinous and energetic with an incisive mid-palate and a mouthwatering, fresh finish."

• Producer: Leclerc Briant, Épernay, Champagne, France (est. 1872)
• Style: Extra Brut NV
• Blend: 40% Pinot Noir / 40% Pinot Meunier / 20% Chardonnay
• Base Vintage: 2019
• Farming: Certified Biodynamic (Demeter)
• Dosage: Extra Brut (very low dosage)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White peach, redcurrant, raspberry, nectarine, preserved lemon, oyster shell, wet asphalt, chalky texture, persistent spiced finish
• Style: Precise, energetic, terroir-driven
• Best Paired With: Oysters, sushi, grilled fish, lobster, soft cheeses, charcuterie, caviar

Biodynamic Champagne from one of Épernay's most celebrated grower-producers — Leclerc Briant Réserve Extra Brut is precise, energetic, and triple 90+ point rated.

Winemaker Description

Leclerc Briant was an early adopter of organic practices beginning in the 1960’s and pioneered the concept of single-vineyard Champagne starting in the 1970’s. Fifth generation vigneron, Pascal Leclerc began to follow biodynamic principles in 1988, with part of the production Demeter certified since 2003.

Expert Review

Wine Advocate 94 Points | The 2018 Les Monts Ferrés Blanc de Blancs derives from vines planted in the eponymous parcel in the 1er cru village of Vertus. It reveals a delicate, fine bouquet with aromas of fresh bread, acacia, spring flowers and ripe orchard fruits. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced, it’s enveloping and structured with both racy and bright acidity. This is a tension-filled, ethereal Champagne with a dosage of 1.4 grams per liter.

Winemaker Description

An open-knit nose of wild plum, almond and orange with underlying notes of salted bread. On the palate, the wine shows considerable body and a complex array of flavors including lemongrass, peppermint and quince. As the wine breathes scents of orange blossom and honeysuckle come to the fore and mingle with the soft, spicy accents of cumin and nutmeg.

Louis Roederer · Collection 246 · Brut NV · Champagne · France

Louis Roederer is among the last great family-owned Champagne houses, and Collection 246 is its non-vintage flagship — a wine of uncommon ambition and transparency. Based on the 2021 base vintage, Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon made a bold call: bumping Chardonnay to 54% (vs. the typical 44%) to navigate a challenging year, blending in 35% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and 11% Meunier. The blend draws on 55% base 2021 wines, 30% perpetual reserve stretching back to 2012, and 10% young-vine juice from Cristal plots aged in cask — a Cristal pedigree at a fraction of the price. Triple 93 points from Wine Spectator, Vinous, and James Suckling.

The Collection 246 opens with white cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel, and biscuit — precise and inviting. On the palate, brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper, and slate. The mousse is silky and soft, the finish creamy and chalky with delicate spice and floral accents. Harmonious, impeccably balanced, and built to drink beautifully now through 2030.

Expert Reviews

“A harmonious Champagne with impeccable balance, depth and focus. White cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel and biscuit, retaining vibrancy and grace. Chalky underpinning on the creamy finish with delicate spice and floral accents. Drink now through 2030.”
— Wine Spectator · 93 Points

“Positively stellar. Brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper and slate. No hard angles or awkward contours — impeccably done and absolutely delicious.”
— Vinous · 93 Points

“Pretty and elegant aromas of pears, apple blossoms, grapefruit and chalk. Silky, fresh and beautifully balanced with very soft bubbles.”
— James Suckling · 93 Points

• Producer: Louis Roederer, Reims, Champagne, France
• Cuvée: Collection 246 (base vintage 2021)
• Blend: 54% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 11% Meunier
• Reserve: 30% perpetual reserve (back to 2012) + 10% Cristal-plot cask-aged juice
• Vinification: 24% fermented in oak; ~30% malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: 7 g/L Brut
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: White cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel, biscuit, orchard fruit, mint, white pepper, slate, chalky finish
• Pairings: Oysters, sushi, lobster, creamy risotto, Brie, Chaource
• Drink: Now through 2030

WS:93 · V:93 · JS:93 · Champagne — Cristal reserve wines, Chardonnay-forward precision, and triple 93-point acclaim from one of the great family houses.

Winemaker Description

A perfect combination of softness and concentration, matched by a masterful maturity, The 2015 Cristal Brut delivers intense and delicious aromas with a superb energy and a magical vibration.

This is a timeless champagne with a chalky temperament, sustained by its soils, freed from the sunny character of the vintage.The nose begins with hints of yellow fruit, toasted almonds and wheat from the Chardonnay, combined with the juicy red fruit of the Pinot Noir. 

Then comes the great surge of energy from the wine's structure, a vibratory intensity that transforms into a gentle caress, a silky texture interwoven with fine flavors of candied citrus and iodized spices.The vintage's chalky character thus bursts forth in a bracing, vertical effervescence, with an insistent, precise and finely honed freshness.

The finish is underpinned by subtle oaky, sappy and saline notes, which creates the ultimate sensation of delicacy and concentration.Cristal 2015 remains a wine of supreme balance and measure, resonating from the chalky nature of its soils rather than the sunny character of its vintage.

A perfect Cristal, intensely of the 2015 vintage, with enormous ageing potential.

Expert Reviews 

James Suckling 97 Points | The warm and dry vintage this has tremendous freshness and elegance. The complex nose of citrus blossom, mint, lemon and lime zest opens up slowly as this aerates in the glass. The wine’s ample structure is still quite firm, which is a vintage characteristic, the mousse very fine but also very lively for an eight-year-old champagne. Cristal fans will love this as it is, but a year or two more in the bottle will do a lot for the very long mineral finish of this youthful masterpiece. A cuvee of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, picked from all 45 Cristal vineyard plots. Tasted at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023.

96 Points Wine Spectator | This mouthwatering Champagne has an ethereal quality, with a frame of chiseled acidity and focused precision to the pointillisme-like, vibrant mousse. Yet this shows depth and generous expression, with the finely spun notes of patisserie apple and blackberry fruit opening beautifully on the palate and through the minerally finish, with notes of grated ginger, blood orange granita, salted Marcona almond and anise.

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck | I had the opportunity to taste the 2015 Champagne Cristal twice, both at the house in Reims as well as at my home office. On both occasions, the wine offered a terrific balance of decadence and notable freshness for this vintage, which was highly expressive on opening. The release reveals layered custardy notes of lemon balm, incense, apricot, and hazelnut. Medium to full-bodied, the mousse is fluffy and rounded out beautifully through the palate. Round and approachable, it has a well-managed richness along with underlying savory sapidity and saline to keep this going over the coming three or more decades, with a chalky tannin structure to support it.

95 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate | If the 2014 vintage was especially open and demonstrative, the 2015 Cristal is going to require more patience. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp stone fruits, white flowers, crushed mint and subtle hints of buttery pastry, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a deep, concentrated and rather introverted core of fruit framed by chalky extract and animated by a pretty pinpoint mousse. This is a serious, vinous Champagne that has considerable substance to age and may well evolve along the lines of the lovely 1985.

95 Points Decanter | An open and inviting nose references cream, oatmeal and Amalfi lemon with the slightest edge of smoke. The palate immediately strikes with a mouthwatering lemon ripeness and a juicy, mouthfilling generosity reminiscent of yellow plum. It stays true to the trademark sleekness of Cristal and speaks of the concentration of 2015. Fine mousse accentuates the fullness and roundness of the wine while the long finish hints at chalky depth which, for now, is dominated by ripe stone fruit and more of that textured, rich notion of oatmeal. Definitely a Cristal to enjoy soon.

Moët & Chandon · Grand Vintage · 2016 · Extra Brut

The 77th vintage Champagne in the history of Moët & Chandon, Grand Vintage 2016 reflects the Cellar Master’s personal interpretation of a challenging year. The blend combines 48% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, and 18% Meunier, with six years of cellar aging and at least six months of aging after disgorgement.

Vintage & Character

The supplied notes describe a turbulent growing season followed by well-ripened fruit. Baked bread, hazelnut, orange blossom, and fine minerality shape the wine’s layered profile, while a round, supple palate is framed by structure and tension. A dosage of 5 g/L completes its Extra Brut style.

Winemaker Description

Moët & Chandon · Supplied 2016 Notes
The 2016 Grand Vintage Extra Brut is the 77th vintage Champagne released by Moët & Chandon. Comprising 34% Pinot Noir, 48% Chardonnay and 18% Meunier, it was aged for six years prior to disgorgement. It will offer complex, layered aromas and flavours, including baked bread, hazelnut, orange blossoms, and fine minerality, all framed by superb structure and tension. A classic in every sense.

Each Grand Vintage is unique, expressing Moët & Chandon’s Cellar Master's personal interpretation of the year. In Champagne, 2016 was a year of turbulent weather, full of twists and turns at the whim of nature.

The serenity after the storm, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016 expresses grace and peace, harmony born from masterful winemaking and six years resting in the cellars. The 77th vintage in the history of the House, Grand Vintage 2016 is a radiant champagne with a round and supple palate.

The grape harvest of 2016 in Champagne reflects the region's traditional unpredictability. Winter was wet and a cool causing some mildew and grape loss, followed by a rainy spring and a summer that dried the vineyards but also led to water stress and further fruit loss.

Despite these challenges, the remaining grapes ripened well, especially the Meuniers and Pinots Noirs.

Serving & Pairing

Serve chilled in a tulip-shaped or white-wine glass. Suggested pairings include roast chicken, seared scallops, or a mushroom dish, complementing the wine’s bread, hazelnut, and mineral notes.

Details

• Producer: Moët & Chandon
• Cuvée: Grand Vintage
• Vintage: 2016
• Origin: Champagne, France
• Style: Extra Brut
• Blend: 48% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, 18% Meunier
• Cellar aging: Six years
• Aging after disgorgement: At least six months
• Dosage: 5 g/L
• Bottle size: 750ml

A layered vintage Champagne balancing a supple palate with structure and tension.

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How It Works

Simply insert the stopper into the open bottle and clamp the hinged wings down over the lip of the bottle. The secure mechanical seal locks in carbonation and preserves freshness, keeping your Champagne or sparkling wine lively for up to several days in the refrigerator.

Key Features

• Pressure-locking clamp — hinged wings grip the bottle lip for a secure, airtight seal
• Preserves carbonation — keeps Champagne and sparkling wine fresh and fizzy for days
• Universal fit — compatible with standard Champagne and sparkling wine bottles
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Perfect For

• Preserving leftover Champagne, Prosecco, Cava or any sparkling wine
• Entertaining — open multiple bottles without waste
• Wine lovers and collectors who want to protect their investment
• A thoughtful, practical gift for any sparkling wine enthusiast

The Monopol Vermo is the stopper of choice for sommeliers and sparkling wine lovers across Europe. Simple, reliable, and indispensable — the smartest $22 you'll spend on your wine collection.

Winemaker Description 

This has always been the top vineyard at the estate and produces Meuiner with fruit flavors that veer towards exotic hints of mandarin orange, papaya, guava and even litchi, alongside the more typical red-fruit flavors that one might expect from Meunier.

• Practicing organic
• 100% Meunier
• A single site on the top of the hill in Cuisles
• Terroir of green clay and limestone marl
• Yes malo
• Fermented and aged in stainless steel
• Aged 48 months on the lees
• Dosage: 0.5g/L

Winemaker Description

Champagne Palmer & Co concentrates its vineyard holdings in the Montagne de Reims: in the grand cru villages of Mailly and Verzenay and the premier cru villages of Trépail and Villers-Marmery. While they also have holdings in the Marne Valley, the Côte de Sézanne and the Côte des Bar, their prestige cuvée Grands Terroirs, channels those north- and north-east-facing slopes with power and precision.

The 2015 vintage is blended from 50% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay and 12% Pinot Meunier, sourced from Mailly and Verzenay as well as Trépail, Villers-Marmery, Ludes, Chigny-les-Roses and Rilly-la-Montagne. Palmer & Co refers to the vintage as “exceptional” because it combined high temperatures and little rainfall – spelling little disease pressure and even ripening. Sunny days and cool nights in August, they say, allowed for “perfect” ripening.

The nose, subtle and charming, opens with notes of orange blossom and acacia, mixed with notes of yellow fruits, then it evolves towards lovely and delicately spiced aromas of fried pineapple and tonka bean. The palate is characterized by freshness, with citrus fruits sublimating the notes of brioche and dried fruits. Its creamy texture stretches deliciously into a persistent finish. 

Expert Reviews

92 Points Wine & Spirits | Markedly youthful in its smoky reduction, this wine sees its sulfur blow off quickly, leaving a flinty scent and an impression of clarity. It’s bright with pretty scents of black tea and herbs, firmed up by strong acidity.

92 Points James Suckling | A chalky and mineral Champagne with aromas of blanched almonds, chalk, seashells, biscuits, lemon pith and dried apples. Creamy mousse. Dry and bright, with a rounded finish. Drink now or hold.

A distinctive, terroir-driven rosé Champagne from Pascal Doquet, one of the Côte des Blancs’ leading organic grower-producers. Anthocyanes is crafted from equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all harvested in 2018, combining the mineral precision of the Côte des Blancs with the structure and expressive red-fruit character of Pinot Noir.

The Pinot Noir comes from La Barre, a named vineyard site in Vertus. It is macerated on the skins for approximately 48 hours before pressing, extracting its vivid color and aromatic intensity through the traditional saignée method. The wine is then matured in barrel for up to one year before being blended with Chardonnay from Vertus and bottled for its secondary fermentation.

The name Anthocyanes refers to anthocyanins, the natural pigments found in grape skins that give the Champagne its striking rosé color. Despite its depth of color and character, this is not a heavy or overtly vinous rosé. It retains the freshness, finesse and mineral energy associated with Pascal Doquet’s Champagnes.

Pale to medium salmon-pink in the glass, it opens with aromas of sliced strawberries, red berries, citrus peel and rose petals, followed by delicate notes of honey, spice and chalk. The palate is lively and finely textured, with elegant bubbles, bright acidity and a balanced combination of ripe red fruit, citrus freshness and savory mineral character. The finish is dry, energetic and persistent.

This expressive rosé Champagne is excellent as an aperitif but also has enough structure for the table. Pair it with salmon, tuna tartare, sushi, shellfish, roast poultry, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, creamy cheeses or aged goat cheese.

Grapes: 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir
Region: Champagne, France
Village: Vertus
Classification: Premier Cru
Pinot Noir Vineyard: La Barre
Base Vintage: 2018
Farming: Certified organic
Production: Rosé de saignée
Maceration: Approximately 48 hours
Maturation: Pinot Noir aged in barrel for up to one year
Style: Rosé Premier Cru Brut
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%

Highly Rated

90 Points — The Wine Advocate
90 Points — James Suckling

Pascal Doquet | Diapason | Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs | Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne | 2015 Base | Organic

Pascal Doquet is one of the Côte des Blancs' most respected grower-producers, farming certified organic vineyards in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger — one of Champagne's most celebrated and prestigious Grand Cru villages, renowned worldwide for producing Blanc de Blancs of extraordinary mineral precision, tension, and longevity. Doquet has farmed organically for many years and has been certified by Ecocert since 2010, a commitment to the land that translates directly into wines of exceptional purity and terroir transparency.

Diapason is a remarkable Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from the celebrated Cretaceous chalk soils of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The ripe 2015 harvest forms the base of the cuvée, complemented by reserve wines maintained through a perpetual reserve system. The fruit comes from old Chardonnay vines rooted deeply in Le Mesnil's chalk, including parcels planted as far back as the 1920s — vines whose extraordinary depth of root gives the wine its signature tension, salinity, and finely etched mineral character.

Grapes are harvested by hand and fermented with indigenous yeasts. Approximately half the wine is vinified in neutral oak barrels, the remainder in enamel-lined tanks — preserving freshness while adding subtle texture and complexity. Malolactic fermentation is completed, and the Champagne spends an extended period aging on its lees before disgorgement at a restrained dosage of approximately 3.5 g/L, allowing the purity of fruit and terroir to remain at the forefront.

The bouquet opens with vibrant aromas of lemon peel, Asian pear, gooseberry, white flowers, and passion fruit, followed by deeper notes of pastry dough, toasted almond, dried apricot, and chalk. On the palate, concentrated yet beautifully controlled — a creamy, finely textured mousse supported by bright acidity and a firm mineral structure. Citrus, nectarine, pear, ginger, and salted almond develop across the palate, leading to a long, precise, and distinctly saline finish. Powerful enough to accompany a meal, refined enough to serve as an aperitif.

Pair with oysters, lobster, scallops, caviar, grilled white fish, sushi, roast chicken, creamy cheeses, and aged Comté. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F in a white wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.

• Producer: Pascal Doquet
• Cuvée: Diapason
• Classification: Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
• Appellation: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Grape: Chardonnay (100%)
• Base Vintage: 2015
• Farming: Certified Organic (Ecocert since 2010)
• Soils: Cretaceous chalk; vines from the 1920s
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts; 50% neutral oak, 50% enamel-lined tanks
• Dosage: ~3.5 g/L (Extra Brut)
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Pascal Doquet | Champ d'Alouettes | Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut | Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne | 2005

Pascal Doquet is one of the Côte des Blancs' most respected grower-producers, farming certified organic vineyards in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger — one of Champagne's most celebrated Grand Cru villages, renowned worldwide for producing Blanc de Blancs of extraordinary mineral precision, tension, and longevity. Doquet has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2010, a commitment to the land that translates directly into wines of exceptional purity and terroir transparency.

Champ d'Alouettes — "Field of Larks" — is a single mid-slope lieu-dit in the heart of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The parcel's chalk-rich, freely draining soils encourage the vines to develop extraordinarily deep root systems, giving the finished Champagne remarkable mineral intensity and depth. Pascal Doquet selected fruit from some of the estate's finest vines in this parcel to produce a wine that reflects the identity of the site with exceptional clarity.

The 2005 vintage in Champagne was warm and generous, producing wines of exceptional concentration and ripeness. The wine was vinified and matured partly in oak barrels, adding texture and subtle breadth without overwhelming its mineral character. Malolactic fermentation was deliberately avoided to preserve the natural freshness and tension of the Chardonnay. It then spent an exceptionally long period — approximately 15 years — aging on its lees in bottle, developing the fine mousse, creamy texture, and complex mature aromas associated with carefully cellared vintage Champagne. Final dosage of approximately 3 g/L places it firmly in the Extra-Brut category.

Deep golden in the glass with a fine, persistent bead. The bouquet opens with lemon oil, candied citrus peel, baked apple, and ripe pear, followed by layers of toasted brioche, hazelnut, almond, dried white flowers, and subtle honeycomb. With air, notes of crushed chalk, oyster shell, smoke, and warm spice emerge, revealing the extraordinary complexity of extended lees aging. On the palate, structured, vinous, and beautifully concentrated — preserved lemon, yellow apple, Mirabelle plum, and citrus zest balanced by toasted nuts, biscuit, and delicate spice. A firm chalky backbone provides freshness and precision despite the richness of the mature vintage. The Extra-Brut dosage keeps the finish dry, focused, and saline, with lingering notes of citrus, roasted hazelnut, and mineral chalk.

A fully developed, gastronomic Champagne drinking beautifully now. Serve moderately chilled in a generous Champagne or white wine glass. Pair with oysters, scallops, langoustines, lobster, turbot, sole in beurre blanc, roast chicken with mushrooms, truffle risotto, aged Comté, Parmesan, and mature goat cheese.

• Producer: Pascal Doquet
• Cuvée: Champ d'Alouettes
• Classification: Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
• Appellation: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Grape: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2005
• Farming: Certified Organic (Ecocert since 2010)
• Soils: Cretaceous chalk; single lieu-dit Champ d'Alouettes
• Vinification: Partly in oak barrels; no malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: ~15 years on lees in bottle
• Dosage: ~3 g/L (Extra-Brut)
• Alcohol: ~12.5% ABV
• Availability: Extremely limited
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Pascal Doquet | Mont Aimé — Cœur de Terroir | Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs | Côte des Blancs, Champagne | 2007 | Organic | No Added Sulfites

Pascal Doquet is one of the Côte des Blancs' most respected grower-producers, farming just under nine hectares of certified organic vineyards across several important Champagne villages. Widely recognized for mineral-driven wines made with a strong commitment to vineyard health and organic agriculture, Doquet has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2010. His Cœur de Terroir — "heart of the terroir" — collection identifies his most site-specific and limited-production wines: single-village, single-vintage bottlings intended to capture the identity of an individual place with exceptional clarity, rather than blending fruit from several villages.

Mont Aimé is a historic chalk outcrop situated east of Vertus in the southern Côte des Blancs — a less familiar but genuinely distinctive corner of Champagne. Although the vineyards face south, the site has a noticeably cooler microclimate than Doquet's parcels in Vertus and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The Chardonnay here ripens approximately one week later, extending the growing season and helping the fruit retain exceptional freshness, acidity, and aromatic precision. The site's chalky soils contribute the firm mineral structure and persistent saline character that distinguish this Champagne.

The 2007 Mont Aimé is therefore both a mature vintage Champagne and a focused expression of this cooler terroir. Made without added sulfites. Extended bottle aging has given this Champagne considerable depth and tertiary complexity while preserving the energy and mineral definition associated with Pascal Doquet's wines.

Creamy, finely textured, and beautifully balanced. The nose opens with ripe apple, spiced pear, and exotic spices, evolving into layers of cinnamon, subtle chocolate, toasted pastry, and chalky minerality. On the palate, medium-bodied with fine bubbles, fresh acidity, and a precise, flavorful, and persistent finish. Ready to enjoy now, with continued evolution under proper cellar conditions.

Serve slightly warmer than a young non-vintage Champagne to allow its mature aromas to fully emerge. Pair with seared scallops, lobster, roasted turbot, grilled seafood, mushroom dishes, poultry in cream sauce, aged Comté, creamy washed-rind cheeses, and aged French goat cheese.

• Producer: Pascal Doquet
• Cuvée: Mont Aimé — Cœur de Terroir
• Classification: Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs
• Appellation: Mont Aimé, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Grape: Chardonnay (100%)
• Vintage: 2007
• Farming: Certified Organic (Ecocert since 2010)
• Sulfites: No sulfites added
• Alcohol: ~12.5% ABV
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2007

• James Suckling — 93 pts: Beautifully mature and terroir-focused — creamy texture, refined bubbles, exotic spice, and the distinctive chalky freshness of Mont Aimé. Balance, comforting texture, and spicy complexity.

Pascal Doquet | Vertus — Cœur de Terroir | Premier Cru Vintage Champagne | Vertus, Côte des Blancs, Champagne | 2009 | Organic

Pascal Doquet is one of the Côte des Blancs' most respected grower-producers, farming certified organic vineyards across several important Champagne villages. His Cœur de Terroir — "heart of the terroir" — collection is devoted to individual villages, historic parcels, and the distinctive character of their soils. The Vertus Cœur de Terroir was the very first wine conceived for this series — a fitting tribute to Vertus, the village at the heart of Doquet's estate.

The fruit comes from Pascal's finest Premier Cru sites in Vertus: Barrilliers, Nuisats, Vieille Voie, Corvées, Grange au Bar, Les Grues, and La Barre — vineyards rooted in Cretaceous chalk and clay that give the wine both mineral definition and a broader, more generous texture than the sharply linear Champagnes of nearby Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. All vineyards are certified organic by Ecocert.

The 2009 blend is composed of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir — the Pinot Noir sourced from La Barre, contributing structure, depth, and a subtle red-fruit character, while the Chardonnay provides freshness, chalky tension, and length. The wine was vinified and matured for approximately 11 months in neutral oak barrels, with full malolactic fermentation adding creaminess and roundness. After bottling, the Champagne spent an exceptional 12 years aging sur latte before disgorgement, developing extraordinary complexity and richness while preserving the mineral energy of the Vertus terroir. Finished with a very low dosage of approximately 2 g/L MCR — stylistically near Extra-Brut despite the Brut designation.

Full-bodied and deeply layered with a fine, persistent mousse. Aromas of ripe apple, preserved lemon, and pear joined by toasted brioche, hazelnut, dried flowers, and subtle red-fruit notes. With air, mature tones of pastry, warm spice, chalk, and savory lees emerge. On the palate, broad and creamy, balanced by bright acidity and a firm mineral core. The finish is long, dry, and saline, with lingering notes of citrus, orchard fruit, toast, and chalk. A gastronomic Champagne with the depth and maturity to accompany a full meal.

Serve in a white wine glass rather than a narrow flute to fully appreciate its developed aromas and layered texture. Pair with roasted poultry, veal, lobster, scallops, mushroom dishes, truffle risotto, creamy sauces, aged Comté, Gruyère, and mature goat cheese.

• Producer: Pascal Doquet
• Cuvée: Vertus — Cœur de Terroir
• Classification: Premier Cru Vintage Champagne
• Appellation: Vertus, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Blend: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2009
• Farming: Certified Organic (Ecocert)
• Vineyards: Barrilliers, Nuisats, Vieille Voie, Corvées, Grange au Bar, Les Grues, La Barre
• Soils: Cretaceous chalk and clay
• Vinification: 11 months in neutral oak; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: 12 years sur latte
• Dosage: ~2 g/L MCR (near Extra-Brut)
• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Perrier-Jouët · Belle Epoque Brut Vintage 2016 · Champagne Gift Set · 750ml

Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 2016 combines vintage Champagne with a presentation made for gifting. The supplied listing describes a gift box containing one 750ml bottle and two signature flutes, ready for a special occasion or a shared celebration.

Character & Style

The supplied notes describe a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, with white blossom, pear, honeyed citrus, brioche, and almond. Tastings.com highlights a creamy yet racy palate, silky bubbles, and a long finish layered with citrus, fruit, and pastry notes.

Expert Review

Tastings.com · 96 Points
Clear yellow straw color. Minerally, complex aromas and flavors of toasted brioche, lemon curd, apricot tartine, and white raspberry with a creamy, racy, bubbly, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, complex, long finish that shows notes of grilled pineapple, toasted almond, orange scone, and heirloom pear with well-integrated tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. Opulent layers of brioche, lemon curd and pineapple give sumptuous decadence on a palate that is accented with electricity, silky bubbles and refreshing opulence.

Gift Presentation

Gift box with two signature flutes, as described in the supplied product information. A thoughtful option for an anniversary, milestone, or celebratory dinner.

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Serve chilled. Enjoy as an aperitif or consider lobster, scallops, roast poultry, or a delicate mushroom dish.

Wine & Set Details

• Producer: Perrier-Jouët
• Cuvée: Belle Epoque
• Vintage: 2016
• Style: Brut Champagne
• Origin: Champagne, France
• Grapes listed: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Presentation listed: Gift box with two signature flutes
• Supplied rating: Tastings.com, 96 points

Expert Reviews 

The Wine Spectator 92 Points | Oyster shell, smoke and fleur de sel aromas lead on the nose of this mouthwatering Champagne, while the plush, creamy mousse carries flavors of poached quince, tangerine sorbet, candied ginger and brioche. Long and minerally on the well-cut and re- freshing finish. Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay.

James Suckling 91 Points | A silky Champagne with aromas of apricot pie, shortcrust, croissants, lemon curd and seashells. Very fine, soft bubbles. Gentle salinity underneath the pastry notes, with a soft finish. Drink now.

Memo Summary Notes

The Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut is the signature, non-vintage blend of this prestigious Champagne house, famous for its delicate floral notes and Art Nouveau-inspired bottle design.

Its balanced nature and subtle floral notes make it a phenomenal aperitif, but it also pairs beautifully with lighter, more delicate dishes.

• Seafood: Oysters (a classic pairing), shrimp/prawns, or fish carpaccio.

• Poultry: Oven-fried chicken or braised chicken with lemon and thyme.

• Appetizers: Crisp vegetables, tofu dishes, or delicate pastries.

Philipponnat Champagne Reserve Perpetuelle Brut NV 750ml

Producer Notes

Philipponnat's Réserve Perpétuelle Brut NV represents a landmark rebranding of the house's flagship “Royale Réserve” — a name now updated to reflect the perpetual reserve (solera) system the house has maintained since 1946, where older wines are continuously refreshed with younger vintages to ensure a consistent, complex, and deeply layered house style.

Based on the 2021 base vintage with over 50% reserve wines, this is a Pinot Noir-driven expression that emphasizes the vinous, gastronomic character of the Mareuil-sur-Aÿ terroir. The blend — 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Meunier — is vinified primarily in stainless steel, with reserve wines aged in oak and partial malolactic fermentation. Disgorged December 2024 with 8g/L dosage.

Expert Reviews

Decanter 94 Points — A distinctly red-berry nose of red currants and small forest fruit. Red Delicious apple carries a telltale Pinot scent. The palate has pure, bright apple fruit, a lemony verve, and a very delicate mousse backed by gently salty autolysis. Vanilla oak comes through like the custard on an apple crumble, carrying freshness and flavour to a lingering finish.

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points — The nonvintage cuvée from this producer, based on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, is beautifully judged. Rich while also showing great freshness from citrus fruit flavors.

James Suckling 93 Points — Complex and smoky nose with orange blossom, green apple, licorice, chalky minerality, and toasted bread. Refined palate with pinprick mousse, crisp acidity, and a tight, tense, clean aftertaste.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points — Bright straw color. Inviting and pure, with gorgeous red fruits, notes of almond, peaches, red berries, and fresh bread. The mousse is elegant and integrates beautifully into the wine.

Wine Spectator 92 Points — A baseline of chalky minerality supports juicy pear and white cherry fruit, lemon peel, and pickled ginger alongside rich accents of crystallized honey and biscuit. Harmonious and finely knit, with good length through the lightly spiced finish.

Wine Advocate 90 Points — Opens with an inviting bouquet of ripe peach, red berries, pear, and pastry. Medium- to full-bodied, broad-shouldered and textural, delivering a generous, enveloping style energized by racy acidity.

Food Pairings

A gastronomic Champagne with the body to carry a full meal. Exceptional with scallops in butter sauce, lobster, roasted poultry, premium charcuterie, and high-quality sushi or sashimi.

Wine Details

Producer: Philipponnat
Cuvée: Réserve Perpétuelle Brut NV
Blend: 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Meunier
Base Vintage: 2021
Disgorgement: December 2024
Dosage: 8 g/L
Appellation: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Champagne, France
Size: 750ml

Philipponnat Champagne Rose Royal NV · Champagne, France

Producer Description

“Rosé” is the new name of the House’s Royale Réserve Rosé cuvée. This simple, clear choice is designed to convey the natural elegance and purity of expression of this Champagne. This name affirms the wine’s unique identity, combining finesse, freshness and authenticity.

For a long time part of the “Royale Réserve” trio alongside the Brut and the Non Dosé, Rosé is now fully distinct from it, embracing its singular character and asserting its special place within the range.

The Rosé cuvée strikes a refreshing balance between colour and fruit. This rosé Champagne is made from the same blend as the Réserve Perpétuelle cuvées. In addition, there is a small proportion of the most mature possible red Champagne wine from our very best vineyards. This wine is concentrated by saignée and gains in intensity without becoming overloaded with tannins or vegetal characteristics, instead developing aromas of red and black fruit.

Most of the Pinot Noir and the small proportion of the Chardonnay used to make Rosé come from Premiers and Grands Crus. Only the first presses are selected, guaranteeing finesse and concentration. The blend includes 53% reserve wines, matured in oak, which bring complexity and depth to the wine, while preserving the freshness essential to its balance.

The House

Apvril Le Philipponnat (the ‘Le’ was subsequently dropped during the French Revolution) was the earliest member of the family to settle in Champagne. Captain of a Swiss military unit from the canton of Fribourg, he joined the French military during the war between Francis I and Italy. He is known to have married Marie d’Ambonnay, through whom he owned vineyards in Mareuil and Ay. The House dates its establishment in the Champagne region from 1522. Apvril is mentioned as the owner of Ay on this date in the will of Dom Jean Royer, the last Regular Abbot of Hautvillers.

In 1696, Apvril’s descendants, who were often ‘Royal Mayors’ of Ay, registered the family coat of arms in the Armorial de France. Today, this same coat of arms adorns all the House’s bottles. The labels of Philipponnat, vineyard owners and wine merchants, were among the first to bear the signature of sparkling Champagnes as early as the mid-19th century. Later, in 1910, Auguste and Pierre Philipponnat gave the family business a broader and more modern scope by creating their own company and acquiring the Château de Mareuil cellars.

Over the course of its long history, the House of Philipponnat has developed twenty hectares of vineyards of Premiers and Grands Crus, ideally located in the heart of the Champagne region, while maintaining special relationships with their partner viticulturists, who entrust the House with their output. They supply grapes for a broad but very balanced range of Champagnes that are both rich and distinctive.

Bold and refined, the Rosé cuvée reveals a beautiful aromatic intensity. Its generous red fruit aromas are enhanced by a hint of spice. Thanks to the quality of its blend, Rosé offers excellent ageing potential, evolving nobly over the years. Produced in brut, this Champagne goes perfectly with characterful dishes and reveals all its liveliness when served chilled. Rosé is the ideal wine for summer evenings.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling, 92 Points — Good reserve and freshness to this Champagne, which shows peonies, rose petals, bread crumbs and cinnamon and spice. A vertical palate follows, where tangy acidity punctuates integrated and creamy bubbles and carries subtle stone fruit medium-long. Drink now.

The Wine Advocate, 91 Points — Based on the 2015 vintage with 40% reserve wines, the NV Brut Rosé Royale Réserve was disgorged in August 2019 with nine grams per liter dosage. Revealing a lovely bouquet of red apples, honeycomb, cherries, peach and beeswax, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and gourmand, with a generous core of fruit, lively acids and a refined mousse.

The Wine Spectator, 90 Points — Dry and sharp, with a mix of berry and biscuit flavors accented with citrus and spice. Persistent from beginning to end, starting off with a fine mousse and finishing with a squeeze of lemon.

Details

• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Region: Champagne, France
• Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
• Type: Sparkling
• Style: Brut