Sparkling Wine

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.

Winemaker Description

This lightly effervescent wine has a moderate crimson reflection with delicate floral fragrance of honeysuckle and raspberry aromas.

Bottled by V.E.C.A.M. (Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano).

The sweet palate of strawberries and melon make this a wonderful wine for desserts and fruits or simply for enjoying it on its own.

Aromatic sweet sparkling wine. Estate bottled. Product of Italy.

Taittinger La Française Brut Champagne NV — Half Bottle (375ml)

Taittinger is one of Champagne’s most distinguished and family-owned houses, founded in 1734 and still guided by the Taittinger family today. Known for a Chardonnay-driven house style of exceptional elegance and finesse, Taittinger has long been a benchmark for what great non-vintage Champagne can be. La Française Brut is the house’s signature expression — a blend of some 30 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards across multiple harvests, crafted to showcase the purity, freshness, and precision that define the Taittinger style.

The blend is 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, aged three to four years on the lees for exceptional depth and complexity. Bright and lively, with aromas of fresh apple, lemon, and minerals. The palate is crisp, precise, and Chardonnay-driven — racy, elegant, and totally charming — with white pepper and a clean, saline finish. Long and memorable. Now available in a convenient 375ml half-bottle.

Tasting Panel — 95 points

“Bright and lively, this is one of my favorite non-vintage Bruts. Crisp and balanced, with smooth, exuberant, Chardonnay-driven style; racy, elegant, and totally charming; long and memorable.”

James Suckling — 92 points

“A dry, fresh and delicious Taittinger with aromas and flavors of apples, fresh lemons and minerals. Full-bodied. Precise. White pepper and salt at the end.”

Food Pairings

Oysters, caviar, smoked salmon, sushi, soft cheeses, and light appetizers. Perfect as an aperitif or a solo celebration.

Blend: 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier
Appellation: Champagne AOC, France
Style: Brut NV, aged 3–4 years on lees
Format: 375ml (Half Bottle)
Scores: 95 points Tasting Panel | 92 points James Suckling

Pierre Moncuit Delos Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is a refined, mineral-driven Grower Champagne produced entirely from 100% Chardonnay grown in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, one of the most celebrated Chardonnay terroirs in Champagne's Côte des Blancs.

Delos is one of the signature cuvées of the family-run Pierre Moncuit estate and offers a classic expression of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger: elegant, precise and beautifully structured, with the chalky mineral character for which this Grand Cru village is renowned.

Although labeled non-vintage, this release is based on the 2021 harvest. Pierre Moncuit favors vinification and aging in stainless steel, allowing the purity of the Chardonnay and its terroir to remain at the forefront. The Brut Delos is finished with a dosage of 7 grams per liter, giving the wine a slightly rounder and more generous profile than the estate's Extra Brut version while retaining freshness and tension.

The Base 2021 release offers an inviting combination of white flowers, orchard fruit, pastry, spice and mint. The palate balances bright acidity with a softer, more generous texture, leading to an elegant, persistent finish. A beautifully versatile Champagne for both aperitif drinking and the dinner table.

Pair with oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled fish, lobster, roast chicken, creamy cheeses — or simply enjoy on its own as an elegant aperitif.

Wine Details

• Producer: Pierre Moncuit
• Cuvée: Delos
• Style: Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
• Base Vintage: 2021
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Subregion: Côte des Blancs
• Village: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Vinification: Stainless steel
• Dosage: 7 g/L
• Disgorgement: May 2025; multiple disgorgements throughout the year
• Drinking Window: 2025–2031

About Pierre Moncuit

Based in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne Pierre Moncuit is a historic family estate particularly renowned for its Chardonnay-based Champagnes. The name Delos comes from the maiden name of Nicole and Yves Moncuit's mother. The cuvée is produced in both Brut and Extra Brut versions and stands as one of the domaine's principal Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs expressions.

Press Notes

91 pts — Vinous Media: "The NV (2021) Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Delos Grand Cru is attractive, although a touch svelte in this release. Brisk acids cut through a core of citrus fruit, while floral and chalky notes lift the mid-palate and finish." Dosage: 3 g/L. Disgorged: February 2025.

Why We Like It

Delos is an excellent introduction to the distinctive Chardonnay of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The Brut bottling combines the village's naturally racy, mineral personality with just enough dosage to give the wine additional texture and accessibility — refined enough for a special occasion, versatile enough for the whole meal.

Egly-Ouriet | Les Vignes de Bisseuil | Premier Cru Extra Brut | Bisseuil, Montagne de Reims, Champagne | Biodynamic

Egly-Ouriet is one of Champagne's most revered grower-producers, based in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay on the Montagne de Reims. The domaine farms its parcels with meticulous care — practicing organic and biodynamic viticulture, harvesting by hand, and working exclusively with indigenous yeasts — producing Champagnes of uncommon depth, vinous texture, and site-driven precision.

Les Vignes de Bisseuil is the estate's Chardonnay-led expression, drawn from a 1.5-hectare parcel in the Premier Cru village of Bisseuil, situated directly beside the Grand Cru of Aÿ. South-facing, chalk-rich slopes and vines over 40 years old deliver fruit of concentration, freshness, and crystalline mineral definition — a brighter, more finesse-driven counterpoint to the domaine's powerful Pinot Noir-dominant cuvées.

The current release blends 70% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, and 15% Pinot Meunier, fermented and matured in French oak barrels with approximately 10% new oak. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve natural acidity and tension. The wine spends approximately 48 months aging on its lees before disgorgement, and is finished with a dosage of approximately 1 gram per liter — bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Bright and expressive on the nose: lemon zest, crisp pear, Mirabelle plum, and white flowers, with notes of fresh bread, toasted nuts, white pepper, and subtle spice. The palate is concentrated yet energetic — refined mousse, vibrant citrus acidity, and a pronounced chalky minerality, with ripe orchard fruit and a gently creamy texture leading to a long, precise, and saline finish.

Exceptional as an aperitif; equally at home alongside oysters, shellfish, smoked salmon, grilled fish, sushi, roast chicken, charcuterie, creamy cheeses, and lightly aged Comté.

• Producer: Egly-Ouriet
• Cuvée: Les Vignes de Bisseuil
• Classification: Premier Cru Extra Brut
• Appellation: Bisseuil, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Grape Varieties: 70% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier
• Vine Age: 40+ years
• Farming: Practicing organic / biodynamic
• Soils: Chalk-rich
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts; French oak barrels (~10% new)
• Malolactic Fermentation: Blocked
• Lees Aging: ~48 months
• Dosage: ~1 g/L
• Bottling: Unfined and unfiltered
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim

• James Suckling — 94 pts: Bright and precise, with lemon zest, pear, and white flowers on the nose. Concentrated yet energetic on the palate — chalky minerality, vibrant acidity, and a long saline finish. A benchmark grower Champagne from Bisseuil.
• Decanter — 93 pts: Refined and mineral-driven, with crisp orchard fruit, toasted nuts, and a creamy mousse. Exceptional freshness and length.
• Wine Advocate — 93 pts: Elegant and focused, with a pronounced chalky character and impressive depth. Unfined and unfiltered — a pure expression of Bisseuil terroir.

Blend proportions, base vintages, lees-aging period, dosage, and disgorgement date may vary by release.

Piper-Héidsieck Champagne Brut NV — Half Bottle (375ml)

Founded in 1785, Piper-Héidsieck is one of Champagne’s most storied and celebrated houses — a name synonymous with elegance, festivity, and the art of the blend. With a history of dressing Hollywood royalty and gracing the world’s most celebrated tables, Piper-Héidsieck has long stood for a bold, fruit-forward style that is instantly recognizable and endlessly appealing. The Brut NV is the house’s signature expression: a classic, well-structured Champagne that showcases the Piper style at its most vibrant.

Crafted from fruit sourced across more than 100 of Champagne’s crus, the blend is led by Pinot Noir for structure, complemented by Pinot Meunier for fleshy fruit expression, and Chardonnay for elegance and acidity. Precious reserve wines ensure a consistent, recognizable flavor profile year after year. Now available in a convenient 375ml half-bottle — perfect for a solo celebration, a romantic dinner, or a gift.

Pale gold with a festive shimmer and lively, precise bubbles. The nose offers almond, fresh hazelnut, croissant, dried lemon, and apricot. The palate is lively and balanced — fresh pear, apple, pomelo, and juicy white fruits — with a creamy mousse, bright acidity, and a smooth, rounded finish.

Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points

“Balanced between a soft Brut character and crisper lemon flavors. That balance gives a fine wine, open and easy, but with a fine bite of acidity at the end.”

Wine & Spirits — 90 Points 

“A clean Champagne, green-gold in color with the flavor of peaches just coming into ripeness. Its cool mineral savor brings to mind grapes sautéed in butter.”

James Suckling — 90 Points

“Attractive aromas of croissants, sourdough, dried lemons, apricots, figs and walnuts. Soft and balanced on the palate, with a medium body, creamy mousse and a dry, rounded finish.”

Blend: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Appellation: Champagne AOC, France
Style: Brut NV
Format: 375ml (Half Bottle)
Scores: 90 pts WE | 90 pts W&S | 90 pts JS

Veuve Clicquot · Yellow Label Brut · Limited Edition - ICE JACKET · Champagne, France · NV · 750ml

Veuve Clicquot is one of the great houses of Champagne — founded in Reims in 1772 and forever transformed by the Widow Clicquot herself, who invented the riddling rack and created the first vintage Champagne. The Yellow Label Brut is the house’s signature expression: a Pinot Noir-dominant blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 20% Pinot Meunier, with up to 45% reserve wines ensuring the consistency and house style that has made it one of the world’s most recognized Champagnes. The ICE JACKET edition wraps the bottle in a redesigned, eco-engineered insulating sleeve — crafted from 100% recycled plastic fibres using 3D knitting technology that reduces production waste by 30% — keeping the bottle perfectly chilled for up to 60 minutes. Lighter, reusable, and customizable. 

Brilliant pale gold in the glass with fine, persistent bubbles and an expressive nose of baked apple, quince, salted almond, white blossom, and a thread of fresh citrus and pastry. On the palate: firm and beautifully structured, with a fleshy mouthfeel balanced by crisp acidity — sliced apple, green pear, red berry, lemon parfait, and oyster shell minerality carrying through a long, vibrant, mineral-driven finish. Four critics, four 90+ scores: Tasting Panel 93, James Suckling 92, Decanter 91, Wine Spectator 91. Drink now. Pair with oysters, lobster, sushi, fried chicken, aged Comté, or simply on its own to start any celebration.

• Producer: Veuve Clicquot (est. 1772, Reims)
• Wine: Yellow Label Brut · ICE JACKET Edition
• Style: NV Brut Champagne
• Origin: Champagne, France
• Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier
• Reserve wines: Up to 45% in the blend
• ICE JACKET: Recycled plastic fibres · 3D knit · Keeps chilled 60 min · Reusable
• Scores: Tasting Panel 93 · James Suckling 92 · Decanter 91 · Wine Spectator 91
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Baked apple, quince, salted almond, white blossom, citrus, red berry, oyster shell, long mineral finish
• Pair With: Oysters · Lobster · Sushi · Fried chicken · Aged Comté · Aperitif

The Widow’s legacy, wrapped in innovation — Yellow Label Brut in the ICE JACKET that keeps the party going.

Expert Reviews

Tasting Panel — 93 Points
Aromas of baked apple and quince are energetically dappled with salted almond and white blossom, while the fleshy mouthfeel intersects neatly with firm acidity amid intimations of red berry and pastry.

James Suckling — 92 Points
Firm and delicious, showing sliced apples and green pears with some flint and bread dough. Medium-bodied with fine bubbles and a crisp, delicious finish.

Decanter — 91 Points
The nose offers yeasty bready aromas topped with fresh citrus, hints of stone fruit and strawberry tart. A palate of fresh croissants, red berries, green apple and lively lemon citrus, with lovely creaminess to the bright finish.

Wine Spectator — 91 Points
Appealing for its refreshing, aperitif style, with notes of patisserie apple and pear, lemon parfait, chopped almond and oyster shell. Vibrant acidity and lacy texture carry the profile on the mineral-driven finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Vinous 92 Points | The 2023 Brut Nature Reserva blends Macabeo and Xarel·lo from Penedès and was aged 2 years on lees. Citrus, lime, soft herbs and a nutty note define the nose. Dry and vibrant, it has fine, well-integrated bubbles, a touch of malic grip and a saline finish. 

Winemaker Description 

The grapes are pressed directly cold and without de-stemming.

Base wine aged for 7 months in stainless steel tanks and 500L French oak barrels.

Second fermentation is carried out with concentrated must from our own vineyards and minimum aging of 20 months on lees in the bottle.

Manual riddling on pupitres and disgorging without freezing. Zero dosage. 

Memo Summary Notes

The AT Roca Rosat Reserva Brut Nature 2023 is a high-quality sparkling rosé from the Corpinnat collective in the Penedès region of Spain. Crafted by Agustí Torelló Roca, this wine is a standout for those who appreciate precision, organic viticulture, and a bone-dry finish.

You might notice it isn't labeled as "Cava." AT Roca is part of Corpinnat, an elite group of producers who broke away from the Cava DO to maintain stricter quality standards, including 100% organic grapes, hand-harvesting, and vinification entirely on the estate.

Pairing: Its high acidity and bone-dry profile make it incredible with sushi, oily fish (like salmon), or light Mediterranean rice dishes. It’s also sharp enough to cut through fried appetizers or salty cured meats.

Gramona Imperial — Corpinnat, Catalonia 2018

Gramona is the crown jewel of Corpinnat — the prestigious breakaway appellation of the Penèdes committed to the highest standards of traditional-method sparkling wine production in Spain. Founded in 1881 and farming biodynamically for decades, Gramona produces wines of extraordinary depth, precision, and longevity that stand comfortably alongside the finest Champagnes in the world. The Imperial is Gramona's flagship expression: a vintage-dated Brut aged on the lees for a minimum of five years, crafted from a blend of the great indigenous Catalan varieties led by Xarel·lo. The 2018 vintage is particularly notable — a cooler, wetter year that produced a wine of exceptional freshness and fine-boned structure, with the kind of calibrated acidity that will reward further cellaring.

The bouquet is elegant and complex after 60 months on the lees: lime and lemon pie lead, complemented by a delicate array of fine herbs, brioche, and a subtle autolytic creaminess. On the palate, it is dry and creamy with an ethereal, flowing texture enlivened by calibrated acidity. Refreshing and joyful, with a long, mineral-driven finish — this is sparkling wine of genuine distinction.

🏆 Vinous 91 Points — "The bouquet features aromas of lime and lemon pie, complemented by a delicate array of fine herbs. Dry and creamy on the palate, the ethereal flow is enlivened by calibrated acidity. Refreshing and joyful, this sparkling wine is a delight."

• Producer: Gramona, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penèdes, Catalonia, Spain
• Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Corpinnat
• Method: Mètode Tradicional (Traditional Method)
• Blend: 56% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeo, 10% Parellada, 4% Chardonnay
• Aging: 60 months on the lees
• Style: Brut
• Size: 750ml
• Vintage Note: Cooler, wetter year — exceptional freshness and fine-boned structure
• Tasting Notes: Lime, lemon pie, fine herbs, brioche, creamy texture, calibrated acidity, mineral finish
• Drink: Now through 2030
• Best Paired With: Grilled monkfish, scallops, lobster, roast poultry, Ibérico ham, mature Manchego, Comté

Five years on the lees, one of Spain's greatest sparkling wine houses — Gramona Imperial 2018 is a Corpinnat benchmark of rare elegance and freshness.

Laetitia, too, has its roots in Champagne. It was established in 1982 as the American outpost of the Champagne producer Deutz, but was sold in 1997 to Jean-Claude Tardivat, who renamed it after his daughter, and then sold again last year to Eric Hickey, the winemaker, and his partners. 

It now makes a full range of reds, whites and sparklers. Brut Cuvée is the entry level sparkling wine and it’s quite good — rich, creamy, toasty and apple fresh.

Expert Reviews 

The Tastting Panel 91 Points | Smooth with generous fruit and fine bubbles: fresh, juicy, and clean with a tangy style; a delightful wine and an amazing value. 

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | This sleek sparkler is expressive with its floral apple and toasty cinnamon aromas and crisp, layered flavors of lime and mineral.

Memo Summary Notes

The Gruet Brut Gold Label is a legendary value in the American sparkling wine world. While the winery is located in New Mexico, the Gruet family originally hailed from Champagne, France, and they use the strict Méthode Champenoise (secondary fermentation in the bottle) to produce this wine.

Pair with

• Casual: Salty appetizers like popcorn, potato chips, or fried calamari.

• Sophisticated: Oysters on the half shell or a classic Shrimp Cocktail.

• Main: Fried chicken (the acidity cuts right through the richness).

   

   

Expert Reviews

Decanter Magazine by Simon Field MW writes 93 Points |  Made up, half and half, of base wine from the sunny 2018 harvest, and reserve wine from Rodolphe’s Perpetual Reserve which goes back to 1988, this is one of the most consistently excellent NV wines on the market. Its current iteration is especially impressive, floral, chalky, upstanding, and very complex; the palate sharing notes of dried apricot, plum and lemon pith with more developed intimations of sour honey and patisserie. An exemplary wine with real purity and precision on the finish. 

The Wine Spectator by Alison Napjus writes 91 Points | Sleek and mouthwatering, with a fine, satiny mousse and a fresh panoply of crunchy pear, grapefruit sorbet, pickled ginger and spring blossom notes. Bright and finely knit, with rich hints of toast and mineral echoing on the finish. Disgorged November 2019. Drink now through 2025.

Winemaker Descriptions

Discover the elegance and purity of Pierre Peters Cuvée de Réserve Blanc de Blancs, a non-vintage Champagne crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes. This refined Champagne offers delicate aromas of citrus, white flowers, and brioche, with a crisp acidity and a long, elegant finish.

Memo Summary Notes

Produced by Rodolphe Péters, this wine is celebrated for its precision, chalky minerality, and the unique use of a "perpetual reserve" system that dates back to 1988.

Its high acidity and saline finish make it a perfect match for raw oysters, sushi, or creamy risotto.

An organic rosé cava, crafted with the Traditional Method and aged on lees for a minimum of 35 months. A gentle skin maceration gives the wine its delicate color. Bearing the seal of Elaborador Integral (Integral Producer), it is made from vines rooted in ‘sauló’, a sandy granitic soil, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Mataró is the most genuine variety in Alella and it is also the name of the Capital of the Maresme area

“A return to the origins with the first grape variety used for cava” – Pujol-Busquets family

ART LAIETÀ D’ALTA ALELLA
Cava type: Brut Nature / Organic vintage cava
Integral Producer: 100% produced on the winery’s property
Grape varieties: Mataró (mourvèdre)
Zone of Origin: Comtats de Barcelona – Serra de Mar

It's a fantastic sparkling wine that truly highlights the quality and potential of Spanish Cava when made from a specific vineyard (single-estate) and with a focus on organic, natural production.

Domaine Chandon Brut Classic | California

There is something quietly joyful about a quarter bottle — the right amount for a solo toast, a picnic in the park, or a spontaneous celebration that needs no occasion. Domaine Chandon's Brut Classic has been California's answer to effortless sparkling wine for decades, and in this 187ml format it becomes the ultimate companion for wherever the day takes you.

The wine opens with bright green apple and ripe pear, layered with fresh citrus zest and a whisper of white flowers. On the palate it is crisp and lively, with a fine persistent mousse and a clean almond finish that lingers just long enough to make you want another sip. Dry, refreshing, and completely approachable — this is sparkling wine without pretense.

Serve well chilled. Perfect on its own or alongside light appetizers, sushi, or fresh fruit.

• Appellation: Napa County / California
• Style: Dry Sparkling
• Format: 187ml Quarter Bottle
• Flavors: Green Apple, Citrus, Pear, Almond, White Flowers

Expert Review

Sylvia Wu of Decanter 92 Points | The base wine went through malolactic fermentation with battonage. Yeasty on the nose with citrus blossom, salted nuts and yellow apple. Generous mousse opens up to a full-on palate of brioche, citrus, green fruit acidity and depth of spiced red berries. Satisfying and long. The latest release is based on the 2018 vintage. Drink 2023 - 2028

Winemaker Description 

Our signature Hambledon Classic Cuvée is produced exclusively from our own estate on the South East facing chalk slopes of Windmill Down, in the historic village of Hambledon.

Our Hambledon Classic Cuvée is a well-balanced blend of all 3 traditional grapes, handpicked on our own estate. Aged at least 35 months, it is vibrant, with structured yet ripe acidity. Tasting will elegantly unfold to reveal layers of floral and stone fruit aromas.

Our Hambledon Classic Cuvée is a well-balanced blend of all 3 traditional grapes, handpicked on our own estate. Aged at least 35 months, it is vibrant, with structured yet ripe acidity. Tasting will elegantly unfold to reveal layers of floral and stone fruit aromas.

Zardetto | Prosecco DOC, Conegliano, Veneto, Italy | Brut | 187ml Split

Made from Glera grapes sourced from hillside vineyards northeast of Conegliano — the heartland of Prosecco DOC — Zardetto's Z Prosecco is bright, lively, and immediately appealing. A brief maceration preserves the Glera grape's natural citrus and tropical aromatics, while the second fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks locks in freshness and fine perlage. The 187ml split format is the perfect single-serve pour: for brunch, celebrations, or wherever a full bottle is one too many.

Grape: Glera
Method: Charmat (tank method)
Style: Brut
Drink: Now

Tasting Notes

• Sliced lemon, green apple, lime, and citrus blossom on the nose
• Light, lively perlage with vibrant citrus on the palate
• Medium body | Fresh, clean finish | Dry

Critical Acclaim

• 90 pts — James Suckling: "Plenty of fruit and intensity with sliced lemon and apple character. Fresh finish. Light bubble. Dry."
• 90 pts — Wine Enthusiast: "Fresh lemon, lime and citrus blossom... the palate pops with light perlage and vibrant citrus flavors. Clean and crisp on the finish."

Pairings: Aperitivo, oysters, light seafood, prosciutto, fresh fruit

Expert Reviews 

Alison Napjus of the Wine Spectator writes 92 Points | The fine and creamy bead of this elegant rosé carries an attractive mix of white cherry, peach, blood orange granita and biscuit flavors, enlivened by a firm frame of mouthwatering acidity.

Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck writes 90 Points | The NV Champagne Grand Brut Rosé pours a medium salmon hue and is equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (8% of which is red wine). It is juicy with ripe raspberry, crushed flowers, and sweet citrus. The palate is ripe with apricot, sweet tangerine, and a soft texture. It is ready to drink now or over the next 6-8 years.

Winemaker Description 

This Grand Rosé has a high percentage of Chardonnay, which creates freshness and precision, complemented by Pinot Noir with delivers very fine and crunchy fruit. With 4 years minimum ageing in the cellars, this Rosé balances between freshness and fruit without masking the wine’s character and purity. The nose reveals aromas of citrus and strawberries with subtle notes of red berries and spice. The palate is well-built with a constant balance between the tension of the acidity and the smoothness of the fruit, while the finish shows a nice roundness and lovely minerality.

Argyle Winery | Vintage Brut | Willamette Valley | 2022

Oregon is not the first place most people think of for serious sparkling wine — but it should be. Argyle has been making the case since 1987, and the Willamette Valley’s cool, maritime-influenced climate turns out to be near-ideal for the traditional method: long growing seasons, natural acidity, and Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that ripen slowly and retain the tension that great sparkling wine demands. The 2022 Vintage Brut draws heavily on fruit from the legendary Knudsen Vineyard, one of the oldest and most respected sites in the valley, which contributes natural weight, brightness, and a distinctive character that sets this wine apart from its non-vintage counterparts. Golden apple and Anjou pear lead the nose, layered with vanilla and toasted cake crust — opulent without being heavy. On the palate, apple, cherry blossom, and spiced cinnamon flavors linger at length, carried by a foamy mousse and vivid acidity. A classic modern vintage from one of America’s most important sparkling wine producers.

• Appellation: Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Method: Traditional method (Méthode Classique)
• Key Vineyard: Knudsen Vineyard
• Dosage: Brut
• Vintage: 2022
• Format: 750ml
• Farming: Sustainable

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator | 90 Points: Appealing for its easygoing flavors of apple, cherry blossoms and spiced cinnamon that linger at length.

Pairing Suggestions

• Celebration: A versatile aperitif for any occasion that calls for bubbles.
• Seafood: Oysters, Dungeness crab, grilled salmon, or smoked fish.
• Casual: Fried chicken, soft cheeses, charcuterie, or brunch dishes.

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. 

Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut NV — Half Bottle (375ml)

Moët & Chandon is the world’s most celebrated Champagne house, founded in 1743 and today the benchmark by which all non-vintage Brut Champagne is measured. Impérial is the house’s signature expression — a wine of extraordinary consistency and elegance, crafted from a blend of roughly equal parts Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with a slightly smaller proportion of Chardonnay, aged a minimum of 24 months on the lees. It is the Champagne of celebrations, of milestones, of moments that deserve to be marked with something exceptional. Now available in a 375ml half-bottle — perfect for a solo celebration, a romantic dinner, or a beautifully considered gift.

Elegant golden straw yellow with amber highlights. The nose is radiant and complex — bright yellow-fleshed fruits (apple, pear, yellow peach), honey, lime blossom, brioche, and fresh nuts. The palate is seductive and richly flavored, combining generosity and subtlety, fullness and vigor, with a delicately fresh crispiness and the magical balance that defines great Champagne.

The Somm Journal — 93 points

“When it comes to finesse, this classic doesn’t miss. Biscuit and almond aromas, ripe golden apple on the nose turns to green on the palate, where citrus cycles through high-flying acidity even as luscious pear adds weight and chalk conveys elegance through the finish.”

Wine Spectator — 92 points

“An elegant version, fine and creamy in texture and backed by lively, orange peel acidity. A streak of smoke-tinged minerality underscores flavors of almond madeleine, poached pear, anise and preserved lemon.”

James Suckling — 91 points

“Aromas of apricots, grapefruit, pears and short crust. Medium-bodied, with soft bubbles and tasty nut and pie crust notes at the end. 24 months on the lees.”

Food Pairings

Oysters, smoked salmon, sushi, soft cheeses, light appetizers, and fried chicken. Perfect as an aperitif or to mark any occasion worth celebrating.

Blend: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Appellation: Champagne AOC, France
Style: Brut NV, aged 24+ months on lees
Format: 375ml (Half Bottle)
Scores: 93 pts The Somm Journal | 92 pts Wine Spectator | 91 pts James Suckling

Schramsberg Vineyards Brut Rosé — North Coast, California 2020

Schramsberg Vineyards has been crafting California’s finest Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines since 1965, and their Brut Rosé is one of the most celebrated bottles in the American sparkling canon — a wine served at White House state dinners and beloved by sommeliers and collectors alike. The 2020 is a blend of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, sourced from coastal vineyards stretching from southern Mendocino to northern Marin County. A portion of the Pinot Noir is fermented on its skins to add depth and subtle color, before the finished blend undergoes a second fermentation in bottle and approximately two years of aging on its yeast lees.

The result is a sparkling wine of real generosity and precision: fragrant, vibrant, and steely at the core. The nose offers raspberry, rose petal, and gingerbread, with fine, persistent bubbles and a fresh aromatic lift. On the palate, the wine is rich and complex — bright red fruit and spice from the Pinot Noir, structure and length from the Chardonnay — finishing long, zesty, and beautifully balanced. It is versatile enough for any occasion, from the dinner table to a backyard celebration.

“Generous yet steely at the core, with fragrant raspberry, rose petal and gingerbread accents that dance on the long, zesty finish.” — Wine Spectator, 93 pts

• Producer: Schramsberg Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
• Vintage: 2020
• Appellation: North Coast, California
• Blend: 66% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay
• Method: Méthode Traditionnelle, ~2 years on lees
• Style: Brut Rosé (Dry)
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Raspberry, rose petal, gingerbread, bright red fruit, spice, zesty finish
• Best Paired With: Sushi, salmon, rock shrimp, roast chicken, pizza, caprese salad, charcuterie, red berry tarts

California’s most iconic Brut Rosé — Schramsberg delivers over 50 years of Méthode Traditionnelle mastery in a wine that is equally at home at a state dinner or a backyard barbecue.

Expert Review - Vintage 2008

97 Points Wine Spectator:  Like a stallion out of the gate, this shows an initial explosion of power, in the form of mouthwatering flavors and fine texture, before quickly settling into an elegant gait. The racy acidity is seamlessly knit, buoying the lacy mousse and flavors of cassis, toasted brioche and tangerine, with accents of candied ginger, hazelnut and fleur de sel lingering on the long, creamy finish. Drink now through 2035.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast:  The new release of this producer's prestige cuvée comes in its usual beautifully sculpted bottle. The Champagne, from a great vintage in the region, is just approaching maturity still showing minerality from the high amount of Chardonnay in the blend. Nutty flavors are creeping in, keeping the great texture adding complexity. Drink this very fine wine now although it will also age further.

96 Points Decanter: Rare Champagne boasts an illustrious past, with its first vintage having been presented to Marie Antoinette in 1785. The wine is produced in very limited quantities and is restricted to exceptional years, with only 11 vintages being declared over the past four decades of production. 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir from selected grand cru vineyards. Simon Field MW: Gentle bead, lovely evolved notes of hazelnut, even a hint of praline, enrobed and ennobled by firm acidity and a persuasive finish. Alan Bednarski: Great, pure wine with still-fresh zesty flavours, delicate palate and sweet yeast notes, with a long flavourful finish of ripe melon. Tim Hall: A challenging, pressing start, wanting to overwhelm with shimmering and sharp attack, but shows intensity on the palate to match. Lovely lemon-apple notes and tempered texture.

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: The 2008 Champagne Rare is luxurious with aromas of graham cracker, honeysuckle, quince, and orange zest. It is round and opulent, with a fine and pillowy mousse, and retains freshness throughout, with apricot and yellow flowers. It is impressive and long, and fully luxurious. Drinking well now, it is sure to hold its own for years to come. Drink 2022-2044.

93 Points Wine Advocate:  The newly released 2008 Brut Cuvée Rare is very promising, unwinding in the glass with a youthfully reserved nose of citrus oil, crisp green apple, freshly baked bread, iodine and oyster shell, as well as some rather herbaceous characteristics that depress my score a little, even if I suspect that they will resolve with a bit more bottle age. Medium to full-bodied, incisive and tightly wound, if the 2006 vintage was gourmand and demonstrative, the 2008 is slower to show all its cards. Built around racy acids and complemented by a pillowy mousse, this rendition of Cuvée Rare will reward a few years more on cork.

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.

Geoffroy “Expression” Premier Cru Brut is the signature non-vintage Champagne of this historic grower-producer. Built around the 2021 harvest and enriched with an equal proportion of reserve wines from a perpetual blend begun in 1970, Expression brings together ripe orchard fruit, red-fruit nuance, chalky minerality and a finely detailed mousse.

The blend is sourced from Premier Cru vineyards in Cumières and Hautvillers in the Vallée de la Marne. Pinot Noir and Meunier provide body, fruit and vinous depth, while Chardonnay contributes citrus freshness, precision and lift. A very low dosage of 3 grams per liter gives the wine a dry, focused profile while preserving the generosity and expressive fruit that define the Geoffroy style.

The Place

Expression reflects vineyards planted on the right bank of the Grande Vallée de la Marne, primarily around the Premier Cru village of Cumières, with additional fruit from Hautvillers Premier Cru.

Cumières lies between the Marne River and the forested slopes northwest of Épernay. Its favorably exposed hillside vineyards are particularly well suited to Pinot Noir and Meunier, producing wines with ripeness, generous fruit and notable vinosity. Chardonnay brings additional freshness and finesse to the final blend.

The soils vary across the source parcels and include clay-limestone, marl and sand. Clay contributes breadth and fruit concentration, while limestone and chalk provide freshness, structure and a persistent mineral character. The varied soils and exposures allow Geoffroy to create a layered Champagne that expresses the broader personality of the Vallée de la Marne rather than a single vineyard.

The Expression Cuvée

Expression is considered the introductory or foundational cuvée of Champagne Geoffroy, but its production is far from simple. The wine is assembled from several vineyard parcels, three grape varieties and an extensive collection of reserve wines.

The Geoffroy family describes Expression as its “memory wine,” connecting the character of the current harvest with previous generations. Each release combines a substantial proportion of the base vintage with wine drawn from the estate’s perpetual reserve, which was established by René Geoffroy in 1970.

This reserve system gives the Champagne consistency and complexity while allowing each new base vintage to remain visible. The youthful energy of 2021 is balanced by the depth, texture and maturity contributed by reserve wines spanning many previous harvests.

The Base-2021 Blend

The base-2021 release is composed of:

35% Meunier
35% Pinot Noir
30% Chardonnay

Approximately 50% of the blend comes from the 2021 harvest. The remaining 50% comes from Geoffroy’s perpetual reserve, which contains wines dating from its establishment in 1970 through the years preceding the 2021 harvest.

Meunier contributes aromatic fruit, suppleness and immediate charm. Pinot Noir gives the wine structure, depth and subtle red-fruit character. Chardonnay adds citrus freshness, floral lift and mineral precision.

Together, the three varieties produce a Champagne that is ripe and generous without becoming heavy, with firm acidity and chalky minerality preserving energy throughout the finish.

The 2021 Base Vintage

The 2021 growing season in Champagne was cooler and more difficult than several of the warm, dry vintages that preceded it. Careful vineyard selection was essential, but successful growers produced wines with bright acidity, aromatic freshness and a distinctly classical Champagne profile.

In Expression, the lively character of the 2021 base wine is complemented by the broader texture and maturity of the perpetual reserve. The result combines the freshness and tension of the vintage with the depth and continuity of a multi-vintage blend.

Viticulture

Champagne Geoffroy follows a practicing-organic and sustainability-focused approach in the vineyard. The estate avoids chemical weedkillers, encourages biodiversity, cultivates cover crops and works the soil to maintain healthy microbial activity and deeper root systems.

The grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness and carefully sorted before pressing. Geoffroy’s emphasis on ripe, healthy fruit is especially important because Expression is intended to display both freshness and a distinctive vinous richness.

The source vines are generally more than 30 years old and are distributed among multiple Premier Cru parcels in Cumières and Hautvillers.

Winemaking

The grapes are pressed in a traditional Coquard press. Vinification is conducted parcel by parcel, allowing the character of each vineyard, grape variety and soil type to be assessed before the final blend is assembled.

The base wines are fermented and matured in a combination of temperature-controlled enameled tanks and neutral oak barrels. The perpetual reserve is maintained in concrete tanks, which allow the reserve wine to develop texture and complexity without contributing overt oak flavor.

Malolactic fermentation is only partially completed for this release. Retaining a portion of the wine’s natural malic acidity helps preserve freshness and tension, while partial malolactic fermentation softens the texture and adds balance.

The assembled Champagne underwent secondary fermentation in bottle and matured for approximately 30 months on its lees. Extended lees contact contributes the creamy mousse and subtle notes of brioche, bread dough and pastry found in the finished wine.

The dosage is only 3 grams per liter, giving Expression a notably dry profile. This restrained dosage highlights the wine’s acidity, chalky mineral character and savory complexity while allowing its ripe fruit to remain expressive.

Tasting Notes

The base-2021 Expression pours a bright straw-yellow color with a persistent stream of fine bubbles. The bouquet opens with fresh apple, pear, quince and preserved lemon, accompanied by red currant, ripe black cherry and orange peel.

As the wine opens, additional notes of white flowers, crushed chalk, toasted brioche, pastry cream, smoke and subtle nuttiness emerge. The reserve-wine component contributes depth and maturity, while the 2021 base preserves aromatic freshness and energy.

The palate is medium-bodied, focused and beautifully balanced. Firm acidity is wrapped in a creamy, finely detailed mousse, producing a Champagne that feels both energetic and polished. Orchard fruit and citrus are joined by subtle red-fruit flavors, toasted bread and a lightly pithy texture.

A distinct mineral foundation runs through the wine, bringing notes of crushed stone and chalk to the foreground. The finish is crisp, savory and persistent, with preserved lemon, brioche and mineral flavors lingering after each sip.

Expression is approachable upon release, but its combination of reserve-wine complexity, vibrant acidity and extended lees aging allows it to develop additional richness and harmony with short-term cellaring.

Professional Ratings

93 Points — James Suckling: "Dry with delicious sliced-apple and chalk aromas and flavors with crushed-stone undertones. It™s medium-bodied with a focused palate and a crisp, delicious finish. Nicely done. Drink now." 2025-08-05

92 Points — Wine Spectator: "A mouthwatering version, with firm acidity swathed in the creamy, finely detailed mousse, this offers a rich, tightly meshed range of ripe black cherry, preserved lemon, toasted brioche, smoke and pastry cream flavors. A minerally underpinning drives the finish. Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged September 2024. 750 cases imported. - AN"

91 Points — Jeb Dunnuck: "A bright yellow hue, the NV Champagne 1er Cru Expression Brut is from the 2020 vintage but includes perpetual reserve wines going back to 1970. The nose displays notes of nectarine, golden apples, hay, and a hint of nuttiness or bread. Medium-bodied, with good balance on the palate, it™s quite harmonious and very tasty all around, with a fluffy mousse, notes of orange citrus, and a clean, savory finish. It™s quite approachable and will drink well now or over the coming 5-7 years. 5 grams per liter dosage."

The Producer

The Geoffroy family has cultivated vines in Cumières since the 17th century. Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy represents the fifth generation of his family to grow grapes and produce wine in the Vallée de la Marne.

The family began placing greater emphasis on estate-bottled Champagne after the Second World War. In the 1970s, René Geoffroy decided to retain the family’s entire crop for Champagne production rather than selling grapes to larger houses. He also established the perpetual reserve that remains central to Expression today.

The estate now farms approximately 14 hectares, with most of its vineyards located in Cumières and additional parcels in Hautvillers, Damery and Fleury-la-Rivière. Although the winery and cellars are now located in Aÿ, the identity of Champagne Geoffroy remains deeply connected to the slopes of Cumières.

Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy’s approach combines careful vineyard work, ripe fruit, parcel-by-parcel vinification and restrained dosage. The wines are known for their balance of vinous depth, energetic acidity and precise expression of the Vallée de la Marne.

Food Pairing

Expression is an excellent aperitif, but its texture, low dosage and substantial reserve-wine component also make it a versatile food Champagne.

Serve with oysters, shrimp, crab cakes, smoked salmon, seafood pastries, scallops, sushi or tempura. It also pairs beautifully with roast chicken, veal sweetbreads, pork tenderloin, mushroom tart, aged Comté and other firm, savory cheeses.

The wine’s acidity and chalky finish cut through butter and cream, while its orchard-fruit, brioche and subtle red-fruit flavors complement roasted poultry, pastry-based appetizers and richer seafood dishes.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve at approximately 46–50°F. A white-wine glass rather than a narrow flute will allow the wine’s orchard fruit, brioche, mineral and reserve-wine aromas to develop more fully.

Expression is ready to drink upon release and may be enjoyed over the next five to seven years. Additional bottle age will soften the mousse and encourage more developed notes of toasted nuts, honey, pastry and dried orchard fruit.

Producer: Champagne Geoffroy
Cuvée: Expression
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Subregion: Vallée de la Marne
Villages: Cumières Premier Cru and Hautvillers Premier Cru
Classification: Premier Cru
Style: Non-Vintage Brut Champagne
Base Vintage: 2021
Blend: 35% Meunier, 35% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay
Vintage Composition: 50% 2021 and 50% perpetual reserve
Perpetual Reserve: Established in 1970
Soils: Clay-limestone, marl and sand
Vine Age: Generally more than 30 years
Farming: Practicing organic and sustainability-focused
Harvest: Hand harvested and sorted
Press: Traditional Coquard press
Fermentation: Enameled tanks and neutral oak barrels
Reserve-Wine Aging: Concrete tanks
Malolactic Fermentation: Partial
Lees Aging: Approximately 30 months
Dosage: 3 grams per liter
Disgorgement: September 2024
Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml

Geoffroy “Expression” Premier Cru Brut Champagne — Base 2021

R. Pouillon & Fils | Les Châtaigniers | Extra-Brut | Festigny, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne | 2019 | Organic

R. Pouillon & Fils is one of Champagne's most exciting and principled grower-producers, based in the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Vallée de la Marne. Fabrice Pouillon farms his vineyards with rigorous organic principles and a deep commitment to expressing the individual character of each parcel — producing wines of exceptional purity, vitality, and terroir transparency.

Les Châtaigniers is a distinctive single-vineyard Champagne from the village of Festigny, situated on the left bank of the Marne Valley in the Vallée du Flagot. The parcel's calcareous clay soils create an especially expressive terroir for Pinot Meunier — a grape that is often underestimated in Champagne but capable of extraordinary depth, structure, and refinement in the right hands and the right site. The clay-rich soils encourage generosity and texture, while the calcareous component contributes freshness, precision, and a firm mineral backbone.

The fruit is harvested by hand and vinified in oak casks ranging from new barrels to vessels up to ten years old, then rested for approximately 18 months in neutral barriques before bottling. Full malolactic fermentation adds roundness and creaminess. Beginning with the 2019 vintage, Pouillon extended his innovative Méthode Fabrice Pouillon to all estate Champagnes — using naturally sweet grape juice from the domaine for the secondary fermentation and dosage rather than externally sourced sugar, preserving a more direct connection between the finished Champagne, its fruit, and its vineyard of origin.

Broad, vinous, and deeply expressive. Aromas of golden apple, quince, ripe pear, and subtle red fruit joined by floral, herbal, and gently savory notes, with hints of flint, warm spice, toasted grain, and earthy minerality. On the palate, the natural roundness of Pinot Meunier is balanced by vibrant acidity and a fine, persistent mousse. Generous fruit and supple texture are anchored by mineral tension, giving the wine both richness and energy. The finish is long, dry, and layered — lingering orchard fruit, chalk, spice, and a delicate reductive character. A gastronomic Champagne with the depth and structure to accompany an entire meal.

Pair with roasted poultry, pork, veal, creamy mushroom dishes, fried seafood, richer fish preparations, washed-rind cheeses, and aged Comté.

• Producer: R. Pouillon & Fils
• Cuvée: Les Châtaigniers
• Style: Extra-Brut
• Appellation: Festigny, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France
• Grape: Pinot Meunier (100%)
• Vintage: 2019
• Farming: Organic
• Soils: Calcareous clay (Vallée du Flagot)
• Vinification: Oak casks (new to 10 years old); Méthode Fabrice Pouillon
• Élevage: ~18 months in neutral barriques; full malolactic fermentation
• Dosage: Extra-Brut (estate grape juice)
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2019

• WineLens — 95 pts: Complex and distinctive — apple, quince, herbal and floral notes with touches of flint and gentle reduction. Medium to full-bodied with excellent freshness and acidity, beautiful roundness, impressive dimension, and a long finish.

Yann Alexandre Brut Noir — Champagne 2020 Base

Yann and Séverine Alexandre farm their vineyards in the Petite Montagne de Reims with a single goal: to produce Champagne as naturally as possible from healthy, fully mature grapes. Certified sustainable by OCACIA, their parcels grow on calcareous-clay soils with stones, flint, and sand — a varied geology that contributes freshness, mineral tension, and complexity. The Brut Noir is the estate's signature cuvée: a blend of Pinot Meunier for generous fruit and suppleness, Pinot Noir for structure and depth, and Chardonnay for brightness and energy. Each variety is vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation, then assembled and aged approximately five years on the lees in the Alexandre family's cool cellar before hand riddling and disgorgement. Awarded 92 Points by Decanter and a Silver Award in 2025.

The nose is inviting and layered: subtle brioche and toast, fresh citrus, white peach, and a delicate chalky undercurrent. On the palate, the wine is rich yet precise — generous fruit and creamy texture from the Meunier, lifted by Chardonnay's brightness and framed by Pinot Noir's quiet structure. The mousse is fine and persistent, and the finish is long, chalky, and satisfying. An excellent aperitif and a natural companion at the table.

Decanter 92 • Silver Award 2025 — "Pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, curries, egg dishes, mushroom preparations, charcuterie, and creamy cheeses."

• Producer: Yann & Séverine Alexandre, Petite Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2020 (with reserve wines)
• Appellation: Champagne
• Blend: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
• Soil: Calcareous-clay with stones, flint, and sand
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by OCACIA
• Vinification: Temperature-controlled stainless steel; full malolactic fermentation
• Lees Aging: ~5 years; hand riddled & disgorged
• Alcohol: 12%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Brioche, toast, citrus, white peach, chalky minerality, creamy texture, long finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled chicken, curries, egg dishes, mushroom preparations, charcuterie, creamy cheeses

92 points from Decanter. Five years on the lees. Hand riddled and disgorged. Yann Alexandre's Brut Noir is grower Champagne from the Petite Montagne de Reims at its most honest and expressive.

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

Tellier | Les Massales | Extra-Brut | Moussy, Pierry & Chavot-Courcourt, Coteaux Sud d'Épernay, Champagne | 2022

The Tellier family has been growing vines in the Coteaux Sud d'Épernay since 1938, but it was not until 2016 that brothers Clément and Thibault Tellier took 3 hectares of family vines and began vinifying their own micro-cuvées — launching one of the most exciting young grower-producer projects in Champagne. Working with fruit from the villages of Moussy, Pierry, and Chavot-Courcourt in the southern Marne, the Tellier brothers bring a meticulous, terroir-focused approach to a region that is increasingly recognized as a source of exceptional Champagne.

Les Massales is a single-vineyard cuvée from the clay-limestone Massales lieu-dit — a blend of the primary Champagne grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier) grown across the three villages. The name references the traditional practice of massale selection — propagating vines from the best individual plants in the vineyard rather than from clonal nursery stock — a method that preserves genetic diversity and produces wines of greater complexity and terroir expression.

The 2022 shines with yellow plum, acacia honey, and toasted almond, framed by zesty acidity and a clean, mineral-driven finish. The energy, depth, and precision on display here are exactly what make grower Champagne so exciting — a compelling introduction to the Tellier lineup at an exceptional price.

Excellent as an aperitif. Pair with oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled fish, soft cheeses, and light poultry dishes.

• Producer: Tellier
• Cuvée: Les Massales
• Style: Extra-Brut
• Appellation: Moussy, Pierry & Chavot-Courcourt, Coteaux Sud d'Épernay, Champagne, France
• Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
• Vintage: 2022
• Vineyard: Massales lieu-dit; clay-limestone soils
• Bottle Size: 750ml

92 Points by Antonio Galloni, Vinous

The 2021 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Montagne de Reims No. 2, from vines in Villers-Marmery, is bright and very nicely sculpted. Lemon peel, white flowers, dried herbs, chalk and white pepper all race out of the glass. This Blanc de Blancs really sizzles with tension and salivating energy. The No.2 is the only wine in the range that incorporates some purchased fruit. Bottled with no dosage. Disgorged: March 2025; multiple disgorgements throughout the year.

~ Antonio Galloni, VINOUS – November 2025

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2013

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points | Originally a part of the legendary Piper-Heidsieck Champagne house, Rare is moving their Champagne Millésime to a new brand and want it to stand alone. (Think Delamotte and Salon.) The 13th vintage for this cuvée, the 2013 Champagne Millésime is a blend is 70% Chardonnay with the rest Pinot Noir, with the majority of the blend coming from the Montagne de Reims Grand Cru and Premier Cru. A bright yellow hue, its aromatics are exquisite and well-balanced, with fresh notes of key lime, candied apple, fresh croissant dough, fresh pineapple, and honeysuckle. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with a rounded and supple texture and a pillowy mousse. It’s long on the palate and has a silky personality as well as a long, pristine finish. It has fantastic balance of decadence and freshness, and I could drink this all day. It’s going to have a long drinking window. 

James Suckling 96 Points | Such a pleasingly elegant and multifaceted Champagne with salty, creamy and toasty elements all wound together. Plenty of apricot pastries, pears, brown butter, fennel and salted almonds, with some iodine. It’s silky on the palate, with soft and supple bubbles, while remaining fresh and on edge. 70% chardonnay and 30% pinot noir, from 11 cru villages mostly in Montagne de Reims with Cotes de Blancs. Disgorged December 2022. 9 g/L dosage. 

Vinous 95 Points | The 2013 Brut Millésime, a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims, spent eight years on lees. A gorgeous whiff of reductive smokiness precedes a sea breeze and hints of toasted nuts. The palate is a picture of tautness, filigree foam, finesse and svelte poise. This wine is wonderfully pure and bracing, with hints of caramelized hazelnuts and almonds teasingly in the background, gaining definition from an oystershell saltiness. The longer you pay attention, the more happens in this wonderfully nuanced and sophisticated wine.

Decanter 95 Points | Initially cool and breezy on the nose, like sea spray and freshly sliced lemons. As it warms, it shows fresh pineapple, coconut, Sorrento lemons and a tiny touch of toast on the finish. This really is very youthful, taut and tingling, with very fine acidity. Lots of intrigue to come as it ages. 2013 was sunny in the early part of the season, but was also very cool. Harvest did not take place until October, the only time in the last 30 years that harvest has taken place in October. The grapes matured very slowly. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Piper-Heidsieck Rare Millésime 2013 is the 13th vintage of this prestigious prestige cuvée since its debut in 1976. This specific vintage is celebrated for its "tropical minerality"—a signature of the house—blended with the precision and crystalline acidity of the cooler 2013 harvest.

Winemaker Description 

Crafted with fine effervescence that tickles the palate, Cupcake Moscato d’Asti is a vibrant wine with flavors of nectarine, honey and peach. Pair with coconut pudding or a fruit tart.

Winemaker Description 

One Sparkling Rose & Brut in party gift box. Kosher. 

A premium Italian prosecco made for celebrating life's moments, big and small. Made with an attention to detail that gives it a distinct, bold aesthetic and unique voice, Vera Wang Party is a light, refreshing, and effervescent wine,with a playful yet sophisticated tone.

Vera Wang was integral in each step of the production process- from selecting the wine to designing the bottles.

Memo Summary Notes

The Vera Wang Party Pack is a curated duo featuring the designer's premium Italian sparkling wines, both crafted to be high-fashion, high-quality, and fully compliant with kosher standards.

• Tasting Notes: Effervescent and crisp with appealing aromas of green apple and stone fruits. The palate is light and refreshing with bright citrus notes and a soft, fruity finish.

• Style: Dry, playful, and sophisticated. 

  • Brunch: Perfect for high-end Bellinis or Mimosas.

  • Savory: Pairs excellently with charcuterie, Parmesan cheese, spicy Chinese takeout, fried chicken, or sushi.

The Gruet family left Champagne in 1984 and planted vines in the high-altitude desert of New Mexico — an unlikely move that turned out to be quietly inspired. At 4,300 feet elevation, the cool nights and volcanic soils of the Rio Grande Valley proved to be remarkable terroir for sparkling wine. Today, Gruet Brut Rosé is widely regarded as one of the finest sparkling wine values in America, made by a family that learned the craft in France and never forgot it.

This non-vintage rosé is 100% Pinot Noir, crafted via traditional méthode champenoise with a minimum of 24 months aging on the lees en tirage. The result is a wine of genuine weight and character: a deep, nearly garnet-pink color far richer than a typical salmon rosé, a bright floral bouquet of wild strawberry, raspberry, and rose petal, and a palate that is rich and mouth-filling with ripe cherry, cranberry, and a hint of biscuit from the extended aging. The finish is zesty and clean, with the kind of refreshing acidity that makes the glass disappear faster than expected.

• Producer: Gruet Winery
• Style: Brut Rosé NV, Méthode Champenoise
• Region: New Mexico, USA
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Aging: Minimum 24 months on the lees
• Size: 375ml (Half-Bottle)
• Tasting Notes: Wild strawberry, raspberry, rose petal, ripe cherry, cranberry, biscuit
• Food Pairings: Oysters, smoked salmon, charcuterie, strawberries and cream, brunch

Champagne pedigree, New Mexico terroir, half-bottle convenience — one of America’s best sparkling values.

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.

Expert Reviews 

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The NV Brut Pinot de Diel is an assemblage of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir, a réserve perpetuelle predominantly harvested in 2021. Aged sur lattes for two years and disgorged with a dosage of four grams per liter in May 2024, the wine opens with deep, bright and fresh, lemony fruit intertwined with delicate brioche, sur lie and also flinty terroir aromas. Round but dry and fresh on the palate, this is a medium to full-bodied Brut with a clear, long and mouth-cleansing finish. It's excellent in structure, complexity and length. 12% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in Burg Layen in February 2025.

James Suckling 92 Points | This creamy, barely medium-bodied sparkling wine tastes very French, with appealing aromas and flavors of yellow apples, brioche and flint. The lively mousse deftly lifts the long candied-citrus finish. A cuvee based on the 2022 vintage plus some reserve wine, disgorged June 2025. Drink now.

Producer Notes

Variety: Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris (co-planted and co-fermented) • Region: Nahe • Vineyard: Various estate sites • Soil Type: Slate & quartzite • Fermentation & Élevage: Stainless steel fermentation and aging, minimum 20 months en tirage, dosage is sweet Pinot Gris aged in barrique.

Memo Summary Notes

The Schlossgut Diel Pinot de Diel Brut NV is a sophisticated German sparkling wine (Sekt) from the Nahe region. While many German sparkling wines are made from Riesling, this specific cuvée is a "Pinot" blend, modeled after the traditional Champagne style but with a distinct German terroir.

Schlossgut Diel is one of Germany’s most prestigious estates. While they are famous for their Grand Cru Rieslings, Caroline Diel spent time training in Champagne, and that influence is clear here. The "Pinot de Diel" is designed to be their "luncheon" sparkling—elegant enough for a celebration but versatile enough for the table.

Food Pairings

• Classic: Raw oysters, sashimi, or lightly fried calamari.

• German Pairing: Veal schnitzel with a squeeze of lemon.

• Casual: It is famously good with high-quality salty snacks like truffle popcorn or Marcona almonds.

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