Champagne
Champagne, the epitome of elegance and celebration, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of sparkling wines. As one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world, Champagne has captured the hearts of wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs with its exceptional quality, refined craftsmanship, and iconic vineyards.
Historically, Champagne has been dominated by some world-acclaimed Champagne House, which source grapes and harvest from Champagne growers. These famous Grandes Marques include Louis Roederer (Cristal), Dom Pérignon, Krug, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Bollinger, all of them are revered for their notable names that display unrivalled winemaking prestige and pedigree.
In the recent decade, the emerging Grower Champagne trend in Champagne is shaking up the industry by challenging the dominance of the big Champagne houses. These small-scale producers, also known as "Récoltant-Manipulant" or RM, grow their own grapes and produce their own Champagne, showcasing the unique terroir and character of their vineyards. Jacques Selosse, Ulysse Collin, and Champagne Vilmart & Cie are among the most prominent names in this trend, producing some truly artisanal and terroir-driven Champagnes.
Champagne is primarily made from three main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. These grapes are carefully selected and blended to create a harmonious and complex flavour profile. Chardonnay contributes elegance, freshness, and finesse, while Pinot Noir adds structure, depth, and fruitiness. Pinot Meunier brings a touch of roundness and vibrancy to the blend.
The region of Champagne is divided into several distinct sub-regions, including Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and Vallée de la Marne. Each sub-region has its unique terroir, characterized by variations in soil composition and microclimates, which influence the style and character of the wines produced.
Champagne offers various styles, from non-vintage blends to vintage cuvées and prestigious prestige cuvées. While Non-vintage Champagnes typically epitomise the house style, the vintage Champagnes are made from grapes harvested in one particular year (top vintages such as 1996, 2002, 2008 etc), in which these wines showcase the unique characteristics of the specific vintage.
The prestige cuvées, often the flagship wines of the renowned Champagne houses, are the pinnacle of excellence. These exceptional Champagnes are created using the finest grapes, the most meticulous winemaking techniques and often benefit from extended ageing to achieve unparalleled complexity and finesse.
Champagne is synonymous with celebration, elegance, and luxury. Its effervescent charm and timeless appeal have made it the drink of choice for countless special occasions and memorable moments. With its rich history, iconic vineyards, and unrivalled quality, Champagne continues to captivate wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
Read More
Champagne
Photo
AI Chat
-
Inc. VAT£570.80 -
Wine Enthusiast (94)
This pale-colored wine with its crushed raspberry perfume, is now reaching its peak. It is rich with a dosage that gives it a soft character without losing any of the crisp fruit. The wine is balanced, hinting at toast while still tangy and tight. Drink this delicious wine now.Inc. VAT£447.20 -
Wine Advocate (91)
The 2010 Brut Rosé Belle Epoque bursts from the glass with a rich bouquet of peaches, strawberries, warm biscuits, smoky red berries and ginger. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with a generous core of fruit that's tempered by some delicate phenolics and underpinned by ripe acids. This is a charming, nicely balanced Rosé Belle Epoque.Inc. VAT£470.40 -
Inc. VAT£535.45 -
Vinous (93)
The 2011 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses is bright and perfumed, with lovely Chardonnay energy driving the citrus, floral and savory notes. In 2011, Clos des Goisses is a touch lithe, but its balance is simply impeccable. Given the challenges of the year, I would not push my luck on aging. If there is one wine I would be willing to bet on, at least for the medium term, it is Clos des Goisses. Dosage is 4.5 liters per gram.Inc. VAT£356.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (98)
This single vineyard, one of the steepest in Champagne, produces fabulous wines. Richness restrained by the minerality from the terroir is balanced by the structured Pinot Noir fruits that bring touches of toast, spice and white fruits. Drink through 2025 at least.Inc. VAT£492.80 -
Wine Enthusiast (99)
The new release of this Champagne is impressively stylish. It comes from a vertiginous vineyard facing north across the Marne river, the soil producing a wine with intense minerality and texture that demands time to soften. So, the blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is set for further aging. Ideally, wait for this magnificent wine until 2025.Inc. VAT£482.00 -
Inc. VAT£699.20 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The 2009 Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Cintres hails from lieux-dits Les Grands Cintres and Les Petits Cintres in the steep, south-facing part of the Clos des Goisses which is characterized by the thinnest, reddest soils in the vineyard and where the house's oldest vines are planted. Amazingly, the 2009 attained 13.5% alcohol, the highest numbers recorded chez Philipponnat since 1959. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of warm bread, fresh peach, mango and yeast extract, it's full-bodied, thickly textural and vinous, with lively acids—Philipponnat opting to block malolactic fermentation—and a deep, multidimensional core, concluding with a long and powerful finish. This is a broad-shouldered, authoritative wine that may disconcert by virtue of its sheer scale, but it is a potential legend in the making.Inc. VAT£372.80 -
Immerse yourself in the opulent world of Champagne with Pierre Peters l'Etonnant Monsieur Victor 2014. Crafted meticulously in the grand cru vineyards of the esteemed Pierre Peters estate in Les Mesnil-sur-Oger, this Blanc de Blancs demonstrates the epitome of precision and skill. Produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown on ancient, chalky soils, this Champagne recounts a vibrant dialogue between elegance and power. Its ageing on lees enhances a complex profile, married harmoniously with lush apple notes, a crisp minerality and a lingering finish. It could age beautifully for years, if stored properly. It is indeed a testament to Rodolphe Peters, the current winemaker, whose prowess in crafting world-renowned, terroir-driven Champagnes is manifested in each bottle of Pierre Peters l'Etonnant Monsieur Victor 2014. Indulge in an experience of a lifetime, a journey of flavours that is certain to leave an indelible impression.
Inc. VAT£716.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
Based on the 2015 vintage, the NV L’Étonnant Monsieur Victor Edition MK 15 is a blend of the best vats of the Péters perpetual reserve with the best vats of Les Chétillons. It has long been Rodolphe Péters's intention to produce a blend that surpasses his vintage wines, yet I have generally preferred his vintaged Les Chétillons; in 2015, however, it is indeed the Étonnant Monsieur Victor that leads the portfolio. Unwinding in the glass with complex aromas of sweet orchard and stone fruits mingled with notions of spices, candied peel, freshly baked bread and toasted nuts, it's medium to full-bodied, racy and seamless, its deep core complemented by a pillowy mousse, concluding with a long, sapid finish.Inc. VAT£738.25 -
Vinous (97)
The 2002 Brut Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons, the original release and aged on crown seal, is tremendous. Wow. Ample, sweeping and dramatic, the 2002 is utterly captivating. Smoke, graphite, ash, apricot jam and pastry are some of the many nuances that come alive in the glass, with a top note of reduction that is very appealing. On this day, the regular release is just a touch ahead of the Oenothèque. It’s hard to say exactly why that is, but I suspect that the post-disgorgement time is optimal. This is the finest bottle of the 2002 I have ever tasted. Disgorged July 2010.Inc. VAT£974.65 -
Vinous (97)
The 2014 Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons is fabulous. The 2014 is not as obvious as years like 2012 or 2013, but it presents a youthfully austere, classic personality that is absolutely beguiling. Readers will have to be patient here. There is certainly a lot to look forward to. The 2014 Les Chétillons is a Blanc de Blancs that sizzles with Mesnil tension and energy. Dosage is 3.5-4.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: May, 2021.Inc. VAT£497.60 -
Vinous (90)
(L070260 11923 on foil) Bright yellow. Leesy orchard fruit and tangerine aromas are brightened by zesty minerality and a kiss of pungent white flowers. Deep and powerfully concentrated, offering ripe pear and peach flavors along with exotic baking spices. Finishes creamy and long, echoing the smoky lees quality. This shows very good depth and strength.Inc. VAT£234.80 -
Inc. VAT£770.65 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
Blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from grand cru vineyards. Deep golden straw colour. Full-bodied, meaty nose with lots of impact. Lovely, filigree mousse – very well judged for its impact on the palate. Flavours reach every bit of the palate. Quite a charmer! Definitely already approachable – in fact it tastes as though it would already have been pretty nice last year! A fine, succulent representative of this dry, ripe year. Pretty gorgeous actually. Maybe it won't be the longest-lasting Churchill but it's hugely satisfying now.Inc. VAT£342.80 -
Decanter (98)
Best in Show 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir With fourteen years' ageing under its belt, this Champagne has had time to gather and marshal all its resources - which it does with great style and assurance. It's a pale, glowing lemon yellow, with a fine mousse and ample wealth of billowing vanilla, cream and plump hazels. The palate has dramatic intensity and drive, delivering a wealth of chalky lemon; its athleticism and vigour almost come as a surprise after that floating veil of seductive scent. A fresh, mouth-cleansing finish completes the appeal of this skilful, sagely judged blend from a hugely likeable vintage.Inc. VAT£424.40 -
Wine Spectator (96)
Delivers enticing notes of strawberry and cherry preserves, toasted walnut bread, pink grapefruit granita and elderflower that waltz across the palate on the finely detailed, silky mousse. Underscored by a minerally range of oyster shell, smoke and saline, this is rich and focused, yet seamlessly knit and graceful throughout. A bit reduced on the nose when first poured, so let this open in the glass -- try sipping it from a Burgundy glass to give it a little more air. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged July 2018. Drink now through 2034.Inc. VAT£442.40 -
Vinous (95+)
Knockout aromas of lemon, lime, toffee, grilled nuts, nutmeg and minerals; conveys a strong impression of soil character. Great thickness and brightness in the mouth; offers a compelling combination of lemon and orange citricity and complex yeast autolysis notes, and near-perfect harmony of young and maturing elements. This outstanding, elegant Champagne shows an extraordinary creamy richness yet is still rather folded in on itself. Has the sheer structure and grip to develop in bottle for a decade or two. Finishes with great nutty length.Inc. VAT£2,211.20 -
Vinous (97)
After the lackluster 1990, things get back on track quickly with the 1988 Salon, a wine that is absolutely peaking today. From one of the all-time great vintages in Champagne the 1988 Salon exudes power and explosive intensity, with superb balance and pulsating acidity that gives the wine its drive. A host of candied lemon peel, hazelnut, smoke, licorice and anise overtones meld into the super-expressive finish. Disgorged à la volée, with no dosage.Inc. VAT£4,211.60 -
Vinous (95)
The 1995 Salon, disgorged à la volée and naturally sans dosage, is rich, ample and creamy. In this vertical, the 1995 stands out for its broad, ample frame and tropically-leaning overtones. So often, Salon is a Champagne of tension and focus. Even without dosage, the 1995 is distinctly more ample than is the norm and yet all the elements come together nicely just the same.Inc. VAT£1,606.40 -
Wine Advocate (99)
This bottle of the 1996 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut was drinking superbly and represents the apotheosis of Blanc de Blancs, unfurling over the course of three hours with a stunningly complex bouquet of citrus oil, confit lemon, dried white flowers and oyster shell, with hints of praline and pastry cream becoming more pronounced as the wine opens up in the glass. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, defined by the incisive spine so typical of the vintage that, here, is cloaked in layers of crisp fleshy and chalky extract. The finish is long, penetrating and saline. Unfortunately, since the 1996 Salon has been traded so zealously over the last decade, finding a bottle that hasn't travelled too far can be a challenge. But from a perfectly stored bottle, this is just the beginning.Inc. VAT£2,606.00 -
James Suckling (97)
This is phenomenal with mineral, sliced apple and honeysuckle aromas and flavors. It's full-bodied and so refined. Racy and intense. So youthful and long. Like a great and fresh Batard-Montrachet. Long life to go.Inc. VAT£1,211.60 -
Decanter (100)
An almost ideal growing season with no periods of extreme weather, ending with a cool but sunny September. Harvest began on 16 September. The very classy nose has a mineral-infused character underlying its spicy, floral scents. This Salon has the power to be long-lived and the freshness and vivacity to be already enjoyable, but also to be an ideal companion for a gastronomic meal. Perfection.Inc. VAT£1,384.80 -
Decanter (99)
A relatively easy vintage in terms of grape growing, despite a rainy month of August that led to a late-ripening end of season, with the harvest beginning on 23 September. A mineral-infused nose of pronounced limestone character is compellingly complicated by scents of truffle, spice and butter. The palate is dense and spherical with a seductive fleshy texture. The beautifully balanced finish has a touch of bewitching bitterness and salinity. Ready to be enjoyed over the next decade.Inc. VAT£1,779.20 -
Wine Enthusiast (100)
This new release from a great vintage for Chardonnay in Champagne is a perfect blanc de blancs, showing a wealth of intensity from the crisp, chalky, mineral tones to the perfumed apple notes. The aromas hint at developing toastiness that adds depth and complexity. The wine is still young and it will age for years. Drink from 2020.Inc. VAT£1,257.20 -
Wine Enthusiast (99)
This legendary Champagne, only produced in exceptional years, comes from the village of Le Mesnil in the Côte des Blancs. It is made from 100% Chardonnay and aged for many years before release. Its minerality, concentration and beautiful fruit are still astonishingly young and deserve further aging. Drink from 2020.Inc. VAT£1,253.60 -
Wine Enthusiast (99)
As always, this exceptional Champagne, only released in top vintages, shows its rare qualities. Its poise between texture, acidity, intense aging ability and minerality are so right. It is ready to drink, but that would be a shame, because this wine will age so well. Drink from 2025.Inc. VAT£1,202.00 -
Vinous (99)
The 2013 Salon is a huge wine. Dense and explosive, the 2013 possesses almost shocking textural richness for a young Salon. If offers a perfect example of the vintage in the Côtes des Blancs, a year in which ripeness and acids were both elevated. Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers, mint and white pepper explode onto the palate. Bright saline notes pull it all back together on the finish. Dosage is 4.5 grams per liter.Inc. VAT£1,224.80 -
Wine Advocate (95)
From a recently released bottle disgorged in 2018, the 1997 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut is showing very well indeed, offering up aromas of citrus oil, crushed chalk, white flowers, warm bread and iodine that are appreciably more youthful than the more mature dried fruit tones that readers will find in bottles of the original disgorgement. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, tensile and incisive, with superb concentration, chalky structure and a long, searingly mineral finish. The 2018 disgorgement saw 3.5 grams per liter dosage, somewhat less than the original release. While the 1996 has the edge, I doubt that, 20 years ago, anyone could have imagined how close the 1997 and 1996 would be as they approach maturity.Inc. VAT£1,714.40
-
In Bond£473.00
-
Wine Enthusiast (94)
This pale-colored wine with its crushed raspberry perfume, is now reaching its peak. It is rich with a dosage that gives it a soft character without losing any of the crisp fruit. The wine is balanced, hinting at toast while still tangy and tight. Drink this delicious wine now.In Bond£370.00 -
Wine Advocate (91)
The 2010 Brut Rosé Belle Epoque bursts from the glass with a rich bouquet of peaches, strawberries, warm biscuits, smoky red berries and ginger. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with a generous core of fruit that's tempered by some delicate phenolics and underpinned by ripe acids. This is a charming, nicely balanced Rosé Belle Epoque.Inc. VAT£470.40 -
In Bond£443.00
-
Vinous (93)
The 2011 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses is bright and perfumed, with lovely Chardonnay energy driving the citrus, floral and savory notes. In 2011, Clos des Goisses is a touch lithe, but its balance is simply impeccable. Given the challenges of the year, I would not push my luck on aging. If there is one wine I would be willing to bet on, at least for the medium term, it is Clos des Goisses. Dosage is 4.5 liters per gram.In Bond£294.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (98)
This single vineyard, one of the steepest in Champagne, produces fabulous wines. Richness restrained by the minerality from the terroir is balanced by the structured Pinot Noir fruits that bring touches of toast, spice and white fruits. Drink through 2025 at least.In Bond£408.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (99)
The new release of this Champagne is impressively stylish. It comes from a vertiginous vineyard facing north across the Marne river, the soil producing a wine with intense minerality and texture that demands time to soften. So, the blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is set for further aging. Ideally, wait for this magnificent wine until 2025.In Bond£399.00 -
In Bond£580.00
-
Wine Advocate (97)
The 2009 Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Cintres hails from lieux-dits Les Grands Cintres and Les Petits Cintres in the steep, south-facing part of the Clos des Goisses which is characterized by the thinnest, reddest soils in the vineyard and where the house's oldest vines are planted. Amazingly, the 2009 attained 13.5% alcohol, the highest numbers recorded chez Philipponnat since 1959. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of warm bread, fresh peach, mango and yeast extract, it's full-bodied, thickly textural and vinous, with lively acids—Philipponnat opting to block malolactic fermentation—and a deep, multidimensional core, concluding with a long and powerful finish. This is a broad-shouldered, authoritative wine that may disconcert by virtue of its sheer scale, but it is a potential legend in the making.In Bond£308.00 -
Immerse yourself in the opulent world of Champagne with Pierre Peters l'Etonnant Monsieur Victor 2014. Crafted meticulously in the grand cru vineyards of the esteemed Pierre Peters estate in Les Mesnil-sur-Oger, this Blanc de Blancs demonstrates the epitome of precision and skill. Produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown on ancient, chalky soils, this Champagne recounts a vibrant dialogue between elegance and power. Its ageing on lees enhances a complex profile, married harmoniously with lush apple notes, a crisp minerality and a lingering finish. It could age beautifully for years, if stored properly. It is indeed a testament to Rodolphe Peters, the current winemaker, whose prowess in crafting world-renowned, terroir-driven Champagnes is manifested in each bottle of Pierre Peters l'Etonnant Monsieur Victor 2014. Indulge in an experience of a lifetime, a journey of flavours that is certain to leave an indelible impression.
In Bond£594.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
Based on the 2015 vintage, the NV L’Étonnant Monsieur Victor Edition MK 15 is a blend of the best vats of the Péters perpetual reserve with the best vats of Les Chétillons. It has long been Rodolphe Péters's intention to produce a blend that surpasses his vintage wines, yet I have generally preferred his vintaged Les Chétillons; in 2015, however, it is indeed the Étonnant Monsieur Victor that leads the portfolio. Unwinding in the glass with complex aromas of sweet orchard and stone fruits mingled with notions of spices, candied peel, freshly baked bread and toasted nuts, it's medium to full-bodied, racy and seamless, its deep core complemented by a pillowy mousse, concluding with a long, sapid finish.In Bond£612.00 -
Vinous (97)
The 2002 Brut Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons, the original release and aged on crown seal, is tremendous. Wow. Ample, sweeping and dramatic, the 2002 is utterly captivating. Smoke, graphite, ash, apricot jam and pastry are some of the many nuances that come alive in the glass, with a top note of reduction that is very appealing. On this day, the regular release is just a touch ahead of the Oenothèque. It’s hard to say exactly why that is, but I suspect that the post-disgorgement time is optimal. This is the finest bottle of the 2002 I have ever tasted. Disgorged July 2010.In Bond£809.00 -
Vinous (97)
The 2014 Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons is fabulous. The 2014 is not as obvious as years like 2012 or 2013, but it presents a youthfully austere, classic personality that is absolutely beguiling. Readers will have to be patient here. There is certainly a lot to look forward to. The 2014 Les Chétillons is a Blanc de Blancs that sizzles with Mesnil tension and energy. Dosage is 3.5-4.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: May, 2021.In Bond£412.00 -
Vinous (90)
(L070260 11923 on foil) Bright yellow. Leesy orchard fruit and tangerine aromas are brightened by zesty minerality and a kiss of pungent white flowers. Deep and powerfully concentrated, offering ripe pear and peach flavors along with exotic baking spices. Finishes creamy and long, echoing the smoky lees quality. This shows very good depth and strength.In Bond£193.00 -
In Bond£639.00
-
Jancis Robinson (18)
Blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from grand cru vineyards. Deep golden straw colour. Full-bodied, meaty nose with lots of impact. Lovely, filigree mousse – very well judged for its impact on the palate. Flavours reach every bit of the palate. Quite a charmer! Definitely already approachable – in fact it tastes as though it would already have been pretty nice last year! A fine, succulent representative of this dry, ripe year. Pretty gorgeous actually. Maybe it won't be the longest-lasting Churchill but it's hugely satisfying now.In Bond£283.00 -
Decanter (98)
Best in Show 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir With fourteen years' ageing under its belt, this Champagne has had time to gather and marshal all its resources - which it does with great style and assurance. It's a pale, glowing lemon yellow, with a fine mousse and ample wealth of billowing vanilla, cream and plump hazels. The palate has dramatic intensity and drive, delivering a wealth of chalky lemon; its athleticism and vigour almost come as a surprise after that floating veil of seductive scent. A fresh, mouth-cleansing finish completes the appeal of this skilful, sagely judged blend from a hugely likeable vintage.In Bond£351.00 -
Wine Spectator (96)
Delivers enticing notes of strawberry and cherry preserves, toasted walnut bread, pink grapefruit granita and elderflower that waltz across the palate on the finely detailed, silky mousse. Underscored by a minerally range of oyster shell, smoke and saline, this is rich and focused, yet seamlessly knit and graceful throughout. A bit reduced on the nose when first poured, so let this open in the glass -- try sipping it from a Burgundy glass to give it a little more air. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged July 2018. Drink now through 2034.In Bond£366.00 -
Vinous (95+)
Knockout aromas of lemon, lime, toffee, grilled nuts, nutmeg and minerals; conveys a strong impression of soil character. Great thickness and brightness in the mouth; offers a compelling combination of lemon and orange citricity and complex yeast autolysis notes, and near-perfect harmony of young and maturing elements. This outstanding, elegant Champagne shows an extraordinary creamy richness yet is still rather folded in on itself. Has the sheer structure and grip to develop in bottle for a decade or two. Finishes with great nutty length.In Bond£1,840.00 -
Vinous (97)
After the lackluster 1990, things get back on track quickly with the 1988 Salon, a wine that is absolutely peaking today. From one of the all-time great vintages in Champagne the 1988 Salon exudes power and explosive intensity, with superb balance and pulsating acidity that gives the wine its drive. A host of candied lemon peel, hazelnut, smoke, licorice and anise overtones meld into the super-expressive finish. Disgorged à la volée, with no dosage.In Bond£3,507.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 1995 Salon, disgorged à la volée and naturally sans dosage, is rich, ample and creamy. In this vertical, the 1995 stands out for its broad, ample frame and tropically-leaning overtones. So often, Salon is a Champagne of tension and focus. Even without dosage, the 1995 is distinctly more ample than is the norm and yet all the elements come together nicely just the same.In Bond£1,336.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
This bottle of the 1996 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut was drinking superbly and represents the apotheosis of Blanc de Blancs, unfurling over the course of three hours with a stunningly complex bouquet of citrus oil, confit lemon, dried white flowers and oyster shell, with hints of praline and pastry cream becoming more pronounced as the wine opens up in the glass. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, defined by the incisive spine so typical of the vintage that, here, is cloaked in layers of crisp fleshy and chalky extract. The finish is long, penetrating and saline. Unfortunately, since the 1996 Salon has been traded so zealously over the last decade, finding a bottle that hasn't travelled too far can be a challenge. But from a perfectly stored bottle, this is just the beginning.In Bond£2,169.00 -
James Suckling (97)
This is phenomenal with mineral, sliced apple and honeysuckle aromas and flavors. It's full-bodied and so refined. Racy and intense. So youthful and long. Like a great and fresh Batard-Montrachet. Long life to go.In Bond£1,007.00 -
Decanter (100)
An almost ideal growing season with no periods of extreme weather, ending with a cool but sunny September. Harvest began on 16 September. The very classy nose has a mineral-infused character underlying its spicy, floral scents. This Salon has the power to be long-lived and the freshness and vivacity to be already enjoyable, but also to be an ideal companion for a gastronomic meal. Perfection.Inc. VAT£1,384.80 -
Decanter (99)
A relatively easy vintage in terms of grape growing, despite a rainy month of August that led to a late-ripening end of season, with the harvest beginning on 23 September. A mineral-infused nose of pronounced limestone character is compellingly complicated by scents of truffle, spice and butter. The palate is dense and spherical with a seductive fleshy texture. The beautifully balanced finish has a touch of bewitching bitterness and salinity. Ready to be enjoyed over the next decade.In Bond£1,480.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (100)
This new release from a great vintage for Chardonnay in Champagne is a perfect blanc de blancs, showing a wealth of intensity from the crisp, chalky, mineral tones to the perfumed apple notes. The aromas hint at developing toastiness that adds depth and complexity. The wine is still young and it will age for years. Drink from 2020.In Bond£1,045.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (99)
This legendary Champagne, only produced in exceptional years, comes from the village of Le Mesnil in the Côte des Blancs. It is made from 100% Chardonnay and aged for many years before release. Its minerality, concentration and beautiful fruit are still astonishingly young and deserve further aging. Drink from 2020.In Bond£1,042.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (99)
As always, this exceptional Champagne, only released in top vintages, shows its rare qualities. Its poise between texture, acidity, intense aging ability and minerality are so right. It is ready to drink, but that would be a shame, because this wine will age so well. Drink from 2025.In Bond£999.00 -
Vinous (99)
The 2013 Salon is a huge wine. Dense and explosive, the 2013 possesses almost shocking textural richness for a young Salon. If offers a perfect example of the vintage in the Côtes des Blancs, a year in which ripeness and acids were both elevated. Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers, mint and white pepper explode onto the palate. Bright saline notes pull it all back together on the finish. Dosage is 4.5 grams per liter.In Bond£1,018.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
From a recently released bottle disgorged in 2018, the 1997 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut is showing very well indeed, offering up aromas of citrus oil, crushed chalk, white flowers, warm bread and iodine that are appreciably more youthful than the more mature dried fruit tones that readers will find in bottles of the original disgorgement. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, tensile and incisive, with superb concentration, chalky structure and a long, searingly mineral finish. The 2018 disgorgement saw 3.5 grams per liter dosage, somewhat less than the original release. While the 1996 has the edge, I doubt that, 20 years ago, anyone could have imagined how close the 1997 and 1996 would be as they approach maturity.In Bond£1,426.00
