Epitomising vigorous finesse, the Adrien Renoir Les Montants Grand Cru 2018 delights the senses with its unparalleled richness. Nurtured in the heart of Côte des Blancs, a premier region known for creating incredible Chardonnays, this opulent vintage bears an impressive reputation. This Grand Cru, fashioned from meticulously hand-harvested grapes, ideally illustrates Adrien Renoir's expertise. An exquisite champagne, the wine seduces with its lush pear, apple pastry and candied ginger flavours.

Crafted through the traditional "méthode champenoise," it ensures fine effervescence and delicate texture. A reposing maturation period of 3 years on lees rewards it with complexity and depth. Renoir's dedication to sustainable viticulture is also manifested in this superior quality Grande Cru.

The Adrien Renoir Les Montants Grand Cru 2018 is slightly mineral in its finish – a signature of its chalky soils - offering an eloquent rage to the last sip. This is more than a drinking experience – it is a testament to France's time-honoured wine tradition.

Vinous (92)

The NV (2018) Blanc de Noirs Val Vilaine is bright, fresh and wonderfully nuanced. Orchard fruit, citrus and floral notes give the Val Vilaine so much energy. Cédric Bouchard coaxes so much nuance from these 40 year-old vines. The Val Vilaine is always the youngest wine in the range - the current release is the 2018, which spent just 15 months on its lees - but it will give readers who aren't familiar with these wines a very good idea of the house style. Zero dosage. Disgorged: April 2020.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2018 Blanc de Blancs La Bolorée has also turned out beautifully, offering up aromas of clear honey, peach, white flowers, crushed mint, orange zest and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and racy palate that's simultaneously rich and intensely mineral, exhibiting a beautifully fine-boned, elegantly vinous profile and a long, sapid finish.

Chartogne-Taillet Hors Serie Extra Brut Grand Cru 2018 is a prestigious selection from the venerable Chartogne-Taillet vineyard located in Merfy village, Champagne region, France. This opulent wine brims with well-defined characters from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, grown exclusively on the winery's grand cru site. Exhibiting meticulous vinification, this pristinely bottled wine undergoes wild yeast fermentation in oak barrels followed by unhurried aging process adding to its finesse.

Alexandre Chartogne vineyard’s reputation rests upon its commitment to hand-harvesting ensuring only supreme quality grapes find way into each cuvee. The Chartogne-Taillet Hors Serie Extra Brut Grand Cru 2018 showcases profound layering of crisp apple, honey, and lightly toasted brioche, circumvented by exhilarating acidity and minerality. A polished wine of this magnitude boasts a persistent, creamy finish, making it a compelling choice for discerning palates. Elevate your fine wine collection with the impeccable Chartogne-Taillet Hors Serie Extra Brut Grand Cru 2018.

Chartogne-Taillet Hors Serie Extra Brut Grand Cru 2018 is a prestigious selection from the venerable Chartogne-Taillet vineyard located in Merfy village, Champagne region, France. This opulent wine brims with well-defined characters from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, grown exclusively on the winery's grand cru site. Exhibiting meticulous vinification, this pristinely bottled wine undergoes wild yeast fermentation in oak barrels followed by unhurried aging process adding to its finesse.

Alexandre Chartogne vineyard’s reputation rests upon its commitment to hand-harvesting ensuring only supreme quality grapes find way into each cuvee. The Chartogne-Taillet Hors Serie Extra Brut Grand Cru 2018 showcases profound layering of crisp apple, honey, and lightly toasted brioche, circumvented by exhilarating acidity and minerality. A polished wine of this magnitude boasts a persistent, creamy finish, making it a compelling choice for discerning palates. Elevate your fine wine collection with the impeccable Chartogne-Taillet Hors Serie Extra Brut Grand Cru 2018.

As an expert connoisseur, I can confidently present the Chartogne-Taillet Les Couarres Extra Brut 2018, a superb representation of Alexandre Chartogne's labour of love. This enticing wine, from the esteemed Champagne region of France, has set a new benchmark in quality. Chartogne-Taillet, an artisan domain steeped in history, cultivates the Les Couarres vineyard with meticulous care, yielding this exquisitely crafted Extra Brut.

This 2018 vintage embodies the sensation of perfect ripeness intertwined with the unmistakable terroir of Merfy. The unique, limestone-enriched soil influences the wine's distinctive minerality, while the blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay lends remarkable freshness. Throughout its creation process, the Chartogne-Taillet Les Couarres Extra Brut 2018 undergoes traditional vinification in oak barrels, enhancing its complexity and longevity.

Full-bodied, with a crisp, elegant finish, this wine lends itself to a myriad of culinary pairings. Savour the Chartogne-Taillet Les Couarres Extra Brut 2018; a toast to the finest form of viticulture.

Experience the breathtaking alpine elegance encapsulated in Dominique Belluard Ayze Les Perles du Mont Blanc 2018. Fashioned from Gringet grapes, a rare variety peculiar to the Savoie region of France, this biodynamic sparkling wine resonates with unique authenticity.

Produced by esteemed winemaker Dominique Belluard in the small vineyard of Ayze, the wine pays a testament to the artisan's commitment to preserving indigenous grape varieties. It boasts an exceptional mountain freshness, derived from vines growing on the slopes of Mont Blanc.

The 2018’s vintage has undergone a refined méthode traditionnelle process, accentuating its full-bodied yet delicate character. A vivacious minerality is intertwined with nuances of candied fruits, white flowers, and a subtle hint of brioche. This ethereal combination elucidates a complex structure of the wine with a lingering finish.

Dominique Belluard Ayze Les Perles du Mont Blanc 2018 exemplifies the splendour of France's high-altitude winemaking, rendering a vibrant orchestra of taste that celebrates terroir's paramount significance.

Presenting Emilien Feneuil Cuvee Mix Blanc de Blancs 2018, a distinct testament to fine winemaking craftsmanship. Crafted in the prolific vineyards of Burgundy, France, renowned for their exceptional Chardonnay grapes, this fine white wine exudes refined elegance. The exceptional cuvee is an innovative mix of pure Chardonnay, enriched through traditional vinification methods within a temperature-controlled environment, to develop its unique depth and complexity.

Producer Emilien Feneuil, acclaimed across the wine connoisseur community, persistently prioritises quality above quantity, as reflected in this limited batch release. His traditional methods ensure each vintage is enriched with distinctive character.

The Emilien Feneuil Cuvee Mix Blanc de Blancs 2018 embodies a rich bouquet of blossoming apple, pear and lemon notes, delivering an impeccably balanced palate and crystalline finish that distinguishes it from the rest. Invest in the divine offering of Emilien Feneuil, for an enriching voyage of fine wine discovery.

Wine Advocate (92)

From vins clairs vinified in 500-liter barrels, the 2018 Extra Brut Premier Cru Le Mont des Chrétiens offers up youthfully reductive aromas of pear, spices, white flowers and praline. Full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with lively acids and saline finish, it largely conceals its 13.6% alcohol, but it remains something of a heavyweight.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2018 Extra Brut Premier Cru Le Mont Benoit unwinds in the glass with scents of orange oil, nectarine and peach mingled with hints of white flowers, buttery pastry and frangipane. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and precise, with a racy spine of acidity and a fine-boned, elegant profile, it concludes with a bright, chalky finish.

Revered for its finesse, the Jerome Prevost La Closerie Fac Simile Extra Brut Rose 2018 is a true reflection of the exceptional wine craftsmanship prevalent in La Closerie, Champagne. It is here, from only 2.2 hectares of vineyards, that winemaking savant Jerome Prevost, concocts his enchanting libations. Utilising a solera system, he ensures continuity of taste over vintages.

This extraordinary 2018 rose, predominantly realised from Pinot Meunier grown on limestone and silt, exhibits an enticing nose of oranges, rose petals and red berries, supported by a precise mineral structure. On the palate, it reveals a harmonious dialogue between zesty acidity and succulent fruit layers, making it a perfect companion for seafood or aperitifs.

Experience sheer indulgence in every drop with Jerome Prevost La Closerie Fac Simile Extra Brut Rose 2018 - a sparkling jewel from the Champagne region that personifies the brilliance of its creator.

Vinous (93)

The 2018 Extra-Brut Les Beguines is a gorgeous Champagne from Jérôme Prévost. In this release, the Beguines is a bit more ethereal than it can be. There is plenty of Meunier character, with dried orchard fruit, spice and hazelnut flavors that are nicely lifted. This edition is 90% 2018 plus 10% reserve wines, all done in the 600-liter casks that Prévost favors. What the 2018 lacks in depth it more than makes up for with its charm and accessibility. Dosage is 2.5 grams per liter. (Originally published in May 2021)

Derived from the chalky terroirs of Chavot, in Champagne, France, Laherte Frères Les Grandes Crayères 2018 is an exemplary expression of biodynamically farmed Chardonnay. This extraordinary single-vineyard cuvee is produced by the esteemed Laherte Frères, a family-held maison initiated in 1889. The wine offers an elegant, mineral-driven profile, owing to the distinctive craye- rich soils, a characteristic the cuvee's name pays homage to.

The vintage was aged on lees for 24 months, enriching its sophistication and depth. When savoured, it unfolds layers of white fruits, pristine citrus and a hint of brioche. This vibrant yet linear wine perfectly balances intensity, ripeness and finesse. The Laherte Frères Les Grandes Crayères 2018 showcases its desirability in longevity, capable of expressing increased complexity with time. A must-add to any discerning connoisseur's collection, the wine clearly manifests the artistry of winemaking excellence infused with high reverence for the terroir.

For those with a palate for fine champagnes, the Nicolas Maillart Franc de Pied Extra Brut 2018 is an exquisite selection noted for its distinctive personality and superior craftsmanship. Produced in the renowned Montagne de Reims region of Champagne, France, this extraordinary cuvée from Nicolas Maillart is meticulously crafted with 100% Pinot Noir grapes cultivated from a strict selection of ungrafted vines, a testament to the Maillart family's innovative viticulture practices.

With an ageing period that extends up to four years, the Brut champagne offers a clear, bright expression of fruit, layered with subtle minerality and flinty undertones, wrapped in a naturally lower dosage to yield its characteristic 'Extra Brut' profile. In keeping with his commitment to sustainable farming, Maillart's wines are Ecocert certified organic, reflecting his dedicated stewardship of the land. A bottle of Nicolas Maillart Franc de Pied Extra Brut 2018 represents not just exceptional quality, but a taste of the vintner’s authentic commitment to the art of winemaking.

Exemplifying exceptional savoir-faire, the Nicolas Maillart Villers-Allerand Premier Cru Mont Martin 2018 is an embodiment of precision and purity. This illustrious libation originates from an eponymous plot within the Montagne de Reims region of Champagne, France, crafted meticulously by the reputable N.Maillart estate, with nine generations of epicurean acumen.

This exquisite wine encapsulates a harmonious blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, resulting in robust character and ardent complexity. It boasts an impressive maturation period, having been aged both in stainless steel vats and in oak barrels for the utmost depth and multilayered flavour profile. Its sterling reputation is further accentuated through a 'Extra Brut' classification, signifying a relatively low residual sugar level.

When appreciating Nicolas Maillart Villers-Allerand Premier Cru Mont Martin 2018, anticipate a brilliant gold hue, with a delicate bead and a delectable palate of almond and white fruit. Enjoy the perfect matrimony of intricate aromas and refined acidity, promising an unforgettable epicurean experience.

The radiant Philippe Lancelot Chouilly Grand Cru Le Fond du Bateau 2018 is a distinguished offering from a Champagne vintner that confers respect for excellent wines. Emerging from Grand Cru vineyards of Chouilly, in northern Champagne, this exquisite wine is produced by the Lancelot family, artisans of vine growing and winemaking since generations. Master of biodynamic viticulture, Philippe Lancelot, harnesses his grapes from a single plot, 'Le Fond du Bateau', to craft this unique cuvée.

Expertly vinified in enamel vats, this 2018 vintage amazes with its intricate intensity and mineral expression. No dosage is added, allowing the wine to articulate its terroir impeccably. The result is a symphony of fine, crisp acidity alongside ripe fruits, adorned with a profound chalky minerality. Notably, its delicate bubbles and persistent finish don the Philippe Lancelot Chouilly Grand Cru Le Fond du Bateau 2018 with an remarkable elegance, making it a collectors' triumph.

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

Made from 60% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay, with 15% red wine from Les Riceys, the 2018 Champagne Vintage Brut Rosé pours a bright but deeper shade of pink with an orange hue and is forward with aromas of ripe raspberry, rose petal, orange peel, and a hint of spice. Medium to full-bodied, it has broad shoulders and a bit of tannic grip, with a fine mousse that fades to the background, allowing the wine's more serious side to show off its style. Chalky and powerful on the palate, with wonderful clarity and a long finish, it’s going to move into its more savory side with another couple of years in the cellar. It will pair well alongside roast duck and through the end of a meal. Drink 2025-2045.

Jancis Robinson (17+)

Very zesty with strong citrus notes. Still quite tight from magnum but very respectable. CEO Laurent d'Harcourt of Pol remarked that 'it had to be good after 2017' and that it was made in much bigger quantity. Much is expected of the 2019.