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Btls
Avail.
|
Btl
Size
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Year
|
Price per
Bottle
including
VAT |
Tasting
Score/Notes
Best Drinking
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NON-VINTAGE
CHAMPAGNE
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NV = Non Vintage |
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VARNIER-FANNIERE
Great value
producer in Avize; with good minerality with multi-dimensional flavours. |
|
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26 |
75cl |
CUVEE ST DENIS
Grand Cru
Blanc de Blanc NV Champagne
VARNIER-FANNIERE
Antonio Galloni -
Denis Varnier's NV Brut
Cuvée St. Denis is an exceptional wine endowed with superb depth,
crystalline purity and fabulous overall balance. Lemon oil, pastry,
white flowers and crushed rocks all literally jump out of the glass in
this beautifully expressive Champagne. The St. Denis remains bright,
floral and perfumed throughout, showing a slightly brighter side of
Chardonnay than the Jean Fannière. The Cuvée St. Denis, from a parcel
with 70+ year old vines in Avize, is stunning today. This release is
equal parts 2009 and 2008 vintages, disgorged in May 2013. Dosage was 7
grams/liter. |
NV |
£28.00 |
AG94
2014-25SPECIAL OFFER
PRICE
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CHAMPAGNE
BARONS de ROTHSCHILD
The name Rothschild is a guaranty of excellence in more
than one field, starting with that of wine.
Associated with some of the most prestigious wines in France and the
world, it is a family name which refers to a tradition combining
expertise and a sense of innovation.
Its representatives have close and long-standing relationships with the
leading families in the Champagne region and have united once again to
honour it by taking up the challenge to launch the Maison de Champagne
Barons de Rothschild. |
|
|
|
|
24 |
75cl |
CHAMPAGNE
BARONS de ROTHSCHILD
Brut Champagne
Antonio Galloni/JR -
(60% Chardonnay and
40% Pinot Noir): Light yellow-gold. Ripe pear and nectarine scents are
sharpened and lifted by hints of citrus zest and smoky minerals. On the
palate, fresh orchard and citrus fruit flavours deepen and spread out
with air while picking up a smoky, leesy quality. Finishes supple and
long, with repeating pear and lees notes. Forty percent of this blend is
reserve wines, by the way. |
NV |
£29.00 |
AG90
2015-22
In Gift-Box
|
|
15 |
75cl |
CHAMPAGNE
BARONS de ROTHSCHILD
Blanc de Blanc
Brut Champagne
Antonio Galloni/JR -
Pale yellow. Orange
zest, lemongrass, jasmine and chalky minerals on the perfumed nose, with
a hint of white pepper adding lift. Juicy, mineral-accented citrus and
orchard fruit flavours are fleshed out by suggestions of melon and
honey, putting on weight with air while maintaining vivacity. Spicy
and focused on the very long, mineral-driven finish, which leaves chalky
mineral and floral notes behind. |
NV |
£35.00 |
AG92
2015-22
In Gift-Box
|
|
7 |
75cl |
CHAMPAGNE
BARONS de ROTHSCHILD
ROSÉ
Brut
Champagne
Antonio
Galloni/JR -
(85% Chardonnay and
15% Pinot Noir): Bright orange-pink. Smoky, lees-tinged aromas of ripe
red berries, orange zest and honey, with a hint of chamomile in the
background. Juicy, penetrating redcurrant and tangerine flavours are
braced and lifted by juicy acidity. Stretches out and gains flesh on the
finish, which leaves suave floral pastille and berry skin notes behind.
The marriage of richness and tension here will make this Champagne very
flexible with food. |
NV |
£32.00 |
AG91
2015-22
In Gift-Box
|
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BOLLINGER
Bollinger
was established in 1829 by Jacques Bollinger and Paul Renaudin. Over
the years the vineyard holdings have been steadily increased with the
largest expansion taking place under the stewardship of the legendary
Mme Lily Bollinger. She ran the company between1941 and 1977 and today
it is managed by her great-nephew, Ghislain de Montgolfier.
Bollinger
produces classic, complex, Pinot-Noir dominated champagnes with
considerable ageing potential. |
|
|
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30 |
75cl |
'SPECIAL CUVEE'
Brut
NV Champagne
BOLLINGER
Antonio Galloni -
The NV Brut Special
Cuvee is fabulous. Hints of pears, pastry crust and hazelnut lead to
an expansive core of fruit. There is plenty of the signature Bollinger
oxidative style in this rich, enveloping Champagne.
Once again the
Special Cuvee is one of the best Champagnes in its price range |
NV |
£35.00 |
AG91
2013-18
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CHARLES HEIDSIECK
Charles
Heidsieck is one of Champagne's historic houses founded some 150 years
ago.
Top quality! |
|
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19 |
75cl |
Champagne Brut 'Reserve'
CHARLES HEIDSIECK
Antonio Galloni/Josh Raynolds -
Bright yellow. Potent
smoke-tinged orchard and pit fruit aromas are complemented by notes of
tarragon, toasted brioche and pungent flowers. Fleshy and broad on
entry, then tighter in the mid-palate, offering juicy pear and
nectarine flavours and a bracing kick of chalky minerals. This rich
yet lively Champagne finishes with very good thrust and length and
repeating smokiness. |
NV |
£35.00 |
AG/JR91
2016-24
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COLLARD-PICARD
A top
quality Champagne House - we strongly recommend you try a bottle of
this excellent Champagne! |
|
|
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|
18 |
75cl |
Champagne Brut
'Cuvee Prestige'
Collard-Picard
"A
gleaming, quiveringly good chardonnay-based champagne (with 25% pinot
meunier and 25% pinot noir). It is both luscious and taut, like a lemon
tart from an expensive patisserie, with exquisite pastry and sharp,
icing sugar-dusted, filling. In contrast to the nice but forgettable
supermarket bottles that have flooded our lives,
Collard-Picard Cuvée Prestige pauses the world.
A sip is a proper sliver of luxury."
–
Victoria Moore, Telegraph Weekend, April 11, 2015 |
NV |
£28.00 |
2016-25
GREAT VALUE!
|
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KRUG
This Champagne
House together with Dom Perignon must surely be the best known of the
Luxury champagne brands.
In terms of winemaking, a key
factors is that malo-lactic fermentation is not practiced and, as
Olivier Krug himself stated, “micro-oxygenation is part of Krug.”
Everything at Krug is fermented in used, small oak casks; It is
generally believe that Krug are the only major Champagne house still
doing this.
|
|
|
TOP QUALITY
Please Try! |
|
3 |
75cl |
KRUG GRANDE CUVEE
EDITION 163
Brut NV Champagne
Antonio
Galloni -
The NV Grand Cuvée 163 Edition is wonderfully open-knit and giving,
qualities that make it a terrific choice for drinking now and over the
next 30 or so years. Pastry, apricot, lemon confit, chamomile and
white flowers, along with soft contours, give the wine its inviting,
alluring personality. There is more than enough energy and overall
freshness to support several decades of fine drinking. Even so, the
163 is virtually impossible to resist at this early stage. |
NV |
£142.00 |
AG95
2017-37 |
|
6 |
75cl |
KRUG GRANDE CUVEE
EDITION 164
Brut NV Champagne
Antonio
Galloni -
Krug's NV Grand Cuvée 164 Edition is a total knockout. Based on
the 2008 vintage, the 164th Edition shows all the crystalline tension
and energy that is such a signature of the year. At times, the 164
reminds me of the 2008 vins clairs I tasted after harvest. The flavours
are brisk, delineated and pulsing with energy, while the more oxidative
notes that are such a signature of Krug Champagnes are not especially
evident. A wine of total pedigree and class, the 164 reminds me of
some of the great Grand Cuvées of the 1960s and 1970s I have been
lucky to taste over the years. No Champagne lover will want to be
without this spectacular, captivating wine. All that said, readers
should be patient, as the 164 is painfully young, austere and in need of
serious cellaring. |
NV |
£165.00 |
AG97
2027-47 |
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VINTAGE
CHAMPAGNE
|
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CHAMPAGNE 'SPECIAL CLUB ' SERIES
Is a unique consortium of 26 Grower-Producers who all bottle their Top
Vintage releases under the
Special Club label. |
|
|
|
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9 |
75cl |
'SPECIAL CLUB'
Brut Vintage Champagne
MARC HEBRART
The 2010 Vintage has not been reviewed
yet; but the 2009 review will give you an idea of the quality of this
cuvee.
RP/Stephan Reinhardt:
The
Special Club is the top cuvée of Marc Hebrart and the pale yellow
2009 is a really subtle and highly elegant and refined Champagne full of
expression and personality. Bright, fresh and precise on the nose where
citrus flavours are intertwined with chalk powder and lovely pip fruit
aromas, the palate is rich and intense but also pure and extremely
delicate due to a light and refined mousseux. Firmly and minerally
structured the finish is very complex, persistent and stimulating.
Still young and a little bit sweet this is an excellent Champagne
with a very good aging potential.
|
2010 |
£38.00 |
RP/SR92+
2014-24
|
|
33 |
75cl |
'SPECIAL CLUB'
Brut Vintage Champagne
GASTON CHIQUET
Antonio Galloni -
Chiquet’s 2005 Brut Special
Club is laced with dried pears, cherries, spices, mint and orange peel.
This is a fairly soft, open Champagne. Like so many 2005s, it appears to
be best suited for drinking over the next few years. Sweet floral and
spiced notes are woven together nicely on the attractive, soft finish. The
Special Club is 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir. |
2005 |
£34.00 |
AG90
2012-22
|
|
7 |
75cl |
'SPECIAL CLUB'
Brut Vintage Champagne
PAUL BARA
Antonio Galloni -
The 2004 Brut Grand Cru
"Special Club" is quite forward and open, which makes it an excellent
choice for drinking over the next few years. Dried flowers, dried
pear, smoke, almond and lightly honeyed notes meld into the supple,
resonant finish. The Special Club is nicely resolved and softened. |
2004 |
£55.00 |
AG92
2015-22
TOP Champagne Vintage
|
|
45 |
75cl |
'SPECIAL CLUB'
ROSÉ
Brut Vintage Champagne
PAUL BARA
Antonio Galloni -
The 2009 Brut Rosé Grand Cru
Special Club is fabulous. Rich, powerful and authoritative, the
2009 hits all the right spots with its creamy yet focused personality.
Don't let the pale-coloured hue fool you, this is a serious Rosé
endowed with real density and pure power. Hints of chalk, rose
petal, cranberry and white pepper lift from the glass, but it is the
wine's texture and overall feel that are most impressive. This is a
fabulous showing. The 2009 is 65% Pinot Noir, 27% Chardonnay and 8%
still Pinot. |
2009 |
£59.00 |
AG94
2015-22
|
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|
|
|
|
CHAMPAGNE
BARONS de ROTHSCHILD
The name Rothschild is a guaranty of excellence in more
than one field, starting with that of wine.
Associated with some of the most prestigious wines in France and the
world, it is a family name which refers to a tradition combining
expertise and a sense of innovation.
Its representatives have close and long-standing relationships with the
leading families in the Champagne region and have united once again to
honour it by taking up the challenge to launch the Maison de Champagne
Barons de Rothschild. |
|
|
|
|
17 |
75cl |
CHAMPAGNE
BARONS de ROTHSCHILD
Brut Vintage Champagne
Very first vintage release.
Top Champagne; will reward laying down.
Not reviewed yet. |
2006 |
£135.00 |
2018-2030
|
|
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|
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BILLECART-SALMON
A TOP Champagne
House; make excellent vintage cuvee's that will keep for years. |
|
|
|
|
12 |
75cl |
CUVEE NICOLAS FRANCOIS
Brut
Vintage Champagne
Billecart-Salmon
Antonio Galloni -
A mesmerizing, thrilling Champagne, the 2002 Cuvée Nicolas François
Billecart is a great example of the vintage at its best. Silky and
racy on the palate, yet a bit more restrained than many wines of the
year, the Nicolas François Billecart remains vivid and remarkably
nuanced. Brioche. apricot jam, wild flowers and honey are some of the
many notes that blossom as the Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart shows
off its voluptuous personality. The 2002 is 60% Pinot Noir and 40%
Chardonnay. |
2002 |
£142.00 |
AG97
2017-42
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
BOLLINGER
Bollinger
was established in 1829 by Jacques Bollinger and Paul Renaudin. Over
the years the vineyard holdings have been steadily increased with the
largest expansion taking place under the stewardship of the legendary
Mme Lily Bollinger. She ran the company between1941 and 1977 and today
it is managed by her great-nephew, Ghislain de Montgolfier.
Bollinger
produces classic, complex, Pinot-Noir dominated champagnes with
considerable ageing potential. |
|
|
|
|
30 |
75cl |
'LA GRANDE ANNÉE
Brut
Vintage Champagne
BOLLINGER
RP/William Kelley:
Bollinger's 2008 La
Grande Année is superb, wafting from the glass with aromas of crisp
orchard fruit, ripe lemons, honeycomb, warm biscuits, dried white
flowers and a delicate top note of walnuts and fino sherry. On the
palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and vinous, with a beautifully
refined mousse, superb concentration at the tightly wound core, incisive
acids and a supremely elegant intermingling of Bollinger's oxidative
stylistic signatures with fresh, vibrant fruit. The finish is long,
precise and chalky. This is a Grande Année built for the cellar—the real
excitement will come with a bit more bottle age—but this is already
a thrilling Champagne in the making. Finished with eight grams per litre
dosage, it was disgorged by hand in July 2018. This is also the first
vintage of Grande Année to be bottled in Bollinger's new narrower-necked
1846 bottle, which should make for a slower evolving wine.
|
2008 |
£115.00 |
RP/WK97+
2022-60
|
|
35 |
75cl |
'LA GRANDE ANNÉE
Brut
Vintage Champagne
BOLLINGER
Antonio Galloni:
Bollinger's 2007 Brut La Grande Année is quite pretty. Elegant,
restrained and understated in style, the 2007 is one of the more
delicate young Grande Années I can remember tasting. Mid-weight
structure and silky texture only reinforce that impression.
Lemon oil, red berry, dried flowers and chamomile open up nicely, but it
is the wine's overall feel that stands out most. Best of all, the 2007
will drink well with no cellaring.
|
2007 |
£70.00 |
AG93
2017-32
|
|
30 |
75cl |
RD 'EXTRA BRUT'
Brut
Vintage Champagne
BOLLINGER
Richard Juhlin:
Nobody can be disappointed here. Perhaps, 2004, is
not one of the most heroic vintages but on the other hand it is one of
the most classic. The very essence of the RD concept is to try to
capture a wine's optimal maturity along with maximum freshness. The
intensity of the mature layers of dark chocolate, tobacco, black
truffles from Vaucluse and a melancholy hiking in the moist autumn
forest is impressive. The mousse may struggle to reach the surface of
the glycerol rich essence of wine. Nevertheless, it tingles of lust
on the tongue when stringency, chalk and jingling pure acids dance over
the finish line. |
2004 |
£135.00 |
RJ96
2022-38
|
|
22 |
75cl |
RD 'EXTRA BRUT'
Brut
Vintage Champagne
BOLLINGER
Antonio Galloni:
The most remarkable thing about the 2002 Extra Brut R.D. is how tense
and structured it is. Despite having been disgorged over two years
ago, the 2002 is very much tightly wound. After several hours, the power
and resonance of the vintage start to come through, along with the
natural richness of Pinot from Aÿ. Whereas most 2002 Champagnes are
quite ripe in profile, the 2002 R.D. has plenty of depth, but it is
depth through concentration as opposed to elevated ripeness. The low
dosage style further adds to that sensation. Hints of chamomile, sage,
dried flower and red fruits emerge over time, but only with reluctance.
I would prefer to cellar the 2002 for at least a few years. If that is
not possible, readers should open the wine at least a few hours in
advance. Even so, the 2002's best drinking lies somewhere in the future.
|
2002 |
£145.00 |
AG95
2020-32
|
|
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|
|
DE SAINT GALL
Richard
Juhlin -
The cooperative's wines are ingredients in, for example, Taittinger
Comtes de Champagne, Grand Siècle, and Dom Pérignon. .... The cuvée
de prestige Orpale is a stunning wine that I buy every new vintage and
the 2002 is no exception.
|
|
|
|
|
38 |
75cl |
CUVEE ORPALE
BLANC de BLANCS
Vintage Champagne
DE SAINT GALL
James Suckling:
This is
really rich and incredible with layers of fruit and a fresh finish.
A pure chardonnay that shows wonderful depth of fruit and length. Very
vinous. Comte de Champagne competitor from a cooperative. Don't miss
it.
www.jamessuckling.com |
2002 |
£70.00 |
JS96
2015-32TOP
Vintage; and TOP Value compared to some of the more famous names. |
|
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EGLY-OURIET
Antonio
Galloni -
A meticulous approach to farming, long aging on the lees and a focus
on well exposed sites forms the quality basis of this house.
These are some of the richest, most vinous Champagnes you will come
across. |
|
|
|
|
34 |
75cl |
GRAND CRU BRUT
Brut Vintage Champagne
EGLY-OURIET
NOT yet reviewed; but a more forward
vintage than 2004. |
2005 |
£79.00 |
2015-25 |
|
13 |
75cl |
GRAND CRU BRUT
Brut Vintage Champagne
EGLY-OURIET
Antonio Galloni -
The 2004 Brut Grand Cru Millésime is precise and delineated in the
glass, with plenty of cut and overall verve.
Crushed flowers, candied lemon, white flowers, almonds, mint and anise
are all finely-knit in this chiselled, crystalline Champagne.
A precise, saline finish rounds things out nicely. The mid-weight,
linear style is very much in keeping with the personality of the year. |
2004 |
£95.00 |
AG93
2015-26
TOP Champagne Vintage
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
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PIERRE GIMONNET
“Gimonnet
Champagnes are marked by their tension and pulsating energy.
Readers will find terrific interpretations of Côtes des Blancs
Chardonnay in this range.”
-
Antonio Galloni |
|
|
A TOP Champagne House - highly recommended! |
|
31 |
75cl |
BRUT FLEURON
Brut Vintage Champagne
GIMONNET
Antonio Galloni -
The 2009 Brut Fleuron is
round, voluptuous and racy. Explosive and spherical on the palate,
the 2009 exudes richness, with plenty of the radiance of the year on
display. Tropical inflections abound in a deep, boisterous Champagne
that feels very ripe by Gimonnet standards. Still, there is so much to
like, especially the way the wine maintains so much freshness given
its intensity. |
2009 |
£35.00 |
AG95
2016-28
|
|
|
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|
|
GOSSET
This Champagne House
dates back to the 16th Century. They produce powerful and vibrant
champagnes, that lend themselves as a good combination to white meat
dishes. |
|
|
A TOP Champagne House - highly recommended! |
|
14 |
75cl |
CELEBRIS EXTRA BRUT
Brut Vintage Champagne
GOSSET
Antonio Galloni -
Magnificent in its complexity and pure breeding, the 2002 Extra Brut
Celebris has it all.
The Extra Brut style confers the signature Gosset drive, while extended
time on the lees has given the wine just enough texture and body to fill
out nicely. In the meantime, the aromas and flavours have mellowed into
those that are typical of Champagne entering the first plateau of its
maturity.
The 2002 is vinous, fleshy and super-expressive, yet retains striking
freshness throughout. Candied lemon peel, apricot jam, honey, mint,
spices and sage form a compelling fabric of flavours and textures in a
knock-out Champagne that is peaking today.
The 2002 is 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir from vineyards in Aÿ, Bouzy,
Verzy, Chouilly and Cramant. |
2002 |
£85.00 |
AG96
2015-28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHARLES HEIDSIECK
Charles
Heidsieck is one of Champagne's historic houses founded some 150 years
ago.
Top quality! |
|
|
|
|
18 |
75cl |
Charles Heidsieck Brut
Millesime
CHARLES HEIDSIECK
Essi Avellan MW -
Deep golden colour. Highly
creamy nose with emerging toasty opulence. Full of luscious, ripe fruit.
Opens beautifully in the glass. There is impressive generosity on the
mouth-filling, oily palate, boosted by concentrated, age-mellowed
fruitiness. Long, almost chewy but appropriately fresh finish. Finely
balanced at 10g/l dosage. |
2006 |
£72.00 |
EA96
2018-30
|
|
33 |
75cl |
'BLANC des MILLENAIRES'
Blanc de Blanc Vintage Champagne
CHARLES HEIDSIECK
Antonio Galloni -
The 1995 Brut Blanc des
Millenaires shows just how compelling this often overlooked vintage can
be. Layers of lemon, pastry spices, crushed rocks and savoury herbs
literally jump from the glass in this exquisite, perfumed, beautifully
delineated Champagne. The 1995 shows lovely flavour complexity and
nuance from its extended time in bottle, yet it also retains plenty of
freshness, verve and acidity. This is a great showing from Charles
Heidsieck. |
1995 |
£142.00 |
AG95
2012-25
|
|
48 |
75cl |
'BLANC des MILLENAIRES'
Blanc de Blanc Vintage Champagne
CHARLES HEIDSIECK
JancisRobinson.com -
Strongly green tone. Even slightly oily on the
nose – dramatic. Real bite and class. Great balance. Tiny bead.
Super-elegant but not wimpy. Makes you salivate. Slightly salty note
on the end. Confident, persistent finish.
|
2004 |
£145.00 |
JR18.5/20
2017-30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PIPER HEIDSIECK
|
|
|
|
|
24 |
75cl |
'CUVEE RARE'
Brut Champagne
PIPER HEIDSIECK
Antonio Galloni/JR -
Light, bright gold. An intensely perfumed bouquet evokes candied orange,
pear and ginger, with building floral and spice nuances.
Juicy and precise on the palate, offering an array of citrus and floral
flavours that become richer with air.
A hint of nuttiness arrives on the finish, which is spicy, focused and
very long.
This Champagne seems set for a long life. |
2002 |
£150.00 |
AG/JR93
2015-35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MOET & CHANDON
Famous
champagne house best known for its excellent DOM PERIGNON Vintage
Champagne Cuvee's |
|
|
|
|
23 |
75cl |
DOM PERIGNON
Brut Vintage Champagne
MOET & CHANDON
Antonio Galloni -
The 2009 Dom Pérignon is a gorgeous, totally seductive Champagne that
will drink well right out of the gate.
Medium in body and unusually open-knit at this stage, the 2009 is one of
the most accessible young Dom Pérignons I can remember tasting. It is an
excellent choice to drink while waiting for the release of the stellar
2008 and some recent vintages that remain very young, including the
2006. Despite the warm, ripe personality of the 2009 Dom Pérignon is
quite gracious, but there is plenty of depth underpinning the fruit.
With each successive tasting, the 2009 seems to have gained more power
and breadth, especially on the finish.
Above all else, the 2009 is decidedly restrained for a warm, radiant
vintage.
It is not as overtly flamboyant as the 2002 nor as phenolically intense
as years like 2003 and 2006. Instead,
the 2009 is a beautifully balanced Champagne, with all of its elements
in the right place. |
2009 |
£112.00 |
AG94+
2017-49 |
|
12 |
75cl |
DOM PERIGNON
'Chef de Cave Legacy Edition'
Brut Vintage Champagne
MOET & CHANDON
Jancis Robinson MW,
JancisRobinson.com -
This is a
limited edition
launched in late 2018 to celebrate the retirement of Richard Geoffroy.
The ‘regular’ 2008 will be released early in 2019 and is exactly the
same cuvée disgorged a little bit later.
So much more austere than the 2009, and really, really dense! The
acidity is so much more obvious and there’s so much packed in there. |
2008 |
£240.00 |
JR19.5/20.0
2020-58 |
|
29 |
75cl |
DOM PERIGNON
Brut Vintage Champagne
MOET & CHANDON
Antonio Galloni -
The 2008 Dom Pérignon is fabulous,
but quite remarkably, it was even more open when I tasted it a year ago.
Bright, focused and crystalline in its precision, the 2008 is going to
need a number of years before it is at its best. Lemon peel, white
flowers, mint and white pepper give the 2008 its chiselled, bright
profile.
Several recent bottles have all been magnificent.
What I admire most about the 2008 is the way it shows all the focus,
translucence and energy that is such a signature of the year, and yet it
is also remarkably deep and vertical.
In other words, the 2008 is a Champagne that plays in three dimensions. |
2008 |
£150.00 |
AG98+
2020-58 |
|
20 |
75cl |
DOM PERIGNON
Brut Vintage Champagne
MOET & CHANDON
Antonio Galloni -
The 2006 Dom Pérignon is a beautifully balanced, harmonious Dom Pérignon
that strikes an incredibly appealing stylistic middle ground.
Rich, voluptuous and creamy, the 2006 shows off fabulous intensity in a
style that brings together the ripeness of 2002 with the greater sense
of verve and overall freshness that is such a signature of the 2004.
The 2006 falls into the family of riper, more voluptuous Dom Pérignons,
but without veering into the level of opulence seen in vintages such as
2002. |
2006 |
£130.00 |
AG97
2016-46TOP
Vintage; will be a Classic! |
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11 |
75cl |
DOM PERIGNON
Brut Vintage Champagne
MOET & CHANDON
Antonio Galloni -
One of the stars in this tasting,
the 2004 Dom Pérignon is starting to express the potential it hinted at
as a young wine.
Specifically, the 2004 has gained quite a bit of volume and overall
depth within the last few years.
The first signs of aromatic nuance are starting to develop, which
suggests the 2004 will soon enter its first plateau of maturity.
|
2004 |
£140.00 |
AG97
2017-39TOP
Vintage; will be a Classic! |
|
15 |
75cl |
DOM PERIGNON
Brut Vintage Champagne
MOET & CHANDON
Antonio Galloni -
The 2002 Dom Pérignon speaks to opulence and intensity.
Rich, layered and voluptuous in the glass, the 2002 shows off its
flamboyant personality with flair. Butter, cooked apple and
tropically-leaning fruits mesh together effortlessly. Interestingly,
with time in the glass the 2002 gains in freshness and energy without
losing its essential opulence.
The elevated ripeness of the year gives the 2002 Dom Pérignon distinctly
Puligny-Montrachet leaning inflections.
Chef de Caves Richard Geoffroy adds that August that year was hot and
very dry. Rain towards the end of the month and into early September
freshened the vines and accelerated the final phase of ripening.
This is yet another fabulous showing from the 2002, which continues to
cement its reputation as a truly epic Dom Pérignon.
IN GIFT-PACKS |
2002 |
£165.00 |
AG98
2015-42TOP
Vintage; will be a Classic! |
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PAUL BARA
According to the
expert Champagne critic Richard Juhlin:
"Paul Bara is a
legend.....his Champagne is of world class". |
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50 |
75cl |
COMTESSE MARIE de FRANCE
Brut Vintage Champagne
PAUL BARA
Antonio Galloni -
The 2004 Brut Grand Cru
Comtesse Marie de France is beautifully focused in the glass, with much
of the pure energy and verve that is missing in the Special Club. The
interplay of freshness from the year allied to the inherent vinous
richness of Bouzy Pinot Noir yields a striking Champagne that truly
dazzles.
This is a knock-out from Paul Bara. The Comtesse Marie de France is 100%
Pinot Noir from the estate's oldest vines. Disgorged: January 2015. |
2004 |
£70.00 |
AG94
2015-25 |
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PERRIER JOUET
An excellent champagne
house; famous for its 'art nouveau' flower decorated bottles of their
Top Cuvee Belle Epoque. |
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36 |
75cl |
BELLE EPOQUE
Brut Vintage Champagne
Perrier Jouet
Wine Spectator -
This finely knit and lithe Champagne is smoky up front, opening into a
lovely range of pastry, glazed apricot, lemon curd and candied ginger
notes in the glass. Vibrant acidity drives the satin like finish.
|
2008 |
£148.00 |
WS94
2019-32TOP
VINTAGE!
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PHILIPPONNAT
A TOP Champagne
House - The Cuvee 1522 is an excellent way to discover the
potential of this Champagne House. |
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18 |
75cl |
CUVEE '1522'
Extra Brut Champagne
PHILIPPONNAT
RP/Stephan Reinhardt -
Mainly from Aÿ (with a bit of Mailly and
Oger as well as Cramant) the 2008 Grand Cru Extra Brut 1522 blends 58%
Pinot Noir with 42% Chardonnay and opens with a concentrated tropical
fruit aroma (pineapples, stone fruits, almonds) but remains precise and
chalky as well as spicy on the nose. Full-bodied, fresh and clear on
the palate, with nutty and lingering mineral flavours, this is a
very complex and firmly structured yet very delicate and expressively
mineral Champagne with a long and tight finish. |
2008 |
£78.00 |
RP/ST94
2020-40 |
|
6 |
75cl |
CUVEE 'CLOS des GOISSES'
Extra Brut Champagne
PHILIPPONNAT
RP/Stephan Reinhardt -
From a cooler, fresher vintage and based on more Chardonnay than usual
(55%), with 45% Pinot Noir, the Philipponnat 2008 Clos des Goisses
Extra-Brut shows an exciting bouquet of bright fruits, crushed chalk,
bread and iodine notes. On the palate, this is an excitingly vibrant,
fresh and chalky Clos with lovely citrus and cumquat flavours on the
finish. The 2008 is very complex, bright, super clear and fresh,
with a tightly woven structure but still great finesse and elegance.
This is a fabulous Clos for the next three decades. |
2008 |
£178.00 |
RP/ST96+
2019-50 |
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POL ROGER
Winston Churchill loved the Champagne from PR - a great recommendation!
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One of the UK's favourite Champagne Houses - highly recommended! |
|
30 |
75cl |
POL ROGER BRUT
Blanc de Blancs Champagne
POL ROGER
RP/Stephan Reinhardt
-
Great elegance and
finesse already on the perfectly brilliant and aromatic nose shows Pol
Roger's 2008 Blanc de Blancs Brut, displaying white and stewed
apples with fine citrus flavours and discreet chalky aromas. The palate
is dense and citric, as if limes and lemons are squeezed on a chalky
rock. The purity, power and intensity is as remarkable, as is the
finesse and persistence of the bubbles, the mousse on the palate and the
long, persistent finish. Dosed with seven grams per litre, this
extraordinary Blanc de Blanc Brut tastes drier than the Réserve Brut,
but reveals a perfect ripeness of yellow fruits. The finish is lovely
aromatic and intense, but also clear, fresh, firm and absolutely
stimulating. This is a great Blanc de Blancs from the Grand Cru
villages of Oiry, Chouilly, Cramant, Avize and Oger. |
2012 |
£88.00 |
RP95
2016-27
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52 |
75cl |
POL ROGER BRUT
Brut Vintage Champagne
POL ROGER
Jancis Robinson MW -
Rich, creamy nose - super-seductive. Very
different from the rigour of the 2008. Come on in, it says. Noticeably
ripe and absolutely ready with relatively but not dangerously low
acidity. A throat-soother with good undertow and medium body. Neat
and friendly. |
2009 |
£59.00 |
JR17/20
2017-23
In Individual Gift Packs
|
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47 |
75cl |
POL ROGER BRUT
Brut Vintage Champagne
POL ROGER
Jancis Robinson MW -
Really quite broad and ripe on the nose with mildly floral notes and a
hint of putty. Really very dramatic! Even a hint of marzipan. Creamy
texture with a little bruised apple acidity. Admirably long.
Really exciting. Is this a worthy successor to the 2002?
Dink 2017-2030. |
2008 |
£68.00 |
JR18/20
2017-30
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LOUIS ROEDERER
One of the TOP
Houses in Champagne - best known for its CRISTAL Cuvee which was much
loved by Tsar Alexander II of Russia.
CRISTAL
is
offered only in the truly ‘great’ years: those in which
the ripeness of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes will provide the
subtle, precise balance and wonderful richness that has now become
synonymous with one of the leading prestige cuvées of Champagne. |
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6 |
75cl |
CRISTAL
Brut Champagne
LOUIS ROEDERER
Antonio
Galloni -
The 2008 Cristal is a real head-turner.
Powerful, ample and explosive in all of its dimensions, the 2008 takes
hold of the sense and never lets up. There is a crystalline purity
to the flavours that is simply remarkable. Although still a baby, the
2008 looks like it will soon take its place alongside the greatest
Cristals. Today, it is breathtaking. |
2008 |
£240.00 |
AG98+
2020-58 |
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TAITTINGER
The Taittinger
Comtes de Champagne white is always a Blanc de Blancs (100%
chardonnay), and only produced in the best vintages; recent top vintages
are 1995, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. |
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Antonio Galloni -
"Comtes de Champagne remains the best value in grand marque Tête de
Cuvée Champagne". |
|
36 |
75cl |
COMTES de CHAMPAGNE
Blanc de Blanc Vintage Champagne
TAITTINGER
Antonio
Galloni -
Taittinger's 2007 Comtes de Champagne will be
nearly impossible to resist upon release. Soaring aromatics,
mid-weight structure and soft contours give the 2007 its alluring
personality. Lemon oil, white flowers, mint, chamomile and green
pear add brightness and freshness throughout, with a persistent, clean
finish that makes it impossible to resist a second taste. Today, the
2007 comes across as a slightly more open version of the 2004, with
freshness that makes that wine so appealing, and a touch of textural
richness that recalls the 2002. Although the 2007 does not have the
explosive energy or verticality of the profound 2006, it will drink
better earlier. The 2007 has been positively brilliant on the three
occasions I have tasted it so far. |
2007 |
£90.00 |
AG96
2018-47 |
|
42 |
75cl |
COMTES de CHAMPAGNE
Blanc de Blanc Vintage Champagne
TAITTINGER
Antonio
Galloni -
The 2006 Comtes de Champagne is striking, especially in
the way it brings together elements of ripeness and freshness in a
hypothetical blend of the 2002 and 2004. Smooth and creamy on the
palate, the 2006 is all about texture. There is a real feeling of
density and weight in the 2006, qualities I expect to see grow with time
in the bottle. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. The 2006
has been nothing short of magnificent both times I have tasted it.
Comtes de Champagne remains the single best value (in relative terms) in
tête de cuvée Champagne. I suggest buying a case and following it over
the next 20-30 years, which is exactly what I intend to do. There is
little doubt the 2006 Comtes de Champagne is a magical Champagne in the
making. |
2006 |
£90.00 |
AG97+
2016-46 |
|
7 |
75cl |
COMTES de CHAMPAGNE
Blanc de Blanc Vintage Champagne
TAITTINGER
Antonio
Galloni - Taittinger fans
will want to stock away at least a few bottles of the 2005 Comtes de
Champagne, if nothing else to satisfy the urge while some of the
more important recent vintages continue to age in the cellar.
The 2005 is immediate, deep and nicely textured, with overt fruit and
fewer of the intense floral, mineral-driven notes that are typical.
The first signs of aromatic development appear to off on the horizon by
a few years, but at the same time, I don't expect the 2005 to be one of
the more long-lived vintages here. Comtes de Champagne remains the
best value in grand marque Tête de Cuvée Champagne. |
2005 |
£85.00 |
AG93
2014-25 |
|
25 |
75cl |
COMTES de CHAMPAGNE
Blanc de Blanc Vintage Champagne
TAITTINGER
Antonio
Galloni -
I am thrilled with the way the 2004 Comtes de Champagne continues to
evolve in bottle.
A few years ago, the 2004 was quite focused and linear, in the style of
the vintage, but more recently, the wine has begun to fill out
beautifully.
The 2004 remains bright, with a full range of citrus, white flower and
mineral nuances that dance on the palate.
A brisk, saline-infused finish rounds things out beautifully in a Comtes
that impresses for its crystalline purity.
I expect the 2004 will always remain a bit cool next to the more opulent
2002, but it is still drop-dead gorgeous.
|
2004 |
£115.00 |
AG96
2014-34 |
|
30 |
75cl |
COMTES de CHAMPAGNE
Blanc de Blanc Vintage Champagne
TAITTINGER
Antonio
Galloni -
Taittinger's 2002 Brut Blanc
de Blancs Comtes de Champagne is off the charts.
I have tasted the 2002 now many times, and it has never been less than
thrilling. A vivid kaleidoscope of pure Chardonnay aromas and
flavours opens up in the glass. The 2002 is at once incredibly rich yet
also totally weightless and impeccable in its balance. All the
classic Comtes notes are there, but with a level of detail and nuance I
don't think I have ever seen before. The 2002 is breathtakingly
beautiful today, but also appears to have the stuffing to age for
decades. Readers who can track down the 2002 are in store for
something truly great. |
2002 |
£176.00 |
AG98
2013-42 |
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