Availability:
Sparklings
Nothing quite matches the sparkle and sensation of fine bubbles dancing across the tongue. However, not everyone can drink Champagne on a regular basis. That's why we also stock affordable, quality Loire Valley sparklings, Prosecco, Sparkling reds and more, tasting hundreds of examples each year to bring you the best at any given price point.
-
- 95
Mr Riggs Battleaxe Sparkling ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2019-2025)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Crown SealThe Battle Axe (Ben Riggs mother in law) is the motivation for this sparkling Shiraz. Its traditionally made with mature premium McLaren Vale Shiraz aged in old oak, finished off with a touch of vintage fortified Shiraz.
A frothy dark red tinged mousse dissipates to reveal a deep dark red black coloured base that has a steady stream of fine bubbles flowing through it. The nose offers up aromas of dark plums, dark chocolate and liquorice over earthy vanillin oak and spice notes. Rich dark plum, liquorice and dark chocolate fruits have a velvety feel with an undercard of earth, spicy vanilla and a hint of leather. Finishes rich and luscious.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5% - Mumm Grand Cordon ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Cork
Mumm Grand Cordon is the epitome of the House’s signature style, and leans heavily on the power and structure of Pinot Noir, balanced with the elegance and minerality of Chardonnay, and the fruitiness of Pinot Meunier. A portion of the reserve wines in this cuvée are aged in oak vats bringing even greater aromatic complexity. Finally Grand Cordon is presented in a unique bottle where the famous red sash is moulded directly into the glass.
-
- 90
Mumm Cordon Rouge ChampagneChampagne,$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: 2 - 3 Years (2015-2016)ABV: 12%Closure: CorkRe-tasted on 7/11/2013:
Pours with a very frothy white mousse showing excellent hold. Pale straw base wine colour with exceptionally fine and very persistent bead. Yeast lees and citrus top notes are followed by some baked apple and pear. On the palate pear and yeast lees flavours are followed by some baked bread and citrus. Slightly creamy with a clean crisp dry finish. Aftertaste of yeast lees, baked bread and citrus.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc 12%Tasting Note:
Fresh golden yellow colour with jade tints, an elegant stream of bubbles rising to form a rich, lively foam. The nose develops aromas of lemon and grapefruit, with notes of white peach, apricot and acidulous apple. Lingering notes of vanilla, dried fruit and honey. Complex fresh fruit and caramel flavours are the mark of a great wine. A touch of acidity and remarkable length in the mouth make a consistently delightful finish.
Alc/Vol: 12.5%
Notes sourced from MummIn the late nineteenth century, this champagne was decorated with the famous red ribbon, as a tribute to the Légion d'Honneur. 77 wines make up this reference champagne. Well-structured, tonic, elegant and long, Cordon Rouge sums up the spirit, know-how and dynamism of the Mumm champagne house.
Pinot Noir (45%), rounded and full, structures this blend with strength and power. Fruitiness, liveliness and a rustic feel are provided by Pinot Meunier (25%). Chardonnay (30%) gives this champagne all its finesse and elegance.
-
- 91
- Vegan
2024 Muto ProseccoMurray Darling, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$21. 99Bottle$263.88 DozenABV: 11%Closure: Crown SealMuto Wine is operated by the Smit family, based in Tallarook, Victoria. They utilise climate-appropriate, alternative varieties to produce wines that are characterised by their integrity, thoughtful production, and pure drinkability.
Sourced from the Chalmers Merbein vineyard, destemmed fruit was basket pressed to tank for wild-fermentation and matured on lees for 6 months. Bubbles were created using the Charmat method before bottling on site with minimal sulphur.
A lacy mousse subsides to reveal a pale straw coloured core that has pale gold tinged edges and a very fine bead flowing through it. Drifting through the nose are attractive ripe pear, baked apple and quince scents followed by some subtle dried honey and toast notes. Vividly crisp green apple, quince and lemon fruits have a zippy, electric like feel across the palate. Finishes bone dry and chalky with some minerality also evident.
Alc. 11% -
- 92
2011 Nadeson Collis MillesimeHenty, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews….
This has a splash of the Lethbridge sparkling solera (dates back to 2003 but mostly from 2006 and onwards) but is predominately 2011 (as in, legally so) and chardonnay only from the dominant 2011 component. New sparklings on the market from Lethbridge are pretty darn interesting and good. It spends eight years on lees.
Strong sea spray, wet fern, lemon-lime and blossom scents with whiffs of grilled nuts in the mix. Brisk across the palate with a lean, racy pulse of salty acidity, crunchy green apple and lime juice. Some richness in oily notes, slightly distracting buttery-soapy, really long and fine finish compensating with a starburst of pulpy grapefruit finishing things. Refreshing, energetic, bright and intense. Works in two speeds, stays interesting in whatever gear you find it in. Drink 2020 - 2030.
92 points
Mike Bennie – The Wine Front (February 2020) -
- 97
- 97
- 95
2008 Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d’Or Vintage ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$325. 00Bottle$3900.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkA buoyant creamy white mousse sits atop a straw coloured base that has pale gold edges and an exceptionally fine bead streaming through its core. Potent baked bread, yeast lees, citrus and brioche aromas flow through the nostrils followed by hints of cashew, dried honey and toast. Rich, full and enveloping on entry, the palate is engulfed with a creamy textured flavour profile of brioche, yeasty baked bread, dried honey, roasted cashew and a lingering oily toast like quality. Concentrated, powerful and mouth filling, citrusy like acidity lends freshness to the very long cashew laced finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews…..
Rich oxidative and vinous old-school style of Champagne. Rich with toffee apples, lemon curd on toast, brioche rolls and butter. The palate is just on the edge of Brut, with red apple and baked blueberry flavours. Nothing overdone, nothing overripe, nothing overmature - pure, persistent quality. Delicious!
97 Points
DecanterVery flinty, with straw and dried goat’s-cheese character to the dried apples, honeycomb and some bread dough. Medium to full body with a dense center-palate and creamy texture. Dried lemon and orange peel notes, together with spice, dust and ginger. Structured and phenolic. Drink or hold.
95 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 94
Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkA satiny mousse slowly subsides to reveal a pale straw to straw coloured base that has gold tinged edges. Flowing through its core is a fine persistent bead. Rich aromatics of baked bread, yeast lees, dried honey, pear, almond and oily toast like notes engulf the nostrils. Full, rich and expansive the palate is layered with baked bread, yeast lees and pear flavours which are intermeshed with honeyed cashew and oily toast like elements. Creamy textured it finishes dry and crisp with a long enveloping conclusion.
Alc. 12% -
- 96
- 97
- 95
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2008 Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d’Or Rose Intense ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkPours with a very exuberant mousse that eventually subsides to reveal deep rose petal/blood orange coloured base that has a very fine bead flowing through it. Intense yeast lees, baked bread and oily toast like aromas are complimented by hints of strawberry cream, dried apple and brioche. Rich and mouth filling, expansive yeast lees and baked bread flavours mix with strawberry, raspberry and pear fruits. A delicate hazelnut element lingers underneath. The long, dry, chalky finish sculptured by vividly crisp acidity.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
This is incredible with subtle cedar, creme brulee, crabapple, cedar and Chinese five spices, as well as dust. Full to medium body. Light tannins. Cedar and mahogany. Serious rosé that reminds me of great red Burgundy. Fantastic. Very dry. Fascinating. Unique. Drink now.
97 Points
JamesSuckling.comTightly meshed and harmonious, this pale, garnet-colored rosé Champagne shows density, with notes of steeped raspberry, dried mint, orange peel and iron slowly expanding on the plush, finely textured mousse. Fresh and focused, opening beautifully in the glass, this should pair nicely with food, even dishes incorporating poultry or light game.
95 Points
Wine Spectator -
- 93
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2017-2019)ABV: 12%Closure: CorkA lacy white mousse sits over a pale straw gold coloured base wine that’s threaded by a fine bead that shows good persistence. The nose is quite full and rich with a distinct honeyed character to it. Aromas of ripe pear, yeast lees and toast are overlaid by honeycomb like characters. The palate follows the lead of the nose with some oxidative characters present featuring flavours of oily baked bread, yeast lees, subtle dried honey and lingering cashew. Dry crisp finish with a sense of creaminess to the mid palate. Concludes with an aftertaste of oily baked bread, yeast lees, subtle dried honey characters and roasted nuts.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 90
Nicolas Maillart Extra Brut Premier Cru ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
A blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the NV Extra-Brut Premier Cru was disgorged in February 2019 with three grams per liter dosage. Offering up aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, dried white flowers and citrus oil, it's medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive, with a perceptibly drier, tangier profile than Maillart's more enveloping Brut Platine.
90 points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
Nino Franco Rustico ProseccoValdobbiadene, ITALY$41. 99Bottle$503.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesABV: 11%Closure: Diam CorkA fluffy mousse sits well over a pale straw coloured base that has a nimble flow of bubbles coursing through it. On the nose pear and red apple aromas mix with some bready notes, hints of sherbet and quince. Airy in its feel delicious pear and apple fruits caress the palate with a gentle creaminess. Notions of quince and delicate sherbet lurk underneath. Finishes dry with crisp acidity and a refreshing yet soft, lacy aftertaste.
Alc. 11%
Other Reviews....
This lovely sparkler never disappoints. It's fragrant, with delicate scents of white spring flowers and white stone fruits while the dry, refreshing palate offers ripe pear, apple and white peach alongside a hint of fennel seed. An elegant perlage and fresh acidity provide the backdrop.
94 points
Wine Enthusiast -
- 89
Ninth Island Chardonnay Pinot Noir Pinot Meunier BrutTasmania, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkGood white creamy mousse showing only moderate hold. Pale straw base wine colour with very fine and profuse bead. The nose displays good lift with pear and citrus top notes followed by some light toast. On the palate pear, grapefruit and citrus flavours dominate followed by some yeast lees characters. Clean crisp refreshing dry finish. Moderate aftertaste of grapefruit and lees.
Drink now (2011).
Alc 12.5% -
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
Nyetimber Multi-Vintage Classic Cuvee SparklingUNITED KINGDOM$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesABV: 12%Closure: CorkNyetimber are at the forefront of premium sparkling wine production in England, and are widely considered the finest producer in the country. For over 30 years the Nyetimber team have been driven to create a wine to rival the best sparking wines in the world, and have built up an impressive track record matching this intent. Using only estate grown fruit, their plantings of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier are located on the chalk and Greensand soils of West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. Given their northerly location, the long slow growing seasons are well suited to premium sparkling production.
Classic Cuvee is the signature wine of Nyetimber, and is a blend of roughly 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, and 10% Pinot Meunier. This is a true multi vintage wine, and while there is a generous portion from a base vintage, the reserve wines used date back to 2009.
Other Reviews....
From West Chiltington, England. English sparklings finding their feet of late, an exciting thing. There’s a serial number on the bottle so that should help anchor your experience: LCCMV2722381. Usually English fizz is pretty darn acidic too. A blend of multiple vintages, quite a few really. Just over eight grams of residual sugar, which shows.
First sniff, just as poured, was like taking a hit from a bottle of amyl nitrate; geez its been a while. Settles in the glass nicely after initial pour, salt crackers, lemon meringue pie, toffee apples. The palate is more of the same, lemon a strong currency, saline minerality, lemon barley sugar water even, a touch sweet but the zing of acidity does the trick and bubbles are vigorous and tight. Very refreshing. Very! And the softness does come through. It’s true to its origin. Drink 2022 - 2030.
92 Points
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front (December 2022)An almost perfumed hint of hedgerow fruit precedes the richer notes of ripe apple on the nose. This is followed by lovely yeasty hints of autolysis. On the palate, these notions combine in a most convincing joyful fashion. Every tiny bubble that bursts brings some of that rounded, fruity but ultimately fresh vividness. This comes with serious intent but an even greater proportion of charm.
93 Points
Anne Krebiehl MW - Wine Enthusiast Magazine (November 2018)Disgorged in January 2020, the new release of Nyetimber's NV Brut Classic Cuvée is based on the 2015 vintage, complemented by 20% reserve wines dating back to 2009. Offering up aromas of honeycomb, apple blossom, warm pastry, candied peel and nougat, it's medium to full-bodied, seamless and pillowy, with a pretty core of fruit, bright acids and an elegant pinpoint mousse. Drink 2020 - 2033.
91 Points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (April 2021)The NV Classic Cuvée based on the 2015 vintage was bottled in April 2016 and disgorged in February 2020, and is the current release. This is very different from the 2014, featuring scents of mango, orange pith and lemon verbena and just a hint of white tea in the background. The palate is rounded and has much more weight than the 2014 base blend, the lower acidity (pH 3.28) imparting a tropical feel toward the finish, which maybe just lacks the nervosité of the 2014. (February 2020 disgorgement). Drink 2021 - 2030.
90 Points
Neal Martin - Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2020) -
- 92
- 92
- 92
- 94
- Reduced
Nyetimber Multi-Vintage Rose Sparkling - ClearanceUNITED KINGDOMReduced from $120.00$110. 00Bottle$1320.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkNyetimber are at the forefront of premium sparkling wine production in England, and are widely considered the finest producer in the country. For over 30 years the Nyetimber team have been driven to create a wine to rival the best sparking wines in the world, and have built up an impressive track record matching this intent. Using only estate grown fruit, their plantings of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier are located on the chalk and Greensand soils of West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. Given their northerly location, the long slow growing seasons are well suited to premium sparkling production.
Multi-vintage Rosé from Nyetimber is typically a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 55% Pinot Noir, and 5% Pinot Meunier, and is a delicate and fleshy rosé with a refined core of fruit well suited to the dinner table.
Other Reviews....
The NV Rosé based on the 2016 vintage was bottled in April 2017 and disgorged in February 2020. The nose is equidistant in style between the 2014 and 2015 base and is my pick of the three tasted here, very cohesive and delineated with red cherries, strawberry and rose petal scents. The nicely balanced palate features pear, raspberry and touches of wild mushroom and pawpaw. Toward the finish, it veers more to the slightly heavier style of the 2014 base, though I find more tension here. This is very promising. (February 2020 disgorgement). Drink 2022 - 2035.
92+ Points
Neal Martin - Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2020)Disgorged in February 2020 and based on the 2016 vintage, Nyetimber's latest NV Brut Rosé is showing very nicely, mingling scents of cherries and strawberries with hints of mandarin, plums and spices. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and complete, with a vibrant core of elegantly fleshy fruit, bright acids and a pillowy mousse, this has turned out very well. In fact, it's the finest rosé I've tasted from this address. Drink 2021 - 2030.
92 Points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (April 2021)Made with 10% to 20% reserve wine, this is one of the driest wines from Nyetimber, with residual sugar at 9g/l. Summer berry fruits, toasted biscuits on the nose, it has fresh raspberry, crunchy green apple acidity on the palate, rounded by brioche notes. The refreshing lime peel and mineral bitterness follow to the long finish, perfect for lightly seasoned shellfish. Drink 2020 - 2024.
92 Points
Sylvia Wu - Decanter (June 2020)Creamy rose hip tisane on the nose also has a touch of lemon and finest yeast. The palate expands on these notions with creamy fruitful generosity. Rose hip is joined by red apple, lemon is boosted by zestiness and the finest mousse amplifies that creamy feel. It's a classy but thoroughly hedonistic rosé that unites generosity, elegance and utter freshness. Consider this alongside subtle food—its inherent depth will add dimensions of pleasure. Lovely now, sure to develop. Drink now–2025.
94 Points
Anne Krebiehl MW - Wine Enthusiast Magazine (November 2018) -
- 94
- 92
- Reduced
2014 Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs Sparkling - ClearanceUNITED KINGDOMReduced from $140.00$135. 00Bottle$1620.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkNyetimber are at the forefront of premium sparkling wine production in England, and are widely considered the finest producer in the country. For over 30 years the Nyetimber team have been driven to create a wine to rival the best sparking wines in the world, and have built up an impressive track record matching this intent. Using only estate grown fruit, their plantings of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier are located on the chalk and Greensand soils of West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. Given their northerly location, the long slow growing seasons are well suited to premium sparkling production.
2014 was an outstanding year for Nyetimber, and this vintage Blanc de Blancs shows impressive tension and chalk soil driven focus that will challenge many similarly styled wines from across the English Channel.
Other Reviews....
The 2014 Blanc de Blancs was bottled in March 2015 and disgorged in March 2020 and is due to hit the market in 2021. There is a touch more red fruit here, hints of white strawberries joining the defined honeysuckle and yellow plum scents. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh, and quite linear, as a Blanc de Blancs should be, with a little more salinity coming through on the pear and greengage finish compared to the 2013. Drink 2021 - 2034.
92 Points
Neal Martin - Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2020)A generally warm vintage led to ripe but elegant fruits. The Blanc de Blancs spent four years on its lees, featuring savoury biscuits, orange blossom and a hint of acacia honey on the nose, with an undertone of citrus freshness and peach. Saline and buttery on the palate, with white pepper and lively citrus tickling the tip of the tongue. The acidity sits at 7.7g/l, balanced by 9.5 g/l of residual sugar. Red apple peel bitterness and brioche linger on. Drink 2021 - 2026.
94 Points
Sylvia Wu - Decanter (June 2020) -
- 93
2011 Oakridge Blanc de BlancsYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: 5 - 6 Years (2021-2022)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkAged on yeast lees for 52 months and disgorged in November 2015 with minimal dosage. Pours with a white frothy mousse that has excellent hold. Very pale straw base wine colour with an exceptionally fine and very persistent bead. Delicate pear aromas are laced with light toast and yeast lees characters followed by some citrus and oily baked bread end notes. Possessing a crisp refreshing finish flavours of pears and citrus are to the fore over traces of sherbet, subtle cashew and yeast lees. Aftertaste of fresh pears, citrus, yeast lees, light cashew and baked bread. A very fresh and refined sparkling.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc 12.5% - Olivier Horiot Solera 7 Cepages ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$170. 00Bottle$2040.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: Cork
Located in Les Riceys, the Olivier Horiot domain has belonged to the same family for several generations. The villages that makes up Les Riceys have a tumultuous past (in its long history, it has been defined and redefined as both Burgundy and Champagne) yet Olivier Horiot has succeeded in producing innovative and unusual wines from biodynamic viticulture and natural processes. Furthering its uniqueness, Les Riceys is the only region in Champagne to boast three appellations. One of these is Champagne, of course, but there are also two non-sparkling wine appellations: Côteaux Champenois (red and white) and Rosé des Riceys.
Since 1999, Olivier Horiot has made it his mission to bring back the region’s seven indigenous grape varieties, producing cuvées coveted by both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts. As the name suggests, this 7 Cepages bottling includes all grape varieties allowed in the Champagne region; Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Arbanne, and Petit Meslier. On tasting, this remarkable wine reveals an attractive golden appearance and a bouquet releasing complex, evolving notes of yellow fruit, white-fleshed fruit and tertiary notes (almonds). Full bodied and supple, it has a long finish featuring extremely indulgent notes.
- 2012 Olivier Horiot En Barmont Seve Rose de Saignee ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$140. 00Bottle$1680.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: Cork
Located in Les Riceys, the Olivier Horiot domain has belonged to the same family for several generations. The villages that makes up Les Riceys have a tumultuous past (in its long history, it has been defined and redefined as both Burgundy and Champagne) yet Olivier Horiot has succeeded in producing innovative and unusual wines from biodynamic viticulture and natural processes. Furthering its uniqueness, Les Riceys is the only region in Champagne to boast three appellations. One of these is Champagne, of course, but there are also two non-sparkling wine appellations: Côteaux Champenois (red and white) and Rosé des Riceys.
The Sève is a Rosé de Saignée Champagne, from the warm, single vineyard site of en Barmont, where Pinot Noir can reach a robust ripeness. Four days of semi-carbonic maceration imparts both complexity and lightness. This joyful, deeply exuberant Champagne displays a beautiful copper pink color & unfurls in a cascade of ripe strawberries, rhubarb, and graham crackers.
- Omni BrutSouth Eastern Australia, AUSTRALIA$9. 99Bottle$119.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: Cork
Tasting Notes sourced from BRL Hardy.
Omni is the Latin word for "all" or "everywhere". A perfect name for a sparkling wine with universal appeal. The fresh, lively characters and soft, full flavours are ideal for all occassions. Omni, a beautifully crafted, non-vintage wine, has an impressive pedigree having won one trophy and four gold medals.Made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir the wine has been carefully blended and matured to produce a wine of consistent style and quality. The wine was tiraged with a selected yeast strain and aged on lees for 9-12 months. Medium straw with a slight green hue. Lifted fruit bouquet, complexed by a yeast autolysis character. The palate is rich, creamy and flavoursome, yet retains an elegant structure. Mature rich fruit flavours are complexed with yeasty characters. Good persistence of flavour balanced with a clean acid finish. Serve chilled. 12.5% alcohol volume.
-
- 89
- Organic
- Preservative Free
2020 Organic Hill Preservative Free Sparkling ShirazSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now (2022)ABV: 14.6%Closure: Crown SealAn exuberant purple tinged mousse holds well over a black dark red coloured base that sees an exceptionally fine bead rising to the surface. Pronounced ripe dark plum, liquorice and blackberry scents mix with vanillin oak and hints of earthy dark chocolate. Rich blackberry, liquorice and dark chocolate flavours are underscored by toasty vanillin oak. Very crisp acidity and stern tannins lead into a dry, chalky edged finish that shows moderate length.
Drink now.
Alc. 14.6% - Jacobs Creek Trilogy Cuvee BrutSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenClosure: Cork
Made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, the wine gets its name from the combination of the classic trio of Champagne grapes. Bright straw colour with fine bead. The nose displays impressive yeast autolysis character, with some biscuit and a hint of grapefruit. Clean finish with yeasty aftertaste. A very affordable sparkling wine.
-
- 88
Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvee BrutNEW ZEALAND$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2010-2013)ABV: 12%Closure: CorkGood white creamy mousse with very fine and persistent bead. Pale straw coloured base wine. Aromas of grapefruit, baked bread and citrus. Clean refreshing simple palate flavours of grapefruit, citrus and some baked bread. Crisp finish with aftertaste of grapefruit and citrus.
Drink over the next 2-3 years (2010-2013).
Alc 12.0% - 2017 Pascal Agrapart EXP (Experience) Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne Grand CruChampagne, FRANCE$880. 00Bottle$10560.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Cork
Champagne Pascal Agrapart is one of the great grower producers, based at the heart of the Cote des Blancs in the grand cru village of Avize. Pascal has the reputation for being a grape grower first and Champagne producer second; a philosophy shared with his son Ambroise who is now in charge of production. Ambroise and the team works an astonishing 70-plus micro-plots in the Cote des Blancs, mostly in Avize, but also in Cramant, Oiry, Oger, Avenay-Val-d’Or, Bergeres-les-Vertus and Mardeuil. All of these parcels are ploughed, and no chemical pesticides, fertilisers or herbicides are ever used. Production is very small, with no more than 6,000 cases produced in any given year.
Formerly known as Experience, Agrapart's EXP is utterly unique in the world of Champagne. Given how difficult it is to produce, and the inherent rarity of such a cuvee, demand for EXP around the globe is enormous which is in part reflected in the price of this spectacular Champagne. In 2002, Agrapart sought and (remarkably) received permission from the local authorities to begin experimenting with a small quantity of wine that he wanted to produce without any sugar additions at all; no chaptalisation and no additions for the second fermentation and final dosage. Not using sugar and yeast for the liqueur de tirage (to prompt the second fermentation in the bottle) is actually against the AOC laws, which is why Agrapart needed permission. Instead of sugar, he uses must (grape juice) from the same vineyards that produce the wine, thus enabling him to produce a Champagne that is solely the product of estate-grown grapes.
This 2017 release is an equal blend from vineyards that also contributed to the Avizoise and Mineral cuvees (Les Robarts in Avize and Les Bionnes in Cramant), ‘dosed’ with around 20% of the juice of 2018 from these same vineyards. It was this juice that drove the secondary fermentation in the bottle. No sugar or yeast additions were used for either fermentation, and the wine was not fined or filtered.
-
- 96
- 95
2016 Pascal Agrapart Mineral Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne Grand CruChampagne, FRANCE$280. 00Bottle$3360.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
From Les Bionnes in Cramant (vinified in barrel) and Champbouton in Avize (vinified in tank), two parcels that share a similar geological profile, Agrapart's 2016 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Minéral offers up aromas of crisp stone fruits, wet stones, lemon oil and fresh mint. Full-bodied, satiny and vinous, with terrific texture and cut, it's a vibrant, dynamic wine that's worth a special effort to seek out. Drink 2022 - 2042.
95+ points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Sep 2022)Sharp and focused with very fine bubbles. Precise. Lots of almonds, lemon peel, crushed stones, white pepper and apricot stones, as well as white pears. This has captured so much energy, with a long and refined finish. 100% chardonnay. 3g/L dosage. Disgorged May 2022. Drink or hold.
96 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 95
- 97
2016 Pascal Agrapart Avizoise Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne Grand CruChampagne, FRANCE$370. 00Bottle$4440.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2016 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Avizoise derives from lieux-dits Les Robarts and Les Gros Yeux in Avize, two sites that are characterized by deeper clays than those in the parcels that inform Minéral. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of apple blossom, citrus zest, confit orange, freshly baked bread and warm biscuits, it's full-bodied, satiny and layered, with terrific concentration, racy acids and a long, penetrating finish. This concentrated, vinous, chiseled Champagne is a remarkable wine! Drink 2025 - 2040.
97 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Sep 2022)A broader Blanc de Blancs for Agrapart, with plenty of hazelnuts, walnuts, lemon cream, mango stones and peaches. Creamy and round bubbles. Textured, with chalky notes on the finish. Comes across very dry. 100% chardonnay. 3g/L dosage. Disgorged May 2022. Drink or hold.
95 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 93
2015 Pascal Agrapart Avizoise Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne Grand CruChampagne, FRANCE$370. 00Bottle$4440.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2015 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs L’Avizoise Grand Cru stands out in this range for its breadth and power. Lemon peel, savory herbs, dried flowers, grapefruit and mint lend a bit of upper register and aromatic presence. Slight vegetal notes, a characteristic of any 2015s, lurk beneath, while texturally the Avizoise is on the lighter side. For those reasons, I would not push my luck on aging. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: May, 2021. Drink 2021 - 2025.
93 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous -
- 94
2015 Pascal Agrapart Mineral Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne Grand Cru Magnum (1500ml)Champagne, FRANCE$680. 00Bottle$8160.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2015 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Minéral Grand Cru is bracing, taut and wiry. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper and lemon peel drive this blend. The Minéral is especially fine in 2015. There is a bit of youthful austerity, but nothing a few years in bottle can't take care of. The Minéral is one of the finer 2015s I have come across so far. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: May, 2021. Drink 2022 - 2027.
94 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous -
- 94
Pascal Bouchard Cremant de BourgogneChablis, FRANCE$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkA blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Overflows with a fluffy white mousse that slowly subsides to reveal a pale straw coloured base that has an exceptionally fine bead of bubbles flowing through it. Fresh pear and citrus aromas are interwoven with yeast lees, baked bread and subtle honeyed cashew notes. Enveloping baked bread, yeast lees and citrus flavours are wrapped up in a creamy textural feel. Delicate pear and cashew elements linger in the background. Finishes dry with mouth watering acidity and a long richly flavoured aftertaste.
Alc. 12% -
- 91
- Reduced
Nicks Secret Loire Valley Blanc de Blancs BrutLoire Valley, FRANCEReduced from $22.99$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now (2017)ABV: 12%Closure: CorkIt’s no secret that the Loire Valley is the largest producer of sparkling wine outside of Champagne and makes some of the worlds most affordable Sparkling wines. This Blanc de Blancs is made from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes and employs the Methode Traditionelle production process made famous in Champagne. Its aged for a minimum of 9 months.
Like all of our secret offers this is the real deal – you will receive the genuine article not an unknown brand, export label or cleanskin. The only clue we can give you on this one is that it’s not Bouvet.
A frothy white mousse dissipates to reveal a pale straw colour with a very fine bead that shows excellent persistence. Citrus and pear aromas meld into some baked characters followed by subtle quince notes. On the palate pear and lemon sherbet like flavours combine over some subtle toast and lees characters. Fresh dry finish with a slight creaminess to the mid palate. Aftertaste of pear, citrus, some oily baked bread characters and lees. Limited stocks at this price.
Drink now.
Alc 12% -
- 91
Paul Louis Brut Blanc de BlancsLoire Valley, FRANCE$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkMade from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes employing the traditional method of sparkling wine production including bottle fermentation. Aged for a minimum of 9 months. A frothy white mousse dissipates to reveal a pale straw colour with a very fine bead that shows excellent persistence. Citrus and pear aromas meld into some baked characters followed by subtle quince notes. On the palate pear and lemon sherbet like flavours combine over some subtle toast and lees characters. Fresh dry finish with a slight creaminess to the mid palate. Aftertaste of pear, citrus, some oily baked bread characters and lees.
Drink now.
Alc 12% -
- 89
Penley Estate Echo Sparkling Pinot NoirCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$21. 99Bottle$263.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2016-2021)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Crown SealVery frothy purple tinged mousse with a bright ruby red crimson base colour. Exceptionally fine bead showing good persistence. Dark cherry fruit aromas meet up with some inky plum and hints of liquorice followed by subtle notes of earth and spice. Fruity plum and dark cherry flavours dominate over inky vanillin cedar and spicy earth. Finishes very dry with a youthful freshness. Aftertaste of plummy dark cherries, inky vanillin cedar, subtle earth and spice.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc 13.5% -
- 93
Perrier Jouet Grand Brut ChampagneChampagne,$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenCellar: 3 - 4 Years (2006-2007)ABV: 12%Closure: CorkA very fine Champagne. Bright straw colour with excellent mousse and very fine persistent bead. The nose is a touch more subdued than expected with notes of nougat, toast, lees and almond emerging. The palate has an excellent creamy texture with toast, lees and biscuit flavours emerging. Excellent length with long aftertaste of yeast lees and biscuit.
Alc/Vol: 12.0%RATING: 93/100
-
- 96
- 98
- 97
- 98
- Nick's Import
2013 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Extra Brut Champagne Magnum (1500ml)Champagne, FRANCE$1099. 00Bottle$13188.00 DozenClosure: CorkPhilipponnat's Clos des Goisses vineyard is one of the most famous in all of Champagne, and having been purchased by the Philipponnat family in 1935 it immediately became its crown jewel. The name is taken from the local dialect “Gois” meaning very steep, and the vineyard is the steepest, directly south-facing site in the whole of Champagne with a gradient between 30-45%. Pinot Noir dominates the cuvee with the typical blend two-thirds Pinot and one-third Chardonnay, granting Clos des Goisses with power, structure, and exceptional longevity. Work is done almost entirely by hand, and no insecticides or synthetic herbicides are used in the vineyard. The 2013 release is a blend of 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay, aged on lees for 8 years.
Other Reviews....
Surpassing even the 2012 and 2008, Philipponnat's 2013 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses looks to be the finest vintage of this cuvée in several decades, at least on first acquaintance. Deriving from only the six core parcels out of the 13 that make up the Clos des Goisses, it's a striking wine, evoking aromas of crisp yellow orchard fruit, Anjou pear, clear honey, bee pollen, stone fruit and iodine. Full-bodied, layered and vinous, its textural attack segues into a deep, concentrated and tightly wound mid-palate that's girdled by racy acids and chalky structure, before concluding with a long, saline finish. Why is it quite so good? It would appear that 2013 was the perfect storm: an early-ripening terroir in a cool, late vintage; moderately yielding Burgundian selections of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that attained full maturity; and a willingness to make a strict selection have all come together to deliver a profound Clos des Goisses. Drink: 2025 - 2055.
98 points
William Kelley - Wine AdvocateThe 2013 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses is fabulous. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2013 is in no mood to show all its cards. The late harvest produced a bristling, intensely saline Clos des Goisses that will require years to be at its best. Even so, its depth, textural resonance and finish are so evocative as to what the future holds. The 2013 is a positively stunning Champagne and one of the best Goisses in recent memory. I can't wait to see how it develops. Dosage is 4.5 grams per liter. Drink: 2031-2053.
98 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousGently aromatic nose, floral and fresh. Round, generous and so delicate. Tiny bubbles are so lovely, coating the mouth in a fresh lemon, green apple, peach and nectarine quality. Sensual almost, so charming, so welcoming. Round, not massively full, but driving and persistent. You can definitely have this without food and just enjoy the balance, the detail and the nuance. Excellent winemaking here. Beautifully controlled and such a joy to drink. Dosage 4.5g/L. Drink: 2024-2040.
96 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterTasting this a year later alongside the new release of 2014, the 2013 Champagne Clos des Goisses Extra Brut seems to be coming into its own. Composed of 85% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay, and pouring a rich straw/copper hue, it’s starting to show lovely, layered aromatics as it unfolds with scents of red berries, currant, toasted croissant, frangipane, and orgeat. Full-bodied, assertive, and long on the palate, it has driving, assertive energy with fantastic concentration and acidity. Though it has broad shoulders, it remains in check with itself and offers a long, fantastic finish. It has great structure and an angular feel, with notes of Meyer lemon preserves and orange rind, and delivers wonderful energy throughout. This can hold up through a meal of sweetbreads or other rich fare. 10,723 bottles were produced. Drink 2024-2055. Disgorged in March 2022, with 4.5 grams per liter dosage.
97 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.com -
- 95
- 97
- 97
- 97
- Nick's Import
2012 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Extra Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$475. 00Bottle$5700.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: CorkPhilipponnat's Clos des Goisses vineyard is one of the most famous in all of Champagne, and having been purchased by the Philipponnat family in 1935 it immediately became its crown jewel. The name is taken from the local dialect “Gois” meaning very steep, and the vineyard is the steepest, directly south-facing site in the whole of Champagne with a gradient between 30-45%. Pinot Noir dominates the cuvee with the typical blend two-thirds Pinot and one-third Chardonnay, granting Clos des Goisses with power, structure, and exceptional longevity. Work is done almost entirely by hand, and no insecticides or synthetic herbicides are used in the vineyard.
Other Reviews....
Disgorged in April 2021 with the usual 4.5 grams per liter dosage, Philipponnat's 2012 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses offers up generous aromas of pear, pomelo and peach mingled with hints of honeycomb, macadamia nut and fresh bread. Full-bodied, broad and vinous, it's fleshy and textural, with a strikingly concentrated core of fruit, compelling mid-palate plenitude, bright acids and a pillowy pinpoint mousse. Demonstrative, even dramatic, its youthful generosity is deceptive, as it's only with some bottle age that real complexity will emerge. Drink 2025 - 2045.
97+ points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Feb 2022)The 2012 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses is a Champagne of extraordinary elegance and finesse. Silky and aromatic, the 2012 impresses with its mid-weight, refined personality. Hints of kirsch, red plum, flowers and chamomile open gently in the glass. Clos des Goisses is often a rich, vinous Champagne, but the 2012 comes across as restrained and understated in all the right ways. Its aging potential will be measured in decades not years. Sadly, severe spring frost took with it a startling 50% of the crop. According to Charles Philipponnat Pinot fared better than Chardonnay. Ultimately, though, the Goisses blend is a typical two-thirds Pinot and one-third Chardonnay. Dosage is 4.5 grams per liter. Drink 2024 - 2047.
97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousAromas of bread dough, mandarin, strawberry, raspberry and light dry earth follow through to a full body with lightly candied fruit, phenolic tension and a clear, bright finish. Mineral. Pure. Dry and layered at the end with a note of chalk. No malo. 61% pinot noir and 39% chardonnay. Drink now.
97 points
James SucklingA wonderful nose blending a wonderful combination of fruit and sweet patisserie elements - lemon, apple, grapefruit and pear with buttery biscuit and roasted hazelnut notes. The palate is strikingly bright filled with textured, lively and persistent bubbles underpinned by balanced acidity and depth of flavour overall. A really well-constructed Champagne from the acclaimed 2012 vintage giving body, weight, precision and drive with a long length. Each sip is so satisfying. Disgorged in April 2021 after eight years on the lees, 60% aged in Burgundy barrels and 40% in stainless steel. A dosage of 4.5g/l which is the same for every Clos des Goisses. This, alongside with the 1996 vintage are new to the Place de Bordeaux this year with Philipponnat the first Champagne house to use the distribution network. Drinking Window 2021 - 2035.
95 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
- 92
Philipponnat Royale Reserve Rosee Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Open-knit and inviting, the 2008 Royale Réserve Brut Rosé is an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next few years. Pinot Noir plays an important role in this distinctly vinous, rich Rosé. The soft contours and slightly forward aromatics suggest the 2008 is best enjoyed over the next handful of years. Still, readers should expect a fairly intense Champagne with plenty of red stone fruit and blood orange inflections, along with the considerable resonance of Pinot Noir, which makes up 75% of the blend. Dosage is 9 grams/liter. Disgorged: October 2014.
92 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous -
- 95
Philipponnat Royale Reserve Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2011-2014)ABV: 12%Closure: CorkThe majority of this cuvee is always Pinot Noir (40-50%) with the balance being generally made up of Chardonnay (30-35%) and Pinot Meunier (15-25%). The cork on this particular bottle was very difficult to extract. Having finally opened the bottle it poured well with a white creamy mousse showing good hold followed by a pale gold base wine colour. The bead is very fine and shows excellent persistence. Superb nose showing much more intensity and varietal character than the three Tasmanian cuvees tasted before it. Aromas of baked bread, yeast autolysis characters and toast are followed by some light almond notes. The palate is quite full and rich delivering flavours of yeast lees, baked bread, brioche and a touch of hazelnut. Almost creamy like texture with a clean dry finish. Long aftertaste of yeast lees, toast and biscuit.
Drink over the next 2-3 years (2011-2014).
Alc 12.0% - 2015 Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Cuvee Fleuron Brut 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$125. 00Bottle$1500.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: Cork
Notes from producer.....
Fleuron means “flagship” is selected from only the great years. The Fleuron cuvée, a true showcase of our vintages, is a work of assembly that adds the qualities our best terroirs and «lieu-dit» of our domain. cuvee These qualities obviously result from our Terroirs (mostly from Cramant and Chouilly) but according to our conception of Champagne, it’s always essential to add some Cuis 1er Cru to give some freshness and delicacy. A great wine is a balance wine between structure, fruit, elegance, and minerality and definitely pleasant… And to reach that, assembly prevails…100% Chardonnay - 100% Côte des Blancs, 74% Grands crus and 26% 1er cru.
51 % CHOUILLY Grand cru (« Montaigu »)
18% CRAMANT Grand cru (« Buissons » mostly)
5% OGER Grand Cru (« Terres de Noël » et « Champs Nérons »)
26 % CUIS 1er Cru (« Croix-Blanche » et « Roualles »)
Aged in bottle for more than 4 years, disgorged 3 months before shipping at a dosage sugar of 5 g/L.
- Pierre Paillard Les Parcelles Champagne Grand CruChampagne, FRANCE$110. 00Bottle$1320.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: Cork
Pierre Paillard farm eleven hectares of 100% Grand Cru vineyards situated on the south side of the Montagne de Reims in the village of Bouzy. The vineyards are grown organically, and they use biodynamic practices to invigorate the vines. Their mixture of holdings are planted to 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, with the cuvees leaning towards Pinot Noir dominance.
Les Parcelles is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, with 30% reserve wines supporting the base vintage. After blending the wines are matured on less for a comparatively long four years before being disgorged at an Extra Brut level of 1.8 grams per litre of dosage.
Please note: Disgorgement dates can vary. Please contact the store if you would like to check which disgorgement is currently available.
-
- 92
Pierre Paillard Les Parcelles XIV ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
(XIII bottling) The NV Bouzy Grand Cru Les Parcelles XIII is based on the 2013 vintage plus roughly 40% of reserve wines from 2012, 2011 and 2010. The assemblage consists of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, fermented in stainless steel and in a few demi-muids. The nicely colored wine (white gold with a pink reflection due to the late harvest and no fining agents) offers a very clear, precise and delicate bouquet of cherries and red berries. Pure and filigreed on the palate, this is a beautifully pure, clear, fresh and delicate blend that reveals impressive mineral structure and length. Simply fascinating. Dosed with 3.5 grams per liter and disgorged in October 2017. Tasted in April 2018.
92 points
Stephan Reinhardt - Wine Advocate #238 (Sep 2018) -
- 94
- 97
- 97
Pierre Peters L'Etonnant Monsieur Victor Edition MK 18 ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$699. 00Bottle$8388.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkPierre Peters is a benchmark grower Champagne based in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, founded in 1929 by Camille Peters and today run by Rodolphe Peters, farming around 20 hectares of predominantly Chardonnay across Le Mesnil (the core), with additional holdings in Oger, Avize and Cramant, including the famed Les Chetillons parcel acquired in 1930. Viticulture is meticulous, with replanting based on the estate's own massal selections, while vinification is largely in stainless steel (reserve wines held in a mix of steel, large oak and concrete) with partial malolactic fermentation and an emphasis on extended lees ageing to build texture and depth. The range moves from the non-vintage Blanc de Blancs Cuvee de Reserve and vintage L'Esprit through to the single-vineyard Le Mesnil bottlings Les Chetillons and Les Montjolys, and concludes with premium multi-vintage cuvees such as Reserve Oubliee (from a perpetual blend dating back to 1988) and L'Etonnant Monsieur Victor, with the house's hallmark being pure, chalk-driven Cote des Blancs Chardonnay built for serious ageing.
Other Reviews....
The L'Etonnant Monsieur Victor Edition TB.18 is bright, effusive and super-expressive right out of the gate. The 2018 is on the lighter side, as most Champagnes are in this vintage, and yet its balance is sublime. Lemon confit, tangerine peel, spice, chamomile and dried flowers all grace the palate. The long, silky finish is wonderfully inviting. L'Etonnant Monsieur Victor is a blend of one tank of Chétillons and one tank of Réserve Oubliée. Drink 2026-2036.
94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis bright, focused Champagne has white pears, acacia, chalk, lemons and almond cream on the nose. Lively and very fresh on the palate, with nutty and lemony complexity, but driven and minerally with a long, salty and mouthwatering finish. A blend of grapes from the 2018 harvest of Les Chetillons vineyard plus Reserve Oubliee (2017 base). Disgorged November 2024. Drink now or hold.
97 points
Claire Nesbitt - JamesSuckling.comThe NV Champagne L'Etonnant Monsier Victor Edition TB. 18 combines two wines with a 7-year cork closure. Medium-bodied, it’s refreshing, pure, and linear, but it will need time to develop. With loads of weightless finesse, it feels ghostly as it opens and rests on the palate, but as the minerality intensifies, that’s all you're left with. A haunting wine, it’s not one to drink in the near term; it will need more time. Drink 2025-2050.
97 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.com -
- 94
- 94
- 94
2019 Pierre Peters l'Esprit Blanc de Blancs Vintage ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The L'Esprit de 2019 is one of the best versions of this wine I can remember tasting. Exuberant and racy, with tons of energy, the 2019 reflects the natural intensity of this great vintage while retaining the super-classic signatures of the Côtes des Blancs. This cuvée is a blend of fruit sourced from Grand Cru sites in Le Mesnil, Avize, Cramant and Oger. Readers who want to enjoy a top-flight Champagne without splurging will find so much to like here. Hints of tangerine peel, marzipan and dried flowers linger on the intensely saline finish. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: December 19, 2023. Drink 2024-2034.
94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousAromas of pie crust and pear with hints of meringue, as well as oyster shell. Full-bodied, soft and creamy with brioche and apple and a rich yet fresh finish. Brut. Drink now.
94 points
JamesSuckling.comA selection from four plots, the 2019 Champagne Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs L'Esprit Vintage Brut offers more power and crystalline density. Pouring a bright silver/yellow hue, it opens to aromas of ripe pear, citrus blossoms, salted lime, and crushed stones. It’s medium-bodied, with a chiseled structure, a precise mousse, and a long persisting finish. This vintage has the structure to demand some cellar time before diving into it. Drink it over the coming 12-15 years. Drink 2024-2040.
94 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.com -
- 95
- 97
- 96
- 96
2016 Pierre Peters Les Montjolys Cuvee Speciale Blanc de Blancs ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Marked by a tight-knit core, the 2016 Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Spéciale Les Montjolys is very different from the fuller-bodied, more powerful 2017 rendition. Disgorged in December 2023 with a dosage of 4.5 grams per liter, it’s a more linear Montjolys, stylistically reminiscent of the 2013 rendition. Offering up aromas of white flowers, green apple, fresh hazelnut and oyster shell, it is crystalline and nuanced, structured around mouthwatering acidity and concludes with a focused, chalky finish. It’s one of the more elegant versions of this cuvée, demonstrating subtle complexity, and I loved it! As always, it derives from a vineyard based on deep clay soil, where the resulting wines are more textural and less taut than those produced from Les Chétillons. Drink 2024-2044.
96 points
Kristaps Karklins - Wine Advocate (Dec 20, 2024)The 2016 Brut Cuvée Spéciale Montjolys is all precision, tension and energy, with that extra kick of exuberance that is so typical of this site. Tangerine peel, spice, lemon confit, pastry and dried flowers are all beautifully amplified in this resonant, super-expressive Blanc de Blancs. Soft contours and an exotic flair add to its undeniable allure. There's real palate presence and overall depth here. Gorgeous tropical overtones linger. This is such a classy wine. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2023. Drink 2024-2036.
95 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousLeaner and very minerally with sliced apple and pear, as well as hints of brioche and pie crust. Lemon undertones. Medium-bodied and racy, with slate, kerosene and spicy undertones. It goes on and on, but maintains delicacy and form. 6 years on lees and disgorged October 2023. 4g/L dosage. Drink now.
97 points
JamesSuckling.comThe 2016 Champagne Blanc De Blancs Les Montjolys Cuvée Speciale Brut displays more breadth in the range and pours a medium straw hue. It reveals a delicate smoky profile, with more savory aromas of ripe golden pears, toasted bread, lemon balm, and wet stones. Medium to full-bodied, the palate gains in salinity, with a crunchy feel, a spritely and elegant mousse, and a great finish. It’s prime for holding another year or so and drinking over the following 15 years or more, as it’s surely going to improve as it leans into its more tertiary characteristics. Drink 2026-2042.
96 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.com -
- 91
2018 Pierre Peters l'Esprit Blanc de Blancs Vintage ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The L'Esprit de 2018 is a very pretty wine that shows the natural complexity of a Champagne that has spent a few years in bottle. Floral and light on its feet, the 2018 also reflects a vintage with higher yields in its mid-weight structure. Lemon peel, white flowers, mint, sage and almond are all nicely layered. The 2018 is not terribly complex or deep, but it is immensely charming. Disgorged: November 2022. Drink 2023-2033.
91 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous -
- 93
- 97
2016 Pierre Peters Les Chetillons Cuvee Speciale Blanc de Blancs ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$370. 00Bottle$4440.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2016 Brut Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons is gorgeous. Light on its feet and intensely aromatic, the 2016 is an absolute delight. Dried lemon peel, almond, crushed flowers, tropical fruit and chamomile all grace this super-expressive Chétillons. Light inflections of botrytis linger. Slightly forward aromas and flavors suggest the 2016 will be an early-drinking Chétillons, but I doubt that will be an issue for most readers. If anything, the 2016 shows the kind of complexity that usually only comes with time. It's a fine effort in a challenging vintage. Disgorged: November 2022. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Drink 2024-2031.
93 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousVery floral with honeysuckle as well as lemongrass. Hints of flint. Medium-bodied, dusty and chalky with yellow lemons coming through on the palate. Citrus flower. A touch of wild florals and fresh straw. Very subtle and vivid. Nice bitterness with botanicals. Salty at the end. Drink or hold.
97 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 93
- 95
- 93
2017 Pierre Peters l'Esprit Blanc de Blancs Vintage ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$180. 00Bottle$2160.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Unwinding in the glass with scents of sweet orchard fruit, peach, honeycomb, warm biscuits and dried fruits, the 2017 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Millésime L’Esprit de 2017 is medium to full-bodied, ample and satiny, with fine concentration, racy acids and a long, saline finish. Péters describes the vintage in the Côte de Blancs—which suffered less than sectors where Pinot predominates—as "a precursor of 2019," in the sense that small yields attained elevated maturity without losing freshness; and this Champagne does indeed transcend simplistic generalizations about the vintage. Drink 2023 - 2035.
93+ points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Sep 01, 2022)The L'Esprit de 2017 is a surprising wine, in a very good way. Deep and wonderfully layered, the 2017 possesses tremendous depth and textural resonance. Tangerine peel, spice, brioche, baked apple and more exotic tropical accents all open with a bit of time in the glass. Disgorged: July 2022. Dosage is 4.7 grams per liter. Drink 2023-2030.
93 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousA brightness and clarity here with sliced apples, oyster shell and hints of brioche with butter. Medium to full body with beautiful length. Creamy texture and a delicious finish. A balance and beauty to this. Four blocks from Mesnil, Oger, Avize and Cramant. 4.5 g/L dosage. Drink now.
95 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 92
- 94
2015 Pierre Peters Les Chetillons Cuvee Speciale Blanc de Blancs ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$350. 00Bottle$4200.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Disgorged with five grams per liter dosage, the 2015 Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons has turned out well, unwinding in the glass with aromas of freshly baked bread, crisp orchard fruit, clear honey, warm biscuits and dried white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and muscular, it's a deep, compact wine structured around racy acids and chalky extract. It's a strong effort, but it will demand a bit of patience to reveal all its potential. Péters was careful not to pick too soon, classifying 2015 along with 2011 and 2007 as years defined by an early harvest where it was nonetheless critical to avoid picking too early. Drink 2025-2050.
94 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Sep 01, 2022)The 2015 Brut Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons offers up a beguiling mix of dried fruits, herbs, smoke, graphite and citrus peel. Powerful and driving, the 2015 has a lot to offer. It's an intriguing Chétillons, that is for sure. Today, the wine's textural richness and savoriness are in a sort of tension with each other. It will be interesting to see which direction this ends up going, but the evolution this far has been quite positive. I am cautiously optimistic here, especially given the high extract. Disgorged: July 2022. Dosage is 4.7 grams per liter. Drink 2023-2030.
92+ points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous -
- 94
- 94
- 98
- 96
2014 Pierre Peters Les Montjolys Cuvee Speciale Blanc de Blancs ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$420. 00Bottle$5040.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Like its Les Chétillons counterpart, the 2014 Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Spéciale Les Montjolys is also showing beautifully. Wafting from the glass with aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, freshly baked bread, Meyer lemon, bee pollen and white flowers, it's full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with an ample core of fleshy, vibrant fruit that's girdled by bright acids and complemented by a pretty pinpoint mousse. Textural and expansive, it's a touch richer and more giving than the more chiseled Chétillons. Drink 2023-2043.
96 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Feb 01, 2022)The 2014 Brut Cuvée Spéciale Montjolys shows just how compelling this vintage is. It offers a gorgeous mix of energy from this late-ripening year along with the natural radiance of this site. Lemon confit, white pepper, apricot, white flowers and chamomile are all finely delineated throughout. There is a bit of youthful austerity, though, so I would cellar the 2014 for at least a year or two. Drink 2024-2035.
94+ points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe 2014 Champagne Cuvée Speciale Les Montjolys Brut is floral and has a hint of greenness, with notes of almond croissant, marzipan, lemon curd, and green melon. There is great tension on the palate, and it is more linear, as you might expect from the vintage. With a note of lime blossom, its florality continues through the finish and lingers. Drink 2024-2044.
98 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.comA sister to Les Chétillons, its vines just a little lower, with a little more clay over the chalk bedrock. Pale dreamy lemon, then an appealing attack of sourdough which, on warming, presumes upon notes of gingerbread; in the same vein the almonds defer to marzipan and the lemon pith is joined by nectarine and Mirabelle plum. Generous and precise at the same time; all that one should expect from a great wine from a great village (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger). Drink 2021 - 2028.
94 points
Simon Field MW - Decanter -
- 95
- 97
- 96
2014 Pierre Peters Les Chetillons Cuvee Speciale Blanc de Blancs Champagne Magnum (1500ml)Champagne, FRANCE$750. 00Bottle$9000.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Disgorged in July 2021, Péters's just-released 2014 Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons is showing very well, unwinding in the glass with scents of ripe citrus fruits, crisp green and yellow orchard fruit, white flowers and subtle hints of freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, deep and incisive, it's seamless and concentrated, its elegantly fleshy core of fruit underpinned by a racy spine of acidity and animated by a pretty pinpoint mousse; it concludes with a long, mineral finish. Readers will have a lot of fun comparing the 2014 with the more tightly wound 2013 in a decade's time. Drink 2023 - 2043.
96 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Feb 2022)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. Drink 2024 - 2034.
97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousA comparative tasting of neighbouring vineyards, Les Montjolys and Les Chétillons reminds one of the tortoise and the hare. Les Chétillons is incredibly reserved at first, but with a little air and a little time, spring flowers take boom, then hawthorns and acacia appear and even a hint of white pepper calls from behind the chalky foundations. The wine grows on the palate too, and what starts as austerity slowly but surely is transformed by the rigour of an innate and enviable complexity. Drinking Window 2021 - 2030.
95 points
Simon Field MW - Decanter
Buy Sparkling Wines from around the world in Our Online Store
French Champagne is not an everyday luxury for many. Thankfully, over the past few decades the production of Sparkling Wine in Australia has made a quantum leap, and to be fair, much of the increased quality is because of the presence of French know-how. The most prestigious and expensive technique for Sparkling wine production has become known as 'Methode Champenoise' (fermentation in the bottle). As we have all learnt to our joy, sparkling wines produced by Methode Champenoise, as opposed to other techniques, invariably result in a superior drink. But it is a very difficult wine to make - costly, time consuming, even risky.
The two key grape varieties employed are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, though warmer regions may favour others. Chardonnay gives life, acid, freshness and aging potential to methode champenoise, though care must be taken to avoid excess maturity, particularly in warmer climates, which can produce a dominant, aggressively varietal character. Warm climate Chardonnay cuvees may suffer from a narrow flavour profile, high "melony" aroma notes and lack of freshness, liveliness and length. Additionally, rich fertile soils can cause this variety to produce foliage and grassy aromas. When combined with Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay has a greater capacity to age harmoniously and for a longer time. Pinot Noir adds depth, complexity, backbone, strength, and fullness (what the French call "carpentry") to methode champenoise wines but is seldom used by itself, even in Blanc de Noirs. Contact us directly for any assistance… We taste and rate many of the bubblies before you do, meaning we help take the guesswork out of your online purchase. Call our us today on 1800 069 295 should you have any questions about our collection or click here to learn more about Sparkling wine production.












































