Champagne
Champagne, the epitome of elegance and celebration, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of sparkling wines. As one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world, Champagne has captured the hearts of wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs with its exceptional quality, refined craftsmanship, and iconic vineyards.
Historically, Champagne has been dominated by some world-acclaimed Champagne House, which source grapes and harvest from Champagne growers. These famous Grandes Marques include Louis Roederer (Cristal), Dom Pérignon, Krug, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Bollinger, all of them are revered for their notable names that display unrivalled winemaking prestige and pedigree.
In the recent decade, the emerging Grower Champagne trend in Champagne is shaking up the industry by challenging the dominance of the big Champagne houses. These small-scale producers, also known as "Récoltant-Manipulant" or RM, grow their own grapes and produce their own Champagne, showcasing the unique terroir and character of their vineyards. Jacques Selosse, Ulysse Collin, and Champagne Vilmart & Cie are among the most prominent names in this trend, producing some truly artisanal and terroir-driven Champagnes.
Champagne is primarily made from three main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. These grapes are carefully selected and blended to create a harmonious and complex flavour profile. Chardonnay contributes elegance, freshness, and finesse, while Pinot Noir adds structure, depth, and fruitiness. Pinot Meunier brings a touch of roundness and vibrancy to the blend.
The region of Champagne is divided into several distinct sub-regions, including Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and Vallée de la Marne. Each sub-region has its unique terroir, characterized by variations in soil composition and microclimates, which influence the style and character of the wines produced.
Champagne offers various styles, from non-vintage blends to vintage cuvées and prestigious prestige cuvées. While Non-vintage Champagnes typically epitomise the house style, the vintage Champagnes are made from grapes harvested in one particular year (top vintages such as 1996, 2002, 2008 etc), in which these wines showcase the unique characteristics of the specific vintage.
The prestige cuvées, often the flagship wines of the renowned Champagne houses, are the pinnacle of excellence. These exceptional Champagnes are created using the finest grapes, the most meticulous winemaking techniques and often benefit from extended ageing to achieve unparalleled complexity and finesse.
Champagne is synonymous with celebration, elegance, and luxury. Its effervescent charm and timeless appeal have made it the drink of choice for countless special occasions and memorable moments. With its rich history, iconic vineyards, and unrivalled quality, Champagne continues to captivate wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
Champagne
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Champagne | 1 | 95 (DC) | $266.00 | |||||
Decanter (95)This is a three-way assemblage: three grape varieties – and equal percentage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% of Pinot Meunier – and a blend of 3 vintages, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity. |
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Champagne | 10 | 95 (DC) | $1,235.00 | |||||
Decanter (95)This is a three-way assemblage: three grape varieties – and equal percentage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% of Pinot Meunier – and a blend of 3 vintages, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity. |
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Champagne | 6 | 93 (JS) | $874.00 | |||||
James Suckling (93)Complex with fresh red-fruit style, showing strawberries and singed bread. Tight-knit on the palate with crisp acidity and light to medium body. Chalky minerals in the finish. Ambitious rosé. Drink now. |
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Champagne | 6 | 93 (JS) | $492.00 | |||||
James Suckling (93)Complex with fresh red-fruit style, showing strawberries and singed bread. Tight-knit on the palate with crisp acidity and light to medium body. Chalky minerals in the finish. Ambitious rosé. Drink now. |
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Champagne | 3 | 92 (VN) | $324.00 | |||||
Vinous (92)The 2015 Brut Le Nombre d' Or Veteres Vites is exotic, beguiling and effusive. A whole range of floral and savory notes lifts from the glass. There's terrific energy and verve here. There are some slightly vegetal notes, which is typical of the year. For that reason, I would prefer to drink the 2015 sooner rather than later. This is nicely done. Disgorged: February, 2021. |
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Champagne | 2 | - | $436.00 | |||||
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Champagne | 2 | 93 (WA) | $397.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (93)Disgorged in June 2024 with a dosage of one gram per liter, Robert Barbichon’s 2020-based NV Blanc de Blancs is a blend of 70% Chardonnay from Gyé-sur-Seine and 30% Pinot Blanc from Celles-sur-Ource. It opens with attractive aromas of orange zest, ripe peach, pear, brioche and a hint of Timut pepper. Full-bodied, fleshy and vinous, it offers a broad attack that leads into a deep core of rich, layered fruit, animated by vibrant acidity and enlivened by a pillowy mousse. |
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Champagne | 1 | 93 (WA) | $309.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (93)Disgorged in December 2024 without dosage, Robert Barbichon’s NV Blanc de Noirs is a blend of 97% Pinot Noir—from Gyé-sur-Seine, Celles-sur-Ource and Neuville-sur-Seine—and 3% Pinot Meunier. This is a beautifully ample yet harmonious Champagne, evocative of cherry, orange oil, pear and brioche. Medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and pillowy, it combines racy acidity with excellent concentration and concludes with a long, aromatic finish. A blend of the 2020 and 2019 vintages, it is well worth seeking out. |
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Champagne | 1 | - | $397.00 | |||||
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Direct from France's esteemed Champagne region, we present the distinguished Barbichon Brut Nature NV. This fine wine, crafted by the Barbichon family, renowned Champagne producers since the 19th century, exudes unmatched sophistication. The Barbichon Brut Nature NV, a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, and 30% Chardonnay, embodies subtlety and balance. Expressing the sheer brilliance of organic farming, this wine's grapes are nurtured in the limestone-rich Kimmeridgian soils allowing a distinct minerality to emerge. Fermented using natural yeasts, aged for over two years, and bottled without dosage, the Barbichon Brut Nature NV is a splendid display of French winemaking tradition. Its remarkably clean profile offers crisp apple, soft brioche, and elegant citrus notes, leading to a fresh, enduring finish. Discover the exquisite delicacy of this true Champagne, where blended mastery meets timeless elegance. |
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Champagne | 9 | 91 (WA) | $337.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (91)Robert Barbichon’s 2021-based NV Réserve 4 Cépages, disgorged in December 2024 with a dosage of 4.5 grams per liter, is a blend of parcels from Gyé-sur-Seine, Celles-sur-Ource and Neuville-sur-Seine. Dominated by Pinot Noir (66%), it also includes a substantial proportion of Chardonnay (26%), with smaller amounts of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Meunier. Bursting with aromas of peach, pear and lime blossom, mingled with notes of quince and rosemary oil, it is medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and textural, with a more precocious, giving style than the domaine’s other cuvées. Balanced by vintage-typical incisive acidity, it concludes with a long, saline finish. |
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Champagne | 2 | - | $488.00 | |||||
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Delve into the world of fine Champagne with the exquisite Barbichon Rose Saignee Brut NV. This awe-inspiring wine comes from the highly-regarded Barbichon family in the Champagne region of France. Fourth-generation vintners, they display utmost dedication to their craft, cultivating their vineyards organically and making wine traditionally. The Barbichon Rose Saignee Brut NV, a standout offering, offers an exquisite balance of complexity and freshness. The base wine is created solely from Pinot Noir grapes and gains further complexity and texture by being aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years. The wine offers robust flavours of ripe raspberry, lemon zest, and subtle hints of smoke. A shining example of the Barbichon family’s commitment to excellence, the Barbichon Rose Saignee Brut NV is a true testament to the finesse and elegance associated with the finest Champagnes. Savour this wine to truly appreciate its intricate balance of fruit, freshness, and undeniable complexity. |
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Champagne | 3 | - | $280.00 | |||||
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Barons de Rothschild Blanc De Blancs 2006 is an exquisite champagne from the renowned Barons de Rothschild institution. This blanc de blancs is produced using 100% Chardonnay from the finest Grand Crus vineyards of the illustrious Côte des Blancs. With its grand maturity year of 2006, the wine offers sublime depth and complexity, embodying a masterful balance of vivacity and intensity. Crafted by ageing for a minimum of nine years in the Barons de Rothschild cellars, a testament to the superior methodology synonymous with this historic Champagne house, the Blanc de Blancs 2006 fortifies its richness with opulent brioche, honey, and almond aromas, perfectly synchronised with fresh citrus undertones. The silky, refined structure culminates in a long-lasting finish. As a natural accompaniment to prestigious occasions or for savoring as an aperitif, the Barons de Rothschild Blanc De Blancs 2006 attests to the height of French luxury and elegance. |
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Champagne | 1 | - | $861.00 | |||||
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Exuding sheer elegance and sophistication, the Barons de Rothschild Blanc De Blancs 2008 embodies the strength and distinction of the Rothschild family's prestigious Champagnes. This superior cuvée is crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, predominantly sourced from esteemed Grand Crus in the Côte des Blancs. Handpicked and prudently aged for a minimum of nine years, this refined Brut exhibits intoxicating blooms of white flowers, citrus, and crisp green apple, underscored by a subtle minerality. The fermentation in stainless steel vats and maturation in traditional chalk cellars bestow this champagne with its intense purity and a delicate finish. Barons de Rothschild Blanc De Blancs 2008 offers remarkable ageing potential while maintaining its characteristic precision and freshness. An investment in delightful complexity and luxurious pleasure, it is indeed a testament to Rothschild's commitment to crafting wines of unparalleled quality and refinement. |
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Champagne | 65 | - | $162.00 | |||||
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The Barons Rothschild Extra Brut NV is an extraordinary sparkling wine, a result of meticulous advocacy for Qualität from major vineyards across the renowned Champagne region of France. This exceptional wine, crafted by the legendary Rothschild family, is both timeless and elegant. Produced with a higher proportion of Chardonnay grapes, boasting from minerality and citrus notes for a lean, yet captivating profile. The wine undergoes an extended three-year ageing period, a testament to the Rothschilds' unwavering dedication to quality. The Extra Brut style allows the pure and delicate character of the autochthonous yeasts to reveal a fine balance between freshness and complexity. On the palate, expect an abundance of ripe fruit and delicately toasted nuances that yield to a long, austere finish. Expanding your collection or seeking to toast an occasion with unrivalled class, the Barons Rothschild Extra Brut NV stands as a remarkable exemplar of French wine-making savoir-faire. |
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Champagne | 2 | - | $341.00 | |||||
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Champagne | 1 | - | $178.00 | |||||
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A family-run Champagne house with a history dating back to 1878, many of the grapes grown by Maison Bénard Pitois are bought by Bollinger but they keep selected parcels from their 1er Cru vines in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ to create this excellent value Brut Réserve and their other releases. Made from a blend of 60% Pinot and 40% Chardonnay, it was aged for 30 months on lees, double the usual Non-Vintage ageing period of 15 months, and elegant brioche and almond complexity really shines through. It was also partly aged in wooden barrels, which has given it the richness.. |
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