Champagne

V93Vinous The NV Extra Brut Rosé de Meunier is very similar to the Ultradition version (the blend of vintages changes slightly) but bottled with 2.5 grams per liter of dosage. The lower dosage seems to bring out an extra kick of savory intensity to play off the dried rose petal, cinnamon, orange peel and crushed red berry fruit. This release is a blend of equal parts 2018 and 2017, done as a blend of lots that are pressed as white (Blanc de Noirs), saignée and still red wine. I loved it. RP90Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Disgorged earlier this year, the NV Extra-Brut Rosé de Meunier bursts with aromas of red berries, peonies, licorice and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's layered and vinous, with a ripe core of fruit and brisk girdling acids. As usual, it's a blend of 60% direct pressed Pinot Meunier, 30% macerated Pinot Meunier and 10% red Pinot Meunier.

Taittinger Brut La Française is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier wines from at least 35 villages. The high proportion of Chardonnay (40%) is unique among fine nonvintage Champagnes. The presses are located in the vineyard for immediate pressing of the fruit after the manual harvest, and the resulting must is cold fermented under temperature-controlled conditions. After resting until the end of winter, the wine is blended, and then the final cuvée undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle in Taittinger’s cool cellars. The aging of Brut La Française on the lees for almost 4 years more than doubles the legal minimum of 15 months. This extra time in the cellars allows the wine to reach the peak of aromatic maturity, and the result is a delicately balanced Champagne, known for its consistently excellent quality.

Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc

This producer with vines in Grand Cru vineyards on the Côte des Blancs has created a tight, young and mineral-driven Champagne. Its acidity and texture are wrought and nervy, just waiting to uncoil and soften to give an attractive wine. Drink from 2022.

Critical Acclaim WE 94 points

Wine Enthusiast In keeping with the house style, this is a dry brut. It brings out freshness, tight crispness and taut minerality. The Champagne demands some further aging to soften its vibrant edge. Drink from 2022. JS92James Suckling Dried honeysuckle, lemon, dried apple, praline, toasted almond and crushed stone on the nose. Mineral and linear with a medium body, sharp acidity and sleek bubbles. Fresh and dry. Chardonnay.

This Champagne is a blend of some 30 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards, respectively 40% and 60% of the total, from several harvests of perfectly ripened grapes.

The Laherte Freres Ultradition is a lively and complex Champagne, displaying a pale gold color and delicate, persistent bubbles. The aromas are reminiscent of fresh green apples, pears, and citrus fruits, complemented by a subtle nuttiness and a hint of brioche. The Champagne is dry and crisp, with a vibrant acidity that balances perfectly with a rich and creamy texture. The blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier grapes offers a harmonious combination of fruitiness and depth, leading to a long and satisfying finish. This is a beautifully crafted Champagne that embodies the unique terroir of the region, and would be a wonderful complement to a wide range of dishes, from seafood to soft cheeses.

60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir grown around the estate in Chavot and from sourced vineyards in the Vallée de la Marne. This is normally a blend of 60% current vintage and 40% reserve wines from the two previous harvests. Hand harvested and pressed in traditional vertical Champagne press. Although a great value, this is serious wine with excellent mineral cut, showing a chalky texture coated with lovely citrus, apricot, floral and honeyed pear aromatics. Very persistent showing nice tension and breed.

First press juice from exclusively Premier and Grand Cru plots. 100% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and our vineyards in Mareuil-sur-Ay, Ay and Avenay-Val-d’Or. Vinified using traditional methods to avoid premature oxidation. Partial malolactic fermentation for the wines in vats and vinification without malolactic fermentation for the wines in wooden barrels. Extra-brut dosage (4.25 g/litre) to maintain a balance between freshness and vinosity without masking the wine’s character and purity. Aged for five to seven years to develop maximum complexity. 

To the eye light, bright gold with fine, lively bubbles. Persistent and generous froth. On the nose open and fruit-driven with notes of white currant, fresh quince and citrus. Partial vinification in wooden barrels (20% of the blend) brings aromas of honey and toast and a finish with touches of vanilla. With the mouse the palate is fresh and fruity, with a fine mineral texture reminiscent of chalk. The finish is long and persistent with subtle hints of pepper and spices.

Billecart Salmon Les Rendez-Vous de Billecart Salmon No.1 Champagne 75cl is a sensual and sophisticated wine created using 100% Pinot Meunier grapes from the Marne Valley. Due to the purity and balance of the fruits, the grapes have undergone a careful selection process so that only the most premium are used. This wine truly reaffirms how pure Pinot Meunier should be.