Pierre Gimonnet
NV Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs Cuis 1er Cru Brut Pre-Arrival Price $47.99 750mL, $27.99 375mL, $74.99 1.5L
Bright straw. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet offers lime pith, fennel, jasmine and chalk. Lively and delineated in the mouth, lending incisive citrus and quince flavors that are underscored by intense minerality. Very tight, with strong finishing cut and lingering chalkiness.
Rated 90/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2006 Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs Cuvee Gastronome Brut Pre-Arrival Price $56.99
(made from fruit grown in Chouilly, Cramant, Oger and Cuis; disgorged April 5, 2011): Light gold. Vibrant, deeply fruity aromas of melon, nectarine and orange. Sweet citrus and honeydew flavors offer impressive depth and energy, picking up chalky minerality with air. Finishes with energetic lift and a lingering echo of sappy orchard fruits. Offers a happy marriage of power and finesse. Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2005 Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs Fleuron Brut Pre-Arrival Price $64.99Juicy and delicious, offering rich flavors of patisserie apple, fleshy peach, lemon meringue, biscuit and smoke, balanced by bright acidity with a firm edge, with an aromatic, mineral finish. Disgorged October 2010. Drink now through 2020.
Rated 91/100 points Wine Spectator
2004 Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blanc Cuvee Oenophile Extra Brut Pre-Arrival Price $64.99
(100% chardonnay from Chouilly, Cramant and Cuis, with no dosage; disgorged April 5, 2011): Green-tinged gold. Pungent citrus pith and nectarine aromas are complicated by intense mineral and spice notes, with a sneaky floral quality building with air. Dry but in no way severe, offering palate-staining lemon and orange qualities and a touch of sweet butter. The mineral note adds bite to thea long, incisive finish. I like this bracing, taut style of Champagne, especially the way that it works with unadorned shellfish or sashimi.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2006 Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs Cuvee Paradoxe Brut Pre-Arrival Price $56.99
The 2006 Brut Cuvee Paradoxe is approximately two-thirds Pinot and one-third Chardonnay. The Pinot clearly gives the Paradoxe a certain weight and breadth that is quite appealing, and also sets the wine apart from the rest of the Gimmonet lineup. Ripe red berries, flowers, mint and spices are some of the notes that flow from this deep, powerful Champagne. The personality of the wine comes through in the radiant, expressive finish. This is a fabulous effort from Gimmonet. This bottle was disgorged on July 8, 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2018.
Rated 92/100 points The Wine Advocate
2004 Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs Special Club Pre-Arrival Price $84.99
The 2004 Brut Special Club is terrific. Freshly cut flowers, pears, mint and apples are some of the nuances that emerge from the glass. The vintage is ideally suited to Chardonnay, and Gimonnet seems to have captured the full potential of the year here. This is a dazzling effort. The 2004 can be enjoyed today, but ideally needs more time in bottle. It is deeply impressive. Here, too, the blend is mostly Grand Cru; 60% Cramant and 28% Chouilly (both Grand Crus), along with 12% Cuis (Premier Cru), all old vines. This bottle was disgorged on December 12, 2011. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
Rated 93+/100 points The Wine Advocate
2005 Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs Special Club Pre-Arrival Price $84.99
(made mostly from fruit from the grand crus Cramant and Chouilly, with 13% coming from premier cru Cuis; disgorged February 9, 2011): Light, green-tinged gold. Lime zest, orchard fruit and mineral aromas show very good clarity and vivacity. Dry, focused and intense, offering juicy citrus and floral flavors and notes of candied ginger and iodine. Picks up a smoky note with air and finishes with very good cut and lingering spiciness.
Rated 91/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2002 Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs Special Club de Collection Pre-Arrival Price $94.99
The 2002 Brut Special Club de Collection presents a fairly rich, deep expression of fruit but with more than enough structure and energy to provide balance. The 2002 is notable for its rich, creamy textured, remarkable depth and super-finessed texture. It is another terrific wine from Gimmonet. The 2002 is 54% Cramant and 31% Chouilly (both Grand Crus), along with 15% Cuis (Premier Cru), all old vines. As always, the Special Club is made from older vineyards, with a heavy percentage of Grand Cru fruit. This bottle was disgorged March 30, 2011. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021.
Rated 93/100 points The Wine Advocate
Varnier-Fanniere
NV Varnier-Fanniere BLanc de Blancs Brut (Grand Cru) Pre-Arrival Price $53.99
(100% grand cru chardonnay from Avize, Oger and Cramant) Light straw with a fine bead. Intensely perfumed, spicy aromas of singed orange, lemongrass and ginger. Weighty pear and melon flavors are enlivened by juicy acidity and pick up notes of white flowers and honey with air. Very fresh and precise on the finish, which leaves chalky mineral and jasmine notes behind.
Rated 91/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Varnier-Fanniere Cuvee St, Denis Brut Pre-Arrival Price $59.99
(100% chardonnay from a 70-year-old parcel of vines in Avize; made from 65% 2006 wine and the rest from 2005; disgorged May, 2011): Light, bright gold. Intense mineral, floral and spice nuances accent orange zest and pear on the nose. Firm and sharply focused, with spicy, mineral-tinged pear, citrus, anise and honeysuckle flavors. Finishes with firm mineral cut and grip, the floral note lingering.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Varnier-Fanniere Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $59.99(90% chardonnay, one-third each from Cramant, Avize and Oger, and 10% pinot noir from Ay, vinified as wine; 40% of the wine is from 2008, 40% from 2007 and 20% from 2006; disgorged May, 2011): Pale pink. Racy, precise scents of strawberry, raspberry and fresh flowers on the mineral-accented nose. Focused and energetic, with impressive depth and cut to its tangy red fruit and citrus zest flavors. Picks up a chalky quality with air and finishes with excellent clarity, power and length.Rated 93/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Varnier-Fanniere Cuvee De Jean Fanniere Origine Extra Brut Pre-Arrival Price $64.99
The NV Extra Brut Grand Cru Cuvee de Jean Fanniere Origine is a tightly wound, focused wine bursting with intense Chardonnay notes. Chalk, ash and graphite develop in the glass, adding considerable complexity to the fruit. The muscular, intense style works beautifully. The Cuvee de Jean Fanniere Origine is 100% Chardonnay, 40% Cramant, 40% Avize and 20% Oger, 60% 2005 and 40% 2006 vintages. This bottle was disgorged May 6, 2011. Dosage was 3 grams per liter. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015.
Rated 92/100 points The Wine Advocate
Jean Milan
NV Jean Milan Blanc de Blancs Cuvee Speciale Brut Pre-Arrival Price $49.99
(all this fruit is from Oger; disgorged July, 2010): Pale gold. A perfumed bouquet displays scents of orange, honeysuckle,anise and sweet butter. Sappy citrus and orchard fruit flavors are complicated by notes of succulent herbsand given spine by tangy acidity. Quite fresh, with good finishing clarity and a dry edge.
Rated 88/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Jean Milan Millenaire Brut Pre-Arrival Price $54.99
This is both slightly more elegant and a bit more complex as well with more developed aromas that are similar but there are more brioche and spice characters that can also be found on the very effervescent flavors, indeed this is downright foamy yet the effervescence is very fine and not at all aggressive, which allows the finish to display a sappy and mouth coating quality. This is both intense and quite long as the finish almost sneaks up on the taster. Terrific.
Rated 92/100 points Allen Meadows's Burghound
2008 Jean Milan Symphorine Brut Pre-Arrival Price $62.99
Not Yet Reviewed
NV Jean Milan Cuvee de Reserve Brut Pre-Arrival Price $61.99
A soft-grained, creamy Champagne, this is a bit unusual in style, with delicate acidity and notes of cider and malt playing off of the black licorice, date, candied orange peel and whole-grain toast flavors. The dried fruit character lingers on the finish. Drink now through 2015.
Rated 91/100 points Wine Spectator
NV Jean Milan Glamour Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $59.99
Light, orange-tinged pink. High-pitched aromas of strawberry,blood orange and white flowers are complemented by suave spice and anise nuances. Pure, racy and precise on the palate, offering potent citrus and red berry flavors that gain heft with air. An elegant rendition of pink Champagne that blends power with finesse and finishes with excellent clarity and mineral-driven length.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Jean Milan Cuvee Tendresse Sec Pre-Arrival Price $52.99
The NV Sec Cuvee Tendresse is one of the very best wines in this style. It flows with layers of effortless fruit and expressive inner perfume. All of the elements are nicely balanced in this supple, approachable style. Dosage was 20 grams per liter and is used brilliantly here to bring out some of the racier, tropical notes in the Chardonnay, while avoiding too much sweetness or heaviness. This release is equal parts 2006 and 2007 vintages. This bottle was disgorged on July 12, 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.
Rated 92/100 points The Wine Advocate
Pierre Peters
NV Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reserve Brut Pre-Arrival Price $54.99 750mL, $31.99 375mL, $117.99 1.5L, $331.99 3L
The NV Brut Cuvee de Reserve is striking. It shows fabulous cut and definition in its fruit, expressive aromatics all backed up by plenty of underlying structure. A bright, mineral laced finish rounds things out in style. This is superb entry-level wine from one of Champagne’s top producers. The Cuvee Reserve is 100% Chardonnay. This year’s release is based on 2008 (60%), with reserve wines going back to 1988, precisely 1988, 1990, 1993 and 1995-2007 (except 1999 and 2003). Dosage is 6.7 grams. Disgorged February 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.
Rated 92/100 points The Wine Advocate
NV Pierre Peters Cuvee Rose' for Albane Pre-Arrival Price $64.99
The NV Brut Rose d’Albane is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Meunier (saignee), all 2008 vintage. Layers of ripe citrus, grapefruit, spices and white flowers flow effortlessly from this detailed, finely chiseled Rose. The wine impresses for its stunning depth and fabulous overall balance. The Chardonnay comes from Les Musettes, a climate in Le Mesnil, while the Meunier comes from Cumieres and Dammery. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. The slightly higher level of dosage works well here. Disgorged December 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016.
Rated 93/100 points The Wine Advocate
2006 Pierre Peters Cuvee Millesimee L'Esprit de2006 Pre-Arrival Price $74.99
The 2006 Brut Millesime Cuvee L’Esprit de 2006 is a blend of fruit from parcels in Mesnil, Oger, Avize and Cramant, all four Grand Cru villages. It is a sensational wine laced with green pears, apples, lemon, white flowers and spices. The balance of ripeness and tautness is remarkable in this powerful, intense wine. I tasted the 2006 for the first time during a visit to the winery about a year and a half ago, and immediately purchased a case of magnums. The wine is every bit as remarkable today. Dosage is 5.3 grams per liter. Disgorged January 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2026.
Rated 93/100 points The Wine Advocate
2005 Pierre Peters Cuvee Speciale Les Chetillons Pre-Arrival Price $89.99 750mL, $229.99 1.5L
Not Yet Reviewed
2004 Vintage Rated 96/100 points The Wine Advocate
Marc Hebrart
NV Marc Hebrart Cuvee de Reserve Brut Pre-Arrival Price $43.99 750mL, $26.99 375mL
The NV Brut Cuvee de Reserve is a fabulous wine. Sweet red berries, lime and jasmine emerge from this taut, wiry Champagne. The wine flows across the palate with notable energy and tons of appeal. This is a gorgeous NV bottling. The Cuvee de Reserve is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, from Mareuil sur Ay, Bisseuil, Avenay Val d'Or, 57% 2008 and 43% 2007/2006 vintages. Dosage was 8 grams per liter. This bottle was disgorged April 1, 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.
Rated 91/100 points The Wine Advocate
NV Marc Hebrart Selection Brut Pre-Arrival Price $46.99
The NV Brut Selection is one of the purest, most beautiful 2007 based wines I came across this year. Sweet, round and harmonious, it shows remarkable depth and terrific overall balance. Green apples, flowers and mint are some of the notes that flow effortlessly from this caressing Champagne. The Selection is made in a fairly round, immediate style, and it works beautifully. The blend is 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay from vineyards in Mareuil sur Ay, Oiry, Chouilly, based on 2007 (62%), with 38% of 2006 juice. Dosage is 8.2 grams per liter. Disgorged May 5, 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.
Rated 90/100 points The Wine Advocate
NV Marc Hebrart Blanc de Blancs Brut Pre-Arrival Price $45.99
(78% of the wine is from 2007 and 22% from 2006; disgorged 04/01/11): Green-tinged gold. Stony, mineral-accented lemon and quince aromas are precise and intensely spicy. Sappy orange and Meyer lemon flavors show very good depth and a pliant, silky texture, with a hint of anise emerging on the back end. The silky, spice-accented finish offers appealing ripeness and very good breadth.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Marc Hebrart Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $48.99
(roughly half pinots noir and meunier, and half chardonnay; 53% from 2007 and the rest from 2008; disgorged June 24, 2011): Pale, bright pink. Lively, precise aromas of strawberry, blood orange and pear, with a sexy floral quality picking up steam with air. Dry and nervy on the palate, offering tangy red berry and citrus flavors and complicating notes of chalky minerals and candied rose. Finishes bright and pure, with very good clarity and lingering florality.
Rated 91/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2006 Marc Hebrart Special Club Brut Pre-Arrival Price $72.99
(55% pinot noir and 45% chardonnay; disgorged on May 3, 2011): Light yellow. Fresh, spicy and complex on the nose, with notes of fresh pear, lemon pith and iodine. Rich and full but vibrant, with smoke-accented flavors of orchard fruits, orange pit and baking spices. Juicy acids give the finish a nervy quality and add bite to the lingering peach pit and blood orange flavors.
Rated 91/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Henri GoutorbeNV Henri Goutorbe Cuvee Prestige Brut Pre-Arrival Price $48.99(70% pinot noir, 25% chardonnay and 5% pinot meunier, mostly from 2005; disgorged June 20, 2011): Light yellow-gold. Orchard fruits, rose and minerals on the nose, with notes of gingerbread and rhubarb that come up with aeration. Sappy and focused on the palate, with very good depth and vivacity to its blood orange and candied floral flavors. Picks up a spicy quality on the back end and finishes with impressive cling and mineral-driven persistence.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Henri Goutorbe Blanc de Blancs Brut Pre-Arrival Price $52.99(mostly 2006 wine; disgorged 01/12/11): Light gold. Ripe nectarine and pear aromas are complemented by notes of ginger and musky herbs. Sappy and expansive on the palate, which offers juicy orchard and pit fruit flavors that are lifted by tangy acidity. Closes on a juicy note, with very good clarity and lingering spiciness.
Rated 90/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Henri Goutorbe Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $54.99The NV Brut Rose Grand Cru, a specialty here, is once again terrific. Though somewhat reticent and tightly wound, the Rose shows hints of its inner sweetness and gorgeous perfume the longer it sits in the glass. This vinous yet mid-weight, classy wine is a great effort from Goutorbe, even if it isn't as extroverted as some past versions. The Rose Grand Cru is 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, all from Ay. Given that the wine is 100% 2006 juice I would like to think there is room for this wine to improve with further time in bottle. Disgorged May 4, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Goutorbe is one of my favorite small, artisan estates. The majority of Goutorbe’s 22 hectares of vineyards are in his home town of Ay, with additional parcels scattered throughout Mareuil, Hautvillers, Mutigny and Bisseuil, and the southern districts of Sezanne and the Aube. The wines are loaded with personality, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.Rated 91/100 points The Wine Advocate
2004 Henri Goutorbe Special Club Brut Pre-Arrival Price $79.99
Not Yet Reviewed
Gaston Chiquet
NV Gaston Chiquet Tradition Carte Verte Brut Pre-Arrival Price $46.99 750mL, $27.99 375mL, $99.99 1.5L
(45% pinot meunier, 35% chardonnay and 20% pinot noir; 80% from 2007 and 20% from 2006; disgorged 04/04/11): Pale yellow. Aromas of ripe pear, peach and honey, with a subtle strawberry nuance in the background. The palate offers very good intensity, with fresh orchard fruit and spicecake flavors picking up weight with air. Closes on a vibrant, stony note, with very good clarity and length.
Rated 91/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Gaston Chiquet Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $49.99The NV Brut Rose is gorgeous. It possesses striking textural finesse and an understated personality. The blend is approximately equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, including 3% still Pinot Noir from the 2005 vintage. This version is 97% 2008 juice, which accounts for the wine’s freshness and focus. Dosage is 9.6 grams per liter. Disgorged October 18, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.
Rated 90/100 points The Wine Advocate
NV Gaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs d'Ay Brut Pre-Arrival Price $52.99 750mL, $109.99 1.5L
(all 2007 fruit; disgorged 04/05/11): Green-tinged gold. Highly fragrant scents of green apple, melon, jasmine and chamomile. Dry and sharply focused, with very good depth and vivacity to its juicy orchard fruit and mineral flavors. Very tight on the finish, which lingers with impressive tenacity and strongly echoes the mineral note.
Rated 91/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2002 Gaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs d'Ay Brut Pre-Arrival Price $155.99 1.5L(disgorged July 1, 2011): Light gold. Captivating, intensely perfumed nose combines orchard fruits, nectarine, minerals, white flowers and iodine. Intense and tactile on entry, then taut and penetrating in the middle, with impressive power to its citrus fruit, melon and floral flavors. A very powerful, palate-staining Champagne that is aging slowly.
Rated 94/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2004 Gaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs d'Ay Brut Pre-Arrival Price $145.99 1.5L
Not Yet Reviewed
2000 Gaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs d'Ay Brut Pre-Arrival Price $489.99 3L
(disgorged January, 2010) Yellow-gold. Wild, mineral-driven bouquet of orange zest, pear, lemongrass and chamomile, with a strong note of iodine picking up steam with air. Deeply pitched, potent orchard fruit and mineral flavors stain the palate, with salty minerality providing lift. The iodine note repeats strongly on the finish, which leaves a trail of mineral and floral notes behind. This reminds me a lot of a top-notch Chablis or a soil-dominated wine from Puligny.
Rated 93/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Gaston Chiquet Cuvee de Reserve Brut Pre-Arrival Price $59.99(45% pinot meunier, 35% chardonnay and 20% pinot noir, mostly from 2004 but also including bits of 2002, 2001 and 1998; disgorged 12/08/09): Light gold. Pungent scents of dried pear and peach pit are lifted by a tangy orange zest nuance. Vibrant on the palate, showing pungent blood orange and orchard fruit character and a late jolt of ginger. Finishes clean, nervy and impressively long, with lingering notes of honeysuckle and chalk.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2004 Gaston Chiquet Special Club Brut Pre-Arrival Price $75.99The 2004 Brut Special Club bursts from the glass with terrific energy and sheer class. It captures all of the potential of a year that was especially favorable to Chardonnay. There is plenty of nuance and detail in the glass. The 2004 shows off tons of personality and sheer class. Mint, sage and eucalyptus are some of the notes that wrap around the finish. This is first-class all the way. It is also one of the very finest wines I have ever tasted from Chiquet. The 2004 Special Club is 70% Chardonnay (from Dizy), 30% Pinot Noir (from Ay and Hautvillers). Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged July 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.
Rated 94/100 points The Wine Advocate
Rene Geoffroy
NV Rene Geoffroy Expression Brut Pre-Arrival Price $48.99
(59% pinot noir, 25% pinot meunier and 16% chardonnay; 70% of the wine is from 2008 and the rest from 2007 and 2006; disgorged 03/09/11): Pale yellow. Exotic, mineral-accented aromas of pear, orange and anise, with a slow-building spiciness. Dry and focused on the palate, offering spicy orchard fruit flavors and a deeper nectarine quality on the back end. Closes with firm, stony cut and very good persistence.
Rated 91/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Rene Geoffroy Empreinte Brut Pre-Arrival Price $55.99 750mL, $31.99 375mL(76% pinot noir, 14% chardonnay and 10% pinot meunier, all from 2006; disgorged 05/12/11): Light gold. Musky citrus pith, redcurrant and pear skin on the nose, complicated by scents of licorice and spicecake. A broad, sappy Champagne that offers gently sweet blood orange and pear flavors, with hints of toasty lees and dried rose adding complexity. Finishes with strong thrust and noteworthy clarity, spiciness and energy.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Rene Geoffroy Rose' de Saignee Brut Pre-Arrival Price $63.99 750mL, $37.99 375mL, $145.99 1.5LThe NV Brut Rose de Saignee is 100% Pinot Noir from the 2008 vintage. The rich, vinous style is beautifully balanced by the coolness and minerality of the year. This is a gorgeous, complete Champagne bursting with personality and sheer class. The wine boasts fabulous depth and remarkable nuance without ever coming across as heavy. To be sure, this is an intense, bold style that needs to be paired with food. Disgorged July 5, 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2018.
Rated 93/100 points The Wine Advocate
NV Rene Geoffroy Blanc de Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $105.99
(a 50/50 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, all from 2009, with only 1 g/l dosage; disgorged 05/12/11): Light orange-pink. High-pitched, incisive aromas of fresh red berries, blood orange, white pepper and rose, with a strong mineral component. Dry and focused in the mouth, showing noteworthy intensity to the zesty strawberry, raspberry and bitter rhubarb flavors. The mineral and floral notes repeat on the long, sappy, penetrating finish, which features an intense spicy quality. I love this vibrant, pure style of rose Champagne.
Rated 93/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Rene Geoffroy Cuvee Volupte Brut Pre-Arrival Price $79.99(80% chardonnay and 20% pinot noir, with a very low dosage of 2 g/l; disgorged 03/09/11): Light gold. Highly fragrant bouquet of orange zest, lemongrass, honeysuckle and chalky minerals. Dry and precise on the palate, with lively citrus and underripe orchard fruit flavors picking up spiciness with air. Finishes bright and long, with excellent clarity and mineral-driven persistence.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2002 Rene Geoffroy Millesime Extra Brut Pre-Arrival Price $315.99 1.5L(60% pinot noir, 35% chardonnay and 5% pinot meunier; raised in wood, with the malo blocked and a very low dosage used; disgorged March 9, 2011): Light yellow-gold. Exotically perfumed nose displays an array of citrus and orchard fruit aromas, along with notes of vanilla, anise and smoke. Lush Meyer lemon, pear and honeysuckle flavors stain the palate, with bitter herb and quince nuances adding cut. Leaves smoky mineral and leesy notes behind on the strikingly long, sappy finish. Powerful, well-balanced Champagne.
Rated 93/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Rene Geoffroy Ratafia Pre-Arrival Price $44.99
Not Yet Reviewed
Jean Lallement et Fils
NV Jean Lallement et Fils Brut Pre-Arrival Price $49.99
The NV Brut is a very pretty wine graced with considerable nuance and complexity. Sweet red fruits, mint, flowers and herbs are some of the notes that come together in this articulate Champagne. Lallement’s NV Brut shows lovely balance and class from start to finish. Floral notes are nicely layered into the energetic close. The NV Brut is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, 80% 2008, 20% 2007 vintages. There is quite a bit of 2008 vintage character here. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged May 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.
Rated 91/100 points The Wine Advocate
NV Jean Lallement et Fils Reserve Brut Pre-Arrival Price $59.99
(80% pinot noir and 20% chardonnay; disgorged May, 2011): Light, bright gold. Musky orchard fruits and yellow plum on the nose, complemented by hints of marzipan and honey. A powerful, densely packed style that shows surprising energy to its ripe apple and pear flavors. A zesty citrus quality adds cut and lift to the smoky, toasty finish. I like the blend of richness and vivacity here.
Rated 91/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Jean Lallement et Fils Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $59.99
The NV Brut Rose is 100% Pinot Noir from Verzenay. It is a fabulous wine endowed with tons of sheer energy and class. Layers of vibrant, beautifully delineated fruit flow effortlessly from this superb Champagne. Although it can’t be labeled as a single vintage wine, Lallement’s NV Brut Rose is 100% 2008 juice. It is a serious wine that is highly deserving of attention. Sweet, perfumed notes resonate on the finish. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged May 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015.
Rated 92/100 points The Wine Advocate
Pehu-Simonet
NV Pehu-Simonet Selection Pre-Arrival Price $46.99
The NV Brut Selection is another beautiful wine that gains in complexity through the blending of fruit from Verzenay, Veryz and Sillery. It is a gorgeous, finessed Champagne graced with exquisite elegance and purity. It presents lovely detail in a refined expression of red berries, flowers, chalk and spices, all of which flow to the cool, minerally finish. I especially like the energy and focus. This is another beautiful showing. The Selection is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, based on the 2007 vintage, with some 2006. Pehu aged 5% of the wine in oak, the rest was done in stainless steel. Dosage is 9.5 grams per liter. Disgorged February 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2017.
Rated 92/100 points The Wine Advocate
NV Pahu-Simonet Transparence Extra Brut Pre-Arrival Price $49.99
(70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay, from Vezelay): Bright yellow. Fresh orange and pear on the expressive mineral- and floral-accented nose; smells like a wine from Puligny-Montrachet. Bright and focused on the palate, offering pure citrus fruit and honeysuckle flavors and a deeper pear skin nuance. Shows alluring silkiness and very good focus on the finish, the floral note echoing.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Pehu-Simonet Blanc de Blancs Brut Pre-Arrival Price $64.99(100% chardonnay, from Mesnil-sur-Oger; disgorged June, 2011): Green-tinged yellow. Complex, floral-accented bouquet displays Meyer lemon, orange peel, pear, jasmine, chalk and white pepper. Dry, pure and precise, with a weightless quality and surprising concentration to its citrus zest, mineral and floral flavors. The finish leaves a dusty mineral note behind and strongly repeats the floral note. Owing to its finesse and cut, this blanc de blancs would be great with sashimi or raw oysters.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV Pehu-Simonet Blanc de Noir Brut Pre-Arrival Price $64.99The NV Brut Blanc de Noirs is 100% 2008 Pinot Noir from Verzenay. It seems cool, minerally and implosive, with fabulous energy, focus and cut. The personality of the year comes through in spades in this understated and totally beautiful Champagne. White flowers, citrus and crushed rocks are layered into the finish. Pehu used oak for 60% of the wine and stainless steel for the remainder. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged June 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018.
Rated 92/100 points The Wine Advocate
NV Pehu-Simonet Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $58.99
(80% pinot noir and 20% chardonnay, from Verzenay, Verzy, Sillery and Mailly; based on 2007 fruit; disgorged March, 2011): Light, bright orange. Ripe red berries and herbs on the pungent nose and in the mouth. Becomes spicier with air and picks up a tarragon element, along with a hint of candied rose. Closes on a refreshingly bitter note, with solid punch and lingering florality.
Rated 90/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
A. MargaineNV A. Margaine Cuvee Traditionelle Brut Pre-Arrival Price $45.99 750mL, $25.99 375mLThe NV Brut Cuvee Traditionelle shows fabulous intensity and sheer class. Citrus, flowers and crushed rock are some of the nuances that emerge from this beautifully delineated Champagne. A gorgeous, ethereal finish rounds things out in style. The blend is 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, 52% 2008 juice plus reserves spanning 2007 (20%), 2005 (8%), 2004 (12%), and 2000 (8%), with partial malolactic fermentation. Dosage is 8.5 grams per liter. Disgorged July 10, 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016.
Rated 91/100 points The Wine Advocate
NV A. Margaine Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $49.99
(78% chardonnay and 22% pinot noir; disgorged July, 2009) Pale pink. Fresh, finely etched red berry and blood orange aromas are complemented by notes of talc and cinnamon. Lively, focused red fruit flavors are concentrated and brisk, with a note of white pepper adding lift on the spicy, refreshing, snappy finish. (Terry Theise Estate Selections/Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY)
Rated 90/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2006 A. Margaine Special Club Pre-Arrival Price $74.99(100% chardonnay from premier cru Villers-Marmery; 20% of the wine was brought up in oak; disgorged July 10, 2011): Light yellow. A highly perfumed bouquet combines citrus and orchard fruits with spicy oak and floral nuances. Juicy, dense and spicy, with bright acidity lifting and sharpening the sappy pear and orange flavors. Shows noteworthy intensity on the finish, which leaves notes of vanilla bean and ginger behind. This wine's blend of power and vivacity is impressive.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV A. Margaine Demi-Sec Pre-Arrival Price $26.99Margaine’s NV Demi-Sec Traditionelle reveals an unusual level of balance and finesse for a Demi-Sec Champagne. The wine shows terrific balance and focus in its crisp apples, flowers and sweet baking spices, with outstanding overall balance and great harmony. Disgorged: April 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2013.
Rated 90/100 points The Wine Advocate
L. Aubry et Fils
NV L. Aubry et Fils Brut Pre-Arrival Price $39.99 750mL, $89.99 1.5L
(disgorged July, 2011): Light gold. High-pitched aromas of citrus zest, ginger and white pepper, with a stony topnote. Dry and precise, offering tangy orange and lemon flavors that boast very good clarity and power. Finishes bright and linear, with lingering chalkiness and very good persistence.
Rated 91/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
NV L. Aubry et Fils Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $52.99(45% chardonnay, 40% pinot noir and 15% still pinot meunier; disgorged July, 2011): Pale orange-pink. Dark berries and potpourri on the exotically perfumed nose. Fleshy and silky in texture, with very good depth and energy to its black raspberry and candied rose flavors. Becomes spicier with air and finishes with impressive energy, cling and spicy persistence. For such a rich Champagne there's wonderful vivacity here.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2005 L. Aubry et Fils Le Nombre d'Or Campaniae Veteres Vites Brut Pre-Arrival Price $56.99(25% co-fermented pinot gris and pinot blanc, 20% petit meslier, 20% pinot noir, 15% arbanne and 10% each of pinot meunier and chardonnay; no oak; disgorged January, 2011): Pale straw. An explosively perfumed bouquet of spicy citrus and pear is complicated by pungent floral and herbal nuances. Luscious, concentrated and palate-staining, with ripe orchard fruit and citrus pith flavors underscored by chalky minerality. Finishes with excellent focus and mineral-driven thrust.
Rated 92/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2006 L. Aubry et Fils Cuvee Nicolas Francois Aubry Sable Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $73.99(35% pinot noir and meunier, pressed together, 20% each of arbanne and petit meslier, 15% chardonnay and 10% still pinot meunier; disgorged January, 2011): Light orange. Seductively perfumed, exotic bouquet of strawberry, blood orange and Asian spices. Fresh, finely etched red berry and citrus flavors gain intensity and weight with air, picking up pink peppercorn and cinnamon qualities. Finishes clean and brisk, with resonating red berry notes and very good persistence.
Rated 91/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Vilmart & CieNV Vilmart & Cie Cuvee Grand Cellier Brut Pre-Arrival Price $69.99 750mL, $449.99 3LThe NV Brut Cuvee Grand Cellier possesses gorgeous intensity in its piercing notes of lemon, white flowers and spices. Smoky, floral notes continue to emerge as the wine shows off its class and sheer energy. This is a great showing from the Grand Cellier. The Grand Cellier is 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. This release is based on 2008, with reserve wines from 2007 and 2006. The fruit is sourced from Les Hautes Greves and Les Basses Greves, both in Rilly la Montagne. Dosage is 10 grams per liter. Disgorged May 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015.
Rated 91/100 points The Wine Advocate
NV Vilmart st Cie Cuvee Rubis Brut Pre-Arrival Price $69.99
(90% pinot noir and 10% chardonnay): Bright, orange-tinged pink. Sexy, high-pitched aromas of blood orange, strawberry, potpourri and minerals; smells like an elegant, stony red Burgundy. Dry and precise, with very good depth and focus to its sappy red fruit, orange zest and floral flavors. Shows a touch of vanilla on the impressively long, clinging finish, with the strawberry note repeating.
Rated 93/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2006 Vilmart & Cie Cuvee Grand Cellier Rubis Rose' Brut Pre-Arrival Price $134.99(60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, from a single vineyard of old vines): Bright orange-pink. Explosively perfumed scents of fresh red berries, vanilla, potpourri and smoky minerals, with an exotic veneer of Asian spices. Creamy and broad but focused, offering intense raspberry and cherry flavors lifted and sharpened by a blood orange nuance. The spice, floral and vanilla notes linger with impressive tenacity.
Rated 95/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2000 Vilmart et Cie Cuvee Creation Brut Pre-Arrival Price $119.99(80% chardonnay and 20% pinot noir, from a single site in Rilly la Montagne; disgorged April, 2010): Light gold. Strikingly complex bouquet of fresh citrus and orchard fruit scents, along with notes of iodine, chamomile, vanilla and smoky minerals. Like a serious white Burgundy with bubbles, offering intense orange, pear and spice flavors and a smoky overtone. Finishes very long and precise, with lingering smokiness and mouthwatering minerality. This is the last vintage for this bottling, by the way.
Rated 94/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
1998 Vilmart et Cie Cuvee Creation Brut Pre-Arrival Price $319.99 3LSimply seductive, this silky Champagne features expressive coconut, candied berry, grapefruit and spice flavors. Harmonious and fresh, with a lingering aftertaste. Drink now through 2020.
Rated 93/100 points Wine Spectator
2000 Vilmart et Cie Coeur de Cuvee Brut Pre-Arrival Price $299.99 1.5L
A moderately yeasty yet elegant nose that is fresh, complex and carries touches of both pain grillé and citrus blossom while leading to intense, pure and gorgeously deep flavors that possess first class breadth and genuinely excellent length. While still on the way up, after 30 to 45 minutes it began to display notably deeper and broader flavors that are at once powerful yet refined. A terrific effort that is absolutely worth your attention.
Rated 94/100 points Allen Meadows's Burghound
NV Vilmart et Cie Ratafia Pre-Arrival Price $52.99
Not Yet Reviewed
Chartogne-Taillet
NV Chartogne-Taillet Cuvee Sainte-Anne Brut Pre-Arrival Price $41.99 750mL, $28.99 375mL, $97.99 1.5L, $226.99 3L
(60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir, 80% from 2007 and 20% each from 2006 and 2005; disgorged June, 2011): Light gold. Deeply pitched aromas of orchard fruits and redcurrant, with a hint of pungent herbs. Dense and chewy on the palate, offering broad pear and bitter cherry flavors braced by tangy acidity. Shows very good clarity and energy on the finish, which leaves a spicy note behind.
Rated 90/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2004 Chartogne-Taillet Millesime Brut Pre-Arrival Price $59.99(60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay; disgorged August, 2011): Greenish gold. High-pitched aromas of nectarine, pear, honeysuckle and cherry pit, with a sexy overtone of allspice and candied ginger. Buttery orchard fruit and red berry fruit flavors stain the palate, complemented by notes of orange marmalade and smoky herbs. Precise and nervy on the impressively long finish, which echoes the red fruit and floral notes.
Rated 93/100 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
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