Champagne & Sparkling
In 1668, Dom Pérignon is said to have discovered how to make sparkling wine; today his technique is used the world over, although Champagne continues to make some of the finest. France’s most northerly wine region, Champagne is now home to 15,000 growers and 290 ‘houses’. A blend of grape varieties is usually required: white Chardonnay to add fruit and elegance, and two reds – Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – to provide body and backbone.
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Champagne Bollinger, Special Cuvée, Brut
This is gleaming gold in the glass. The nose entices with yellow fruit, ginger and hot buttered scones, while the palate is softly foaming, powerful and utterly delicious. The fine mousse aids textural complexity. Flavours weave between the immediate satisfaction of baked plum crumble with cream, and serious, savoury Pinot musk from the thoroughbred chalk terroir, the maturity of the base vintages and evolution in bottle. The finish is mineral, golden, expansive and dangerously moreish.
Davy Żyw, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & RuddChampagne Bollinger, Special Cuvée, BrutChampagne Bollinger, Special Cuvée, BrutBottle Price 75 cl $96.00 -
2016 Champagne Leclerc Briant, Millésime, Extra BrutBrilliant but challenging vintage in Champagne, resulting in bright, classical wines which Hervé draws akin to the legendry 88 vintage. From their biodyanamic vineyards the is a cuvée of 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay & 15% Pinot Meunier. Vinified and matured for 10 months in second fill barriques, hailing from Ch. Y’Quem & Haut Brion barrel. Richly fruited, marzipan and fresh figs on the nose, the palate is seductively foaming, marrying vinous musk, bright fruit and chalky tension.
Disgorged in February 2022, 2.83g dosage.
Drink now
Davy Żyw, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (September 2023)2016 Champagne Leclerc Briant, Millésime, Extra Brut2016 Champagne Leclerc Briant, Millésime, Extra BrutBottle Price 75 cl $102.00 -
2011 Champagne Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs, BrutThe 2011 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is superb with generous, bright aromas of lemon cream, stone fruits, baked pastry and almonds. The palate has a subtle verve: rich but not overbearing and its weight is carried with deftness and elegance. There is freshness here and a fine mousse brings a lively energy. Beautiful acidity and with extraordinary length, it finishes with a twist of salinity leaving you reaching for a second sip.
Drink 2022 - 2038
Larissa Buckley, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd (Oct 2022) -
2016 Champagne Claude Cazals, La Chapelle du Clos, Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru, Oger, Brut
Although Chapelle du Clos is pitched as the “second wine Eof Champagne Cazals, it is an altogether different expression of its unique terroir to their “tête de cuvée E Crafted from 50-year-old vines which were grown on raw chalk, this wine is a pure expression of Oger. The palate is rich in spring meadow flower aromas, and flavours of golden apple tartlets, pithy lemon and cool, chalky fruit. It’s truly compelling.
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2002 Champagne Dom Pérignon, BrutThe 2002 Dom Pérignon is unforgettable. Rich, sumptuous and flamboyant to the core, the 2002 captures all of the radiance of a year in which ripeness in the Chardonnays was pushed to the edge. The 2002 is oily and viscous on the palate, with tremendous textural resonance in all of its dimensions.
Tropical fruit, pastry and exotic floral notes all build as the 2002 opens up with air. I can still remember the first time I tasted the 2002, here in the Hautvillers cloister, with former Chef de Caves Richard Geoffroy. It was thrilling back then, and is every bit as memorable today.
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (March 2019)2002 Champagne Dom Pérignon, Brut2002 Champagne Dom Pérignon, BrutBottle Price 75 cl $454.00 -
2005 Champagne Thiénot La Vigne aux Gamins
Made from Chardonnay grapes from an old, 100 % Grand Cru vineyard in Avize, La Vigne aux Gamins is a unique Cuvee full of love and flavour. The wine has a very clear, almost limpid colour and delicate bubbles. The nose develops very subtly Aromas of prune whilst aerating the wine reveals notes of cooked fruits, brioche and the lovely lingering finish of a great terroir. La Vigne aux Gamins is free of all embellishments, making it an exceptionally pure Champagne.
{***}{region}Champagne{region} {color}White{color} {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text} {vintage}2005{vintage} {ratings} []Wine Enthusiast:: 94/100{ratings} {***}
2005 Champagne Thiénot La Vigne aux GaminsChampagne2005 Champagne Thiénot La Vigne aux GaminsBottle Price 75cl $158.00Was $176.00 -
2008 Champagne Charles Heidsieck, Millésimé, Brut
Dense nose and obvious evolution. More evolved, in fact, than many 2008s. Creamy rather than angular. Light toast. Lively but not as punchy as some other 2008s.
Drink 2018 - 2028
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (September 2019)2008 Champagne Charles Heidsieck, Millésimé, Brut2008 Champagne Charles Heidsieck, Millésimé, BrutBottle Price 75 cl $202.00 -
2008 Rare Champagne, Millésime, Brut
The Millésime Rare is an absolutely delicious Champagne, and a wonderful example of the quality of the 2008 vintage. Made up of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, all grapes for the wine were sourced from Grand Cru villages. Initially delicate on the nose, it opens up in the glass to show aromas of sweet peach, dried flowers, almonds and white pepper. The palate is ripe with a rich mousse; it’s zesty and refreshing, with hints of pineapple, blood orange, liquorice and freshly-baked pastries.
Drink 2022 E2035
Paul Keating, Private Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd (Nov 2021)2008 Rare Champagne, Millésime, Brut2008 Rare Champagne, Millésime, BrutBottle Price 75 cl $293.00 -
2008 Champagne Henriot, Cuvée Hemera, Brut
About to be released. A classic year with typical weather and 'perfect parameters' according to chef de cave Alice Tétienne. Dosage 5 g/l (Brut no longer appears on the front label). Disgorged November 2022.
Discreet nose, lovely tight-knit texture and lots of energy. Chiselled and not nearly at peak but with a really long and interesting aftertaste.2008 Champagne Henriot, Cuvée Hemera, Brut2008 Champagne Henriot, Cuvée Hemera, BrutBottle Price 75 cl $253.00 -
2014 Louis Roederer Brut
71% Pinot Noir, 29% Chardonnay with 25% vinified in oak tuns and 20% malolactic fermentation. RS 8 g/l.
There is real savour of age on the nose of this wine, which seems to have considerable development. Something very appetising on the palate but with the intrigue of the age on the nose. It may have 8 g/l dosage, but it tastes bone dry and extremely vibrant on the end. Only 20% malo presumably had an effect. Lots of wild-flower flavours Ea bit of a wild card overall.
Drink 2019 - 2027
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (October 2021)2014 Louis Roederer Brut2014 Louis Roederer BrutBottle Price 75 cl $130.00 -
1999 Champagne Laurent-Perrier, Late Disgorged Vintage, Brut (22/04/21)Only in magnum. 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir form top crus. Disgorged on 22 April 2021. Dosage 7 g/l.
Honeyed straw colour. Tingly, vibrant nose with great energy even if without a massively deep undertow. Real grip and presence on the palate. And impressive persistence. But it's a sprightly wine rather than one in which pronounced autolysis has been sought.
Drink 2022 - 2026
Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com (Jun 2022) -
2010 Champagne Dom Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, Brut
At first glance, the champagne looks golden yellow, with light greenish hues and a fine, persistent sparkle.The first nose reveals a powdery, floral and mineral note evoking the chypre universe of perfumery. The second nose brings together toasted and spicy notes such as nutmeg mace, roasted hazelnut and almond, and a hint of coffee. Fig leaf aromas mingle with notes of black tea and fresh spices in the mouth. A lingering fresh finish is elevated by an elegant bitterness.
2010 Champagne Dom Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, Brut2010 Champagne Dom Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, BrutBottle Price 75 cl $343.00 -
2007 Champagne Thiénot Grande Cuvée Alain Thiénot
Dark black currant, plum violet and spicy aromatics lead to a silky elegantly textured palate showing great depth, tension and persistence.
{***} {region}Champagne{region} {color}White{color} {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text} {vintage}2007{vintage} {ratings} []Wine Enthusiast::94/100 {ratings}{***}
2007 Champagne Thiénot Grande Cuvée Alain ThiénotChampagne2007 Champagne Thiénot Grande Cuvée Alain ThiénotBottle Price 75 cl $146.00Bottle Price 150 cl $330.00 -
2006 Champagne Thiénot Cuvée Stanislas Blanc de Blancs
With fruit from the chalk vineyards of the Côte des Blancs, this wine named after Alain Thiénot's son Stanislas is tightly textured, mineral-driven, steely and crisp. Apple skins and lime juice feature along with a continuing freshness despite the wine's age.
{***} {region}Champagne{region} {color}White{color} {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text} {vintage}2006{vintage} {ratings} []Wine Enthusiast::92/100 {ratings}{***}
2006 Champagne Thiénot Cuvée Stanislas Blanc de BlancsChampagne2006 Champagne Thiénot Cuvée Stanislas Blanc de BlancsBottle Price 75cl $125.00Was $139.00 -
2005 Champagne Thiénot Cuvée Stanislas Blanc de Blancs
Firm and focused, with a creamy mousse supporting a subtle weave of lemon meringue pie, poached white peach, toasted almond and honey, showing a pronounced vein of smoky minerality that echoes on the finish. Drink now through 2025.
Wine Spectator 92/100{***} {region}Champagne{region} {color}White{color} {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text} {vintage}2005{vintage} {ratings} []Wine Enthusiast::92/100 {ratings}{***}
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2008 Champagne J.L. Vergnon, Confidence, Blanc de Blancs, Brut NatureA gifted and well-known oenologue, Christophe Constant at Vergnon has excellent raw materials to work with, helped by the situation of his vines. His philosophy is to nurture ripe and mature Chardonnay, usually from old vines, to eschew malolactic fermentation, and to allow the wines a lengthy maturation pre (and post) disgorgement, to facilitate integration and presage a potential for lengthy ageing. A very sound philosophy indeed it would seem.
Barrel-fermented with zero dosage, this is a definitive statement, if one puts thoughts of Krug’s Clos de Mesnil momentarily to one side, of oak-fermented Champagne from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The oak does not mask the steely linear purity that has made this village’s wines so famous, but adds texture and hints of sourdough, tarte tatin and fig; resplendent complexity, in other words, to adorn a cerebral core.2008 Champagne J.L. Vergnon, Confidence, Blanc de Blancs, Brut Nature2008 Champagne J.L. Vergnon, Confidence, Blanc de Blancs, Brut NatureBottle Price 75 cl $120.00Was $133.00 -
Champagne Thiénot Brut
This blend of the three classic Champagne grape varieties forms the signature Thiénot style of finesse, fruit and freshness, offering springtime notes, magnificent balance and a lingering finish. The Champagne House’s great classic.
Champagne Thiénot BrutChampagne Thiénot BrutBottle Price 37.5 cl $59.00 -
2010 Champagne Dom Pérignon, Brut
Generous and expressive on the nose with initial classic Dom Perignon notes of lifted citrus fruit and precise flinty minerality broadening to a creamy textured richness.... with brioche, ripe stone and exotic fruit and heady hints of white flowers.... Chardonnay seems to be to the fore at this stage with Winemaker Vincent Chaperon describing Chardonnay in 2010 as their 'best ever'.
Suave, supple and glossy on the palate with a flamboyant fluid mid-palate nicely balanced by freshness and a fine polished finish. Hard not to enjoy now... and perhaps the perfect foil to 2008 which will need some time to show its full potential.
Adrian Brice, Fine Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (July 2020)2010 Champagne Dom Pérignon, Brut2010 Champagne Dom Pérignon, BrutBottle Price 75 cl $358.00 -
2008 Champagne Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Brut
Very pale with a greenish tinge. Fresh, pretty youthful nose. Masses of acidity and very definitely not ready yet. Still seems embryonic. But it certainly isn’t too sweet!
Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com (June 2020)2008 Champagne Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Brut2008 Champagne Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, BrutBottle Price 300 cl $1,615.00 -
Champagne Krug, Grande Cuvée, 170ème Édition, Brut
The latest edition of Grande Cuvée is a release I await with anticipation every year. This wine doesn’t disappoint in the slightest, although I was surprised at the delicacy of the wine vs. other recent vintages. The nose opens with fresh aromas of crushed flint, dried flowers and ripe citrus fruit. As the wine develops in the glass, richer notes of apricot, pineapple, marzipan and warm patisserie emerge. The palate is lively and mouthwateringly refreshing, with hints of lemon compote enveloped in Grande Cuvées trademark rich and nutty character. As is so often the case, I daydream of sipping alongside some fresh oysters.
Drink from 2024-2034.
Paul Keating, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & RuddChampagne Krug, Grande Cuvée, 170ème Édition, BrutChampagne Krug, Grande Cuvée, 170ème Édition, BrutBottle Price 75 cl $343.00 -
2007 Champagne Bollinger, RD, Extra Brut
Bollinger’s 2007 R.D. is superb, but it is also a wine that reflects the nature of a unique and challenging growing season. In most vintages the R.D. is marked by the distinct creaminess and breadth of Aÿ Pinot Noir. Two thousand seven, though, was a difficult year marked by very dry weather, rain at the end of the growing season and an early harvest in August, something that was not as common as it has become. Selection was essential. For the 2007, the blend is composed of just 14 villages compared to the more typical 18-25. Verzenay is the main Pinot component while Cramant plays the leading role in the Chardonnays. For these reasons, the 2007 is an R.D. driven by more focus, energy and tension than readers are used to seeing. Lemon confit, dried flowers, sage, mint, crushed rocks, almond and ginger are some of the aromas and flavors that give the 2007 its complex, multi-faceted personality.
The 2007 can be enjoyed now, but I would prefer to cellar it for a few years. It will age effortlessly for decades as it moves through the various phases of its life. I was reminded of the way Champagne can magically traverse time by magical bottles of the 1976 R.D. and 1996 Vieilles Vignes Françaises I tasted recently. The blend is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, 91% Grand Cru fruit and the rest Premier Cru. Bollinger fans will notice the return of the original label, with the disgorgement date clearly visible, a tribute to Madame Bollinger, who was a pioneer in so many ways. Disgorged: July 10, 2020. Dosage is 3 grams per liter.
Drink 2022-2047.2007 Champagne Bollinger, RD, Extra Brut2007 Champagne Bollinger, RD, Extra BrutBottle Price 75 cl $343.00