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$59.95
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France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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List $90.00
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All Chardonnay from an assortment of premier and grand cru vineyards.
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$59.95
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France
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Champagne
In stock,
1
available
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List $90.00
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A "grower Champagne" (aka "Farmer Fizz") from the same folks who make our best-selling non-vintage brut, Berthelot's Cuvée du Centenaire is produced only in exceptional vintages, such as 2004. This cuvée is a blend of approximately 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, grown in grand cru sites in and around Aÿ and in premier cru vineyards in Dizy, with an average vine age of 40 years. For a Champagne produced mostly from Chardonnay, it is unbelievably opulent, with a lush nose redolent of hazelnut, cashew, and fresh-from-the-oven brioche. In the mouth it is surprisingly rich, with flavors that evoke dried fruits such as apricot and white raisin, finishing with a blast of citrus zest. This is frighteningly close in quality to the luxury cuvées issued by the grandes marques but at about half the price and is not to be missed.
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$35.95
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JG 92
WA 90
France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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List $50.00
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92+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The Berthelot NV Brut is a beautiful bottle, and the current release is every bit as fine as the wine I reported on last September. To remind readers, the Berthelot family has been growers in the region since the nineteenth century, but only began to bottle some of their production on their own in 1977. Their twenty-two hectares of vines lie in Ay and the nearby town of Dizy, and their vineyards share the heavy chalk of the Cote des Blancs, rather than the more typical clay and alluvial deposits of other villages in the Vallee de la Marne. The Berthelot Brut Reserve bottling is a blend of twenty-five percent chardonnay, forty-five percent pinot meunier and thirty percent pinot noir, and the family keeps a goodly supply of older wine available to blend in and maintain the house style of their non-vintage brut. The bouquet on the current release is again refined and complex, as it offers up a classy melange of pear, grapefruit zest, sourdough, beautiful chalky soil tones and a hint of vanilla custard in the upper register. On the palate the wine is fullbodied, deep and beautifully balanced, with a great core of fruit, refined mousse, and sound acids on the very long, soil-driven and complex finish. Utterly refined and sophisticated Brut NV, this wine is delicious now, but will clearly age brilliantly for the next fifteen to twenty years. A seamless and discreet beauty. 2007-2025. (May/Jun 2007)"
90 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$50 list] The NV Brut Premier Cru Reserve is a gorgeous wine that offers lovely complexity in its subtle nuttiness and toast. The wine blossoms on the palate with expressive, generous fruit, showing terrific balance as well as poise. A long, creamy finish with suggestions of flowers and citrus rounds out this delicious Champagne. No disgorgement date indicated. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2014. (Dec 2009)"
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$49.95
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France
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Champagne
In stock,
2
available
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List $60.00
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40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay. From the coolest name for a town in the wine biz, Dizy. Many of you are familiar with this producer's "regular" brut, which is by far our best selling bubbly in the store, but this bottling is much less known for the simple reason it's never been imported here before. We talked the local importer into bring some in for us, so it's finally here. A serious, salmon colored rosé loaded with strawberry and cherry.
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$134.95
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WE 94
RJ 90–94
WA 93
France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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List $175.00
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94 points Wine Enthusiast: "From a relatively open vintage, this is a wine that is generous, rounded, full of green fruits, and balanced with a ripe texture. It has weight, but has more to do with sheer pleasure. It could age, maybe over 5 years, but its nutty hints show it is ready to drink. (Dec 2007)"
90 points (94 potential) Richard Juhlin: "Tooth-grindingly acid and anything but ingratiating in its austere feather costume. Enormously pure and in every detail a shapely future beauty. (Dec 2008)"
93 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$175 list] The1998 Blanc de Blancs is a gorgeous wine with well-delineated varietal aromas and flavors. From start to finish, this is a wine that exudes refinement and balance. The fruit is sourced from Mesnil, Avize, Cramant and Chouilly, but it is really Mesnil and its mineral drive that dominates the balance. In 1998 50% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and 5% of the wine was aged in oak. This remains a very fresh, linear Blanc de Blancs capable of another ten years of very fine drinking. This is Lot 663738 3170 7M, disgorged in June, 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018. (Dec 2008)"
Wall Street Journal: "Very Good/Delicious. Toast, roasted almonds and plenty of lemon, with a touch of oily weight yet clean and crisp. A complete wine. Very interesting and different, with a nice balance of yeast and liveliness. You could drink it all night, both with and without food. It would make any dish sing--as well as any guest. (11/22/08)"
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$134.95
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WA 93
France
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Champagne
In stock,
7
available
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93 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 1999 Brut Blanc de Blancs is another deep, multi-dimensional wine from Billecart-Salmon. Here the fruit shows slightly more burnished tones, along with greater textural richness and weight, all while retaining surprising verve and cut. Roasted hazelnuts, smoke and pastry crust add complexity on the suave finish. The vintage Blanc de Blancs is made from parcels in Avize, Chouilly and Mesnil. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. (Dec 2010)"
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$79.95
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IWC 93
JG 92
France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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93 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(disgorged July 9, 2010): Pale, green-tinged yellow. A complex bouquet displays scents of green apple, pear, lemon zest, toasty lees and honeysuckle. Packs a solid punch but conveys a weightless quality, offering sappy orchard fruit and citrus flavors along with suave mineral and floral qualities. The toasty note returns on the long, impressively incisive finish. (Dec 2010)"
92+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The non-vintage Blanc de Blancs is not a large production item for Billecart-Salmon, and one does not cross paths with it regularly. The current release is all 2007 vintage and was aged nearly five years on the lees prior to disgorgement. Billecart produces their Blanc de Blancs bottlings from fruit sourced in only three villages in the Côte des Blancs- Chouilly, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant. The new release offers up a deep and lovely aromatic blend of pear, apple, stony minerality, bread dough, a hint of the pastry cream to come with bottle age and orange zest. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very elegant, with a lovely core of fruit, refined mousse and excellent length and grip on the well-balanced, youthful and classy finish. This is a very fine bottle of Blanc de Blancs that will only improve as it blossoms a bit more structurally with further bottle age. 2013-2025+. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
2-1/2 stars, New York Times: "Light, lacy, clear and pure with a fine texture and toasty, nutlike flavors. (12/19/11)"
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$119.95
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RJ 90–94
WS 93
WA 93
France
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Champagne
In stock,
6
available
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90 points (94 potential) Richard Juhlin: "(60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay) Right from the start one of the most impressive champagnes from this harvest. So charming, fresh and luxuriously inspiring. (Mar 2010)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "Bright, focused acidity drives lightly smoked flavors of candied currant and blackberry and patisserie apple, with hints of ground espresso, cumin and crystallized honey. A mineral note threads through the refined texture and lingers on the rich finish. Drink now through 2025. 300 cases imported. (12/15/11)"
93 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2000 Brut Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart is a big, exuberant wine that explodes from the glass with layers of fruit. French oak has given the wine an additional measure of volume and richness, but without dominating the wine’s overall balance. Pretty notes of spiciness and minerality add finesse on the close. The Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart is 60% Pinot Noir (Mareuil-sur-Ay, Ay, Ambonnay, Verzenay, Mailly) and 40% Chardonnay (Cote des Blancs). In 2000 the wine was aged in barrel (20%) and saw batonnage, although it did not undergo malolactic fermentation. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. (Dec 2009)"
5 stars, Decanter Award Decanter: "A refreshing and enlivening wine, bright and fresh and drven. Drink now-2020. (Dec 2010)"
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$48.95
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JG 91
IWC 91
WS 91
France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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91 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The new release of the Billecart-Salmon non-vintage Brut Réserve, which I encountered at the great Champagne tasting at Crush Wines and Spirits here in New York in December, is comprised mostly of fruit from the 2008 vintage and the vast majority of the blend is one third each of chardonnay, pinot meunier and pinot noir, with none of the base wines going through malolactic fermentation for this bottling. The bouquet is deep and quite lovely, offering up scents of apple, tart orange, a lovely base of complex soil tones, warm bread and a gently smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and snappy, with a fine core, absolutely exquisite balance and focus, very refined mousse and excellent grip on the very long and classy finish. This is a lovely bottle of Brut NV that will only get better with a bit of bottle age. 2013-2025+. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
91 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Light yellow-gold. Orange and pear aromas are complemented by notes of vanilla bean and honeysuckle. Silky in texture and nicely precise, with juicy orchard fruit flavors and a tangy note of Meyer lemon. Dry but in no way austere. Blends depth and energy smoothly and finishes with excellent clarity and nervy cut. (Dec 2010)"
91 points Wine Spectator: "Aromatic and spicy, with cedar, honey and ginger notes matching a firm structure and lean, intense character. Fine length."
91 points Wine News: "Lots of honey scents frame aromas of pineapple, apricot, chalk, yeast and brioche. Crisp, focused flavors of apple, orange marmalade, caramel and bread dough. Flint emerges in the dry finish. (Dec 2006/Jan 2007)"
Wall Street Journal: "Very good. Best of tasting. Pretty much all the aromas and flavors we want in Champagne--toasted nuts, yeast, minerals, a hint of zingy lemon and even some honeysuckle--all in a balanced, elegant package that gives it a relaxed sophistication. (12/13/08)"
Richard Juhlin: "(35% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay) This is the creation of the son, Antoine Billecart. I claim this to be the best nonvintage Champagne of the extremely fruity school. The nose is lively and as fresh as a spring morning, the flavor is light and citrus-fresh with a long, balanced aftertaste of Granny Smith apples. Softer, sweeter, and more creamy recently. (Feb 2010)"
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$195.00
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WE 94
France
-
Champagne
In stock,
8
available
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List $222.00
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94 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$222 list] This is a beautifully balanced, elegant and mature sparkler. There is fruit--ripe strawberry--but the main character is its fine balance and richness. It can age, though it is at its best now. (Dec 2012)"
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$74.95
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WN 94
TP 93
WS 92
France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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List $100.00
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94 points Wine News: "Light copper-orange hue; active stream of small bubbles. Enticing scents of bread dough, caramel and buttery fragrances. Soft entry with creamy vanilla, a nice balance of grains and light, malty nuances. A cleansing, racy grapefruit-inspired finish with pleasant, sweet overtones. (Dec 2008/Jan 2009)"
93 points Anthony Dias Blue (The Tasting Panel): "Pale pink, juicy, smooth, ripe, and tangy with raspberry; lush and tangy with great depth; racy acidity and seamlessly balanced; lovely. (Dec 2012)"
92 points Wine Spectator: "Bright and elegant, this offers appealing flavors of ripe black cherry, raspberry and orange peel that show hints of toasted raisin bread, anise and sweet smoke. Offers a beautiful texture, with a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2015. (11/15/11)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(disgorged June 30, 2010): Light orange. Tangerine, pear and flowers on the nose, which is complicated by a note of fennel. Broad and sappy but dry, with lively orange and strawberry flavors and a subtle note of spice cake. Weightier on the finish, which features an exotic note of spicy herbs. This Champagne’s delicate touch will make it work well with simple seafood dishes or even sashimi. (Dec 2010)"
92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "This wine is a blend of fifty percent chardonnay, thirty percent pinot noir and twenty percent pinot meunier and was aged for fully four years on the fine lees prior to disgorgement and preparation for release. Unlike the house’s straight non-vintage Brut bottling, some of the base wines for the Brut Rosé go through malo. The bouquet on the current release is outstanding, wafting from the glass in a mélange of cherries, orange peel, woodsmoke, warm bread and a lovely base of complex minerality. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and very refined on the attack, with a lovely core, frothy mousse, bright acids and outstanding focus, length and grip on the very elegant and complete finish. Fine, fine juice. 2013-2020+. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
Wall Street Journal: "Unlike many Champagne houses that may turn out a token bottling, rosé is the main focus of Billecart-Salmon. It's a dry, delicate rosé with a lively acidity that makes it a good companion to food -- as well as a great wine for a celebratory toast. (8/6/11)"
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$349.95
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WA 95
France
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Champagne
In stock,
3
available
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95 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 1998 Brut Le Clos Saint-Hilaire emerges from the glass with an exotic array of intensely perfumed, candied fruit. The wine possesses gorgeous textural richness in a deep, layered expression of Pinot Noir. The mousse remains refined and very elegant all the way through to the deeply satisfying, resonating finish. This is bottle: 001493 out of 6,750. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2023. Le Clos Saint-Hilaire is a 100% Pinot Noir Champagne made from a small, one hectare plot located on the property in Mareuil-sur-Ay. The wine is fermented in oak and bottled with no dosage. In only its third release, Le Clos Saint-Hilaire has already established itself as one of the region’s most fascinating wines. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2023. (Dec 2009)"
17.5/20 points Simon Field (The World of Fine Wine): "Mature nose with a complex interplay between stone fruit and sour honey; almonds and flowers in the background. The palate is equally engaging, albeit in the style that will please those who like their Champagne mellow and mature, with tertiary aromas starting to come to the fore. (Issue #34; 2011)"
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$75.95
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JG 92
France
-
Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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92+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "This was the first time I had tried a vintage-dated Extra Brut from Billecart-Salmon and I was quite impressed. The ’04 is a blend of 70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay and came about when the house decided not to produce a 2004 Cuvée Nicolas François in this vintage, thus freeing up some juice for this bottling. The superb nose wafts from the glass in a relatively toasty blend of apple, tart peach, sourdough bread, complex, stony minerality, a touch of nuttiness and a topnote of orange peel. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very pure on the attack, with beautiful balance and focus, a very good core, crisp acids and excellent length and grip on the classy finish. What I like about this wine is it is so well-balanced that its bone-dry backend never threatens to cross the line into flat out austerity. Today, this wine’s structure has just a bit of the upper hand, which gives it the appearance of being just a touch lean in the mid-palate, but I suspect that a few years of bottle age will allow the wine to fully blossom at the core and this will be a passing phenomenon. It is certainly approachable now, but I would be inclined to give this another two or three years in the cellar to really let it come into its own. 2013-2025+. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
The World of Fine Wine: "The 2004 (70% grand cru Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay) was 20% fermented in five-year-old oak barrels. A bright, intense gold. A fresher, more lifted nose than the NV, with glacé citrus fruits and smoke. Denser and more richly silken, but with more elegance, energy, focus, and race; impressive intensity and purity of fruit; beautifully integrated, the steely core well wrapped, but a more austere grandeur than the NV on the finish, as this is still some way off its peak. (Issue #30; 2010)"
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$64.95
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AM 94
WS 93
WA 92
France
-
Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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List $97.00
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94 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(100% from 2005 that saw approximately 8 months in cask). This is a very interesting cuvée because it will very quickly answer any questions you may have about whether you enjoy noticeable wood in your Champagne. Sometimes, it can add breadth and depth and sometimes it can take away part of what makes Champagne Champagne, which is the racy and firm acid spine. In this particular case, the time in wood has very definitely added depth, not only from the slightly oxidative character but it has contributed mightily to the complexity. However, long-time readers know that I believe that there is no free lunch and in that sense, what has been gained in terms of depth has been lost in terms of freshness and precision. Some will like the trade-off and some will prefer tighter and more classically styled examples. I actually quite like this because it's delicious and it's relatively rare to obtain this much complexity and flat out superb length in a toasty package. That said, I have to underscore that this is not my preferred style even though I can admire it for what it is. In sum, if you enjoy wood-influenced Champagne, this is terrific. By contrast, if you don't, it would be best to look elsewhere. Drink: now+. (Oct 2009)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "[$97 list] This aromatic bubbly offers an exotic mix of flavors, with honeysuckle, marjoram, myrrh, coconut and ginger notes accenting patisserie apple, kiwifruit, honey and toast flavors. It's all packaged with vibrant, balanced acidity and finely detailed texture. Drink now through 2020. (11/30/11)"
92 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The NV Brut Grand Cru Cuvee Julie is equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fermented in oak. The Julie is wonderfully nuanced and balanced in a floral, approachable style that is quite appealing. This, too, needs a few more years in bottle, although it is and always will be less exciting than the Laetitia. This is L06, disgorged: May, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. (Dec 2010)"
92 points Wine Enthusiast: "Aged in wood before bottling, this is ripe and very full. Rather than add to the already-complex flavors, the wood has rounded it out. Yellow fruit integrates with intense, mineral-driven acidity, which accentuates the richness of this impressive bottling. Disgorged June 2012. (Dec 2012)"
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$64.95
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WA 93
AM 93
WN 93
France
-
Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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List $120.00
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93 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The NV Brut Cuvee Laetitia is predominantly Chardonnay done in a solera style that now includes 20 vintages going back to 1983. An ethereal bouquet of Mirabelle plums, cherries and jasmine leads to a rich, textured core of fruit. This Laetitia shows incredible power and depth, with a beguiling, vibrant finish that adds complexity and nuance. There is just a small hint of volatility that might trouble some tasters as it is borderline distracting. Still, the Laetitia remains one of the most unique bottles in Champagne. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. (Dec 2010)"
93 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(disgorged in February, 2008; this contains 20 some-odd vintages from 1983 forward and the predominant variety is chardonnay). This is remarkably fresh for it to have such a large proportion of aged stock in it and while the nose is mature, there are absolutely no oxidative elements in it. In fact, I deliberately revisited this 24 hours after first opening it to see how the nose had evolved and I can report that there was very little discernable evolution. As I say, while fully mature, the mildly yeasty nose displays notes of baked apple, roasted nut and a dried rose petal nuance that also characterizes the rich, full and utterly delicious flavors that are also fresh and vibrant with plenty of energy and finishing punch. Often Champagnes with high percentages of reserves in them lack the same effervescence but that is certainly not the case here. This is a lovely effort that could be drunk now with pleasure or held for years to come. Drink: now+. (Oct 2009)"
93 points Wine News: "[$120 list] Beautiful pale gold hue with a fine mousse. Very forward bouquet carrying notes of banana, gingerbread spice and bread dough. Creamy mouth with a broad palate of sweet red fruit compote. While the wine is so loaded with fruit that it conveys an impression of sweetness, the finish is nonetheless very dry and long. A unique cuvée. (Dec 2008/Jan 2009)"
92 points Wine Spectator: "Ripe flavors of candied cherry and currant, quince paste and honey are layered with subtle notes of blood orange, vanilla and almond in this exuberant Champagne, which shows good balance and an appealing juiciness that pushes through to the long, mouthwatering finish. Disgorged November 2010. Drink now through 2017. (11/30/11)"
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$49.95
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WE 91
France
-
Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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91 points Wine Enthusiast: "Still young, this is an impressive vintage, ripe and full, yet well-balanced with rich fruit and toast. It has weight, with a solid, dry feel that promises aging potential. Disgorged June 2012. (Dec 2012)"
Richard Juhlin: "The minimal number of bottles that annually leave Billiot's cellars are bought almost exclusively by committed fans in Britain. His wines are so rare that I had never come across one before I managed to arrange a visit to the property. M. Billiot is a very unassuming and modest person, who was dressed in his worn jeans and knitted sweater throughout our visit. When you've just come from one of the major houses with their slim, Armani-clad, business-minded directors, it's wonderful to meet a real wine farmer in the true sense of the phrase... Billiot's greatness depends chiefly upon his hard work in the vineyard. Old vines and low yield is the recipe for success. Despite the high quality, Billiot's Champagnes are hardly for beginners, as malolactic fermentation has not been used. The concentration and richness that lies under the surface can be hard to appreciate in the wine's youth. All of his wines demand at least a further five years in the bottle to mature properly."
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$39.95
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WS 93
AM 92
WN 92
France
-
Champagne
In stock,
1
available
|
List $70.00
|
93 points Wine Spectator: "Richly spiced, with a skein of ground clove, ginger and cardamom winding through flavors of dried apricot and apple, currant candy, passion fruit and lemon zest. Beautiful texture and balance here, followed by a long and mouthwatering, mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2020. 300 cases imported. (11/15/12)"
92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(an 80/20% pinot and chardonnay blend; 50% 2005 fruit, 25% of each ’03 and ’04 fruit; January, 2008 disgorgement). A wonderfully expressive and extremely pretty nose that offers a near perfect blend of vinous character with classic Champagne characteristics of lemon, floral and brioche with discreet hints of green apple that can also be found on the delicious and moderately effervescent flavors blessed with impressive complexity and I very much like the mouth feel as it’s round and almost creamy yet does not lose definition or become soft. The finish is agreeably dry but not aggressively so and the length is quite sneaky. An impressive non-vintage brut. Drink: now+. (Oct 2009)"
92 points Wine News: "[$70 list] Sweet spice and Christmas cake on the nose with lots of red fruit in the mouth combined with well defined mineral notes and a good balance of fruit and acidity. The wine has a long, lovely mineral finish. (80% pinot noir, 20% chardonnay, Grand Cru all from Ambonnay). (Dec 2008/Jan 2009)"
Wall Street Journal ("Alice Feiring's Top Champagne Picks"): "Controversial at my tasting, some objected to the oxidation (a bit of metallic tang), but all in all it was a compelling adventure. A little pie crust and a long finish with peachy fruit and plenty of energy, and a dash of red pepper flakes. (9/12/09)"
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$44.85
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WS 92
WA 92
IWC 92
France
-
Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
|
List $73.00
|
92 points Wine Spectator: "An undercurrent of minerality supports ripe black cherry and black raspberry flavors, with hints of pastry, cream and candied grapefruit peel. Finely meshed and focused by vibrant acidity. Disgorged March 2011. Drink now through 2016. (10/19/11)"
92 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The NV Brut Rose Grand Cru is a deeply colored, powerful wine that showcases the richness of Ambonnay at its finest. The Rose needs some time in the glass to find its inner balance, but when it does the fruit gains delineation and intensity through to the dramatic, sweeping finish. The NV Brut Rose Grand Cru is predominantly Pinot Noir (including 6% still Pinot) with a dash of Chardonnay from the estate’s oldest vineyards. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2016. (Dec 2010)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(the same blend as the Réserve but from older vines and with the addition of 6% still wine from 2004 added; disgorged June, 2010): Pale, orange-pink. Pungent red fruits and dried flowers on the nose, with complicating notes of anise and spice cake. Penetrating redcurrant and bitter cherry flavors are enlivened by blood orange and mineral nuances and pick up a smoky note with air. Lively and precise, with excellent finishing clarity and florality. (Dec 2010)"
92 points Wine News: "Creamy aromas of orange peel, yellow flowers, cinnamon and buttered toast. Sweet-tart flavors of cherry, orange, cedar and chalk show hefty body and graceful balance. Orange marmalade and bread dough wrap up the close. (Dec 2006/Jan 2007)"
The Tasting Panel: "This deeply strawberry colored wine features red raspberry, kiwi and, of all things, a hint of toffee in the mouth (which is probably derived from the barrels used during production). Cherry and red apple eventually show up, especially on the nose. Predominately Pinot Noir, with some Chardonnay. (Apr 2012)"
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$899.95
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RJ 95–97
IWC 95
WA 94
France
-
Champagne
In stock,
2
available
|
|
95 points (97 potential) Richard Juhlin: no tasting note given (Nov 2009).
95 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Light gold with a steady bead of pinpoint bubbles. Deep, musky aromas of buttered toast, cherry pit, blood orange, lemon rind, pungent herbs and yellow rose, with mounting spiciness. Deeply concentrated but showing unlikely finesse, with firm, gripping red berry and citrus flavors and exotic notes of candied flowers and smoky lees. Intriguing for its blend of richness and delicacy; the endless finish repeats the spice and floral notes and lingers with impressive clarity and notes of honey, anise and minerals. (Nov/Dec 2009)"
94 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2000 Brut Blanc de Noirs Vieilles Vignes Francaises emerges from the glass with an elegant, refined mousse that is captivating. Sweet, perfumed and layered, the 2000 VVF shows off superb grace and a long, vibrant finish. This is an especially elegant and understated version of this Champagne. My preference is to drink VVF before age 20. Bollinger’s VVF is one of Champagne’s rarest and most iconic wines. Just a few thousand bottles are made each year from Pinot Noir grafted onto pre-phylloxera rootstocks in Ay and Bouzy. This bottle was disgorged in July, 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. (Dec 2009)"
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$114.95
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W&S 95
RJ 93–95
WS 94
France
-
Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
|
List $157.00
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95 points Wine & Spirits: "[$157 list] Digging deep into its limestone soils, this 2002 comes at you with scents of jasmine, lilac, Asian pear and a continuous pale chalk power. The oak aging of its base wines darkens the fruit and increases its muscular tone, a tannic austerity gentled by the floral notes. The wine smells beautiful: For all its mineral backbone and ten years of maturity, the impression it leaves is that of a sunny meadow -- a scent tied to the freshness of fruit in the vintage. (Dec 2012)"
93-95 points Richard Juhlin (Apr 2012).
94 points and 'Highly Recommended,' Wine Spectator: "Ripe, appealing flavors of peach, Gala apple, toast and blood orange mix with a streak of minerality and notes of spice, all set on the fine-grained texture. Fresh and focused, with racy acidity and a long, mouthwatering, nut-tinged finish. Drink now through 2025. (11/30/11)"
94 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$150 list] The 2002 Brut La Grande Annee is marvelous. The 2002 is an understated Grande Annee that caresses the palate with layers of effortless, weightless fruit. The mousse is exceptionally fine, which adds to the impression of total elegance. This is a relatively bright, floral Grande Annee with plenty of aromatic lift, inner perfume and no sense of heaviness at all. A rich, creamy finish adds the final note of complexity and pedigree. The 2002 is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, 71% from Grand Cru villages and 29% from Premier Crus. Disgorged February 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. (Nov 2011)"
94 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(60% pint noir and 40% chardonnay; 71% of the fruit is from grand cru sites and rest from premier crus; disgorged February, 2011): Light gold. Ripe pear and honey on the explosively perfumed nose, with sexy floral and marzipan nuances expanding with air. Fat, full and palate-coating, boasting impressive power and thrust. Shows an intriguing blend of richness and energy and finishes long, with smoky and spicy nuances. (Oct/Nov 2011)"
93 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(60% pinot noir, 40% chardonnay, 100% grand and premier crus; $150 list). In contrast to the heightened expressiveness of the 2004 Grande Année Rosé this is actually quite restrained with discreet notes of green apple, pear and citrus peel. The delicious, intense and voluminous flavors enjoy a prominent effervescence that is almost foamy yet the bead is strikingly fine, all wrapped in a distinctly yeasty, dry and admirably complex finish that goes on and on. This too could be enjoyed now or held for a number of years to come depending on how much yeast character you like. Drink: now+. (Oct 2012)"
2 stars, Peter Liem (ChampagneGuide.net): "Made of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, this is spicy and bold, showing the ripeness of the vintage. It's exuberant and youthful at the moment, its rich red-fruit flavors feeling sleekly voluptuous, although it's all held in place by its underlying chalkiness. The aromas persist with fragrance and length on the finish, and overall, this promises to develop well--in fact, it should be much more interesting when the primary fruit calms down, allowing a more mature complexity to develop. (Last tasted: 11/11)"
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$54.95
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WN 94
WS 93
WE 92
France
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Champagne
In stock,
11
available
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List $90.00
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94 points Wine News: "Burnished gold hue with a lively, streaming bead. Attractive bakery aromas of fresh croissant with nutmeg and vanilla highlights. Forward, mixed flavors of baked apple, dark honey and notes of beer and malt. Stylish, distinctive finish imbued with lingering red apple, caramel and crisp acidity. (Sep/Oct/Nov 2009)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "A lovely, balanced Champagne, with mineral and toast notes accenting flavors of quince, green pear, white peach and verbena. Backed by firm acidity, this shows impressive texture and finesse. Like a mosaic, all the pieces come together to make a beautiful whole. Drink now through 2020. (11/30/11)"
92 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$90 list] The classic Bollinger nonvintage is, as always, rich and firmly structured. With the roundness that comes from aging the wines in wood before blending, it has a ripe, smooth edge. Underneath, the texture is solid, with hints of apple and pear and mature acidity. Alcohol 12%. (Dec 2012)"
92 points Wine & Spirits: "Finely balanced between fruit and minerality, this layers tart red fruit, crème caramel and juicy pear in a long chalk line of flavor. It’s fresh and bright on one level, rich and sumptuous underneath -- a brilliant blend that would fit any occasion. (Dec 2012)"
91+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "This note hails from a sample of the most current release here in the US, which I tasted this month here in New York. This is a lovely and classy wine that is more minerally and less overtly 'toasty' than was the case with this bottling a generation ago, but equally fine. The nose is deep and complex, offering up a lovely blend of apple, orange peel, warm bread, a bit of caraway seed, complex soil tones and a gently smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is focused, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with crisp acids, very refined mousse, excellent grip and balance and a very long and youthfully classy finish. This is a lovely bottle that is already quite tasty, but may yet develop more of the old school Bollinger 'toastiness' with further bottle age. 2012-2025+. (Jul/Aug 2012)"
91 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "60% Pinot Noir; 25% Chardonnay; 15% Pinot Meunier. All Bolly in its toasty, chalky, slightly angular but powerful way, this wine reminds of the company's "Grande Annee" in its fairly bold approach. Frothy and insistent in its bubbles and tasty, rich, toasty, stony and vanillin all at the same time, this is Champagne with a purpose, and, in this case, it works without being over the top in any dimension. (Dec 2009)"
Wall Street Journal ("Alice Feiring's Top Champagne Picks"): "For some mysterious reason, Bollinger in the United States has never achieved the status it has in the UK where it is king. Nervous apples bobbing in a tub. Edgy metal vibrant fizz wrapped around a piece of strong sugar and toasted bread crumbs on a baked apple. (9/12/09)"
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$48.95
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AM 92
FWR 91
JG 91
France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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List $55.00
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92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(a blend of 75% pinot noir and the balance in chardonnay). A beautifully complex nose displays discreet yeast hints that add nuance to the ripe pear, apple and floral aromas. There is equally good depth to the overtly effervescent and utterly delicious flavors that possess excellent intensity and fine length. I very much like this as it offers both vivid character and plenty of personality on the clean, dry and quite crisp finish. While this could certainly be aged to good effect, it’s already so good that it’s hard to keep from opening Champagne like this often. With that duly noted, I would suggest acquiring a case and opening a few bottles each year over the next 5 or so. Note that this is materially better than the same cuvée reviewed in Issue 28. Drink: now+. (Jan 2012)"
91 points Fine Wine Review: "Savès is a small producer who has been gathering a following in recent years. He is located in Bouzy, prime Pinot Noir country, and indeed, this cuvée is 75% Pinot Noir (from grand cru vineyards) and 25% Chardonnay from premier cru vineyards. This is relatively big, barrel-fermented wine with toasty and yeasty aromas and real presence on the palate. Interestingly, with time, pure raspberry fruit develops on the palate. I prefer blanc des blancs for aperitif, but this wine can serve for that purpose, too, and should be excellent for a meal. (Issue #126; 2009)"
91+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "As readers may recall from a short profile I wrote on this superb house a few years back, even though Champagne Camille Savès is based in the grand cru village of Bouzy and most of their vineyards lie within this village (or Ambonnay), their Carte Blanche bottling incorporates production from some additional family chardonnay vineyards that lie in the village of Tauxières (which is a premier cru), so the entire cuvée is only entitled to premier cru status. Nevertheless, it has been consistently excellent and the new release is another superb bottle of bubbly, offering up a deep and vibrant nose of apple, pink grapefruit, complex minerality, bread dough and a lovely, floral topnote of spring flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and vibrant, with a very fine core of fruit, elegant mousse, crisp acids and outstanding length and grip on the focused and beautifully balanced finish. This bottling was disgorged in late 2011. The current release of Carte Blanche is superb juice that will age very well. 2012-2030. (Jul/Aug 2012)"
90 points Wine Spectator: "[$55 list] Tangy, offering flavors of apricot, pickled ginger, oyster shell and pink grapefruit. It's lightly chalky in texture, with a clean, moderate finish. Drink now through 2015. (5/31/12)"
90 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The NV Brut Carte Blanche is a wonderfully rich, creamy entry-level wine laced with gorgeous Pinot fruit. This shows tons of Bouzy character. The 12 grams of dosage is felt in the wine’s weight, but works beautifully here. With time in the glass, the bubbles dissipate, leaving a beautifully pure expression of fruit. The Carte Blanche is 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 60% from the 2007 vintage and 40% from 2006. The Pinot is from Grand Cru vineyards in Bouzy, Ambonnay and Tours-sur-Marne, while the Chardonnay comes from Premier Cru vineyards in Tauxieres. This is Lot# 9815, disgorged March, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014. (Dec 2010)"
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$64.95
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AM 93
CG 93
JG 92
France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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93 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(Disgorged 2012, a blend of 40% pinot noir and 60% chardonnay, 100% Bouzy terroir, 1250 cases, dosage 9 g/l.) Savès typically makes a relatively deeply colored rosé by the standards of the genre and this latest version is no exception. The cool and distinctly pinot nose also reflects notes of various red berry fruit aromas though notes of yeast are discernible. The delicious, intense and very crisp flavors are underpinned by a fine effervescence that is perfect for the mouth feel of a rosé that is actually much more vinous than most examples, in particular because there is a wonderfully savory quality to the long finish that practically begs for another sip. Lovely stuff that could be enjoyed now or aged, though it is so good presently that I doubt that a case would make it much past a year or so in my cellar. Drink: now+. (Jan 2013)"
93 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "A walkaway favorite in our tastings, this one smells of yeast, toast and all the bakeshop reminiscences that one expects of top Champers and adds in nuanced but evident suggestions of orange peel, Meyer lemon and strawberry. It is explosively bubbled and insistent and stays on the palate forever. This one competes well with the big names. (Dec 2010)"
92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The current release of Camille Savès Brut Rosé is a blend of sixty percent chardonnay and forty percent pinot noir from the village of Bouzy, with twelve percent of this being still pinot noir incorporated into the cuvée. The wine does not undergo malo and was disgorged in January of 2011. The new release is a lovely wine, with a classic deep salmon color and offering up a superb bouquet of blood orange, fraises du bois, bread dough, a nice hint of cinnamon, a beautifully complex base of soil and citrus zest. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and snappy, with fine nascent complexity, lovey focus and balance, very classy, pinpoint bubbles and outstanding length and grip on the elegant and youthful finish. This is eminently drinkable today, but based on how well the 2008 release of this wine evolved in my cellar, it is pretty hard not to argue that this wine would be best tucked away for a few more years to allow its secondary layers of complexity to emerge. It is quite clear that Camille Savès is one of the finest sources for Brut Rosé out there today. 2012-2030. (Jul/Aug 2012)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Dark pink. Heady, exotic scents of wild strawberry, raspberry and fresh rose, with bright citrus and intense mineral notes adding lift. Juicy red fruit flavors are given spine and focus by tangy acidity and pick up a deeper cherry quality and smoky minerality with air. Powerful but nimble, finishing with excellent clarity and stony cut. This Champagne’s blend of depth and minerally freshness is impressive. (Dec 2010)"
91 points Fine Wine Review: "Savès is in Bouzy, in the heart of Pinot Noir country, but this wine is 60% Chardonnay and 28% Pinot Noir with 12% still red wine added to it. The resulting wine is light and airy but incisive with wild strawberry flavors and aromas. It can serve either for aperitif or with food. (Issue #127; 2010)"
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$39.95
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AM 91
WN 91
France
-
Champagne
In stock,
11
available
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List $55.00
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91 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(50/50 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir). It’s clear that this cuvée has seen a bit of bottle age as there is a moderately yeasty character to the 'calm' nose that is not especially fresh or expressive nor does it carry notably aged fruit notes either. The nicely rich flavors offer very good complexity with a round yet solidly crisp and mouth coating flavor profile that culminates in a persistent finish. This isn’t a knock out but it’s quite competent and depending on your taste preferences for age, it could be enjoyed now or aged for another 5-ish years to good effect. Drink: now+. (Oct 2009)"
91 points Wine News: "Pungent, flinty aromas of red berries, honeyed grains, sweet bread dough and minerals. Frothy flavors of lemon peel, lime and pilsner beer are quite juicy. Tart finish lightened by a bit of honey. (Dec 2006/Jan 2007)"
Richard Juhlin: "(50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay) The champagne has a nose of apple blossom and hawthorn with a whiff of white chocolate and lime peel. A tremendously elegant citrus flavour with crystal clear acidity and good length. (May 2008)"
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$109.95
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France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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100% Chardonnay. This full-bodied Grand Cru Champagne is round and complex with fine flavors of hazelnut, citrus and toast. Pure delicacy. Long, lingering finish. Impressive!
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