Vallée de la Marne, WINE

Vintage Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

94+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): ...offers up a complex aromatic constellation of white peach, apple, patissière, chalky soil tones, white flowers and other Meunier-derived floral scents. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and…

Vintage Rosé Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

97 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): Aromas of red berries, orange rind, dried flowers, warm brioche and spices introduce the 2007 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth, one of the highlights of this tasting chez Billecart. It's full-bodied, broad and…

Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

95 points The Champagne Guide: (2009 base vintage; 25% reserves; 6 g/L dosage). The 2009 base is an impeccable follow-on to the arresting 2008. A magnificent accord of white citrus and white stone fruits meets the gentle patisserie, butter and nougat…

Non-Vintage Rosé Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

95 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): (2010 base; 40% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir, 30% meunier; full ML fermentation; 9g/L dosage)... As precise and pretty as ever... gorgeously restrained rose petal, red cherry and strawberry hull fruit...…

Vintage Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): The 2014 Brut Nature Les Chênes (Chardonnay) is fabulous. A Champagne of extraordinary precision, the 2014 dazzles from the very first taste. Chalk, white flowers, mint, slate and lemon peel race out of the glass.…

Vintage Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

97 points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): ...60% PN, 40% CH... Almost entirely fermented in stainless steel (only 5% was vinified in oak barrels) and aged for 11 years on the lees, this is a beautifully ripe and rich yet pure champagne with ripe…

Vintage Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

95 points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): ...pure, fine and intense on the nose, with sweet cherry flavors and a spicy-mineral background. Rich, round and elegant, this is a very fruity-elegant and balanced vintage Champagne with a (very discrete)…

Vintage Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

94+ points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): ...Opening in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, dried white flowers, smoke and wheat toast, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a bright girdle of acidity, well-integrated dosage and a…

Non-Vintage Rosé Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

95 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): (2010 base; 40% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir, 30% meunier; full ML fermentation; 9g/L dosage)... As precise and pretty as ever... gorgeously restrained rose petal, red cherry and strawberry hull fruit...…

Vintage Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

95 points James Suckling: Very chalky, oyster shell aromas and chardonnay’s signature, fine citrus fruit leading the way on the nose in restrained style. The palate has the same, intense, chalky, oyster-shell flavors. Very minerally with fresh,…

Non-Vintage Rosé Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): The NV (2013) Extra Brut VV Rosé de Saignée Les Beaudiers is mostly Meunier (a few other varieties are interplanted) from vines that were planted on 1965, 1958 and 1953. The natural richness of the old vines…

Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France

89-91 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): ...bright, crystalline and super-precise, with plenty of lemon peel, grapefruit and floral character. This release is based on 2016, with 40% reserve wines from 2015, 2014 and 2013. The bottle I tasted was…