Established in 1836, Madame Pommery is credited with creating the first vintage brut style of Champagne in 1874, at a time when most champagnes were excessively sweetened with sugar. This revolutionary dry style set the benchmark for the rest of Champagne and it is in this spirit that the style of Pommery endures; with each cuvée displaying sublime elegance, finesse and freshness. Pommery is one of the few Champagne Houses that produces their large formats in the actual bottle in order to allow for optimal ageing.

Louis Roederer is a highly respected Champagne producer located in the historic city of Reims. The renowned Champagne house, founded in the late 1700s, is still owned and operated by the Roederer family. Their signature style consists of an equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a touch of Pinot Meunier, which comprises approximately one-fifth of the blend. Louis Roederer's most famous wine is Cristal, a prestigious Champagne that has captured the hearts of wine enthusiasts worldwide. The house was founded in 1833 and aimed to capture foreign markets, particularly Russia. Roederer became the wine of choice for the Russian royal family, and Cristal was created for Tsar Alexander II. Louis Roederer acquired grand cru vineyards in Champagne in 1845, which was unusual for the time as most houses were buying grapes from growers. Today, the Roederer vineyards encompass around 240 hectares of land, with around 25% managed biodynamically. This commitment to sustainable farming practices is a testament to the house's dedication to producing high-quality wines that are both delicious and environmentally responsible. Collection 244 NV is based from the 2019 vintage. It was a year of record-breaking temperatures brought by particularly intense heat waves. Dry and continental and of magnificent maturity, this year gave us wines that were dense and fresh, with a masterful balance, conducive to bringing out the powerful and luscious Collection character in the blend. This 244th Blend includes: - Perpetual Reserve - 36% (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,2017,2018) - Reserve Wines Aged in Oak - 10% (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,2017,2018) - 2019 Vintage - 54% The Louis Roederer Collection 244 NV is a remarkable champagne that captivates the senses from the moment it is poured. Its bright, golden hue with shimmering highlights is visually enticing, while the fine, lively mousse creates a delightful effervescence. The bouquet is both open and rich, exuding a wonderful freshness. It offers an explosion of ripe delicate fruit with intense notes of yellow fruit such as mirabelle plum from the Pinot Noir, complemented by the sweetness of citrus fruits like lemon meringue pie and delicate hints of white flowers specifically jasmine from the Chardonnay. As the wine opens up autolytic characters emerge evolving towards smoky roasted notes and the enticing aroma of freshly baked pastries. On the palate, the Louis Roederer Collection 244 NV reveals its depth and density, supported by a well-structured backbone. The texture is simply mesmerizing with a fleshy mouthfeel that coats the palate courtesy of the Pinot Noir. This then gives way to an incredible saline freshness accompanied by a pleasant hint of bitterness. The wine beautifully combines the strength, intensity and power of the delectably ripe Pinot Noir grapes, which are perfectly balanced by the chalky freshness and density from the majority Chardonnay blend. It is a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures that lingers on the palate, leaving a lasting impression.

Product Information: A symbol of the freedom of the Louis Roederer style, Collection continues the story of this champagne that encapsulates all of Roederer's savoir-faire and reflects its constant pursuit of quality. Collection is based on a multi-vintage blend of wines from selected vineyard plots in the heart of the Champagne terroirs with a focus on sustainable growing. The 245th blend is based on the 2020 vintage, blended with a perpetual reserve to build texture and complexity. There's a lovely golden yellow hue. Persistent lively bubbles. Bouquet of yellow fruits (nectarine) and ripe, concentrated citrus (lemon) complemented by sweet notes of petals, pollen, sugared almonds and wheat. The palate is velvety; unctuous, rich and juicy. The bubbles have an almost saline character to them and coat the palate with a broad and concentrated texture. The wine reveals an exceptional balance between structure and a crisp. powdery, saline chalky freshness. Smoky and slightly oaky notes linger on a deliciously well-honed finish. From equal parts of their estate vineyards la Rivière, la Montagne and la Côte. 41% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 24% Meunier. The 245th blend is comprised of 55% of the 2020 harvest, 35% Perpetual reserve wine from 2012-2019) and 10% reserve wines aged in oak (2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019). Acidity is softened with 22% malolactic fermentation and a low dosage of 7g per litre is added before bottling. Maker: Louis Roederer is a highly respected Champagne producer located in the historic city of Reims. The renowned Champagne house, founded in the late 1700s, is still owned and operated by the Roederer family. Their signature style consists of an equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a touch of Pinot Meunier, which comprises approximately one-fifth of the blend. Louis Roederer's most famous wine is Cristal, a prestigious Champagne that has captured the hearts of wine enthusiasts worldwide. The house was founded in 1833 and aimed to capture foreign markets, particularly Russia. Roederer became the wine of choice for the Russian royal family, and Cristal was created for Tsar Alexander II. Louis Roederer acquired grand cru vineyards in Champagne in 1845, which was unusual for the time as most houses were buying grapes from growers. Today, the Roederer vineyards encompass around 240 hectares of land, with around 25% managed biodynamically. This commitment to sustainable farming practices is a testament to the house's dedication to producing high-quality wines that are both delicious and environmentally responsible. The Vineyard: The year 2020 followed a similar trajectory to that of 2019 with a mild and rainy winter followed by a dry summer with several heatwaves which, although less extreme than in 2019, still had an impact on the yield. Fortunately, the weather was rather dull and a bit wet in June which provided a welcome humid interlude between two dry spells. Despite early impressions of relentless heat and sunshine, the temperatures and sunshine levels over the 2020 harvest period were actually relatively normal. These continental conditions, but with "normal" annual averages, enabled the production of mature and well-balanced wines! The harvests took place between 22 August and 11 September 2020. Nose - Nectarine, Lemon, Sugared Almonds Bouquet of yellow fruits (nectarine) and ripe, concentrated citrus (lemon) complemented by sweet notes of petals, pollen, sugared almonds and wheat. Palate - Unctuous, Rich, Broad The palate is velvety; unctuous, rich and juicy. The bubbles have an almost saline character to them and coat the palate with a broad and concentrated texture. Finish - Crisp, Chalky, Slight Oak The wine reveals an exceptional balance between structure and a crisp, powdery, saline chalky freshness. Smoky and slightly oaky notes linger on a deliciously well-honed finish.

Now this half bottle is handy if you wish to toast yourself. Pol Roger is one of the world's power house champagne houses. Famously quoted by the likes of Winston Churchill and the champagne of choice for Her Majesty the Queen. An equal blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, with addition of 20% reserve wines. It is impressively fresh and vivacious with more depth than most aperitif styles.

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is the finest expression of the world famous wine from one of the greatest Champagne Houses. First produced in 1952, Comtes is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes from 6 Grand Cru sites in the Cité de Blancs. Showing a pristine pale yellow colour with very light, abundant bubbles which rise uniformly to form a fine mousse. The evocative bouquet opens with notes of pears and fresh cute white flowers. Left in the glass for a time, the nose develops a richness and density of pure character. Once on the palate, Comtes is lively, direct and precise with flavours of candied lemon zest and fresh pineapple. The balance is something to behold. This Champagne's marriage of finesse and aromatic intensity is a promise of further potential, but already offers very pleasurable drinking.