Louis Roederer Collection 244 Non-Vintage
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.
Bollinger R.D.
Champagne Bollinger is a prestigious and renowned champagne house that has been producing exceptional sparkling wines since 1829. Founded by Athanase, Paul and Joseph, the house quickly gained a reputation for excellence. Over the years, successive generations of the Bollinger family continued to uphold the tradition of producing exceptional champagnes. The acquisition of prime vineyards and the marriage of Jacques Bollinger to Lily Bollinger were significant milestones in the house's history. Lily Bollinger played a crucial role in preserving the quality and integrity of the champagnes during challenging times. Champagne Bollinger remains family-owned and is known for its commitment to traditional winemaking methods, resulting in complex and age-worthy champagnes. Located in the heart of the Champagne region in France, Bollinger is known for its commitment to quality, tradition and craftsmanship. One of the distinctive features of Bollinger champagne is its use of a high proportion of Pinot Noir grapes in the blends. This gives their champagnes a unique richness and depth, setting them apart from other houses. Bollinger carefully selects grapes from its own vineyards and trusted partner vineyards, ensuring that only the finest grapes are used in the production process. Bollinger takes pride in its traditional winemaking methods, which have been handed down through generations. The champagnes are aged for an extended period, well beyond the minimum requirements, allowing them to develop complexity and character. This dedication to time-consuming aging is a testament to Bollinger's commitment to producing exceptional wines that stand the test of time. Bollinger's commitment to quality extends to every aspect of their production, from the vineyards to the cellars. They have their own cooperage, ensuring that the barrels used in the aging process are of the highest quality. The champagnes are aged in cool dark cellars allowing them to mature gracefully and develop their signature flavors. Bollinger stands out among Champagne houses for its exceptional approach to reserve wines. Instead of storing them in tanks, Bollinger bottles the reserve wines, allowing them to age in magnums for several years. This unique process, called "prise de mousse," stabilizes the aromas of the wines. These reserve wines provide a rich palette of aromas for the Cellar Master to create blends with explosive yet subtle and precise flavors. The result is Bollinger's incomparable character and consistent quality in their wines year after year. Bollinger R.D. is an extraordinary wine that stands apart from the rest. It undergoes a unique aging process on the lees for an extended period before being hand-disgorged. The result is a powerful and rare vintage that showcases a beautiful contrast between an exceptional freshness on the palate, enhanced by the extra-brut dosage, and the aromatic intensity of the greatest vintages. In the case of the 2007 vintage, Bollinger R.D. takes a nostalgic turn, returning to its roots and historic label. The original material and legendary font from the 1952 vintage have been restored, proudly displaying the date of disgorging. This attention to detail and authenticity is a true rediscovery. The blend of the 2007 vintage consists of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, featuring an impressive 91% Grands Crus and 9% Premiers Crus. A total of 14 crus are carefully incorporated into the blending process. Fermentation takes place entirely in oak barrels, adding depth and complexity to the wine. Bollinger R.D. is released for sale just a few months after disgorgement, with an extremely low dosage known as "extra brut" at only 3 grams per litre. This recent disgorgement ensures that the wine maintains its remarkable freshness. Bollinger R.D. 2007 1.5L Magnum offers intense shimmers of gold, captivating the eye. On the nose, it reveals a complex profile with enticing aromas of honey and brioche. These initial notes are followed by a delightful array of spices, including ginger, cumin, caraway and more. As the wine evolves, it unveils additional layers of flavour, with hints of mirabelle plum, dried apricot and fresh hazelnut. Upon tasting, Bollinger R.D. 2007 1.5L presents a lively and clean opening, showcasing notes of white plum, walnut and aniseed. Its freshness is truly remarkable, creating a beautiful tension on the palate. To fully appreciate the wine's unique style, it is recommended to serve Bollinger R.D. at a temperature of 8°C, allowing its aromas to evolve throughout the tasting experience. There are two distinct experiences when enjoying Bollinger R.D. The first involves tasting the wine shortly after disgorgement, offering a specific aromatic range with complex fruity notes. Alternatively, one can choose to cellar Bollinger R.D. for several more years, allowing it to mature and reveal the depth of aromas typically found in the finest vintages.
Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Brut
The first release from Champagne Armand de Brignac, the Brut Gold remains the most iconic cuvée in the range. Rich with the old-world tradition of champagne blending, it is a trio of vintages from some of the most lauded terroirs of the region, resulting in a cuvée expressing vibrant and fresh fruit character with a soft texture. The striking gold bottle design and unquestionable quality of the Ace of Spades champagne makes it an exceptional bottle of champagne. A marvellously complex and full bodied champagne with a smooth and lengthy finish. A perfectly balanced blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier wine. Aromas of apricot, peach, and red berry are followed by crystalized citrus, hints of brioche, and orange blossom. The palate is rich with cherries, exotic fruits and a touch of honey, lemon, and vanilla. The mouth feel is creamy and soft, with a hint of toastiness, from the unique Armand de Brignac dosage which is aged for one year in French oak barrels.
Pommery Brut Royal Non-Vintage Jeroboam
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. Brut Royal NV has incredible balance and is a cheerful, lively and delicate wine.Pommery is one of the few Champagne houses that produce the large formats in their original bottles, to allow for optimal ageing. The Jeroboam comes individually packed in a timber case.
Moet & Chandon Collection Imperiale Creation No 1
Vouette Et Sorbee Blanc D'Argile Extra Brut
2014 base, disgorged in October 2017. Within the cold, west-facing Biaunes lieu-dit there is a small parcel of Chardonnay (the Côte des Bar is overwhelmingly planted to Pinot Noir) that Gautherot planted wild, without preparing the soils, amongst the native vegetation. Established in 2000, with massale cuttings from Anselme Selosse's vines in Avize and Vincent Dauvissat's Valmur Grand Cru vineyard, this portion of the vineyard is now the origin of what Antonio Galloni calls "one of the most beautiful and distinctive wines in Champagne." The vines here yield only 15-20 hl/ha each year--a key to the quality and intensity on offer. Fermentation is wild and has traditionally taken place in a mix of Burgundian pièce and 400-litre fût, purchased from vigneron friends in Burgundy. The new vintages now include a portion of fruit fermented and raised in Georgian amphora. As with the Fidèle, this wine spent roughly 15 months in bottle, sur lattes, before being disgorged by hand with zero dosage.
Gosset Celebris Blanc de Blancs
Agrapart & Fils Grand Cru Venus Brut Nature Brut Blanc de Blancs
Louis Roederer Collection 245 Non-Vintage (6 )
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.
Besserat de Bellefon Cuvee BB 1843 Champagne Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Pinot Meunier
Discover a refined bouquet of subtle red berry hints, mingled with notes of warm pastry and fresh ginger. The palate is generously proportioned, showcasing a harmonious blend of crisp fruit, a creamy, almost mousse-like texture, and a refined mineral backbone, culminating in a complex and beautifully balanced taste experience.