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.

Bright yellow hue flecked with gold. Its lively sparkle forms beautiful, even streams of bubbles. Aromas of citrus fruit (lemon) and fresh, zesty notes combined with soft tones of grilled hazelnuts and heady acacia flowers. After aeration, the wine develops hints of fresh wood, subtle spices (pepper, cardamom), cocoa beans, and honey nougat which add depth. The palate is simultaneously smooth, rounded and fresh. The attack is juicy, direct, concentrated and pure, yet exceptionally soft and gives way to a saline freshness endowing it with remarkable mineral precision and discreet elegance. The result is a delicate, fluid, supple, coherent and disconcertingly honest tasting experience! Louis Roederer Brut Vintage 2012, 70% Pinot noir and 30% Chardonnay, a lower 8% of which is wine matured in oak. As noted by the Cellar master: "The perfect product from the Louis Roederer terroir, in which finesse, purity, precision, and harmony highlight the qualities of a great vineyard." Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon. The subtle bouquet, on the first nose, opens out gradually to reveal spring-like notes of fresh citrus fruit (lemon tree rather than lemon fruit) combined with warm, almost smoky, mineral aromas, followed by notes of lightly toasted almonds, one of the signs of the ageing in oak foudres. Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon Today Louis Roederer remains one of the very few remaining family owned Houses in Champagne with 7th generation Frederic Rouzaud at the helm. From the 100 hectares acquired in 1850 by Louis Roederer, the Domaine today extends over 240 hectares averaging 98% on the official Echelle classification. All vineyard acquisitions follow Louis Roedererâs strict 70% policy â that is ownership of at least 70% of the total production. All Louis Roederer Cuvees are Estate grown with the exception of Brut Premier which is 60% estate fruit and 40% fruit sourced from long-term contracted growers. Louis Roederer farm 65 Ha of their Domaine vineyards under a biodynamic and organic regime as part of what Chef de Cave Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon says is a work in progress. In 2012 Louis Roederer became the largest biodynamic producer in Champagne.

Its superb maturity tantalizes all the senses with a deep pink robe highlighted with glints of copper, an extremely delicate persistent effervescence, a nose of crushed strawberries, lime and liquorice underlined by a hint of roast coffee and cacao. The palate is entranced by a variation of gourmet sensations. The fresh, precise and taut attack gives way to reveal a supple, molten and heady structure. The finish imparts fruity notes underscored by a saline freshness. With the purity of its precise, gourmet aromatic structure, the Comtes de Champagne Rosé is perfectly in line with its predecessors and promises to offer excellent ageing potential.

PHILIPPONNAT Clos des Goisses Just Rose Extra-Brut, Champagne

The wine pours well with impressive mousse, followed by a fine bead with moderate persistence. Deep straw colour base wine. The nose is showing some developed character with aroma of yeast lees, cashew and biscuit with honeycomb end note. Creamy textured palate, with flavours of strawberry, yeast lees and biscuit. Clean acid finish. Creamy strawberry aftertaste. A very good Commercial style. Cellar 1-2 years (2009-2010) Alc/Vol: 12.5% First tasted: August 1999 A newly re packaged Methode Champenoise and at its price point, very impressive. Bright pale straw colour followed by very fine and very persistent bead. Excellent nose with distinct yeast autolysis and a hint of grapefruit and citrus. Full bodied creamy palate, excellent finesse followed by persistent biscuit, yeast flavours and crisp acid finish. Great everyday drinking.