Sparkling Wine from France

Wine Spectator, 97 points: This goes from zero to 60 right out of the gate, with an intense spine of acidity driving tightly meshed flavors of crushed black currant, ground coffee, candied grapefruit peel and toasted almond. The profile expands on...

jamessuckling.com, 98 points: A firm and vivid Champagne with a precise, focused palate. Full-bodied and dry. It’s very layered and bright with light pineapple, peach, praline, cooked-apple and stone aromas and flavors. It’s very subtle and focused at...

Vinous, 97 points: The 2006 Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine, but it needs time to be at its best. I am surprised by how tightly wound it is. But that only makes me think what it might develop into with...

jamessuckling.com, 95 points: A very fine-textured Champagne with lovely density and finesse. The bubbles roll off the palate. Full body. Extremely creamy and flavorful. Shows wonderful finesse and a lovely, chalky, lemon-curd and brioche aftertaste...

Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: While still young, this Champagne has all the makings of greatness. Produced from grand cru vineyards, it already balances ripe white fruits with a firm structure that will age well. It's relatively dry and has plenty of...

Wine Spectator, 98 points: A beautifully bright and expressive Champagne, with precision and vivid acidity throughout; roasted coffee bean and graphite notes lead to a rich palate of toasted brioche, crystallized honey, bergamot and crème de...

jamessuckling.com, 97 points: (97 points) A very rich and full-bodied Cristal that harks back to 2006 or 1989 in style. It's round and rich, which underlies the ripeness of the vintage. Lots of dried-apple and pineapple character with bread dough and...

Vinous, 96 points: The 2015 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Grandes Crayères 1er Cru is fabulous and also one of the clear highlights in this stunning range of Champagnes from Aurelien Laherte. Rich, dense and explosive, with tremendous...

Vinous, 95 points: The NV (2016) Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée is a classy, gorgeous wine. Bright, sculpted and finely chiseled, the 2016 has so much to offer. Chalk, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks perk up the red berry fruit. Sweet...

Decanter, 97 points: A blend of 65% Pinot Noir consisting of Premier and Grand Crus from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallee de la Marne and 35% Chardonnay from the Cote des Blancs. Significantly, this has nine years ageing on its lees...

jebdunnuck.com, 98 points: (98+ points) The 2008 Champagne Rare Rosé is straight-up sensational. Only the second time they’ve produced this cuvée, it offers a deep, full-bodied, powerful yet chiseled and laser-focused style carrying loads of wild...

jamessuckling.com, 96 points: From two parcels in Cremant that total one hectare, this has a very chalky nose with lemon biscuit and some attractively oxidative, nutty, savory elements. The palate has a very silky, elegant and contained feel with...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: Disgorged with three grams per liter dosage in August 2019, Pascal Agrapart's 2013 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Minéral is showing beautifully, mingling aromas of citrus oil, dried apricot, pear, toasted hazelnuts...

Decanter, 98 points: Departing chef de cave Richard Geoffroy quite rightly calls 2008 ‘the miracle year'. Perfect ripening allowed the longest ever harvest, with four weeks available to select when, where and what to pick. The result is a...

Wine Spectator, 93 points: This deeply hued Champagne exudes mushroom and white truffle notes, set on a fine, plush mousse and structured by a firm backbone of acidity. Rich and expressive, yet well-cut and fresh, with dried apricot, chopped...