Champagne is a sparkling wine made from grapes coming from the Champagne region in north-central France. Producers must follow rules requiring the secondary fermentation of the wine in bottle to create the bubbly carbonation. Champagne is a blending of base wines which, ideally, create a whole greater than the sum of its parts. These “base” wines come from an assortment of wines—the Chardonnay white grape and Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier for red—from various villages and vineyards.
Two areas in the Champagne region are thought to be best for their superior grapes: the Montagne de Reims, which is perfectly located for producing the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier red grapes, and the Côte des Blancs, whose soils of limestone and chalk are excellent for Chardonnay. The Vallee de la Marne, which lies in a thin band along most of the region and is home to both red and white grapes, is the biggest area other than the Aube district, which lies further to the south.
Each decade, there are only four out of five harvests in the tough climate northeast of Paris that generate the needed ingredients to produce complete and balanced Champagne, vintage-designated, wines. They are, by definition, wines made entirely during the year indicated on the label. Because of this, most Champagnes also blend juice from two and more vintages.
This act of blending vintages is the means Champagnes producers employ to maintain their “house style” and provide their customers with a dependable, and consistent, product. With non-vintage wine accounting for about four out of five bottles of all Champagne produced, it makes sense that the status of most major houses depends on the quality and uniformity of their non-vintage offerings. Lucky for the Champagne-enthusiast, non-vintage bottles are often just as good as their vintage counterparts—and considerably less expensive.
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: A subtle nose with plenty of fine autolysis aromas of fresh bread and sweetly fragrant yeasty notes, plus some gentle spice and chalky notes. The palate unleashes beautiful wild strawberry fruit flavors, super fresh...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: The NV Cuvée Rosé Brut is 100% Pinot Noir based on 2008 (90%). The color is an intense orange-colored pink and the nose offers beautifully subtle, but also deep, intense flavors of ripe and macerated Pinot Noir and lemon...
jamessuckling.com, 92 points: The nose here is super chalky, showing dried white flowers, sweetly fragrant yeast elements, lemon rind and a little pepper - very pure. The palate has a refined core of quite dry lemon citrus flavor; crunchy, crisp and...
jamessuckling.com, 90 points: This is a bold style of NV with plenty of deep-set aromatic complexity - think toasted almond, citrus blossom, honey and dried spices. The palate has fleshy depth and drive with bold stone fruit flesh and a rich phenolic...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: Impressive concentration, freshness and purity here. It's all gently enriched with some savory, autolysis-driven characters. Truly a modern classic! Showing attractive spiced-apple, lemon and pink rose-like florals on the...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 95 points: The NV Extra Brut Cuvée Louis is based on 1999, with reserve wines from 1996, 1997 and 1998. Here the style is decidedly on the oxidative side, with plenty of warm, nutty and spice overtones that develop in the glass...
Wine Spectator, 90 points: Kumquat, melon and anise notes are layered with toast, smoke and golden raisin flavors in this firm, minerally Champagne, complemented by a fine, creamy mousse. Drink now through 2018. 9,000 cases imported. –AN
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Disgorged November 2014, this cuvée is based on the 2007, 2006 and 2005 vintages and has immensely complex aromas with a strong core of chalky minerals, honey, peach and almond milk - the sweet and savory mix is really...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: After five years on the lees before disgorgement, the white-golden colored NV Brut Grand Cru Cuvee St Denis (LSD2012) displays a deep, intense and yeasty-complex Blanc de Blancs bouquet of ripe and dried fruits, lemons...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 95 points: A total rock star wine, the NV Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Les Crayeres VV emerges from the old-vine Crayeres lieu-dit in Ambonnay. Rich, deep and explosive in the glass, the Crayeres boasts superb intensity and richness...
Wine Spectator, 92 points: A harmonious Champagne, framed by mouthwatering acidity and a refined bead, this offers flavors of glazed apricot, lemon pound cake, crushed hazelnut and fleur de sel. Features a lasting finish, with mineral and fresh...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 95 points: The NV (2012) Extra Brut Fidele is another fabulous wine from Vouette & Sorbée. Here, the richness of Pinot Noir comes through loud and clear in the wine's depth and overall richness. Creamy and beautifully layered...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: Jacquesson's soon to be released Cuvée 739 Extra-Brut is is based on the 2011 vintage and 31% Reserve wines, all from Grand and Premier Cru sites in the Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne. The 739 is an assemblage of...
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Competitive Prices. Especially good with Bordeaux futures. Email offers always tempting.
-Aaron C., March 2017