Pinot noir and chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims, this has strong pinot noir influence with wild red berry fruit aromas as well as brioche and woody, foresty notes. The palate walks a clever line of tartness and flavor that is right in the red fruit zone. This is full of life. Twists savory into hazelnut and pastry at the finish. Drink now – this is terrific value. - Nick Stock

The current release of the NV Champagne Brut Reserve is based on the 2019 vintage. It is roughly equal parts Chardonnay, Meunier, and Pinot Noir, with 35% reserve wine blended in. Fruity, floral, and open, with notes of fresh citrus blossoms, orchard fruits, and fresh bread, the palate is generous and approachable, with apricot, berries, and a lightly savory broth. This is consistently one of the best entry wines that versatile enough to drink alone or to accompany a meal. Drink 2022-2030. - Audrey Frick

(92+) I have had a bit of bottle variation with this bottling from Bérêche Père et Fils, with a bottle I drank in Beaune in November totally out of sorts and showing a fair bit of sweetness on the backend from its dosage. I have also spoken with friends who have bought cases of the Brut Réserve here in the US and they have reported a fair bit of bottle variation for this wine as well. Sadly, I did not take note of the date of disgorgement on the bottle tasted in Beaune, but this particular bottle of the Bérêche Père et Fils “Brut Réserve” tasted back here in New York in January (and disgorged in June of 2012) was every bit as stunning as the example I reported on in Issue Forty. The superb nose jumps from the glass in a mix of apple, tart pear, stony minerality, orange zest and brioche. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and very soil-driven in personality, with brisk acids, lovely focus and grip, elegant mousse and a long and classy finish. This is a lovely bottle today and will be even better with a couple of years more bottle age. I hope the bottle variation that I and others have seen with this wine is simply a function of the wine being drunk a bit too soon after its disgorgement and not indicative of inconsistency with the cuvée. (Drink between 2013-2030)

The NV Brut Réserve is the foundational wine at Bérêche, and the latest release is based on the 2022 vintage, incorporating a 40% perpetual reserve component, uniting the freshness of the northern slopes and the maturity of the hot, dry vintage. Fruit for this wine comes from vineyard sites across the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de Marne, and the Champagne was disgorged in October 2024 with six grams per liter dosage. Bursting from the glass with aromas of nectarine, orange zest and brioche, it's medium- to full-bodied and ample, with considerable density, underpinned by racy acidity and concluding with a chalky finish. The Brut Réserve has seen the most refinements in recent years as it no longer incorporates tailles and now features Chardonnay from Trépail; technically, this means that the pH is lower and the acidity is higher. It’s one of the most reliable entry-level NV bottlings on the market. - Kristaps Karklins

Lemon curd, delicate herb and spice notes lead to flavors of crushed white cherry, toasted brioche and honey, with a streak of salinity, in this firm, focused Champagne, showing a lacy mousse. Offers a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2022. — A.N.

The NV Brut Réserve (base 2022) is such a classy wine. This release, based on 2022, is all finesse. Cranberry, mint, white pepper, slate and dried flowers all grace the palate. Stylistically, the Brut Réserve has evolved into a more refined Champagne than what was the norm just a few years ago. The one thing that is evident, though, is a slightly harder texture vis-à-vis the other wines in the range, likely because of aging on crown cap rather than cork. Élevage was done 70% in cask and 30% in tank. Dosage is 5.2 grams per liter. -- Antonio Galloni

A moderately complex and expressive nose of Meyer lemon, green apple and a hint of brioche leads to delicious, round and creamy flavors where the supporting mouse is moderately firm. The delicious and solidly dry finish displays a yeasty and satisfying finish. This is drinking perfectly now though if you like a more obviously aged character this could certainly support additional cellaring.