Brut Champagne
Brut denotes a dry style of Champagne (less than 15 grams per litre). Most Champagne is non-vintage, produced from a blend from different years. The non-vintage blend is always based predominately on wines made from the current harvest, enriched with aged wines from earlier harvests, which impart an additional level of complexity to the end wine.
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Bollinger,
Drink now,
Bottles of this product are discounted by 25%. Half-bottles and magnums are discounted by 20%. Price shown includes saving.*
Bollinger was established in 1829 by Jacques Bollinger and Paul Renaudin. The House has a reputation for producing muscular Champagnes with body, depth and power; these are classic, complex, Pinot-Noir dominated Champagnes with the ability to age gracefully for many years.
A blend par excellence; Special Cuvée is the purest expression of Bollinger's house style. Its biscuity nose is endowed with hints of white fruit and the rich, full-bodied palate is perfectly balanced by fresh acidity and a soft, delicate mousse. A stylish Champagne that is ideal to drink now or in the next two or three year.
*This offer is available until 31st December. there
Bollinger was established in 1829 by Jacques Bollinger and Paul Renaudin. The House has a reputation for producing muscular Champagnes with body, depth and power; these are classic, complex, Pinot-Noir dominated Champagnes with the ability to age gracefully for many years.
A blend par excellence; Special Cuvée is the purest expression of Bollinger's house style. Its biscuity nose is endowed with hints of white fruit and the rich, full-bodied palate is perfectly balanced by fresh acidity and a soft, delicate mousse. A stylish Champagne that is ideal to drink now or in the next two or three year.
*This offer is available until 31st December. there
Champagne Fleury,
Drink now,
Stylistically at the other end of the spectrum from the Notes Blanches, this is a richly rewarding and savoury 100% Pinot Noir Cuvée, its base fruit from the highly regarded 2012 vintage ,its dosage low in deference to a natural ripeness and a house style ( biodynamic) which favours expression of terroir over winemaking. Pure red fruit flavours, fine linear acidity and a sublime texture are the key features here, and the finish is discretely racy and richly rewarding.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Champagne Mailly,
Drink now,
The glorious summer of 2009 was particularly good for Mailly's Grand Cru Pinot Noir grapes, a high percentage of which are used in its vintage blends. The resulting wine is ripe, rounded and opulent with aromas of nectarine, pear, white blossom and biscuit. The palate is rich and textural with red apple, peach and a delicate honeyed note on the finish, which will develop beautifully with time.
Davy Zyw - Wine Buyer
Davy Zyw - Wine Buyer
Champagne Billecart-Salmon,
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Billecart-Salmon is one of the few remaining Champagne houses to be owned by the original family and was established in 1818 by Nicolas-François Billecart. Most of Billecart-Salmon's fruit comes from a small vineyard holding, though this is supplemented with grapes bought in from the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims. Meticulous production techniques, from the use of their own cultured yeast to its long, slow, cool fermentation, ensure that the family has 100 percent control of production.
This is without doubt one of the finest, yet least known, Grande Marque Champagnes, made with mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. This Champagne is lively, elegantly textured and fresh, with a very long finish.
This is without doubt one of the finest, yet least known, Grande Marque Champagnes, made with mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. This Champagne is lively, elegantly textured and fresh, with a very long finish.
Champagne Fleury,
Drink now,
This wine is a bin-end, discounted by 20%.
One of the first and the best of the biodynamic producers in Champagne, Fleury are based in the southern Aube region and are especially proud of this wonderfully refreshing and highly unusual 100% Pinot Blanc cuvée. Low dosage, low yields and highly individual, this is a hymn to purity and complexity. Notes of white flowers and ‘agrume’ cede gently to something little more exotic, broad and gently creamy, a fascination and eloquent testament to non-interventionist winemaking.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
One of the first and the best of the biodynamic producers in Champagne, Fleury are based in the southern Aube region and are especially proud of this wonderfully refreshing and highly unusual 100% Pinot Blanc cuvée. Low dosage, low yields and highly individual, this is a hymn to purity and complexity. Notes of white flowers and ‘agrume’ cede gently to something little more exotic, broad and gently creamy, a fascination and eloquent testament to non-interventionist winemaking.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Louis Roederer,
Drink now,
Louis Roederer, a wonderful family-owned Champagne House founded in 1776, has a tremendous reputation for quality. It has remained an independent, family-owned company and is now managed by Frédéric Rouzaud, who represents the seventh generation of the lineage. Eighty percent of the firm's needs are supplied by their own, magnificent, 444 acres of vineyard holdings.
This wine is without doubt one of the very top non-vintage Champagnes. Its elegant complexities come from the barrel-ageing of a high proportion of the blend, together with at least four years' maturation in bottle before disgorging.
The quintessence of the House style, Brut Premier offers quality and glamour as well as excellent value. A structured, elegant wine, it is deliciously creamy with almond and toast characteristics alongside the complexity and roundness that are the hallmarks of this House.
This wine is without doubt one of the very top non-vintage Champagnes. Its elegant complexities come from the barrel-ageing of a high proportion of the blend, together with at least four years' maturation in bottle before disgorging.
The quintessence of the House style, Brut Premier offers quality and glamour as well as excellent value. A structured, elegant wine, it is deliciously creamy with almond and toast characteristics alongside the complexity and roundness that are the hallmarks of this House.
Drink now,
This venerable house has produced a quintessential champagne combining a vibrant zest with ample fruit and a delicious brioche and patisserie-tinged finish.
Edwin Dublin - Assistant Manager, London Shop
From the second oldest, or depending on terminology, the oldest House in Champagne, a rich, seriously well-made wine. Chardonnay just edges Pinot Noir in the blend, with a little Pinot Meunier adding a seductive brioche aroma. A delicious biscuity palate with an elegant and assertive finish.
Edwin Dublin - Assistant Manager, London Shop
From the second oldest, or depending on terminology, the oldest House in Champagne, a rich, seriously well-made wine. Chardonnay just edges Pinot Noir in the blend, with a little Pinot Meunier adding a seductive brioche aroma. A delicious biscuity palate with an elegant and assertive finish.
Champagne Ruinart,
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Ruinart is a low-profile, yet select, Champagne house which is steeped in history. It was founded in 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart in the city of Reims, the year after a Royal Decree in 1728, whereby Louis XV gave his consent for sparkling wines to be shipped in baskets containing 50 to 100 bottles. This opened the gates of Europe to Champagne and thus makes Ruinart the oldest Champagne House.
Made from 40 percent Chardonnay and 60 percent Pinot Noir, R de Ruinart makes use of 40 percent reserve wine and is aged on its lees for three years. The wine is elegant with floral notes to the fore and hints of white peach and acacia on the palate. An excellent apéritif wine, this is a splendid introduction to the delights from this most ancient of Champagne Houses.
Made from 40 percent Chardonnay and 60 percent Pinot Noir, R de Ruinart makes use of 40 percent reserve wine and is aged on its lees for three years. The wine is elegant with floral notes to the fore and hints of white peach and acacia on the palate. An excellent apéritif wine, this is a splendid introduction to the delights from this most ancient of Champagne Houses.
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Leclerc Briant’s flagship wine is a true showcase of the House’s style. The blend (40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay) is sourced from organic and biodynamic vineyards across the Vallée de la Marne, Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs. A portion of the blend (20%) is fermented in used oak barrels, and the wine is aged on lees for at least two years, giving it a creamy complexity. The nose offers notes of candied citrus, green apple, apricot and almond, while the palate is electric in its freshness and salinity, driving on to a chalky, mineral finish.
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer (winter 2018)
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer (winter 2018)
Champagne Fleury,
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The Notes Blanches is made with 100% Pinot Blanc, which is very unusual for Champagne. The nose is full of aromatic white flowers, baked apple and clotted cream, laced with ginger. The palate is full, voluminous and fleshy, giving immediate enjoyment; yet it’s razor-dry with zero dosage. Flavours of white peach, guava, waxy lemon pith and yellow figs are layered on a cool, mineral palate. Vinous and terroir-driven, this is a fascinating style and unique to our range. The finish is electric, earthy and deliciously fresh. Drink now to 2030.
Davy Zyw, Buyer (summer 2019)
Davy Zyw, Buyer (summer 2019)
Jacquesson,
Ready, but will keep,
Cuvée 742 is based on the 2014 vintage – a varied year in Champagne that required meticulous selection. The Chiquet brothers are constantly fine-tuning, and this year saw the wine aged on lees under cork rather than crown cap, and two months further ageing in oak. The result is even more complex than previous releases. Full of orchard fruit and cinnamon, tarte tatin, Chantilly cream, white blossom and savoury depths – this elegant wine has the texture of pure silk. Intelligent, supple and full of energy. Drink now to 2029.
Davy Zyw, Buyer (November 2019)
Davy Zyw, Buyer (November 2019)
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A blend of 95% Chardonnay with 5% Pinot Noir, this rosé Champagne is a shimmering pale pink colour. The nose is a wash of raspberry, wild strawberries, pink grapefruit and acacia, with a hint of aniseed and mint. With time, the wine reveals aromas of blackcurrant, peach skin, fresh almond, passion fruit, chalk and a heady scent of roses. On the palate, it is supple and fresh with a soft and creamy effervescence followed by a fleshy fruitiness supported by a citrus backbone. Chalky minerality lends breadth to this long and saline wine. A juicy fruity sensation, and a hint of salt, set in an ever-changing whirl of freshness.
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer (winter 2018)
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer (winter 2018)
Champagne Ruinart,
Drink now,
Ruinart is a low-profile, yet select, Champagne house which is steeped in history. It was founded in 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart in the city of Reims, the year after a Royal Decree in 1728, whereby Louis XV gave his consent for sparkling wines to be shipped in baskets containing 50 to 100 bottles. This opened the gates of Europe to Champagne and thus makes Ruinart the oldest Champagne House.
The distinctive clear bottle for Ruinart’s Blanc de Blancs is based on an 18th century original. Its elegant Chardonnay persona is harmonious and elegant, capturing the House style. It is one of the finest blanc de blancs on the market, luminous of hue, rounded of form and lengthy in the memory.
The distinctive clear bottle for Ruinart’s Blanc de Blancs is based on an 18th century original. Its elegant Chardonnay persona is harmonious and elegant, capturing the House style. It is one of the finest blanc de blancs on the market, luminous of hue, rounded of form and lengthy in the memory.
Ready, but will keep,
Lemon gold appearance with a delicate creamy mousse. The nose is rich and complex showing soft floral tones with citrus and orchard fruit entwined with hints of vanilla and hazelnut. The palate is fresh with an abundance of lemon and apple, a rich nuttiness with a hint of salinity balanced with inviting acidity and a rounded smooth finish. A delicious wine which will develop beautifully over time.
Champagne Gosset is the oldest wine producer in Champagne, dating back to 1584. Situated in the tiny Grand Cru village of Aÿ, 5km from Epernay, Gosset has some rather famous neighbours, including Bollinger. Gosset’s blends come from some of the best villages across the Marne Valley encompassing both Grand and Premier Crus. It may not be the most famous of the Grande Marques simply because they don’t produce vast quantities, making only 1.3 million bottles a year, yet the quality of production here is at a very high level.
With this small production, Gosset concentrates on the quality of its wines rather than the quantity. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Gosset style comes from their decision to create most of their cuvées without the use of malolactic fermentation; this preserves the purity of the fruit in the wine. This is evident in the 2006 Gosset Grand Millésime. Having spent eight years maturing in the darkness of the Champagne Gosset cellars in Epernay, this 56 % Pinot Noir and 44 % Chardonnay wine is an excellent expression of the 2006 harvest (disgorged in spring 2015). With a “low dosage” and no malolactic fermentation this is a very precise Champagne, with a move away from the brioche, toast notes one often
Champagne Gosset is the oldest wine producer in Champagne, dating back to 1584. Situated in the tiny Grand Cru village of Aÿ, 5km from Epernay, Gosset has some rather famous neighbours, including Bollinger. Gosset’s blends come from some of the best villages across the Marne Valley encompassing both Grand and Premier Crus. It may not be the most famous of the Grande Marques simply because they don’t produce vast quantities, making only 1.3 million bottles a year, yet the quality of production here is at a very high level.
With this small production, Gosset concentrates on the quality of its wines rather than the quantity. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Gosset style comes from their decision to create most of their cuvées without the use of malolactic fermentation; this preserves the purity of the fruit in the wine. This is evident in the 2006 Gosset Grand Millésime. Having spent eight years maturing in the darkness of the Champagne Gosset cellars in Epernay, this 56 % Pinot Noir and 44 % Chardonnay wine is an excellent expression of the 2006 harvest (disgorged in spring 2015). With a “low dosage” and no malolactic fermentation this is a very precise Champagne, with a move away from the brioche, toast notes one often
Pol Roger,
Ready, but will keep,
This beautiful Champagne uses fruit from 20 Grand and Premier Cru vineyards and is a blend of 60 percent Pinot Noir and 40 percent Chardonnay. Aged for eight years in the House cellars, this is a complex and layered wine. Stone fruit, lemon and grapefruit show on the nose; to taste, there’s apple, stone fruit and citrus wrapped up with lovely, balanced acidity.
Pol Roger,
Drink now,
Pol Roger is perhaps best known as Winston Churchill's favourite Champagne. The House remains family-owned and has a reputation for producing Champagnes of finesse and elegance which age very well. Pol Roger Brut Réserve, made from equal parts of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, is consistently one of the very best non-vintage cuvées on the market, largely due to the high proportion of aged reserve wines in the blend.
This has a truly wide appeal and is perfect for lovers of exuberantly styled Champagnes. Feminine and fruity in its youth, it takes on a fuller flavour with age. The added reserve wines are specially selected to achieve the requisite elegance, balance and harmony. It’s perfect for the cellar as well as current drinking, which is an excellent excuse to buy more than one case.
Ready, but will keep,
Gosset's 2004 Extra Brut Celebris is a powerful, bracing wine. Pinot Noir-infused red stone fruits, dried leaves, mint, herbs and spice notes, along with the low dosage, give the wine its distinctive combination of power, breadth and raciness. The 2004 needs a bit of time for the bouquet to open up, but when they do, the wine is quite expressive. Now 12 years after the vintage, the 2004 Celebris offers a good bit of aromatic and flavor intensity, with the slightly mature notes that are typical for a wine of this age. Chamomile, honey and lightly roasted almond are some of the nuances that linger through to the creamy, expansive finish. The 2005 is 55% Chardonnay (from Chouilly, Cramant and Le Mesnil sur Oger) and 45% Pinot Noir (from Aÿ, Bouzy and Verzy).
Antonio Galloni - Vinous, November 2016
Antonio Galloni - Vinous, November 2016
Dom Perignon,
Ready, but will keep,
Dom Pérignon was the 17th century Benedictine monk who has gone down in history as the person who “invented” Champagne, and the name Moët & Chandon uses for its prestige cuvée, which was first released in 1937. A rigorous selection process in both the vineyard and winery ensures that only the best grapes go into Dom Pérignon.
This is tightly wound at the moment, with small, crunchy red berries and lemon pith on the nose. Taut across the palate as well, with a very delicate mousse and saline, mineral finish and some stone-fruit fleshiness. Very complete and recognisably Dom Pérignon, this will benefit from a couple of years in the cellar to fatten up. A hybrid of the 2002 and 2004, this sits very neatly in the line-up of recent releases from this esteemed brand. Drink now to 2030.
This is tightly wound at the moment, with small, crunchy red berries and lemon pith on the nose. Taut across the palate as well, with a very delicate mousse and saline, mineral finish and some stone-fruit fleshiness. Very complete and recognisably Dom Pérignon, this will benefit from a couple of years in the cellar to fatten up. A hybrid of the 2002 and 2004, this sits very neatly in the line-up of recent releases from this esteemed brand. Drink now to 2030.
Ready, but will keep,
Aged for 15 months in the depths of the ocean, Abyss is a rather unique Champagne. It’s a blend of 34% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier and 33% Chardonnay, with zero dosage. Pinky gold in hue, the wine has a deep, rich nose – with the slightest hint of oxidation. The palate is similarly rich. Full-bodied and dry, it’s quite tertiary and saline, but totally compelling with a long, fine finish. Intriguing.
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager (spring 2019)
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager (spring 2019)
Krug,
Ready, but will keep,
I tasted the 1998, alongside the 1996 and was surprised to find myself preferring the 1998. A vivid and lively champagne, the 1998 Krug was remarkable approachable. The typical notes of brioche, white apples and apple strudel on the nose followed seamlessly onto the palate. On the palate layer upon layer of flavours ranging from crisp apples to roasted hazelnuts and minerally chalkiness gently developed into a noticeably long finish with a touch of smoke. Very impressive.
Louis Roederer,
Ready, but will keep,
Roederer's 2002 Cristal is a fabulous wine! Originally released in 2009, it was re-released in March this yearand was sold out in a very short time. The Cristal I tasted at Roederer in May 2018 was disgorged in 2010, after seven years sur lie. Its amazing richness and concentration makes it a forerunner of the 2015 and follows the 1999. Only two times2002 and 2015the fruit from all 42 plots reserved for Cristal was used for the Cristal. "I couldn't do any better blend than the one assembling all the 42 plots," says Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, stressing that at that time only two hectares were farmed biodynamically. As a result of the conversion to biodynamic farming, Lécaillon promised himself the production of even more beautiful, vital and balanced wines, and you can feel his satisfaction whenever he speaks of the cuvées that are yet to come such as 2012 and 2015, the latter of which he calls "the new 2002." Back to history: the nose of the 2002 Cristal shows a deep, ripe and elegant fruit with aromas of white chocolate, wet chalk, wild vanilla and pepper (typical for 2002) as well as terroir-driven truffle notes. Intense and very elegant in the mouth, this is a ripe, rich and concentrated yet also pure and vital Cristal with great finesse, elegance and mineral complexity. It's a sublime Champagne right now, although it's more wine than Champagne. Tasted in Reims in May 2018.
Stephan Reinhardt - 29/06/2018
Stephan Reinhardt - 29/06/2018
All the hallmarks of Grand Cru are here, with brioche and flowers on the nose and an elegant palate which marries notes of lemon grass, gingerbread and honeysuckle. The wine effortlessly combines structure and finesse, and reverberates with a really authoritative Grand Cru crescendo on the finish.