{"title":"May 9: Champagne: The Class","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"billecart-salmon-brut-reserve-champagne-france-nv-1","title":"Billecart-Salmon, Le Reserve, Extra-Brut, Champagne, France, NV","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eOldest continuously family-owned House, Billecart-Salmon was founded in 1818 by the marriage of Nicolas Francois Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon. For over two hundred years, the House has developed a renowned expertise in crafting fine, elegant and balanced Champagnes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBillecart-Salmon was first and foremost the result a union between Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon who, in 1818 and just married, founded their own Champagne House in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, a small village near Epernay. At their side was Louis Salmon, Elisabeth’s brother and a passionate oenologist who, from the very beginning, dedicated himself to the development of the wines. From then on, their heirs have never stopped aiming for excellence in winemaking. Today led by seventh generation Mathieu Roland-Billecart, each family member has endeavored to pursue the family tradition and stay faithful to the same motto: \"give priority to quality, strive for excellence.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBillecart-Salmon rigorously cultivates an estate of 100 hectares, sourcing grapes from an area totaling 300 hectares across 40 crus of the Champagne region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe majority of the grapes used for vinification come from a radius of 20km around Epernay, where the Grand Crus of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay co-exist, in the vineyards of the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs part of the quest to increase the quality of their champagnes, in the 1950s, the House introduced the technique of cold settling combined with the use of stainless steel tanks for a longer fermentation at a lower temperature. Vinification occurs primarily on small thermoregulated tanks which allows the House to vinify parcels separately, preserving nuances of expression of \"terroir\". Low temperature fermentation slows down the process, encouraging aromas to delicately develop and allow the purity of the fruit to be fully expressed; absolute signature of the Billecart-Salmon style: finesse, elegance and balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver three years of ageing on lees in the chalk cellars for the non-vintage cuvees and over ten year for the prestige vintage cuvees, the family allows their wines to blossom. Giving the luxury of time to play its role is also behind the grandeur of Billecart-Salmon champagnes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlorent Nys\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e40% Pinot Meunie, 30% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eChampagne, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Brut Réserve is a light, fine and harmonious champagne. It is made up of a blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from three different years and sourced from the best sites in the Champagne region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReflections of straw yellow, fine slowly rising bubbles and persistent mousse. Intense with radiant freshness. Floral notes with fresh fruits highlighted by light biscuit aromas. Pure with delicate texture, fresh apple and crunchy pears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ideal partner for every occasion. It is perfect as an aperitif and can be enjoyed with a wide variety of dishes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e#18 Wine in VinePair's Top 50 of 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - Decanter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fine straw-gold colour with great finesse of bubble flow and mousse. Joyful aromas of apple blossom and ripe pear. A full, defined palate demonstrates richness that will help to give this a long life in the cellar.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Wine Spectator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA harmonious Champagne that's satiny in texture, framing flavors of Asian pear, star fruit, pastry and honey with mouthwatering acidity. Offers a fine and creamy finish. Drink now through 2021.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlenty of ripe strawberries and wild raspberries on the nose here. Really attractive and vibrant in the mouth with fresh wild strawberries. It also shows a fleshy, fresh-fruit texture. Drink now.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e90 Points - Wine Enthusiast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cuvée from this great Champagne producer is dry, fruity with a fine line of minerality. That is balanced by the apple and crisp citrus-fruit flavors coming together in a vibrant, textured wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e90 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Billecart-Salmon NV Brut Réserve is a blend of 40% Pinot Meunier (sourced in the Vallée de la Marne and the Coteaux Sud d'Epernay), 30% Chardonnay (from different villages along the Marne) and 30% Pinot Noir (from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne). The recent disgorgement from January 2018 is straw-yellow in color and based 40% on the 2015 harvest, with 60% of reserve wines. The result is a light and delicately fruity flavored cuvée with aromatic and spicy Pinot Meunier and redcurrant aromas intertwined with chalky expressions and notes of ripe pears and yeast. Round and fresh on the palate, this is a light, finessed, elegant, very delicate and harmoniously fruity Brut with a stunningly intense, persistent, well-structured and purely salty finish. Very stimulating as a soloist, aperitif or with lighter dishes.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eProduct Size: 750ml\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003e \u003c\/h6\u003e","brand":"Chambers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40139301388330,"sku":"","price":79.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/products\/Billecart-Salmon-Brut-Reserve-Champagne-France-NV_280bdfa1-9dd8-4eef-99cd-f080800d3530.jpg?v=1762529030"},{"product_id":"champagne-gremillet-blanc-de-noirs-brut-champagne-france-nv","title":"Champagne Gremillet, Blanc de Noirs Brut, Champagne, France, NV","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eIt was only in 1979 that my father decided to create his own Champagne. His first endeavour was in the export market and more particularly with the diplomatic network.  No more than fifty embassies and consulates around the world select Gremillet for their prestigious receptions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCovering 48 hectares, the majority of our vines are planted in an area called Côte des Bars. Limestone soils, interspersed with clayey marls, mainly planted with pinot noir (85%). An exceptional terroir in which the steep and sunny slopes reveal all the power and fruitiness of the grape variety. The rest of the vines is devoted to Chardonnay for its finesse and freshness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemakers\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJean-Michel Gremillet \u0026amp; Jean-Christophe Gremillet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePinot Noir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eChampagne, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eIt would be served with a roasted sea bass, a doe fillet or a warm pie with caramelized fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe taste is rich, full-bodied and voluptuous, quite satisfying and thirst quenching all while inducing us to indulge further.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Ian Blackburn\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAbsolutely Delicious!  The nose is like a white cherry - the mouth is round and smooth.  Really a fantastic producer - I recommend this tiny producer for outstanding value.  14\/24\/24\/32\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Enthusiast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a rich, full Champagne, balanced between white and citrus fruits and textured minerality that gives it shape. The wine is full, with a creamy texture and tangy, crisp aftertaste. Drink now.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eProduct Size: 750ml\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Golden State","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44638085873969,"sku":"","price":58.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/ChampagneGremillet_BlancdeNoirsBrut_Champagne_France_NV.jpg?v=1762530960"},{"product_id":"paul-bara-special-club-brut-grand-cru-champagne-france-2015","title":"Paul Bara, 'Special Club' Brut Grand Cru, Champagne, France, 2015","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Montagne de Reims boasts some of the best Pinot Noir in the region—Bouzy is the capital. The key to its inherent greatness lies in its deep, chalky subsoil which imparts intense expression of fruit and great mineral complexity in its grand cru wines. The village of Bouzy and Champagne Paul Bara are practically synonymous. As the published village historian, Paul is indelibly linked to the lore of his hometown. Many call him their most renowned producer, one of the rare récoltants-manipulants in a region inundated with mass-produced wine. These R.M.s, as they are known, are of the few who still grow their own grapes and make their own wines. Champagne Paul Bara is the quintessential example, everything done with personal touch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eChampagne, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLike all of Paul Bara’s releases, Pinot Noir is the back-bone of their Special Club. Production is strictly old-school, with only free run and first press juice used, fermentation in small cement tanks, and aging and riddling in cold, extremely deep cellars for several years. Nothing is released until ready.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEach year, the Special Club represents the pinnacle of the Bara process and style. Superlatives seem to be insufficient when describing the experience of savoring a glass of this Champagne. It simply has it all—refined hazel-nutty, toasty notes, bright acidity, some of the most delicate bubbles ever created, and a finish that lasts and lasts (sometimes longer than the bottle does).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eThe 2015 Special Club is one of the more powerful, vinous Champagnes in this range. It offers up a beguiling mix of orchard fruit, white flowers, chalk, mint and white pepper, all backed by considerable volume and substance. Another year or two in bottle should help this find even better balance. It’s a fine 2015. Disgorged: February, 2021. Drink: 2022-2030. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kermit Lynch","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47626656350513,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Paul-Bara-Special-Club-Brut-Grand-Cru-Champagne-France-2015.jpg?v=1698278920"},{"product_id":"louis-roederer-collection-245-brut-champagne-france-nv","title":"Louis Roederer, Collection 245, Brut, Champagne, France, NV (750mL)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eUncompromising Quality:  \u003cspan\u003eChampagne Louis Roederer was founded in 1776 in Reims, France and is one of the rare family owned companies, which is still managed by the Roederer family. In 1833, Louis Roederer inherited the company from his uncle and renamed the company under his namesake. Under his leadership, the company rapidly grew while remaining true to their philosophy of uncompromising quality. Today, the company is under the helm of Jean-Claude Rouzaud and his son Frédéric who continue to place quality before quantity. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst-Rate Vineyards:  Champagne Louis Roederer is one of the only French champagne producers to own nearly 75 percent of the grapes in the most desirable vineyards in the Champagne. The property is located on 450 acres in the finest villages of Montagne de Reims, Côtes des Blancs, and Valleé de la Marne. Each region is selected to produce Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with the elegance needed for perfectly balanced champagne. The Louis Roederer vineyards rate an average 98 percent based on France’s statutory 100-point classification scale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reserve wine is then tasted and graded by a team of Roederer specialists. They choose as many as 40 different wines from several lots for the blend. For the final touch, the wine is then added in order to enhance the cuvee and guarantee consistency while retaining the champagne's characteristics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSustainable and Organic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJean-Baptiste Lécaillon\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e41% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 24% Meunier\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChampagne, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLovely golden yellow hue. Steady lively bubbles. Bouquet of yellow fruits (nectarine) and ripe, concentrated citrus (lemon) complemented by sweet notes of petals, pollen, sugared almonds and wheat. We find an impressively ripe, complex and intense fruit which elevates the pure and intense bouquet interwoven with smoky overtones. The palate is velvety, unctuous, rich and juicy. The bubbles have an almost saline character to them and coat the palate with a broad and concentrated texture. The wine reveals an exceptional balance between structure and a crisp, powdery, saline chalky freshness. Smoky and slightly oaky notes linger on a deliciously well-honed finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAged for nearly 4 years in our cellars, Collection 245 is a complex champagne that has reached great plenitude. Perfect with gastronomy, this champagne is endowed with obvious cellar-ageing potential. The maturity and balance of the vintage year, the freshness of the Perpetual Reserve and the complexity of the oak-aged Reserve wines result in an impressive density of fruit, releasing complex flavours of citrus and yellow fruit; pure, intense notes nuanced by a hint of smoke. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Wine Independent\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRoederer’s specialty multi-vintage house blend is the annual Collection creation, and this year’s Collection 245 is a finely woven, mineral-laced beauty. Composed of 41% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 24% Pinot Meunier, the backbone (55%) is from the 2020 harvest, while 35% comes from a Perpetual Reserve of 2012-2019 vintages, and 10% is Reserve Wines aged in oak (2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019). The dosage is just 7 grams per liter. Notes of citron blossom, lemon tart, and lime leaves slowly emerge from the glass, leading to hints of raising bread dough, fresh ginger, and sea spray, with a touch of coriander seed. The light-bodied, very dry, beautifully poised palate is elegantly crafted with intense citrus and mineral layers and a lively yet well-knit backbone, finishing long and chalky. I love the restraint here—unmistakably Roederer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Wine Enthusiast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is the 245th blend of Roederer's non-vintage Champagne. It is a fine wine, highlighting the blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, bringing in reserve wines to give richness and balance. It is fresh, beginning to show signs of maturity, with an apple aroma and a ripe palate. Drink now. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Owen Bargreen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe ‘Collection 245’ utilizes a base from the 2020 vintage. Near equal parts come from the “La Rivière” Estate, the “La Montagne” Estate and the “La Côte” Estate. This is bold and rich stuff with toasty brioche, ginger, Pink Lady apple and shades of starfruit on the palate. With a refined mousse, enjoy over the next ten years. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRestrained green apple, lemon bush and lime, plus light brioche and chalk. Medium to full body with fine, nicely persistent bubbles and good substance on the mid-palate. Almost biting yet polished at the end, with long, refreshing acidity. Lacks a bit of complexity at the moment, but fresh. Best from 2025.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePart of a new collection that’s just reaching the market now, the NV Champagne Collection 245 is based on the 2020 vintage. (The trilogy of vintages in the collection are from the early ripening 2018, which is lighter and fruitier, the 2019, which is richer and more powerful, and the 2020, which is somewhere in between the other two.) The blend of the 245 is 41% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, and the rest Meunier. It has a reflective straw hue and offers notes of fresh almond, bread dough, and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied on the palate, with a fruity nature, it’s crunchy and fresh in the glass, with a lovely chalky texture, good refinement, a note of fresh nectarine, and a clean finish. Dry, but with a delicate rounded feel and some depth throughout, it opens to show more of its salinity and the delicate reductive smoke that frames the wine with oyster shell-like umami character. It’s approachable now but will age with ease.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Vinous\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe NV Collection 245 is another stellar Champagne from Roederer. Apricot, white flowers, spice, white pepper and tangerine oil all open in the glass. This is a more open-knit style from Roederer. The blend is 41% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 24% Meunier based in 2020, but with 35% reserve wines from a perpetual reserve of previous editions and 10% reserve wines in oak, meaning the base vintage is not particularly evident. Dosage is 7 grams per liter, but it feels a bit higher than that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Advocate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eBased on the 2020 vintage, Louis Roederer’s NV Brut Collection 245 is stylistically somewhat comparable to the two previous editions, which were based on the 2018 and 2019 vintages. Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon explains that the personality of the wine will change depending on the base year. By identifying the wine with a number, they do not intend to produce the same profile year in and year out, but rather, they will embrace the singularity of each vintage, accepting the different personalities of the base year. It is complemented by a perpetual reserve initiated in 2012, which is stored in large tanks without lees; the reserve provides balance to the warm years like this, as the perpetual component did not go through malolactic fermentation. While a considerable portion of the fruit comes from Louis Roederer's own estates, for this bottling, the blend incorporates purchased fruit as well, particularly Pinot Meunier, which they do not own. Including approximately 43% Chardonnay, the new Brut Collection offers notes of pear, peach and candied orange zest. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, textural and fleshy, laden with vibrant acidity and concluding with a nicely defined, delicately saline finish, even with 7.5 grams per liter dosage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h6\u003e","brand":"SGWS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51327064047921,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Louis_Roederer_Collection_245_Brut_Champagne_France_NV_750mL.jpg?v=1764876554"},{"product_id":"pierre-peters-cuvee-de-reserve-blanc-de-blancs-brut-grand-cru-champagne-france-nv","title":"Pierre Péters, Cuvée de Réserve, Blanc de Blancs, Brut, Grand Cru, Champagne, France, NV","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe Pierre Péters estate, situated in the heart of the \"Côte des Blancs\" in the village of Le Mesnil sur Oger, has been a family house for six generations and has produced Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagnes since 1919. We do everything possible to express the chalky soil of our great terroirs as passionate craftsmen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChampagne grower-producer, our wines come exclusively from our own vineyards. Our house currently operates just over 19 hectares of Chardonnay, mainly located in the communes of Le Mesnil sur Oger, Oger, Avize and Cramant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur family has developed from generation to generation, its own selection of grapes (mass selection). We have been able to maintain and age vineyards which are now 30-years old on average. Each year in respect of the environment, we adapt our cultivation methods to obtain healthy grapes so that our Champagne expresses more precisely the richness, subtlety and the elegance of the great \"terroirs\" of the Côte des Blancs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRodolphe Peters\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e100% Chardonnay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eChampagne, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese are sleek, racy champagnes, expressing a classic character of Côte des Blancs chardonnay. They are marked \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eby their fine acidity and prominent minerality, yet while they are always brisk and chalky. “We have a lot of acidity \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand a lot of minerality in all our wines,” says Rodolphe Péters. “We want to build the structure of our wines around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eboth acidity and minerality, not acidity alone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - Wine \u0026amp; Spirits\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSunny and brisk, this wine describes chalk-rich Champagne from the Côte des Blancs. Based on the 2017 harvest, the blend includes more than 40 percent from a perpetual reserve, with vintages going back to 1988, all Chardonnay from the family’s parcels in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, Avize and Oger. The wine’s ornate intensity includes scents of spring blossoms, oyster mushrooms, celery leaf and the nuttiness of long-aged Comté.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Spectator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e Sleek and mouthwatering, with a fine, satiny mousse and a fresh panoply of crunchy pear, grapefruit sorbet, pickled ginger and spring blossom notes. Bright and finely knit, with rich hints of toast and mineral echoing on the finish. Disgorged November 2019\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eDisgorged in June 2019, the latest rendition of Péters' NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cuvée de Réserve offers up a lovely bouquet of citrus oil, pear, pastry cream, dried white flowers, hazelnuts and crushed chalk. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, fine-boned and elegant, with ripe but racy acids, a delicate pinpoint mousse and a long, saline finish. As usual, this is an immensely refined Champagne that exemplifies the timeless style of this Mesnil-based Chardonnay specialist.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eThe NV Blanc de Blancs Cuvée de Réserve is such a gorgeous wine. Bright, mineral and savory, with attractive tropical accents, the Cuvée de Réserve offers striking nuance and tons of class. This release is based on 2016, with reserve wines that go back to 1988. Partially blocked malolactic fermentation helps preserve a measure of freshness, but what impresses most is the wine’s total sense of balance. For readers who want to know what the Côte des Blancs is all about, without spending the money for an elite cuvée, this is the place to start. In a word: impressive.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750mL\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grand Cru","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51659028758833,"sku":null,"price":88.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/products\/Pierre-Peters-Cuvee-de-Reserve-Blanc-de-Blancs-Brut-Grand-Cru-Champagne-France-NV.jpg?v=1762527914"}],"url":"https:\/\/merchantofwine.com\/collections\/may-9-champagne-the-class.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}