Champagne & Sparkling

The Cuvees St Vincent, using their best wines from old vines plot aged with lees for 10 years before being released, stand easily the test of time and get better with age. The outstanding 2012 vintage Champagne has a promising and pleasant color with twinkling little reflections. A generous mousse with fine bubbles. On the nose the wine expresses a gourmet and powerful personality with buttered notes of hot brioche and an exceptional freshness due to Chardonnay. It offers a gustative aromatic richness, some complexity and a great balance – which reflect an exceptional cuvee. On the palate, the wine is sublimated by notes of pineapple flambe which give a very pleasant feeling of warmth. 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay, 4gr/L dosage.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
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This is very structured and framed with an almost red sensibility. Very phenolic. Full-bodied in a tightly wound ball with so much going on. Very pinot like. Mineral and stone. Shell and stone. Iodine. Vinous. The bubbles just fade into the finish of the wine, which goes on for minutes. Turns to toffee and salted caramel with time in the glass. One for the cellar. Great length. Blend of 53% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier, 22% Chardonnay. Disgorged in beginning of 2020. - James Suckling

{***}{region}Champagne{region} {color}White{color} {maturity}drink-now{maturity} 

{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text} 

{ratings} 

[] James Suckling:: 100/100

[] Wine Spectator:: 99/100

[] Wine Advocate:: 94/100

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Apricot, pastry, chamomile, mint and light tropical notes are all signatures of a hot vintage with a very fast final phase of ripening that trails only 2002 and 2003 in terms of sugars. Of course, the year had plenty of challenges. The first part of the year was marked by cold and very dry weather during the winter and spring. June saw heat and some stress in the vines. July and August were quite warm, with heavy rains on August 15 and 16 that caused a widespread outbreak of botrytis that accelerated rapidly in the days leading up to harvest. Chef de Caves Vincent Chaperon explained that Chardonnay was favored over Pinot because better aeration within the clusters helped fend off rot, while parcels that had been less stressed by the June heat also suffered less from the effects of botrytis. Perhaps because of the unevenness in the season, there is also something disjointed about the 2010. While sugars were high, so were acidities, just behind 2008 in the decade of the 2000s. It will be interesting to see where the 2010 goes over time. It is the first vintage made under the direction of Vincent Chaperon, who worked alongside outgoing Chef de Caves Richard Geoffroy for many years. Drink 2021-2035. Antonio Galloni

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Antonio Galloni:: 93/100

[]James Suckling:: 98/100

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A pretty and warm golden hue in the glass with flecks of green, the 2010 Dom Ruinart already speaks of opulence. On the nose, primary aromas of white flowers and slate give way to toasted hazelnut and nutmeg. The palate is incredible: it’s almost alive, with brilliant and fine effervescence that dances around the mouth. A rich and lively mouthfeel, which has flavours of fig and warm spices, held up by brilliant acidity and structure. Tremendous power and length, the citrus tang delivers great intensity. Drink 2023-2035.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Antonio Galloni:: 97+/100

[]Jancis Robinson MW:: 17.5/100

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La Grande Dame 2015 is an exceptional sunny vintage for a wine full of tension and elegance. It reveals this great wine’s verticality thanks to the Pinot Noirs harvested from our historical Grands Crus

{***}{region} Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}

{ratings} [] Wine Spectator:: 95/100

[] James Suckling:: 93/100

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{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
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[]Jancis Robinson:: 17.5/20    

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Grapes for the Les Epinettes Blanc de Noirs are sourced from a north-west plot in Verzy, that offers more maturity than many of Champagne Penet’s wines. This blanc de noirs is a pure and chiselled celebration of Pinot Noir, from a Grand Cru village. Both the nose and palate are filled with notes of hay smoke, musk, and bursts of wild raspberry. The foam is fine, with a firmly mineral, defined, and long finish. 

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
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2009 was Alexandre Penet’s first vintage at the helm of Champagne Penet. In celebration, he decided to create the Cuvée Prestige Diane Claire: a prestige cuvée to celebrate the finest expression of Verzenay. Only the best parcels of the village are selected, and a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay is used.

The wine was vinified and matured in barrique before bottling. There is a notable richness, alongside fruit and oak spice with hints of roasted peach. There’s a welcome wash of mineral freshness on the finish, too.

Drink 2022 - 2030

Davy Żyw, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (September 2022)

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}
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After a long day of tasting young Barolo, I craved Champagne. There is a sort of symbiotic relationship between Champagne and Piedmont that I can’t really explain except to say I enjoy it tremendously. The growers really seem to be on the same wavelength in so many ways, so when I saw Jérôme Prévost’s NV Les Béguines, I grabbed it. 

The Béguines (2019 disgorgement) is wonderfully fresh and open-knit and so expressive. Sometimes I think we open these wines too soon after release; I know I do. But with a few years on the cork, the Les Béguines offers up pear, spice, ginger and dried flowers, all with notable freshness and verve. Drink 2022 - 2028

Antonio Galloni, Decanter.com (December 2022)

{***}{region} Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}NV{vintage}

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This rare and exclusive Clos is nestled above the domaine above the town of Avize. 2012 marks its introduction into the Waris Hubert range, which marries the extraordinary quality of the vintage and matured in barrique, 50% in inox tank.

This rich and complex Champagne takes its position amongst the finest Clos in Champagne. The nose is seductive, with a distinct crepe suzette character. There is autumnal spice on the palate, and foam surges over golden apple and roasted stone fruit, typical of Avize village, which added richness to the 2012 character. Mineral, poised and brimming with energy. 

Drink 2023 - 2040+

Davy Żyw, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (September 2023)

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
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This organic single vineyard is located directly under the historical cradle of Champagne, Hautvillers Abbey. Pinot Noir (80%) gives this wine a rich fruit profile, with plum, black fruits and roasted red Macintosh apple. Chardonnay (20%) keeps the palate taught and serious, with electric energy. The cuvée spent nine months in mixed oak barrels prior to secondary fermentation, giving the wines an almost Burgundian character and seasoned oak spice while retaining mineral freshness. It’s unfiltered with minimal dosage, revealing the purity and sapid expression of the terroir. Bottled July 2016, disgorged November 2020. Drink now to 2035.

Davy Żyw, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (September 2021)

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
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The complex and subtle aroma of champagne is dominated by tones of candied citrus fruits and ripe stone fruits, decorated with delicate nuances of dried apricots, almonds and minerals. The fresh, concentrated acidity in the champagne flavor maintains the brightness and richness of the bouquet. Notes of green apple, lemon and cherry in a long aftertaste are set off by salty and yeasty touches. 

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
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Great elegance and charm with precise aromas, imposing but very fine tannins and great length.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
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The Annexa Grand Cru Ay is a Blanc de Noirs grown from a single lieux-dit, “Les Freres Martin E Vines were planted in 1930, on the hillside above the Grand Cru village of Ay. No oak was used here; vinification was purely in steel to best preserve and celebrate the charming, musky richness of Pinot Noir. This wine is perfumed and floral, rich with notes of jasmine, white tea and red apple tart tatin. There's some racy, chalky freshness too. Only 2005 bottles were produced. Drink 2023  E2040.

Davy Żyw, Wine Buyer, Berry Bros & Rudd (Sep 2022)

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
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This is the second release from Leclerc Briant’s new clos in Montagne de Reims; the panoramic site was chosen for the longevity it gives its wines, and for their lucid nature. The 2015 vintage was vinified in mixed oak barrels including second fill from Haut-Brion Blanc giving it added texture. The nose is pretty and tightly coiled, with white flowers, green apples, nectarines and wild honey.

The palate is cleansing, with racy white-and-yellow fruits, sweet hay, camomile and much more; it’s got lip-puckering tension and salinity. This is finely woven, with beautifully integrated mousse and minerality. Bottled July 2016, disgorged May 2019. Zero dosage.

Drink now to 2035

Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (September 2021)

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
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The 2012 Chateau d’Avize is an ethereal Champagne that personifies the meticulous processes at Leclerc Briant. The nose shows layered citrus fruits, pear, white flowers, and fresh patisserie. The palate is ripe and shows notes of brioche and toast underpinning the white fruits. Drink 2023-2033.

Paul Keating, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd (Oct 2022)

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}        {***}

This is the second release from Leclerc Briant’s new clos in Montagne de Reims; the panoramic site was chosen for the longevity it gives its wines, and for their lucid nature. The 2015 vintage was vinified in mixed oak barrels  Eincluding second fill from Haut-Brion Blanc  Egiving it added texture. The nose is pretty and tightly coiled, with white flowers, green apples, nectarines and wild honey.

The palate is cleansing, with racy white-and-yellow fruits, sweet hay, camomile and much more; it’s got lip-puckering tension and salinity. This is finely woven, with beautifully integrated mousse and minerality. Bottled July 2016, disgorged May 2019. Zero dosage.

Drink now to 2035

Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (September 2021)

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}
{ratings}
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Les Terres Bleues is a 100% Pinot Meunier Champagne, sourced from the Les Terres Bleues parcel in the town of Vandières, located on the higher altitude slopes (Haut-Coteau) of Flavien’s vineyards in the Vallée de la Marne.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
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A cuvée from the families three Grand Cru villages of Avize, Oger & Cramant. 100% Chardonnay, vine age 40 years+. Centred around 2018 base vintage, with 40% reserve wine from 2012 and 2013. Vinification in stainless steel with just 5% from barrique to add seasoning.

Quintessiantly Blancs de Blancs, and a mirror to the Cotes de Blancs. Elegant nose, rich fruit and floral lift. The palate is friendly and peachy with foaming mousse, firmly mineral, earthy autumnal spice. Disgorged May 2022. Zero dosage.

Drink now to 2030

Davy Żyw, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (September 2023)

This Grand Cru cuvée, named for Olivier’s daughter, is a stunning expression of Avize Chardonnay from a challenging year. The vines average 40 years of age, entirely organically grown on chalky and clay soils. The nose has a complex and inviting bouquet of golden apples and pears, with a delightful interplay of white peach and acacia blossoms. 

The palate is textured and expressive, with a more restrained edge than the opulent 2016 – shy at first, but the 2017 really develops in the glass, proof of the quality of the terroir. The finish retains a lovely mineral edge and a hint of cinnamon and sweet spices.

Drink now until 2033

Davy Żyw, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (September 2023)

As a relative newcomer in this historic region, Waris Hubert has not been bound by the constraints of market expectations or legacy. Instead, the domaine has been able to instigate change and leapfrog the quality of many famous names, in a relatively short period of time. Olivier combines slow cold fermentations, low sulphur use and extended lees ageing to create an artisan range of Champagnes that are richly textured and expressive, combining the very best of modernity and tradition.

The Annexa Grand Cru Ay is a Blanc de Noirs grown from a single lieux-dit, “Les Freres Martin”. Vines were planted in 1930, on the hillside above the Grand Cru village of Ay. This wine is aromatic and floral, rich with notes of jasmine, white tea and red apple tart tatin. There’s some racy, chalky freshness too. It is a remarkably complex wine that is a delight to drink. Very refined and wonderful to drink. 

Drink 2023 - 2040 

Chris Hanssen, Account Manager, Berry Bros & Rudd (September 2023)

After a long day of tasting young Barolo, I craved Champagne. There is a sort of symbiotic relationship between Champagne and Piedmont that I can’t explain except to say I enjoy it tremendously. The growers seem to be on the same wavelength in so many ways, so when I saw Jérôme Prévost’s NV Les Béguines, I grabbed it. 

The Béguines (2019 disgorgement) is wonderfully fresh, open-knit, and expressive. Sometimes I think we open these wines too soon after release; I know I do. But with a few years on the cork, the Béguines offers up pear, spice, ginger and dried flowers, all with notable freshness and verve.

Drink 2022 - 2028

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (December 2022)

The 2008 Brut Rosé Celebris is an absolutely gorgeous Champagne that captures the essence of the Gosset house style. Bright and ethereal in feel, the 2008 is deceptive in its first impression, but it has plenty of depth to match its decidedly regal, understated personality. The 6.5-gram dosage feels perfectly judged, just enough to fill out the layers and avoid some of the starkness these wines can show, but not so much as to be overpowering. Crushed red berry fruit, chalk, mint and white pepper build as this finely-sculpted Rosé shows off its charms. This is beautifully done. The dosage is 6.5 grams per litre. 

Disgorged: April, 2021

Drink 2021 - 2031

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (November 2021)

Hambledon Vineyard has a long and fascinating history. Not only does the village have the reputation as the cradle of cricket, long before Lord’s, it seems, but it is also the location of the first English commercial vineyard, courtesy of the Francophile Sir Guy Salisbury Jones, who developed the vineyards in the early 1950s.

After an uneventful hiatus, the vineyard was purchased by Ian Kellett in 1999, and his investments of both patience and capital are now yielding fruit, quite literally, in the form of some of the best-located Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes in the country.

A beautiful vivid pink with a bright red berry hue, it displays an array of wild strawberry aromas on the nose that lead to a generous, complex palate of buttered toast, ripe lemon and juicy hedgerow fruit.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

This is a Pinot Meunier-driven sparkling rosé made using the saignée method, showcasing a dark salmon-pink colour. Based on the 2016 vintage, the latest release was bottled in 2017 and disgorged in 2022. Toasty on the nose with caramelised red apple and red berries. The palate is full-on and rounded, featuring brioche and biscuit, complemented by zingy red pomelo and red apple, refreshed by bright acidity (9g/l). A satisfying rosé with spectacular breadth and flavour concentration. Elegantly poised, it still has plenty of life ahead.

Drink 2023 - 2036

Sylvia Wu, Decanter.com (September 2023)

This special multi site blend is a blend of 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir selected from five sloping lieu-dits around Oeuilly & Celle-les-Condé. spontaneous fermentation and maturation in large oak barrel, gaining complexity prior to secondary fermentation. Golden foam supports a palate of stone fruit, exotic saffron like spices with a chewy crumb of cardamom bun. Vinous depth. Vibrant core with soft edges. Disgorged November 2021. 0 gram dosage.

Drink 2023 - 2030

Davy Zyw, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (September 2023)

With 7.5 years of lees ageing, this has beautiful patisserie notes but retains layers of sweet tropical fruits. Pineapple, mangos and Amalfi lemons make up a refreshing wine with baking spices developing with time on the palate. The wine has maintained a vibrant freshness given the time spent on lees, which is a testament to the quality. Incredibly enjoyable with a selection of different seafood plates or as an aperitif. 

Drink 2022 - 2026+

Paul Keating, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Aromatics of wax, nuts, spice, honey and citrus abound in this one. The palate is vibrant with ripe pear and a touch of cherry, cranberry and grapefruit. A complex, mouth-filling, dense and intense wine.

Jamie Goode, Sunday Express (April 2023)

Hambledon Vineyard has a long and fascinating history. Not only does the village have the reputation as the cradle of cricket, long before Lord’s, it seems, but it is also the location of the first English commercial vineyard, courtesy of the Francophile Sir Guy Salisbury Jones, who developed the vineyards in the early 1950s.

After an uneventful hiatus, the vineyard was purchased by Ian Kellett in 1999, and his investments of both patience and capital are now yielding fruit, quite literally, in the form of some of the best-located Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes in the country. A standard-bearer for the quality England can achieve, this is a remarkably assured wine with a firm, acidic spine, complexity, and detail—great focus and precision.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

The Champagne Éphémère was created by blending only Chardonnay grapes from the Lieu-Dit "Les Brousses", classified as Premier Cru, of the Cote des Blancs.

Produced with 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, and the rest Meunier, the 2018 Champagne Millésime Extra Brut was vinified and raised for nine months in barrels. It sees 3 grams per litre dosage and was disgorged in March 2023. It pours a rich, youthful yellow hue and is forward in its expressive notes of toasted oak spice that are very assertive and joined by notes of toasted croissant, orange marmalade, white pepper, and ripe red berries. 

Full-bodied, it has a lush and pillowy mousse and a fantastic texture, filling the palate with ample fruit, a chalky texture, and a rounded and fleshy personality. Although, at first, it feels as if its oak is not well-integrated, it impresses me more as it opens and is approachable in its ripe fruit now. It’s long on the palate and is a very well-made wine, but I’d like to see how this harmonizes over time. 

Drink 2025 - 2045

Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com (November 2023)

Masottina focuses on producing drier Prosecco in the Brut style, believing that this allows for more food-friendly and elegant wines. They also believe in working as sustainably as possible, and this is the first certified organic Prosecco in our range. Delicate floral aromas mingle with fresh pear fruit on the nose. The palate has a wonderful volume of very fine bubbles, with sherbet lemon and pear fruit and a crystalline finish.

Drink now

Berry Bros. & Rudd

This is a completely different terroir expression to the 045, and the last vineyard to harvest each year  EPaul never encounters problems with this ‘golden child Eplot. The soil is a deep, limey chalk. From the 2020 vintage, this has not gone through malolactic fermentation and has no added sugar, in order to express the purity of the Pinot Noir in Verzenay. A gourmand, exuberant champagne, this has been aged in 100% Burgundy barrels and demi-muids.

The nose has more tropical, exotic fruit flavours, extremely pure and intense, while the palate has a beautifully fine texture and citrus flavours. The finish is pure Pinot Noir, with a hint of iodine and a lovely minerality; this is such a food wine  Ebut best paired with seafood.

Drink now to 2030

Davy Żyw, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (September 2023)

{***}{region} Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}NV{vintage}

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The sine qua non of Champagne from the greatest vintage of the 21st century thus far, the best since 1990 to be more precise! Balance and power, potential and depth, a very very fine Cristal.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

We are excited to launch this special Champagne Rosé Extra Brut made by our friends at Leclerc Briant, who have been driving innovation in the Champagne region for decades. Biodynamically farmed, the Berry’s Own Selection Champagne Rosé Extra Brut is a stimulating, terroir-focused rosé. Dominated by Chardonnay, this dry and zesty Champagne pairs perfectly with seafood dishes such as langoustines or crab tartlets.