Willie Carter

8.9

An enchanting pale rose petal pink color in the glass. A fine perlage with plenty of small bubbles. A classic rosé nose with nice red fruits and a floral character. Black cherry dominate with cherry blossoms and wild strawberries. Fresh herbal aromas are underlying with hot buttered toast.

70/30 CH/PN from Grand Crus in Louvois, Bouzy, Avize, Cramant, and Chouilly, this has an impressive pedigree. Non vintage but a blend of a single year, this can withstand more time being left alone for a few years but it oh so pleasant right now. As much as I love the no or low dose champagnes, the 7 g/l is more than welcome here. Bright acid throughout.

There’s a definite intensity to the fruit on the palate. More of those nice red fruits occupy most of the attention here with a touch of chalky minerality. That familiar yeast makes a quick appearance backing up the herbs and spice. Immensely enjoyable. — 6 days ago

Greg Koslosky

9.7

A stunning champagne Charlie that is still vibrant , complex with lots of bread dough , mineral , ripe apple with incredibly fine bubbles . The bottle was pretty beat up but when the cork gave us a big pop we were quite relived and very impressed . 1979 is one of my favorite vintages . Legendary bubbles ! — 2 days ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.5

Pretty dark gold in the glass... July 2015 Disgorgement. Round and ripe on the attack...light but persistent bubbles. Ripe apple, buttered brioche, sweet lemon pithe. Elegant, powerful, still displaying some structure. But... as it warms, it blooms and blossoms in the glass. Delightful and long on the finish. These guys get often overlooked on behalf of this or that hip new grower... but the skill and quality of fruit are first-rate. Perhaps a hint of oxidation, but leaves me in a very good place wanting more. — 16 days ago

Willie Carter

9.0

Perfect for Valentine’s Day. First things first, this is a stunning salmon rose color in the glass. Persistent perlage with a creamy mousse. Tiny little bubbles. A terrific red fruit bouquet showcasing wild strawberry, orange peels, and red cherries. Purple flowers and dried herbs compliment. But I just cannot get over this striking color.

Pure sex in a bottle. Not dainty or waifish at all, there’s some serious muscle here to go along with the innate finesse. Disgorged 10/19 with a 9 g/l dosage, the striking acidity takes care of that and provides a smooth experience on the tongue. 90/10 PN/CH this is one of the standout Rosé champagnes around. Never cloying despite the dosage, everything here is perfectly balanced and structured. Just splendid really.

Sensual in the mouth, you get a full blast of red fruit on the palate. That 15% of still red wine really shows here. Grapefruit and dried cherries are dominant with a little strawberry joining in. Peaches and cream with herbs. Medium long finish. An outstanding grower that really is a cut above the rest. — 16 days ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Dealing with one of the masters of Meunier here and it is positively gorgeous. Medium gold color with tiny bubbles and wonderful creaminess. The nose is harmonious, as is the entire package, showcasing chamomile, white flowers, and tea. Citrus rind and brioche explode from the glass, with spice and a rather decadent streak of honey running throughout.

Already set apart from other Growers, Mignon’s winemaking is about as natural as you can get and dictated by the lunar cycle. 100% Pinot Meunier, this is a blend of the 2014 and 15 vintages, it was disgorged in August of 19. Low dosage at between 2 and 5 g/l and you definitely feel it. Strikingly and gloriously bitter, this is just a joy to drink.

Dry with very crisp acidity, this has amazing texture and structure. The palate shows orchard fruits, plums, and rose petals up front with more drizzled honey and pears. Apricots and toasty biscuits abound. The finish is long and pure. This could certainly benefit from a few more years on the shelf but it’s fun right now. Pure elegance. — 17 days ago

Mario Vaillancourt

9.1

Pastry and apples are the main aromas on the nose as well as on the palate, crisp, fresh, tight bubbles, straight as an arrow, could use more creaminess but real good nonetheless.

Nez de pommes vertes et de patisserie que l’on retrouve en bouche aussi, acidité vive, un vin très droit, des bulles fines, très bon même si j’aurais aimé un vin un peu plus crémeux. — 8 days ago

Willie Carter

9.0

Medium straw with a light green tinge. Persistent effervescence of tiny bubbles with a fine and creamy mousse. The nose is rich and highly expressive. Chalkiness and smoke all over this, with beautiful tropical fruit also chiming in. Pears, apricots, and lemon peel. Hazelnuts and honey.

I love these low dosage champagnes. Not always for the faint of heart but they can be so dang splendid. 3 g/l dosage and disgorged in June 2019, this spent 2 years on lees. Half Chardonnay from Sezanne, 30% Pinot from Avenay Val D’or, and the rest Meunier from Cuis, this has a fine pedigree and pure fruit. Terrific minerality and tension here.

The palate starts with fresh tropical fruit upfront. A little pineapple gets the party with more lemon and pears. Chalk, dried herbs, and oranges. Roasted nuts and yeast with spice on the medium to long finish. — 11 days ago

Vanessa

9.2

This wine was a beautiful salmon hue. The bubbles were creamy and soft. The wine offered notes of raspberry, strawberry, lemon zest, white blossom, rose, wet stone, brioche, croissant, pie crust, biscuit, sourdough, and blanched almonds. A delicious Tête de Cuvée!

Louis XV, Champagne de Venoge, Brut Rosé, Vintage 2006, ABV 12%. — 10 days ago

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Greg Koslosky

9.3

One of my favorite Champagnes this bottles was fresher than several of the bottles I have had in the last couple years . My only complaint it was a little one dimensional. Maybe this bottle just needs more time ? — 17 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.1

This zero dosage showed lots of toasted brioche & yeast with lemon, green apple & tons of mineral — 14 hours ago