This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous
Henri Giraud
Argonne Brut Aÿ Grand Cru Brut Champagne 2014
The 2014 Argonne was much more open when I tasted it last year, which is probably a good sign for its long-term aging prospects. Tangerine oil, white flowers, spice, brioche and a kick of sweet oak all run through the 2014. More than anything else, I am struck by the wine's linear intensity and drive. Argonne is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay done in 100% new oak. Disgorged: December 14, 2022. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — a year ago
Bollinger
R.D. Extra Brut Champagne Blend 2008
Bollinger’s 2008 R.D. is a powerful, vinous Champagne. Apricot, dried pear, tangerine oil, hazelnut, dried flowers, chamomile and brioche all race across the palate. The 2008 boasts notable depth and textural intensity, with a feeling of phenolic, almost tannin-driven grip from the Pinot that propels the finish.(Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — a year ago
Alain Thienot
Cuvée Stanislas Blanc De Blancs Champagne 2008
The 2008 Brut Blanc de Blanc Cuvée Stanislas is an attractive, easygoing Champagne for the year. Tangerine oil, lemon confit, marzipan, brioche, spice and lightly honeyed notes lend notable exuberance. This is an especially forward, accessible wine for 2008. Overall, this is a solid effort. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — a year ago
Louis Roederer
Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2015
Tasted at the maison, the 2015 is rich, dense and explosive, with tremendous textural intensity and also a good bit of energy to back it up. Citrus confit, spice, ginger, chalk and dried flowers abound in a Champagne endowed with tremendous aromatic presence in a style that offers notable richness, but lighter than vintages such as 2012. There is a bit of the savoriness that is such a signature of the year, but it is nicely integrated in the wine’s fabric. Two later tastings in my office strongly suggest the 2015 has already started to shut down a bit, which is a shame, as it may be hard to read for some time to come. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2022. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — a year ago
Billecart-Salmon
Cuvée Louis Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne 2008
The 2008 Brut Blancs de Blancs Louis Salmon is fabulous. It offers a compelling mix of 2008 energy and the complexity that develops with time in the bottle. Orchard fruit, spice, dried flowers, chamomile and tangerine peel all grace this exquisite, nuanced Champagne. Readers can expect a rich, broad Champagne endowed with notable textural intensity. Hints of marzipan, lemon confit and white flowers linger. Disgorged: October 2020. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — a year ago
Savart
L'Accomplie Premier Cru Brut Nature Champagne Blend
The NV L'Accomplie is a blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from lower parcels of Mont Benoit in Ecueil and is aged on cork. A rich, enveloping Champagne, this edition of L'Accomplie is lights out. All the elements are so well balanced. Hints of lemon confit, hazelnut and dried flowers all grace the resonant finish. It's a classic Savart wine. This release is based on 2020, with 40% reserve wines from 2019. Disgorged: February 2023. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — a year ago
Philipponnat
Royale Réserve Brut Champagne Blend
The NV Brut Royale Réserve (base 2018) is a very pretty, entry-level offering from Philipponnat. Crushed flowers, green pear, spice and a touch of chamomile all grace this soft, open-knit NV Champagne. The blend is 69% Pinot Noir, 28% Chardonnay and 3% Meunier, with 26% reserve wines. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2022. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — a year ago
Egly-Ouriet
Les Vignes de Bisseuil 1er Cru Brut Chardonnay
The NV (2017) Les Vignes de Bisseuil offers up scents of citrus, anise, wild flowers and herbs. I find the vegetal notes and angular contours overpowering. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — a year ago
Bereche et Fils
Brut Reserve Champagne Blend
The NV Brut Réserve (magnum) is gorgeous. Rich and opulent, the 2019 base captures the natural opulence of the year in its soft curves and engaging personality. Dried pear, crushed flowers, spice and light hazelnut notes. Brut Réserve in magnum is always one of my favorite wines at Bérêche, as it is a hidden gem in the range. Dosage is 5 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2022. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — a year ago
Delectable Wine
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The NV Brut Grand Cellier is bright, effusive and wonderfully charming. White flowers, chalk, mint and lemon confit give this mid-weight, nervy Champagne tons of energy. All the elements are so nicely put together. I especially like the energy and crystalline purity here. There are a lot of terrific wines in this range, but the Grand Cellier is quintessentially Vilmart. This release is based on 2019, with the addition of reserve wines from 2018. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: May 2022. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — a year ago