Appareance This yellow vintage with the marked reflections straw, is characterized by the smoothness from its bubbles with slow increase and by its persistent foam. Aroma Tinted maturity of freshness flowered for this vintage which exhales ripe pear flavours moderate of marked notes of cut hay. Taste A vintage which allures by its vinous and full attack, followed by a beautiful freshness. A rich bouquet supported by the ageing of the Crude Reserves in the traditional cellars of Billecart-Salmon. Composition Its composition, resulting from the three years assembly different, is unchanged since 1945. It is elaborate from 40% of pinot miller, of 30% from pinot black and 30% of chardonnay. Expenses and length in mouth, the Crude Reserve is consumed on all occasions. Rated 89 Robert Parker

Preceded by Madame Bollinger’s La Grande Année Rosé, this non-vintage blend is the next addition to the Bollinger family. Crafted to reveal its own unique personality while steadfastly representing the family, the rich complexity with balanced acidity should come as no surprise to devotees. Color: Pale copper
Aroma: The aroma is of Strawberries, raspberries and toasty lees.
Taste: A full-bodied and round flavor. The Brut Rosé is in the traditional Bollinger style with added notes of red berries.

Established in 1829 in Ay, the heart of the Champagne area, the House of Bollinger, rooted in the terroir, owns 144 hectares of vineyards located primarily in the Premiers and Grands Crus villages of Champagne. These vineyards supply 70% of Bollinger's grape requirements and therefore ensure continuity and consistency of the style of its champagnes, whose backbone is the pinot noir grown in Grands and Premiers crus vineyards. Regardless of fashion or cost, Bollinger only uses the "cuvee"- i.e. first pressing- and preserves tradtional methods such as fermentation in oak casks, conservation of reserve wines in magnums, and long ageing of its champagnes in the cellars. The Bollinger Charter of Ethics and Qualtiy clearly sets out the principles and rules it is committed to following to achieve it own distinctive style. The House of Bollinger is completely independent, family owned and managed, and intends to remain so. It has been run, since it creation, by the same family. These assets enable it to remain small, to control its prodution so as to guarantee the consistency and continuity of it champagne while handing down its unique style from generation to generation. Thus the Bollinger style was forged over the years, insitutinga distintive and indetifiable reference which can be enjoyed all over the world. Mature and nutty in character, this 1988 exhibits a firm texture and an elegant stature, a fine backdrop for the roast coffee, hazelnut and citrus flavors. Dry style. 10,000 cases imported. Rated 92 Wine Spectator

Originally, Champagne was reputed for its red wines,. It is also said that it ousted the wines of Burgundy from the table of Henri IV. The most reknowned were those of Ay and indeed it was usual for all red wines from Champagne to be referred to as “Vin d’Ay”. The red coteaux champenois (the denomination that describes still wines from Champagne) from Ay, “La Cote aux Enfants”, therefore constitutes a return to the origins of Champagne. It is only produced in exceptional years from a small plot, “La Cote aux Enfants”, ideally located in the heart of the terrior of Ay and planted with Pinot Noir. It shows what could have been red wine from Champagne a few centuries ago at the time of their splendour.

Starts out lean and focused, displaying citrus, mineral and yeast nuances. It expands on the palate, showing depth and length, with an aftertaste of hazelnut. Rated 90 Wine Spectator

The denomination Special Cuvée was created in 1911. The idea came from William Folks, then partner of the illustrious London House of Mentzendorff. This great wine lover felt it was an insult to simply call this great wine "non vintage". The suggestion of naming it "Special Cuvée" was immediately approved by Monsieur Bollinger. A blend par excellence, the Special Cuvée is the purest expression of the Bollinger style; of its craftsmanship and its singular conception of what a champagne should be. It is, therefore, on this wine that the House of Bollinger shows how it is different from other Champagne Houses, asserts its qualitative policy and by which it asks to be judged.

The denomination Special Cuvée was created in 1911. The idea came from William Folks, then partner of the illustrious London House of Mentzendorff. This great wine lover felt it was an insult to simply call this great wine "non vintage". The suggestion of naming it "Special Cuvée" was immediately approved by Monsieur Bollinger. A blend par excellence, the Special Cuvée is the purest expression of the Bollinger style; of its craftsmanship and its singular conception of what a champagne should be. It is, therefore, on this wine that the House of Bollinger shows how it is different from other Champagne Houses, asserts its qualitative policy and by which it asks to be judged.

The denomination Special Cuvée was created in 1911. The idea came from William Folks, then partner of the illustrious London House of Mentzendorff. This great wine lover felt it was an insult to simply call this great wine "non vintage". The suggestion of naming it "Special Cuvée" was immediately approved by Monsieur Bollinger. A blend par excellence, the Special Cuvée is the purest expression of the Bollinger style; of its craftsmanship and its singular conception of what a champagne should be. It is, therefore, on this wine that the House of Bollinger shows how it is different from other Champagne Houses, asserts its qualitative policy and by which it asks to be judged.

One of the oldest members of Champagne's prestigious association of Grandes Marques houses, Champagne Deutz has been making distinctive Champagnes characterized by finesse, elegant vinosity and complexity since 1838. Owning a considerable portion of its own vineyards, Deutz selects only the top quality grapes from 275 acres of vineyards in the finest crus of Champagne. The wines are slowly and carefully aged in Deutz's chalk-walled cellars far beneath the historic village of Aÿ The distinctive house style of elegance and finesse which has made Champagne Deutz one of the most respected of all Champagne houses, is reflected in this fine non-vintage Champagne. Matured according to traditional methods from a blend of several vintages from twenty of the best crus of Champagne, it reaches a perfect balance of flavor. Blend: Approximately 38% Pinot Noir, 32% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay. Pressing: Automatic and tradtional Coquard basket presses. Fermentation: 100% malolactic fermentation. Primary fermentation occurs in 3,000 gallon tanks at 62° F for two weeks. Aging: A blend of several vintages are aged at least two years en tirage. Riddling: Hand riddled in traditional pupitre racks. Dosage: A half-ounce blend of cane sugar and old vintage wine which changes from year to year depending on the demands of the vintage.

Drappier is a well respected champagne house with celebrity drinkers like Luciano Pavarotti. Made exclusively from first pressings using a technique which allows minimal sulphur (three times lower than average) making it a very natural product. Colour - brilliant with copper reflects. Bouqet - intense and fresh notes of red fruits and vineyard peaches.

Aromas of pear and honeysuckle perfume the bouquet. This is a beautifully balanced champagne with a long, expressive finish. Production Technique: Gosset only uses juice from the first and best pressing of grapes, and unlike most other producers, initial fermentation is still carried out in small oak barrels. Riddling and disgorgement are performed by hand. Significantly, and in contrast to virtually all other houses, Gosset champagnes do not undergo a malolactic fermentation, resulting in a heightened acidity, slower maturing wines and that inimitable Gosset style – powerful and full-bodied, of unrivaled richness and staying power – in other words, some of the world’s most legendary champagne. Winery Description: Founded in Ay Pierre Gosset in 1584, Gosset is one of the smallest producers of luxury champagne, but what it lacks in volume it amply makes up for in quality and prestige. Gosset only uses juice from the first and best pressing of grapes, and unlike most other producers, initial fermentation is still carried out in small oak barrels. Riddling and disgorgement are performed by hand. Significantly, and in contrast to virtually all other houses, Gosset champagnes do not undergo a malolactic fermentation, resulting in a heightened acidity, slower maturing wines and that inimitable Gosset style – powerful and full-bodied, of unrivaled richness and staying power – in other words, some of the world’s most legendary champagne.

Obtaining a very delicate rosé and preserving all the elegant lightness that is Champagne’s top characteristic is a difficult and fascinating exercise. This cuvée charms with its lovely balance in an aromatic range of red fruit, whose persistence is remarkable.

Obtaining a very delicate rosé and preserving all the elegant lightness that is Champagne’s top characteristic is a difficult and fascinating exercise. This cuvée charms with its lovely balance in an aromatic range of red fruit, whose persistence is remarkable.

Intensely flavored, with definitely yeasty aromas turning to gingerbread, cinnamon and ripe apples on the palate. Shows fine depth and vibrant structure, with liveliness to drive the flavors and keep it fresh. Rated 90 Wine Spectator

"Full-bodied". Highly extracted. Honeyed, spicy aromas lead a full-flavored mouthful, with nutty richness pervading the palate. A 95 Rating The flagship of the house, Grande Cuvée is imposing in character from the first moment in the glass. The "birth" of Krug Grande Cuvée, through its first fermentation exclusively in small oak casks, ensures the unique personality and dimension that is the Krug Style.The composition of the "cuvée" is a stunning mosaic of flavors where the three champagne grapes, 20-25 growths and 6-10 different years, combine to give Krug Grande Cuvée its complexity, elegance and consistency year after year, blend after blend. To maintain this consistency Krug reserves a large selection of unblended still wines from previous vintages, blending them with the youngest crop to create a fully balanced taste. These "reserve" wines may represent between a third and a half of the cuvée. There is no formula or recipe for Krug Grande Cuvée. Each year the Krug family meets to re-create "their" Krug Grande Cuvée. This is done with careful attention to the most minute detail so that after six years of aging, it will be in perfect continuity with previous Krugs. The bouquet is wonderfully creamy, leading to magical combination of weight and balance on the palate. The long, lingering finish is both nutty and toasty, ending with a final flourish of freshness, leaving one longing for more.

Lush and creamy, this round Champagne will please many with its dough, honey and apple notes. Firms up on the finish. Drink now. Rated 88 Wine Spectator