90 + Points | Critical Acclaim

Expert Review — Vintage 2024

Wine Advocate — 94 Points | The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc L’Après-Midi contains 6% Sémillon. Matured in around 15% new French oak and bottled the spring after harvest. Continually unfurling scents of flint, white peach, tarragon, lemongrass, graham cracker, chamomile, and honey. The full-bodied palate bursts with layers of flinty stone and citrus fruit, lifted by a silky texture, succulent acidity, and a long, perfumed finish.

Winemaker Description

L’Après-Midi (The Afternoon) was named in honor of the pleasures of a slow and lazy afternoon — which, according to Sir Peter, is a good time to start enjoying this wine. One of two estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon blends, the grapes are grown alongside the red Bordeaux varietals within Les Pavots Vineyard, benefiting from steep slopes, excellent drainage, and cool air at altitude.

Whole-cluster-pressed and naturally fermented in barrel, forgoing malolactic fermentation to preserve the fruity and zesty character of the Sauvignon Blanc. Predominantly Sauvignon Blanc with just a touch of Sémillon.

• Producer: Peter Michael Winery
• Appellation: Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Blend: 94% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Sémillon
• Vineyard: Les Pavots Estate
• Aging: 15% new French oak, no malolactic fermentation
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml

Petra Hebo — Toscana IGT, Maremma 2023

Near the ancient village of Suvereto, on the ferrous hills of the Val di Cornia looking out over the Tyrrhenian Sea, the estate of Petra has carved out one of Tuscany’s most compelling terroirs. Nestled in the spectacular nature of the Maremma — home to the majestic cork oaks that have defined this landscape for centuries — Petra produces wines of genuine coastal character: fresh, mineral, and alive with the energy of the sea. The Hebo is their benchmark Toscana rosso: a Merlot-led blend of 55% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, and 10% Cabernet Franc, it is soft, round, and beautifully expressive. Vinous awarded the 2023 vintage 90 points, praising its “pretty inner freshness that lingers.” 

The color is a bright, luminous ruby red. The nose opens with an herbal-laced bouquet of rose petals, black cherries, violets, blueberries, peonies, and wet stones — with mineral hints and nuances of earthy shrub. On the palate, it is fresh and pleasantly fruity, with gentle, well-tailored tannins, a cascade of citrus-infused red berry fruit, and blue and purple inner florals that linger on a long, spry finish.

Vinous 90 — "Soft and round, with fresh acidity and a cascade of citrus-infused red berry fruit. Long yet gentle and spry — a pretty inner freshness that lingers."

• Producer: Petra, Suvereto, Val di Cornia, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Toscana IGT
• Blend: 55% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Franc
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Rose petal, black cherry, violet, blueberry, peony, wet stone, mineral, citrus-infused red berry, earthy shrub
• Best Paired With: Grilled lamb, bistecca, wild boar ragù, pasta with meat sauce, aged Pecorino, charcuterie

Coastal Tuscany at its most joyful and precise — Petra’s Hebo is the benchmark for what Maremma can deliver at this price.

Expert Review — Vintage 2017

James Suckling 96 Points | Released after seven years in bottle. Delicate yet complex aromas of finger limes, grapefruit, kerosene, sage oil, preserved lemons, gun smoke and salted nuts. The palate is high tension, with an intense concentration of flavors coiled around a textural palate and striking acidity. Made from vines planted in 1965 — this has years of life ahead. Excellent. Drink or hold.

About The Contours Museum Reserve

Pewsey Vale’s The Contours is their flagship museum-release Riesling, sourced from the coolest south-facing slope of the estate in the high-altitude Eden Valley, South Australia. The vines were planted in 1965, making them among the oldest Riesling plantings in the region.

What makes this wine special: Pewsey Vale holds it in their cellars for five to seven years before release, so you receive a bottle that has already begun its transformation into a complex, aged masterpiece — no patience required on your end.

Tasting & Pairings

Finger lime, grapefruit, kerosene, sage oil, preserved lemon, gun smoke, and salted nuts. High-tension acidity with intense concentration and a textural, coiled palate. Serve well chilled.

• Kingfish crudo or oysters with lime mignonette — classic pairing for aged Riesling.
• Five-spice duck breast or tofu Pad Thai — the acidity balances spice and oil beautifully.

Philipponnat Champagne Reserve Perpetuelle Brut NV 750ml

Producer Notes

Philipponnat's Réserve Perpétuelle Brut NV represents a landmark rebranding of the house's flagship “Royale Réserve” — a name now updated to reflect the perpetual reserve (solera) system the house has maintained since 1946, where older wines are continuously refreshed with younger vintages to ensure a consistent, complex, and deeply layered house style.

Based on the 2021 base vintage with over 50% reserve wines, this is a Pinot Noir-driven expression that emphasizes the vinous, gastronomic character of the Mareuil-sur-Aÿ terroir. The blend — 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Meunier — is vinified primarily in stainless steel, with reserve wines aged in oak and partial malolactic fermentation. Disgorged December 2024 with 8g/L dosage.

Expert Reviews

Decanter 94 Points — A distinctly red-berry nose of red currants and small forest fruit. Red Delicious apple carries a telltale Pinot scent. The palate has pure, bright apple fruit, a lemony verve, and a very delicate mousse backed by gently salty autolysis. Vanilla oak comes through like the custard on an apple crumble, carrying freshness and flavour to a lingering finish.

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points — The nonvintage cuvée from this producer, based on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, is beautifully judged. Rich while also showing great freshness from citrus fruit flavors.

James Suckling 93 Points — Complex and smoky nose with orange blossom, green apple, licorice, chalky minerality, and toasted bread. Refined palate with pinprick mousse, crisp acidity, and a tight, tense, clean aftertaste.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points — Bright straw color. Inviting and pure, with gorgeous red fruits, notes of almond, peaches, red berries, and fresh bread. The mousse is elegant and integrates beautifully into the wine.

Wine Spectator 92 Points — A baseline of chalky minerality supports juicy pear and white cherry fruit, lemon peel, and pickled ginger alongside rich accents of crystallized honey and biscuit. Harmonious and finely knit, with good length through the lightly spiced finish.

Wine Advocate 90 Points — Opens with an inviting bouquet of ripe peach, red berries, pear, and pastry. Medium- to full-bodied, broad-shouldered and textural, delivering a generous, enveloping style energized by racy acidity.

Food Pairings

A gastronomic Champagne with the body to carry a full meal. Exceptional with scallops in butter sauce, lobster, roasted poultry, premium charcuterie, and high-quality sushi or sashimi.

Wine Details

Producer: Philipponnat
Cuvée: Réserve Perpétuelle Brut NV
Blend: 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Meunier
Base Vintage: 2021
Disgorgement: December 2024
Dosage: 8 g/L
Appellation: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Champagne, France
Size: 750ml

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2019

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points |  The 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino is ripe but energetic, with pure red cherry, rose petal, orange peel, and white pepper. It is medium-bodied, with elegant ripe raspberry with a graceful feel. Seamless, with fine tannins, it is supple and soft in its texture and raises the bar in a big way for the category. 6,700 bottles were produced. 

Vinous 93 Points |  An unbelievably pretty blend of dusty rose, cherry and sage wafts up from the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino. It’s strikingly beautiful and graceful within, silky yet cool-toned, mixing saline-tinged minerals with ripe red fruits and floral nuances that resonate throughout. The 2019 finishes structured yet potent and long, leaving lingering dried cherry and licorice notes. Cellaring will be required, but with that said, this is a Rosso of astonishing depth and complexity.

Winemaker Description

The Pian dell Orino estate is adjacent to the Biondi Santi property. This area has a long history of being particularly suited for growing grapes for high quality wines. Husband and wife team Caroline and Jan's love for Tuscany and passion for viticulture binds them particularly to this land, their vines and the resulting wines. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Audrey Frick of Jeb Dunnuck writes 100 Points | The 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigneti Del Versante is also a jeweled ruby color and is aromatic of kirsch, fresh flowers, sweet herbs, and toasted rosemary. It's full-bodied on the palate, with a compact and concentrated feel, well-defined tannins, and an extraordinarily long finish. As it opens, it continuously evolves in the glass, with pristine notes of licorice shining through, and becomes even more focused and pristine over time. In my book, this wine flirts with perfection and is more than deserving of top marks. Drink over the coming 2-3 decades..." 01/25

Eric Guido of Vinous writes 97 Points | Nuances of dusty florals, rosemary, sage, clove and leather give way to dried strawberry aromas as the radiant 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante blossoms in the glass. It's silky-smooth and deep, displaying extraordinary elegance. Soothingly soft textures, ripe red and blue fruit notes and a kick of vibrant acidity provide fantastic energy. Sweet, crunchy tannins steadily build toward the violet-tinged finale, tapering off with hints of blood orange and spice. In a word, spellbinding… I've been tasting the 2019 Brunellos at Pian dell'Orino over the past two years as they've slowly evolved in bottle. Last year, I mused over the Vigneti di Versante's classy profile and potential, as well as the Bassolino di Sopra's flirtations with perfection. The former may find its way there in time. Collectors will want to snatch up both of these upon release in 2025.

Winemaker Description

The Pian dell Orino estate is adjacent to the Biondi Santi property. This area has a long history of being particularly suited for growing grapes for high quality wines. Husband and wife team Caroline and Jan's love for Tuscany and passion for viticulture binds them particularly to this land, their vines and the resulting wines. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

The wines are produced from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. From the beginning they studied the soil and the structure of each vineyard in order to fully understand its characteristics. Fossils, petrified shells and chalk sediment all testify to the earth’s evolutions and recount marine flooding and periods of drought in the area. 

A masterwork of Côte des Blancs terroir, the 2016 Special Club Grands Terroirs de Chardonnay represents Pierre Gimonnet's most prestigious cuvée—a blanc de blancs of extraordinary depth and complexity from one of Champagne's most revered grower estates.

Critical Acclaim

• 96 Points - James Suckling: "Fantastic aromatic complexity...creamy, sleek and layered. Very soft and fine bubbles."
• 95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck: "Rounded and attractive...elegant mousse, soft texture of citrus oil, and clean, chalky finish."
• 93 Points - Wine Advocate: "Full-bodied and concentrated...admirably consistent and age-worthy cuvée."
• 93 Points - Wine Spectator: "Compact and well-integrated...racy acidity and intensity. Drink now through 2036."
• 92 Points - Vinous: "Bright and focused, with terrific depth...an absolute delight."

Vineyard & Winemaking

• 100% Chardonnay from Grand Cru and Premier Cru parcels
• 58% Cramant Grand Cru (Buissons, Bateau, Gros Mont, Champ du Prévôt)
• 27% Chouilly Grand Cru (Mont Aigu)
• 15% Cuis Premier Cru (Roualles, Croix-Blanche)
• Includes fruit from vines planted in 1911 and 1913, worked with horses
• Pure chalk terroir expressing classic Côte des Blancs minerality
• Malolactic fermentation completed
• Fermented and aged in stainless steel to preserve purity
• Aged 60+ months on the lees
• Disgorged 2023-2024 | Dosage: 4-5g/L (Extra Brut)

Tasting Profile

Shimmering golden hue with persistent, fine bubbles. The nose reveals extraordinary aromatic complexity: walnut, quince, dried apricot, white cocoa, fresh-baked croissant, citrus zest, white flowers, and hazelnut. On the palate, it's creamy yet vibrant—layers of honeyed green apple, lemon oil, juicy peach and pear, blanched almond, and tangerine unfold with elegant mousse and soft texture. The finish is long, caressing, and mineral-driven with racy acidity and chalky precision. This is a Champagne of remarkable balance: approachable now yet built for extended aging through 2036 and beyond.

Perfect Pairings

Serve chilled (45-50°F) with grilled scallops, lobster risotto, Dover sole meunière, roasted chicken with herbs, creamy aged cheeses (Comté, aged Gruyère), or simply on its own as an aperitif. This is Champagne for connoisseurs—a wine that rewards contemplation and elevates any celebration.

Special Club is an elite designation reserved for Champagne's finest grower-producers, representing the pinnacle of their craft. Only 250 cases imported to the US.

PIERRE PAILLARD CHAMPAGNE 1ER CRU EXTRA BRUT BLANC DE NOIRS LUDES 2020 | 750ML

🇫🇷 France — Pinot Meunier | Ludes, Montagne de Reims, Champagne

A terroir-driven Blanc de Noirs of rare precision and mineral intensity. The bouquet opens with ripe white peach, apricot, nectarine, red apple, citrus peel, brioche, and subtle floral accents. On the palate it is vinous yet sharply defined — fine bubbles, lively acidity, and a pronounced chalky salinity that takes precedence over the grape’s naturally generous fruit. The finish is long, dry, and energetic with an elegant, pleasantly bitter edge. A powerful yet beautifully controlled expression of Meunier — more linear, saline, and structured than the grape is often expected to be.

Produced entirely from old-vine Pinot Meunier (planted 1970) grown in the lieux-dits Les Hautes-Pertes and Les Vigneulles-de-Devant in the Premier Cru village of Ludes, near Grand Cru Mailly-Champagne. The soils are highly calcareous with very little clay over deep chalk subsoil — the source of the wine’s distinctive mineral tension. Vinified and aged in oak barrels, bottled under natural cork for secondary fermentation, then matured approximately 4.5 years on the lees before disgorgement at a very low dosage of 2 g/L.

94 Points — James Suckling

Pairs well with: Oysters, sushi, sashimi, smoked trout, grilled white fish, scallops, shellfish, roast poultry, and creamy cheeses. An exceptional aperitif.

Grape: 100% Pinot Meunier
Classification: Premier Cru
Village: Ludes, Montagne de Reims
Vintage: 2020
Lees Aging: ~4.5 years
Dosage: 2 g/L (Extra Brut)
Format: 750ml
Score: 94 pts James Suckling

Pierre Paillard Les Parcelles Extra Brut Grand Cru — Bouzy NV

Pierre Paillard’s Les Parcelles is the definitive expression of Bouzy Grand Cru — a mosaic cuvée assembled from approximately 25 distinct parcels across the village’s sun-drenched, south-facing slopes. The blend is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, based on the 2020 harvest with 20% reserve wines, and it captures everything that makes Bouzy one of Champagne’s most celebrated Grand Cru villages: power, structure, and a chalky subsoil that keeps the wine focused and precise. Fermented in 350-liter oak barrels and cellared three years on the lees before disgorgement, the wine is dosed at just 2 g/L — Extra Brut in spirit and in fact. Rated 92 points by The Wine Advocate.

The bouquet is expressive and layered: pear, ripe citrus, and warm spices mingle with toasted bread, orange zest, and a whisper of brioche. On the palate, the wine is medium- to full-bodied with a lively, luminous fruit profile driven by racy acidity. The Pinot Noir from Bouzy’s south-facing slopes delivers depth and structure, while the Chardonnay adds finesse and brightness. The finish is long and pronounced, with a saline, chalky mineral drive that is the hallmark of great Bouzy terroir.

Wine Advocate 92 — “Livelier, more luminous fruit… racy acidity and a pronounced saline finish. A precise expression of Bouzy terroir.”

• Producer: Pierre Paillard, Bouzy, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Village: Bouzy (south-facing slopes)
• Blend: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
• Base Vintage: 2020 (with 20% reserve wines)
• Parcels: ~25 distinct parcels across Bouzy
• Style: Extra Brut
• Vinification: 350-liter oak barrels
• Lees Aging: 3 years before disgorgement
• Dosage: 2 g/L
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Pear, ripe citrus, warm spices, toasted bread, orange zest, brioche, racy acidity, saline chalky finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, grilled fish, roast chicken, duck, charcuterie, aged cheeses, mushroom dishes

92 points from The Wine Advocate. 25 parcels. 3 years on the lees. 2 g/L dosage. Pierre Paillard’s Les Parcelles is Bouzy Grand Cru Champagne at its most precise and compelling.

Pierre Paillard Champagne Grand Cru Extra Brut Les Parcelles Bouzy XXII 2022 | 750ml | Bouzy Grand Cru, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France

Les Parcelles Bouzy XXII is the signature expression of Pierre Paillard's historic estate in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy. Based primarily on the 2022 harvest, this Pinot Noir–dominant Extra Brut Champagne balances the generosity and power associated with Bouzy's sunny southern slopes with the precision, freshness and mineral structure provided by its chalk-rich soils.

The Paillard family has cultivated vines in Bouzy for more than two centuries. Today, eighth-generation brothers Antoine and Quentin Paillard oversee an estate of approximately 11 hectares, farmed organically and situated entirely within this celebrated Grand Cru village on the southern side of the Montagne de Reims.

Les Parcelles XXII is composed of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. The blend is based on 80% wine from the 2022 harvest, complemented by 20% reserve wine to add depth, harmony and continuity of style. The fruit comes from mature, south-facing vineyards in Bouzy, including Les Maillerettes, Les Mignottes and Les Mottelettes, planted over chalky soils containing a proportion of clay.

Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in 350-liter oak barrels, followed by full malolactic fermentation. The wine remains in barrel during its initial élevage and then matures for 36 months on the lees after the secondary fermentation. It is disgorged with a very low dosage of 2 grams per liter and bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its vinous texture and distinctive Bouzy character.

Richly aromatic and expressive, the wine opens with roasted apricot, dried pear, ripe citrus and Seville orange, joined by notes of brown pastry, buttered toast and warm spice. The palate is broad, bright and detailed, combining generous, sun-ripened fruit with lively freshness and a fine chalky backbone.

Pinot Noir provides body, structure and depth, while Chardonnay contributes lift, citrus definition and elegance. Notes of bitter orange, white pepper and toasted pastry unfold across the palate, leading to a long, dry and pleasantly savory finish. Despite the natural richness of the warm 2022 growing season, the wine retains youthful energy, freshness and excellent balance.

Les Parcelles is an ideal introduction to the Pierre Paillard style: vinous and generous enough to accompany a meal, yet precise and energetic enough to enjoy as an aperitif. It may be enjoyed now for its expressive fruit and complexity or cellared for further development.

Critical Acclaim

93 Points — Decanter
An expressive and mature Champagne showing roasted apricot, dried pear, Seville orange, pastry and buttered-toast notes. Broad and detailed on the palate, with bitter citrus, white pepper and a long, pleasantly dry finish.

Food Pairing

A versatile gastronomic Champagne for roasted poultry, grilled salmon, seared scallops, lobster, mushroom dishes, aged Comté, creamy cheeses and savory pastries. Its bright citrus character and Extra Brut dryness also make it an excellent match for fried seafood, oysters and tempura.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Pierre Paillard
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Village: Bouzy
• Area: Montagne de Reims
• Cuvée: Les Parcelles XXII
• Base Harvest: 2022
• Blend: 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay
• Reserve Wine: 20%
• Vineyard Sources: Les Maillerettes, Les Mignottes and Les Mottelettes
• Vine Age: More than 55 years
• Exposure: South-facing
• Soil: Chalk with some clay
• Farming: Certified organic
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts
• Vessel: 350-liter oak barrels
• Malolactic Fermentation: Completed
• Lees Aging: 36 months
• Dosage: 2 grams per liter
• Classification: Extra Brut
• Fining and Filtration: Unfined and unfiltered
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Pierre Paillard Champagne Taissy 1er Cru 2020 | 750ml | Taissy Premier Cru, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France

A singular expression of old-vine Meunier from the northern Montagne de Reims, Pierre Paillard's Taissy 2020 is a vintage Blanc de Noirs Champagne produced from a single Premier Cru vineyard. Combining generous fruit with chalky precision, it reveals the depth, elegance and naturally saline character Meunier can achieve when grown in an exceptional terroir.

The wine comes from the lieu-dit Les Dessus de Monthouzons in the Premier Cru village of Taissy. The Meunier vines were planted in 1963 on the lower, north-facing slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Here, a thin layer of clay lies directly over Champagne's chalk bedrock, giving the wine both richness and a firm mineral structure.

Produced entirely from Meunier, Taissy 2020 was vinified and aged in oak barrels. It was bottled under natural cork for the second fermentation and matured for approximately four and a half years on the lees before disgorgement. A very low Extra Brut dosage preserves the wine's clarity, freshness and distinctively saline finish.

The bouquet is expressive and layered, opening with dried pear, peach, citrus peel and grapefruit oil. With air, notes of crushed flowers, chamomile, mint, wet stone, gentle caramel and delicate spice emerge.

Full-bodied and vinous on the palate, the wine combines ripe orchard fruit with red-fruit accents of strawberry and black cherry. Its generous texture is balanced by vibrant acidity, finely integrated bubbles and a compact, chalky mineral core. Salty earth, dried citrus and subtle barrel-derived spice carry through the long, focused finish.

Taissy is broader and more textural than Pierre Paillard's especially linear Ludes bottling, yet it retains impressive freshness and definition. It offers a compelling demonstration of Meunier's ability to produce serious, age-worthy Champagne when sourced from old vines and handled with precision.

Enjoy now with time in the glass, or cellar as its fruit, oak and lees-derived complexity become increasingly integrated.

Critical Acclaim

95+ Points — Jeb Dunnuck
Elegant and structured, with wet stone, dried peach, citrus oil, strawberry, black cherry and delicate spice. Full-bodied and concentrated, with refined bubbles, saline earth and a long, focused finish. Recommended drinking window: 2026–2040.

92 Points — Vinous
A lifted and attractive expression of pure Meunier, showing dried pear, crushed flowers, chamomile, mint and light caramel. The wine's generous fruit and oak become increasingly harmonious with air.

Food Pairing

A gastronomic Champagne that pairs beautifully with roast chicken, duck, grilled pork, smoked trout, salmon, mushroom dishes, creamy risotto and aged cheeses. Its saline minerality and Extra Brut dryness also complement oysters, shellfish and fried seafood.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Pierre Paillard
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Area: Montagne de Reims
• Village: Taissy
• Classification: Premier Cru
• Vintage: 2020
• Wine Type: Blanc de Noirs, Extra Brut
• Grape Variety: 100% Meunier
• Vineyard: Les Dessus de Monthouzons
• Vine Age: Planted in 1963
• Vineyard Position: Lower, north-facing slopes of the Montagne de Reims
• Soil: Thin clay layer directly over chalk
• Farming: Certified organic
• Vinification and Aging: Oak barrels
• Secondary Fermentation: In bottle under natural cork
• Lees Aging: Approximately 4.5 years
• Dosage: 2 grams per liter
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Pierre Paillard Coteaux Champenois Les Mignottes Bouzy Rouge 2022 | 750ml | Bouzy Grand Cru, Champagne, France

A rare and beautifully expressive still red wine from the heart of Champagne, Les Mignottes is produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown in a single south-facing parcel in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy. Rather than undergoing a second fermentation to become sparkling Champagne, the wine is bottled under the Coteaux Champenois appellation, revealing the depth, fragrance and mineral character of Bouzy Pinot Noir in its purest form.

The Les Mignottes vineyard lies on the warm, fully exposed southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Its chalky limestone terroir contains a higher proportion of clay than many neighboring Bouzy parcels, helping the Pinot Noir achieve excellent ripeness while retaining the freshness and mineral definition characteristic of Champagne.

The vines are farmed organically, and yields are kept low to encourage concentration. The grapes are harvested by hand and vinified in a Burgundian style, using approximately one-third whole clusters and indigenous yeasts. Following a 15-day maceration, the wine is matured for 12 months in French oak barrels, with only a small proportion of new oak. It is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its natural texture, aromatic detail and sense of place.

The 2022 vintage is vivid and perfumed, opening with aromas of ripe cherry, wild strawberry, raspberry and plum, accompanied by violets, lavender, exotic spice, cocoa and subtle savory-earth notes. The palate is supple and concentrated, with fine tannins, bright acidity and a mineral core that brings freshness and energy to the wine's generous fruit.

Medium to full-bodied yet elegant and refined, Les Mignottes combines the fragrance and precision of cool-climate Pinot Noir with the depth and ripeness associated with Bouzy's sunny, south-facing vineyards. The finish is long, balanced and lightly spicy, with lingering red fruit, dark stone and chalky mineral notes.

Approachable now for its vibrant fruit and silky texture, this limited-production Coteaux Champenois also possesses the structure and balance to develop additional complexity with careful cellaring.

Critical Acclaim

94 Points — James Suckling
Floral and refined, with lavender, violets, raspberries and strawberries. Fine tannins and bright acidity lead to a precise, elegant finish, with delicate fruit framed by French oak. Drink now or hold.

94 Points — Jeb Dunnuck
A beautifully energetic and balanced Bouzy Rouge, offering cherry, cocoa, spice, savory earth and mineral notes. Fine tannins and excellent ripeness carry through the long, clean finish. Drink 2025–2040.

92 Points — Wine Advocate
A supple and deeply expressive Pinot Noir showing ripe plum, cherry, violets and exotic spice. Medium to full-bodied, with generous depth, immediate charm and the potential to continue developing in bottle.

Food Pairing

An excellent partner for roasted duck, grilled salmon, roast chicken, pork tenderloin, veal, mushroom dishes, lentils, charcuterie and soft-ripened cheeses. Serve slightly cool, around 55–60°F, to highlight its fragrance and freshness.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Pierre Paillard
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Appellation: Coteaux Champenois
• Village: Bouzy Grand Cru
• Vineyard: Les Mignottes
• Vintage: 2022
• Wine Type: Dry, still red wine
• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• Farming: Certified organic
• Vineyard Exposure: South-facing
• Soil: Chalky limestone with a higher proportion of clay
• Harvest: Hand-harvested
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts
• Whole Clusters: Approximately one-third
• Maceration: Approximately 15 days
• Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels
• Fining and Filtration: Unfined and unfiltered
• Alcohol: 13%
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Expert Reviews

Decanter Magazine by Simon Field MW writes 93 Points |  Made up, half and half, of base wine from the sunny 2018 harvest, and reserve wine from Rodolphe’s Perpetual Reserve which goes back to 1988, this is one of the most consistently excellent NV wines on the market. Its current iteration is especially impressive, floral, chalky, upstanding, and very complex; the palate sharing notes of dried apricot, plum and lemon pith with more developed intimations of sour honey and patisserie. An exemplary wine with real purity and precision on the finish. 

The Wine Spectator by Alison Napjus writes 91 Points | 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. Drink now through 2025.

Winemaker Descriptions

Discover the elegance and purity of Pierre Peters Cuvée de Réserve Blanc de Blancs, a non-vintage Champagne crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes. This refined Champagne offers delicate aromas of citrus, white flowers, and brioche, with a crisp acidity and a long, elegant finish.

Memo Summary Notes

Produced by Rodolphe Péters, this wine is celebrated for its precision, chalky minerality, and the unique use of a "perpetual reserve" system that dates back to 1988.

Its high acidity and saline finish make it a perfect match for raw oysters, sushi, or creamy risotto.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

95 points, Wine Spectator. This bursts with bramble, licorice snap, blackberry and mulberry aromas and flavors that are energetic and juicy through the finish, where a flash of iris kicks in. A graphite spine to keep this honest. For fans of the exuberant style. Drink now through 2040.

#27 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2025

One of California's most iconic white blends, Pine Ridge's Chenin Blanc-Viognier (CBV) has been captivating wine lovers for over 30 years. The 2024 vintage is crisp, bright, and vivacious — opening with vibrant aromas of kiwi, fresh-cut melon, key lime zest, and white flowers. Hints of honeysuckle, jasmine, white peach, and nectarine add layered depth, while the Viognier contributes a luscious mouthfeel with exotic notes of lychee and orange blossom. The palate is clean and refreshing, balancing bright acidity with gentle sweetness for a harmonious finish.

Perfect on its own or paired with light seafood, Asian cuisine, soft cheeses, or summer salads.

• Blend: 80% Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier
• Appellation: Clarksburg, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Format: 750ml

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

The Somm Journal 92 Points : "Brisk and salty notes of vanilla meringue and key lime appear alongside macadamia and a hint of spice."

James Suckling 91 Points: "Aromas of sliced pears, yellow apples, nectarines and white flowers. Bright acidity and a salty, crunchy finish."

The Wine Spectator 90 Points: "Lovely mix of ripe peach, apricot and orange blossom notes — effusive, juicy and decidedly drinkable."

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

James Suckling 90 Points | Aromas of sliced lemons, white pepper, Asian pears and yellow apples. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acidity and a saline edge, giving flavors of passion fruit, cut grass and melon. Nicely balanced with a phenolic edge.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

James Suckling 92 Points | Ripe dark berries, grilled herbs, licorice, ground cloves and walnuts on the nose. Full-bodied, dense and creamy, with velvety tannins and a fruit-forward, seductive aftertaste. Succulent and concentrated. Drink or hold.

Piper-Héidsieck Champagne Brut NV — Half Bottle (375ml)

Founded in 1785, Piper-Héidsieck is one of Champagne’s most storied and celebrated houses — a name synonymous with elegance, festivity, and the art of the blend. With a history of dressing Hollywood royalty and gracing the world’s most celebrated tables, Piper-Héidsieck has long stood for a bold, fruit-forward style that is instantly recognizable and endlessly appealing. The Brut NV is the house’s signature expression: a classic, well-structured Champagne that showcases the Piper style at its most vibrant.

Crafted from fruit sourced across more than 100 of Champagne’s crus, the blend is led by Pinot Noir for structure, complemented by Pinot Meunier for fleshy fruit expression, and Chardonnay for elegance and acidity. Precious reserve wines ensure a consistent, recognizable flavor profile year after year. Now available in a convenient 375ml half-bottle — perfect for a solo celebration, a romantic dinner, or a gift.

Pale gold with a festive shimmer and lively, precise bubbles. The nose offers almond, fresh hazelnut, croissant, dried lemon, and apricot. The palate is lively and balanced — fresh pear, apple, pomelo, and juicy white fruits — with a creamy mousse, bright acidity, and a smooth, rounded finish.

Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points

“Balanced between a soft Brut character and crisper lemon flavors. That balance gives a fine wine, open and easy, but with a fine bite of acidity at the end.”

Wine & Spirits — 90 Points 

“A clean Champagne, green-gold in color with the flavor of peaches just coming into ripeness. Its cool mineral savor brings to mind grapes sautéed in butter.”

James Suckling — 90 Points

“Attractive aromas of croissants, sourdough, dried lemons, apricots, figs and walnuts. Soft and balanced on the palate, with a medium body, creamy mousse and a dry, rounded finish.”

Blend: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Appellation: Champagne AOC, France
Style: Brut NV
Format: 375ml (Half Bottle)
Scores: 90 pts WE | 90 pts W&S | 90 pts JS

Expert Review - Vintage 2008

97 Points Wine Spectator:  Like a stallion out of the gate, this shows an initial explosion of power, in the form of mouthwatering flavors and fine texture, before quickly settling into an elegant gait. The racy acidity is seamlessly knit, buoying the lacy mousse and flavors of cassis, toasted brioche and tangerine, with accents of candied ginger, hazelnut and fleur de sel lingering on the long, creamy finish. Drink now through 2035.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast:  The new release of this producer's prestige cuvée comes in its usual beautifully sculpted bottle. The Champagne, from a great vintage in the region, is just approaching maturity still showing minerality from the high amount of Chardonnay in the blend. Nutty flavors are creeping in, keeping the great texture adding complexity. Drink this very fine wine now although it will also age further.

96 Points Decanter: Rare Champagne boasts an illustrious past, with its first vintage having been presented to Marie Antoinette in 1785. The wine is produced in very limited quantities and is restricted to exceptional years, with only 11 vintages being declared over the past four decades of production. 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir from selected grand cru vineyards. Simon Field MW: Gentle bead, lovely evolved notes of hazelnut, even a hint of praline, enrobed and ennobled by firm acidity and a persuasive finish. Alan Bednarski: Great, pure wine with still-fresh zesty flavours, delicate palate and sweet yeast notes, with a long flavourful finish of ripe melon. Tim Hall: A challenging, pressing start, wanting to overwhelm with shimmering and sharp attack, but shows intensity on the palate to match. Lovely lemon-apple notes and tempered texture.

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: The 2008 Champagne Rare is luxurious with aromas of graham cracker, honeysuckle, quince, and orange zest. It is round and opulent, with a fine and pillowy mousse, and retains freshness throughout, with apricot and yellow flowers. It is impressive and long, and fully luxurious. Drinking well now, it is sure to hold its own for years to come. Drink 2022-2044.

93 Points Wine Advocate:  The newly released 2008 Brut Cuvée Rare is very promising, unwinding in the glass with a youthfully reserved nose of citrus oil, crisp green apple, freshly baked bread, iodine and oyster shell, as well as some rather herbaceous characteristics that depress my score a little, even if I suspect that they will resolve with a bit more bottle age. Medium to full-bodied, incisive and tightly wound, if the 2006 vintage was gourmand and demonstrative, the 2008 is slower to show all its cards. Built around racy acids and complemented by a pillowy mousse, this rendition of Cuvée Rare will reward a few years more on cork.

Winemaker Description

The 2008 Rare Rosé is Piper-Heidsieck's second ever prestige cuvée rosé — an extremely premium and rare offering 11 years in the making. The legendary eye of Régis Camus saw a rare opportunity in the 2008 Champagne vintage, a beautifully complex and eccentric year. It is an audacious wine, born of intuition, vision, and aspiration — the very definition of Rosé. Following an attack that is both elegant and generous, the velvety texture unfurls to offer minerality and subtlety. The exuberant vitality of dark fruits and citrus is followed by vibrancy, smoky notes of star anise and violets.

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points | The 2008 Champagne Rare Rosé is straight-up sensational. Only the second time they've produced this cuvée, it offers a deep, full-bodied, powerful yet chiseled and laser-focused style carrying loads of wild strawberry fruit as well as notes of orange blossom, spice, and crushed rocks. Backward, austere, yet simply loaded with potential, it needs a solid 4–5 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for two decades or more.

Wine Spectator 97 Points | A vibrant Champagne, ballet-slipper pink in color, featuring intense flavors of nectarine, ripe raspberry, grilled nut, espresso and graphite, with a touch of dried sage, all riding the finely detailed mousse. Like a ballerina, this offers power in a graceful form. A beautiful skein of spice unravels on the lasting finish. Drink now through 2033.

Food Pairings

Best enjoyed with lobster, langoustine, seared duck breast, wagyu beef, and aged hard cheeses. A world-class prestige Champagne for the most special occasions.

Product Details

Bottle Size: 750ml
Vintage: 2008
Region: Champagne, France
Appellation: Champagne AOC
Style: Brut Rosé Vintage Champagne
Producer: Piper-Heidsieck
Cuvée: Rare Rosé — Prestige Cuvée

Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut — Champagne NV

Piper-Heidsieck is one of Champagne’s most iconic and storied houses, founded in 1785 and long favored by royalty and Hollywood alike. The Cuvée Brut is the house’s flagship non-vintage expression — a Pinot-dominant blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay that delivers the house’s signature vivacity, richness, and precision. Consistently earning scores of 90–92 points across the world’s most respected publications, this is a Champagne of genuine pedigree at an exceptional price.

The nose is complex and inviting: black cherry, white peach purée, croissant, sourdough, dried lemon, apricot, and salted almond, with bright florals and a racy finesse. On the palate, it is creamy and mouthwatering — soft Brut character balanced by a crisp bite of acidity, a finely detailed mousse, and a spiced, rounded finish of honey, red fruit, and toasted brioche.

Wine Spectator 92 — “A vivacious Champagne. Flavors of black cherry, toast point, white peach purée and salted almond on a finely detailed mousse. Creamy and mouthwatering on the spiced finish.”
Decanter 92 — “Racy nose of real finesse. A well-hewn palate with bright florals, red fruit and delicate flavours of honey.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 • Wine & Spirits 90 • James Suckling 90

• Producer: Piper-Heidsieck, Reims, Champagne, France
• Founded: 1785
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Black cherry, white peach, croissant, sourdough, dried lemon, apricot, salted almond, honey, red fruit, creamy mousse
• Best Paired With: Oysters, sole, lobster, smoked salmon, soft cheeses, charcuterie

Founded in 1785, favored by royalty, and scoring 92 points — Piper-Heidsieck’s Cuvée Brut is Champagne history you can drink tonight.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Vinous 95 Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is rich, racy and super-expressive. Silky and deep, with notable resonance, the 2021 offers up dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol, new leather and licorice. Today, it is a very young wine in need of cellaring, but its potential is evident. Dollops of Petit Verdot and Malbec round out the blend. This should be positively stellar.

Winemaker Description 

The nose of the 2021 PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon leads with juicy fruits – black cherry, boysenberry, blackberry jam, and muddled mixed berries. The fruit is layered with fresh mint, sage, and iron filings. These aromas are complemented by warming spices, vanilla, and cocoa nib. The palate has a beautiful, velvety texture with plush tannin and an enduring finish with impressions of espresso and dark chocolate.

Podere Grattamacco's Bolgheri Superiore is one of the coast's most compelling expressions — a Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend with Merlot and Sangiovese, grown on the mineral-rich soils of the Bolgheri DOC. Deeply aromatic and structured, it opens with ripe red fruits, balsamic and Mediterranean herb notes, and a distinctive mineral thread that carries through to a long, persistent finish. Built for the cellar, yet captivating now.

Pairs beautifully with game, wild boar, roasted and braised red meats, and medium-aged cheeses.

Producer Notes

The Oddero estate is one of Piedmont’s most storied Barolo producers, with impressive vineyard holdings throughout the entirety of the denomination. The classic Barolo bottling incorporates younger vines from sites in La Morra as well as Bricco Fiasco in Castiglione Falletto, and draws from Bricco Chiesa, Capalot, and Galina. The 2021 vintage is a standout — aromatic, pliant, and wonderfully inviting, with crushed flowers, red and blue-toned fruit, spice, and perfumed notes. Fine, polished tannins and a long, savoury finish. Gorgeously approachable now but will keep evolving.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2021

• Decanter 93 pts | Evocatively scented with wild red berries, vanillin, and spice. Fine tannins increase steadily across the palate alongside richness of raspberry fruit. Hints of tea and citrus lead to a savoury, mouth-cleansing finish. Gorgeously approachable now but will keep evolving. — Michaela Morris
• Vinous 92 pts | Fabulous. Aromatic, pliant, and wonderfully inviting. Crushed flowers, red/blue-toned fruit, spice, and perfumed notes build nicely in the glass. Polished, silky tannins wrap it all together in style. — Antonio Galloni

Food Pairings

• Braised beef short ribs or osso buco
• Truffle pasta or mushroom risotto
• Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano or Castelmagno
• Roasted lamb or wild boar

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

James Suckling 94 Points | This exhibits violets and tar, as well as underbrush and a distant bitter-chocolate note. The palate is angular and incisive, well-constructed with a harmonious interplay between the focused acidity, fine grained tannins and delineated, fleshy fruit. Precise. Best ever from here. Better in 2028.

The Wine Spectator by Bruce Sanderson 94 Points | A sleek, elegant red, silky in texture and linear in profile. Rose, macerated cherry, strawberry, mineral and spice flavors abound, while a line of energetic tannins shows up on the long finish. This wine's purity and structure show the potential of the vintage.

Jeb Dunnuck by Audrey Frick 93 Points |  One of the overachievers of the vintage for a regional Barolo and a strong contender for top of the year lists, the 2021 Barolo Ludo pours a reflective brick red color and is attractive on the nose with notes of cinnamon sticks, fresh cherries, mossy earth, and anise. The palate offers a good balance of richness in the structure of its medium-bodied frame, with ripe tannins, lovely clarity of fruit, and refreshing ripe acidity. A gorgeous entry-level Barolo, it’s stunning now and has the potential to age with ease over the next 12-15 years.

Memo Summary Notes

The Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barolo "Ludo" 2021 is a significant release, as 2021 is being hailed as an exceptional, "best-ever" vintage for this specific bottling. Unlike Einaudi’s single-vineyard crus (like Cannubi or Bussia), Ludo is a blend of Nebbiolo from younger vines across those famous sites, designed to be more approachable in its youth.

Why "Ludo"? The name comes from the Latin ludus, meaning "playful."

Pair with Wild mushroom risotto or tajarin pasta with truffles.

Meats: Braised beef short ribs or herb-crusted lamb chops.

Cheese: Aged Grana Padano or Castelmagno.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Michael Alberty of the Wine Enthusiast writes 93 Points | Every year I marvel at how such a marvelous Riesling can be $20. The Poet's Leap opens with an aromatic ode to lychee fruit, honeysuckle, almond butter and a wisp of petrol. Lemony acidity curls itself around flavors like green honeydew melon, rose water and the sweetness of a slice of peach pie. The 2023 is as good as any in recent memory. Mercy.

Vinous 90 Points | The 2023 Riesling Poet's Leap is delicate and understated, with notes of shaved lemon zest, green melon, mint and hints of petrol. It mixes ripe orchard fruits and salty mineral tones with a core of brilliant acidity. This finishes with medium length and remarkable lift, leaving a suggestion of citrus sorbet on the finish.

Winery Notes

The 2023 Poet's Leap Riesling is a beautiful, vibrant wine showcasing aromas of white blossoms and ripe orchard fruits, complemented by subtle flinty notes. Exuding freshness and brightness on the palate, the wine unveils layers of flavor, notably white peach, green apple and a distinct minerality. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a balanced impression of lively acidity and a subtle touch of sweetness.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

James Suckling 91 Points | This has plum, orange peel and tobacco on the nose, alongside some sun-dried tomato. It’s savory, juicy and fresh on the palate with medium body and sleek tannins. Delicious now.

Winemaker Description

Since its 175th anniversary, Pol Roger has decided to offer a very limited range of older vintages from its iconic cuvées. After the original disgorgement, these bottles were then returned to the famously deep and cool Pol Roger cellars for additional extended maturation where they have rested undisturbed until their release.

Blanc de Blancs 2002 is a champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay selected from the finest Crus of the Côte des Blancs: Oiry, Chouilly, Cramant, Avize and Oger. Produced in limited quantities, this cuvée has matured for 10 years prior to disgorgement.

This is a thoroughbred, elegant sparkler. With its delicate acidity, apple and grapefruit flavors, and tense, steely texture, it is an extremely well-balanced wine. Although it is ready to drink now, it could certainly age in bottle for many years.

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | This is a thoroughbred, elegant sparkler. With its delicate acidity, apple and grapefruit flavors, and tense, steely texture, it is an extremely well-balanced wine. Although it is ready to drink now, it could certainly age in bottle for many years.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Firm, with a toasty base mixing with flavors of quince paste, pastry, dried apricot, raw almond and a hint of lemon curd. There's a clean-cut note of minerally salinity throughout, accompanied by a fine bead and a lingering finish. Drink now through 2022. 100 cases imported.

Bottle Size: 750ml | Region: Champagne, France

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Vinous 90 Points |  This is juicy in style and remarkably pure, with a subtle tinge of minerality and vividly ripe cherry-berry fruit notes that flow across a stream of fresh acidity. It tapers off crisp and only gently tannic yet poised with medium length. This is fantastic for the difficult 2023 vintage and not your typical Poliziano Rosso, with just 50% of production and 100% Sangiovese.

Pommery Champagne Brut Royal NV — Half Bottle (375ml)

Pommery is one of Champagne’s most storied and innovative houses, founded in 1836 and famously credited with introducing the first successful dry “Brut” style Champagne to the world in 1874 — a style they have been perfecting ever since. Based in Reims, Pommery is known for its elegant, refined approach and its iconic Art Nouveau cellars, carved deep into the chalk beneath the city. Brut Royal is the house’s signature non-vintage expression: an equal blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, crafted to showcase the balance, finesse, and minerality that define the Pommery style. Now available in a 375ml half-bottle.

The Wall Street Journal’s Lettie Teague describes it as “a lithesome, compulsively drinkable dry sparkler with notes of citrus and pear and a long minerally finish” — and calls it “a terrific aperitif.” The nose is civilized and elegant, with apple, lemon, peach, grapefruit, biscuit, and dried fruit. The palate is creamy and round, with citric balance, real poise, and a refreshing bite of citrus on the finish. Sleek bubbles throughout.

Decanter — 93 points

“Civilised apple, lemon and dried fruit nose. There’s a nice lift in the mouth with citric balance and real poise. Full of character.”

James Suckling — 92 points

“Peach, lemon, grapefruit, biscuit and some honey on the nose. Creamy and round with a juicy, peachy palate. Sleek bubbles. Base vintage 2018.”

Wine Enthusiast — 90 points

“A reference in the region. Fine balance, rich but with good touches of minerality and crisp white fruits. The finish with its bite of citrus is attractively refreshing.”

Wall Street Journal — Lettie Teague

“A lithesome, compulsively drinkable dry sparkler with notes of citrus and pear and a long minerally finish… a terrific aperitif.”

Food Pairings

Oysters, smoked salmon, sushi, soft cheeses, and light appetizers. Perfect as an aperitif or to open any celebration.

Blend: Equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Appellation: Champagne AOC, France
Style: Brut NV (base vintage 2018, 9–10 g/L dosage)
Format: 375ml (Half Bottle)
Scores: 93 pts Decanter | 92 pts James Suckling | 90 pts Wine Enthusiast

Pommery Brut Royal — Champagne NV

Pommery holds a singular place in Champagne history: in 1874, the house introduced the world’s first successful Brut Champagne — a revolutionary departure from the sweet styles that dominated the era. The Brut Royal is the direct heir to that legacy, a perfectly balanced assemblage of equal thirds Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier that has defined the house style for 150 years. Based on the 2018 vintage with reserve wines blended for consistency and complexity, this is a Champagne of vivacity, elegance, and effortless drinkability — earning 92 points from both James Suckling and Decanter.

The color is pale yellow with light green accents. The nose is vivacious and fresh: citrus, white flowers, small berries, verbena, plum, and summer flowers, with lovely shortbread depth. On the palate, it is elegant and vibrant — round and ample, with peach, lemon, grapefruit, biscuit, and honey, sleek bubbles, and a harmonious, minerally finish that never tires. A lithesome, compulsively drinkable Champagne.

James Suckling 92 — “Peach, lemon, grapefruit, biscuit and some honey on the nose. Creamy and round with a juicy, peachy palate. Sleek bubbles.”

Decanter 92 — “Seductive nose of verbena, plum and summer flowers. Lovely shortbread depth and buttery richness on the palate with impressive finish.”

Wall Street Journal (Lettie Teague) — “A lithesome, compulsively drinkable dry sparkler with notes of citrus and pear and a long minerally finish. A terrific aperitif.”

• Producer: Pommery, Reims, Champagne, France
• Founded: 1836 (first Brut Champagne: 1874)
• Vintage: Non-Vintage (base vintage 2018)
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Blend: ⅓ Chardonnay, ⅓ Pinot Noir, ⅓ Pinot Meunier
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, white flowers, peach, lemon, grapefruit, biscuit, honey, verbena, plum, sleek bubbles, minerally finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, smoked salmon, sushi, soft cheeses, light appetizers; exceptional as an apéritif

The house that invented Brut Champagne in 1874 — Pommery’s Royal is 150 years of perfection in every glass.

Winemaker Description

Created as a tribute to Louise Pommery, Cuvée Louise is an absolutely pure wine which quintessentially conveys the wine-making expertise of the Pommery champagne house. 

The wine has a yellow, slightly golden color with an exceptional brightness and limpidity. The effervescence is fine and delicate.

This 2005 is marked by floral notes in all their complexity. Owing to the long aging, notes of linden, hawthorn and vineyard peach. With its high purity, the bouquet is delicately blended with buttery notes. After aeration, the Pinot Noir expresses itself and the wine gains aromas of roasted hazelnuts and mild tobacco.

This wine is like a caress, its texture is velvety and creamy. The attack is frank, without asperity and imbalance. With incredible harmony and minerality, the heart of the tasting is intensive and structured. The finale, with the gentleness of honey and lemon, comes to punctuate this wine and provides the vintage with signature delicate flavor, noble bitterness and structure.

Expert Reviews

97 Points James Suckling | Grilled bread with flowers, pears and apples. Lots of perfumes. Lavender and some herbs and nutmeg. The palate is tight and solid with fine phenolics and a long, intense finish. Pure and extremely linear and lively. Sophisticated and thought-provoking.

92 Points Wine Spectator | A fresh and lacy Champagne, with a pleasing, creamy range of golden apple, blanched almond and lemon pound cake underscored by a streak of minerally saline and brine.

92 Points Wine & Spirits | A ghost of chardonnays past, this tastes like white grapefruit without the acidity, as if a grapefruit could age past its acidity and still remain fresh. From three estate parcels— chardonnay from Avize and Cramant, pinot noir from Aÿ—this is an elegant Champagne at a peak moment of maturity, flinty and airy with a deep leesy savor.

Pommery Champagne Rosé Brut Royal 750ml

Explore the elegance of Pommery Champagne Rosé Brut Royal, a renowned name in the world of luxurious sparkling wines, celebrated for its innovative approach and commitment to quality. Earning 92 points from James Suckling and 90 points from Decanter, this champagne exemplifies Pommery's legacy, offering a delightful balance of elegance and flavor. A festive salmon pink with a subtle tinge of rust, fruity and fleshy, elegantly robust with a perfect balance of freshness. To create Brut Rosé Royal, Pommery selects some thirty crus with Chardonnay grapes predominant, making up over one-third of the blend, then aged in the Pommery cellars for an average of three years.

James Suckling - 92 Points

A strikingly pale rosé Champagne with a color reminiscent of the coolest still Provence rosé wines. Overflowing with strawberry and raspberry aromas, very juicy and bright on the medium-bodied palate, the finish as charming as it is clean, thanks to the lively mousse. A very similar blend to the white Brut Royal, but with a dash of red wine added for color and extra body. Drink now.

Decanter - 90 Points

There is some honest and measured precision to this wine, with fresh and mineral peach, pear and nectarine tones. It has potential through its robust framework; it is showing well now but will get even better.

Wine Spectator

A bright, balanced rosé Champagne, with flavors of baked raspberry, poached apricot, toasted brioche and lemon curd riding a creamy mousse. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Drink now.

Winemaker's Description

A festive salmon pink, with a subtle tinge of rust. Fruity and fleshy, elegantly robust with a perfect balance of freshness. Although delightful by day, soft lighting is the most flattering to it colors, making it the champagne of romantic evenings, par excellence.

Pommery - Renowned Champagne House

Pommery Champagne is a renowned name in the world of luxurious sparkling wines, celebrated for its innovative approach and commitment to quality. The house represents tradition and excellence.

Brut Rosé Royal - Flagship Rosé

The Pommery Champagne Rosé Brut Royal exemplifies this legacy. This flagship rosé showcases Pommery's expertise in crafting exceptional sparkling wines.

Selects Some Thirty Crus

To create Brut Rosé Royal, Pommery selects some thirty crus. This multi-cru approach ensures complexity and depth.

Chardonnay Predominant - Over One-Third

In this delicate composition, Chardonnay grapes are predominant, making up over one-third of the blend. Chardonnay provides elegance and finesse.

Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier create a harmonious blend. This classic Champagne trio delivers balance and complexity.

Red Wine Added for Color & Body

A handful of Pinot Noir grapes are made into red wine before being blended with the Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier varieties. A dash of red wine added for color and extra body.

Aged Three Years in Pommery Cellars

The Brut Rose Royal is then aged in the Pommery cellars for an average of three years. Extended aging develops complexity and refinement.

Tasting Profile

Appearance: Festive salmon pink with a subtle tinge of rust. Strikingly pale rosé. Distinct pink hue
Aroma: Overflowing with strawberry and raspberry aromas. Delicate aromas. Gracious notes of red berries, cherries, and hints of citrus. Fresh and mineral peach, pear and nectarine tones
Palate: Fruity and fleshy. Elegantly robust. Very juicy and bright on the medium-bodied palate. Flavors of baked raspberry, poached apricot, toasted brioche and lemon curd. Creamy mousse. Fine bubbles. Perfect balance of freshness
Finish: The finish as charming as it is clean, thanks to the lively mousse. Long and sophisticated

Festive Salmon Pink with Subtle Tinge of Rust

A festive salmon pink, with a subtle tinge of rust. The color is visually stunning and inviting.

Strikingly Pale Rosé

A strikingly pale rosé Champagne with a color reminiscent of the coolest still Provence rosé wines. The delicate hue is elegant and refined.

Distinct Pink Hue

With its distinct pink hue, this champagne not only appeals visually but also promises a vibrant taste experience.

Overflowing with Strawberry & Raspberry

Overflowing with strawberry and raspberry aromas. The red berry character is fresh and inviting.

Gracious Notes of Red Berries, Cherries & Citrus