Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Light straw , very young looking . Constant very fine perlage . Quite closed at first then crushed rocks , lemon peel , ginger , white flowers , brioche . On the palate good richness and intensity , lemon , orange rind , buttered bread , touch of roast nuts . Very fine mineral tinged , intense finish . This needs time and will improve over the next 10 years or so and last well a further 5-10 . A good follow up to the 2014 , this shows more backward and will take even longer to reach its peak. Perhaps a little less detailed and precise than the very mineral 2014 but that might just be a question of needing more time in bottle. — 4 months ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Bright straw in the glass. Impressive, persistent perlage. Killer label, as usual. Notes of warm honey and ginger. Wet stones and ocean spray mingle with fresh herbs and nuts. A touch of pear, a slice of pineapple, and a bit of passionfruit.

Every single time I open a Bouvet champagne, that’s all I want for days after. Refinement, clarity, and purity. Always plenty of tension and drama. Oxidative and wonderfully dry, this is showing so well despite the youth. Very similar to previous vintages, which is a very good thing. The acidity is racy but not bracing.

Half Chardonnay, half Pinot Noir from 40 year old vines and disgorged in 2021. Very generous and engaging throughout. A bit of earth on the palate to accompany the gorgeous citrus. Lemon peel, apricot, and orange slices. There’s a nice light coffee element here along with fresh brioche. As ever, a great champagne and one of my favorites of the short year. — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.

100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.

Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little. — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.0

Again it’s a champagne from Cédric Moussé, one of the Masters of Meunier. He’s almost single-handedly put Cuisles on the wine map. The L’Or D’Eugéne is a perfect introduction to his style.

Medium gold with fast paced perlage and an attractive bouquet. Black cherries and pretty flowers combine with chalk and herbs. In the mouth, it’s racy and vivacious. Sexy and a bit thrilling with zippy acidity. 80/20 Pinot Meunier/Pinot Noir from a perpetual reserve with an Extra Brut dosage of 2 g/l.

I’ve always wanted to drink this over a few days. To really let it breathe and mature in the glass. To really let it set and enjoy it over time. But I can’t. It’s just too damn good. — a year ago

Willie Carter

9.5

So young, so very young. But so pretty and so damned delicious. Sparkling pale salmon with effusive perlage. It’s a very aesthetically pleasing champagne. Strawberries in cream are prominent on the nose with rose petals. Fresh brioche and daisies. The nose just goes on and on.

As is typical with Bara champagnes, this is Pinot Noir from Bouzy. Complex, alluring, and lithe, this has all the trademarks of becoming a great wine in the future. As it is, it’s already an utterly felicitous wine. Nice acidity and typically wonderful structure. Silky and luxurious but you just know it’s going to get better.

A sudden burst of seductive fruit in the mouth. Red apples, red cherries, and more strawberry on the palate. Plenty of citrus here, as well. Just the faintest hint of fresh mint on the long finish for an added boost. I should say hold these for a years so it can truly become itself, but go ahead now. Why not, you only live the once. — 2 years ago

KD

9.1

Medium straw colour with a beautiful mousse. On the nose, lemon, pear, yeast and toast. Nice light body with perfect tiny bubbles that made the perlage super velvety in the mouth, a nice contrast to the crisp acidity. Notes of asian pear, white peach and apple, lemon and at times almost like ethanol and some toast with lingering hazelnut and ginger on the long finish. Not sure if our bottle was slightly off with the ethanol taste that came up once in a while. Will have to try another bottle. For science. — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.4

Medium straw with green tinges. Nice persistent perlage and pleasant creaminess. The nose is pure bliss. Caramel with butter, apricots and pears, honey and apples. Fragrant floral notes along with warm brioche and sea spray.

A very stately and baronial wine from Chouilly in the Côte des Blancs. Rich and well developed at this point. The minerality is so good and the acidity just right. Precise and concentrated with all the depth that you would expect. Very lively and powerful.

The palate follows the nose with honey dipped apples and cinnamon. Chalky notes mingle with the electric citrus fruit. Long, long finish that just keeps going on and on. This still hasn’t hit its peak, it has miles to go. — a year ago

Willie Carter

9.2

Pale bronze with effusive perlage and creaminess. The nose is simply gorgeous with red and green apples and almonds. Freshly toasted brioche bread with a dollop of cinnamon butter. Greenery and fresh red fruits. Stunning. I could just smell this for so long but I suppose I should taste it as well.

Pure Meunier from Cuisles. Disgorged in October of 2021 with no dosage. Terrific balance and structure here, as is the norm for all Moussé champagnes. From a perpetual reserve of wines that makes such a huge difference. The depth here is atypical.

Electric in the mouth. Great length. Minerality and purity on the tongue. A bit of citrus on first taste. Then the spice and fruit come in to play. Whenever I taste this I always think it’s my favorite Moussé champagne. And that’s saying a lot. — 2 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium lemon colour . Fine persistent perlage . Quite exuberante, touch of candied orange and lemon peel , brown bread , roasted almonds , touch of honey . Quite rich but also vinous in the mouth . More strict and mineral after a while , lemon and oyster shell . Long and complex . Showing well now , but can last perhaps improve. In an excellent spot, now and for 5 to 7 years . — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.1

A decidedly lovely clear gold with effusive perlage in the glass. Tiny, persistent bubbles and really nice creaminess. The nose is remarkable and highly expressive with some really nice citrus aromas fresh out of the gate. Kumquat and pears, marzipan and apricots. Fresh brioche bread and a welcome shock of nutmeg and cinnamon. Chamomile after around 45 minutes in the glass. A bit of red berry goodness to top things off.

Always a superstar champagne and seemingly always a notch above other vintage Grande Marque bottles. 65% Pinot Noir primarily from Aÿ and Verzenay and 35% Chardonnay mainly from Oiry and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The acidity is still present and zippy despite the dosage of 8 g/l. But the key here is that signature Bollinger power and grace which shines here beautifully. Such a vibrant and elegant champagne.

A full bodied, lush wine. Truly wonderful balance, structure, and texture. The palate follows the nose with citrus fruits for days. Fresh herbs and yeast with a backdrop of spice throughout. Green apples and cherries absolutely sing. A champagne that’s full of clarity and what it wants to be. While it is drinking so nicely right now it may be worth waiting a few years. You will be rewarded. — 3 years ago