Freddy R. Troya

9.8

Armand de Brignac “Gold” Brut – NV
Champagne, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A prestige multi-vintage Champagne, composed of three distinct vintages sourced exclusively from estate-owned Grand Cru and Premier Cru parcels in Rilly-la-Montagne, Chigny-les-Roses, and Ludes. Blend composition; 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier.

Handcrafted in small batches, this cuvée exemplifies depth, polish, and harmony, a benchmark luxury Champagne that delivers substance beyond the spectacle. Dosage is kept discreet, allowing purity, texture, and natural vinosity to shine.

Aromas & Flavors
Golden apple, ripe pear, and baked quince lead the nose, followed by brioche, toasted hazelnut, almond cream, and hints of citrus oil. Subtle honeyed notes and chalky minerality add impressive aromatic layering.

Mouthfeel
Silky yet energetic. The mousse is fine and persistent, framing a palate that is both rich and precise. Chardonnay provides lift and elegance, Pinot Noir adds structure and depth, while Pinot Meunier rounds the mid-palate. Long, polished finish, lingering but never heavy or fatiguing.

Food Pairings
Caviar, lobster with beurre blanc, sashimi, truffled poultry, aged Comté, or simply on its own as a statement aperitif.

Verdict
A spectacular Champagne that justifies its prestige. Complex, impeccably balanced, and deeply satisfying, the Gold Brut delivers true luxury through craftsmanship and terroir, not excess.

Did You Know?
Armand de Brignac is produced by the Cattier family, whose Champagne lineage dates back to 1763. Unlike many prestige cuvées, the Gold Brut is crafted from 100% estate fruit, with each bottle riddled, disgorged, and finished by hand , a rarity at this scale.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
One of the most delicious Champagnes tasted recently, memorable and worth the investment. — 13 days ago

Brandon Beldengreen-Karas

9.6

Holy fuck. With almost zero tannacity, this wine goes from sweet to sweeter, starting with dry black currants and meandering into lusciously light raisins and prunes. Certainly a spectacle to behold. — 9 years ago

David Kline

9.6

Dark color that is reflected in the nose and on the palate. The aromas of dried lemon and lemon sourdough predominate, but there is also a snippet of lemon verbena and jackfruit, dried apricots, pumpkin, dried mango, dried papaya and a Flemish red beer streak! The lemon and beer notes are evocative of a brew room after cleanup, but a honey note in a spring grove plants you firmly outside. Plenty of sunshine here, and tangerines in a basket with fresh bread. Medium to heavy mouthfeel, and blood orange, grapefruit, lemon drops, grapefruit pith, limestone and a dried grass and chalky lemon pith finish that is exemplary. A writhing, evolving spectacle that boasts the intermittent Apple cider vinegar whisper without offense. Tannins abound, along with lemoncello custard. — 11 years ago

with Courtney

Mark Howard

9.6

So as Elizabeth says, the aromatics hit you over the head; more realistically it jumped from the glass. A fully mature grand cru that takes center stage and announces its arrival with fan fair, music, and the spectacle. Yes, it’s all that and more! Soft and supple, with elegance, beauty and style. Definitely at its peak. Served after a 1.5 hour decant. Could it go longer? Sure, but why wait? What is the next special occasion to open the last bottle? Please something soon!!! — 5 years ago

with Elizabeth

David Kline

9.2

Dosvidanya 2016! You were no one's favorite year, you fractious, life-stealing bastard. That being said, thank you for making this beer. Black mushroom coffee scents waft above a perfect mousse of micro-bubbles spottily lacing; sports Light anise and roasted black corn, wild rice and whiskey complexity. There is a fig sweetness. Oily vanilla whiskey leads the charge in a oaken den of decadent dark chocolate on tea biscuit. The coffee notes are syrupy here, but they are tinged with herbaceous and stemmed spices that take on a burnt marshmallow perspective. The final act of this magnificent spectacle evokes Turkish delight, burnt chocolate cake, toffee, and hazelnut liqueur and coffee cake caramel meandering between pecans. Liquid quicksand. #destihlbrewery #dosvidanya #russianimperial #extraimperial #stout #bourbonbarrelaged — 9 years ago

with Courtney

Lance E. Farman

9.4

Imagine the finale of a fireworks show on the Fourth of July. A spectacle of a wine and just a puppy @ 19 years old — 9 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.2

A big berry jammy spectacle in my glass. Black fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, and olioberry. Don’t remember ever having a bad Rafanelli. — 6 years ago

Samuli Jokipaltio

9.2

Honey, grapefruit, flint. Summery spectacle. — 7 years ago

Rob Jodoin

9.4

Smooth, round and supple. A viticultural spectacle to be admired for years to come. A hint of age would better this wine. A light ruby hue is contrast to its oaky and earthy character. Slight chocolate and oak bring the its personality out. I'm going to remember this wine for a long time — 9 years ago

Raquel O Verdejo

9.6

Spectacle — 10 years ago