Bubbles of pure refinement, born from a delicate balance crafted with patience and precision. This is the essence of champagne — simple, yet utterly unique. Scattered across the five districts of its namesake region, where vineyards stretch over rolling chalky hills, each bottle tells a story of its own. Here, the art of winemaking converges with the science of fermentation, giving life to what is universally regarded as the king of celebrations, the toast to special moments. For true enthusiasts, here’s a selection of 12 labels to keep chilled this spring.
Duval-Leroy Blanc de Blancs Prestige 2008
They say 2008 was a vintage to remember for Duval- Leroy Blanc de Blancs Prestige, a champagne that embodies the mastery of the only great maison of the Côte des Blancs. This Premier Cru, crafted from Chardonnay grapes sourced from six Grand Cru villages, captures the very essence of the varietal. Aged for over ten years on the lees, with a small portion matured in wood, it gleams with a golden hue and an exquisitely fine perlage. The bouquet unfolds with delicate white flowers, citrus, and almonds, while the palate reveals a refined mineral depth and silky elegance. A complex champagne, ideal for an aperitif featuring fresh cheeses.
Exceptional champagnes: Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
Those in search of a masterpiece of pure elegance will find it in Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. Crafted by Frédéric Panaïotis, a true master of sparkling wines, this champagne is made exclusively from Chardonnay sourced from the finest terroirs of Champagne. After meticulous hand-harvesting and careful vinification, the Blanc de Blancs rests on the lees for up to three years, developing its unmistakable character. In the glass, it shimmers pale gold with jade reflections, releasing delicate aromas of magnolia, citrus, and exotic fruits. Perfectly balanced and luminous, it pairs effortlessly with a simple avocado toast or an elegant sea bass carpaccio.
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2015
Born from an extreme vintage, shaped by relentless sunshine and drought, Dom Pérignon 2015 reveals itself with a uniquely sensory presence on the palate. Its structure is clean and precise, exuding a natural authority that unfolds with each sip. The tasting experience grows ever more refined, as delicate bitter nuances support its vibrant fruit accents, while floral and spicy aromas emerge gradually. This vintage stands as Dom Pérignon’s masterful response to the climatic challenge of that year, all while staying true to its quest for uniqueness in every harvest.
Exceptional champagnes: Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2013
Dom Ruinart 2013 is a tribute to an exceptionally late harvest, one that bestowed Chardonnay with remarkable freshness and vibrancy. This vintage masterfully blends Grand Cru from both the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, aging for over ten years under an innovative cork closure — a visionary choice that has redefined the Maison’s style. In the glass, it shimmers with deep gold and green reflections, while the nose unveils an intricate bouquet of toasted notes, dried fruit, and citrus. On the palate, it is a masterpiece of softness, gradually evolving into a more complex, saline finish, revealing the full depth of its character.
Bruno Paillard Grand Vintage – Assemblage 2015
Bruno Paillard’s Assemblage 2015 is an Extra-Brut crafted from the first pressing of Grand and Premier Cru Pinot Noir (48%) and Chardonnay (42%), with 25% aged in small, old oak barrels. After spending seven years maturing in the cellar — including 18 months postdisgorgement — it reveals an aromatic complexity of red fruits, citrus, helichrysum, and licorice. On the palate, it is vibrant, fruity, and saline, with notes of candied orange zest and dark berries, leading into a long, evolving finish of cocoa and dried fruit. As for production? Just 21,571 bottles, 1,667 magnums, and 50 jeroboams — a true collector’s gem.
Exceptional champagnes: Moët & Chandon Collection Impériale Création No. 1
To mark its 280th anniversary, Moët & Chandon unveils the Collection Impériale Création No.1, base 2013 — the first in a series of releases set to continue every two years until the Maison’s 300th anniversary in 2043. This Brut Nature embodies the pinnacle of oenological expertise, blending vintages from 2013, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2000 (oak-aged), and 2004 (lees-aged). A brilliant gold in the glass, it opens with a mineral nose, layered with hints of coconut and vanilla. On the palate, it is generous, leading to a finish marked by smoky nuances and licorice — a bold yet elegant tribute to the Maison’s legacy.
Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Edition
Krug’s 172nd symphony is a testament to Joseph Krug’s vision, first brought to life in 1843, now daring to embrace the whims of 2016. A blend of 146 wines spanning 11 vintages, it is composed of 44% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay, and 20% Meunier, aged for seven years. Despite a harvest shaped by relentless rains and scorching heat waves, the vines yielded exceptional grapes, further enriched by 42% reserve wines. In the glass, it gleams with deep gold, releasing an aromatic overture of flowers, lavender, and almond, while on the palate, it unfolds with luminous citrus notes and lingering whispers of mint.
Exceptional champagnes: Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006 – Plénitude 2
If there is a champagne that embodies the triumph of time over matter, it is Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006 Plénitude 2. After fifteen years of evolution in the cellar, it reaches its “second life”, unveiling a depth and intensity that only time can bestow. Born from a vintage shaped by tropical heat and shifting weather patterns of sun and rain, it required an extended harvest to capture the full maturity of the grapes. The tasting experience is a journey, where a delicate bitterness enhances notes of peach, citron, and toasted hazelnuts, culminating in a symphony of refined complexity.
Bruno Paillard Rosé Première Cuvée
Equally at ease as an apéritif or paired with a charcuterie platter and grilled dishes, Bruno Paillard’s Rosé Première Cuvée is an Extra- Brut defined by its striking finesse. Pinot Noir takes the lead, vinified both as a white and a red, blended with an undisclosed percentage of Chardonnay. Its aromatic depth is enhanced by the inclusion of reserve wines spanning 25 vintages since 1985, comprising up to 50% of the final blend. Aged three years on the lees, it unveils a harmonious balance of freshness, complexity, and elegance.
Exceptional champagnes: Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé
Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé is a bold expression of indulgence designed to delight the palate. The term “rich”, first appearing in the Maison’s archives in 1876, has always signified a sweeter, more opulent style of champagne. This seductive blend — 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier, and 20% Chardonnay — is elevated by 15% red wine and 40-45% reserve wines, striking a perfect balance between ripe fruit and citrus notes. Best enjoyed on a terrace or by the sea, each chilled sip unfolds in vibrant layers of violet, raspberry, pineapple, and spice.
La Grande Dame Rosé 2015
For rosé lovers, this is Veuve Clicquot’s crowning jewel. La Grande Dame Rosé 2015 pays homage to the bold spirit of Madame Clicquot, the visionary who, in 1818, forever changed the world of champagne by creating the first blended rosé. A superb union of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay from the finest Grand Cru vineyards, it is further elevated by 13% red wine from the legendary Clos Colin in Bouzy — a 1.3-hectare viticultural paradise. The 2015 vintage bursts with violets, red berries, and spicy warmth, offering a precise and pure symphony of mandarin, raspberries, and licorice.
Exceptional champagnes: Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016
Moët & Chandon’s Grand Vintage 2016 marks the beginning of “A Tale of Sublimation,” a trilogy dedicated to transformation. A symbol of calm after the storm, this champagne emerges from an extreme vintage, shaped by a damp winter, a rainy, frost-bitten spring, and a scorching summer. Aged for seven years, it unveils an intricate bouquet of toasted bread, hazelnut, gingerbread, and delicate hints of plum and orange blossom. On the palate, it is precise and savory, with a creamy effervescence. Crafted from 48% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, and 18% Meunier, it gleams brilliant gold with green reflections, a testament to the Maison’s chef de cave and his ability to turn adversity into harmony.
The article first appeared on Coqtail – for fine drinkers. Order your copy here
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