Pierre Gimonnet Fleuron blanc de blancs 2004

91+ points

Champagne, France. 12.5%

Surprisingly youthful, excellent acidity. Tight concentrated. Hints of almond essence. Long future ahead of it.

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Moet and Chandon 2002

90+ points

Whoa, this is intense powerful champagne. Not pretty. Will benefit from more bottle age, two nights later the second half of the bottle was more charming than the first.

I’m not sure I approve of this style, but nevertheless it’s impressive, particularly coming from such a large commercial house.

Great label – unmistakenly vintage champagne!

Pierre Gimonnet Fleuron 2004

92 points

Champagne, France. 12.5%. Blanc de blanc.

Strong flavoured, touch of New World, concentrated. Exciting Champagne from a top vintage. Great value

Mumm 2002

89 points

Champagne, France. 12.5%

Very nice. Drinking well now although the open bottle held up well over 4 nights, so no rush. A fine but mellow style.

Duval LeRoy NV brut

I’m slightly doubtful about the value of reviewing non vintage Champagne other than to comment on the house style. Thus was enjoyable, characterful with distinctive apple flavours suggesting perhaps no malo-lactic fermentation.

Jean Noel Hatton Champagne Heritage

90 points

Serious rich approachable Champagne, nice ripe Pinot component. Up there with the Grand Marques.

Fornier Thierry Blanc de blancs

87 points

Champagne, France. 12%

Very appley. Very fresh, simple. Needs time.

Petit Le Brun & Fils

90 points

Anne thought this one of the best grower Champagnes we tried in France. Grand Cru vineyards in Avize. Flavoursome, quality NV.

Bargain.

Le Noble 1996 Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs

90 points

Enjoyable serious savoury big-ish Champagne. I would never have picked this as a blanc de blanc.

First time I’ve tried this brand. Good not great but well priced.

Egly- Ouriet Brut Tradition Grand Cru

90 points

Champagne. 12.5%

Complex bold Champagne. I’m sure others would give this higher points which would be fair, it’s just that I personally prefer leaner styles.

Claude Carre et Fils Brut

85 points

A premier cru proprietaire-recoltant wine that competes well with Grande Marques. Good non vintage.