Francois Chidaine Touraine Rose

$31.99

After having started in the family estate as a farm worker, Francois decided, in 1989, to settle with a few hectares of vineyards in Montlouis-sur-Loire. Convinced from the beginning of the richness of the terroir he exploits specifically each plot and multiplies the cuvées. Aware of having in my hands a unique natural heritage, it is also in this spirit that I became interested in the cultivation of the vine in organic farming, then biodynamic. The estate has grown step by step. In 1999, there were 17 hectares. The following year, his wife, Manuela, joined him to open the tasting cellar of the “La Cave Insolite” estate on the banks of the Loire in Montlouis. In the 2000s, he took over vineyards in Vouvray. Now the domain spans the Loire by exploiting about ten hectares in this appellation located on the north bank of the river.
The white chenin is his raw material, but the acquisition in 2006 of a few plots in Chissay, under the name Touraine, allows him to honour other essential grape varieties of the Cher valley.

Roederer Cristal

$519.90

Wonderful, just wonderful! And the critics agree, too! Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave this beauty 93 points. The review: "Roederer’s 2006 Brut Cristal is striking in its sense of lift and delicacy, serving as one of many instances where those bringing preconceptions of this vintage’s warmth and ripeness of fruit to their experience may be pleasantly surprised. A nose of fresh apple, fennel and cucumber sets up associations with a slaw or salad that are crisply, lusciously and refreshingly redeemed on the palate. A garland of honeysuckle and heliotrope complements subtle suggestions of raw almond and vanilla, while alkaline and iodine notes as well as cooling but pungent green herbal notes add to the soothing yet stimulating finish. This exceptionally poised, refined, and buoyant performance is apt to gain depth with a few years’ bottle age."

Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial

$94.99

Moët & Chandon can trace its history back to 1743 when it was established by Claude Moët. It is now part of the massive LVMH group and is by far the largest house in Champagne. Quality at Moët & Chandon has improved greatly under the auspices of master blender, Richard Geoffroy, who brought a silkiness, finesse and elegance to the wines. Their Brut Imperial is consistently soft, fresh and very well balanced.

Veuve Clicquot Grande Dame

$352.99

Named after the founder Madame Clicquot, this prestige cuv�e is made only in the finest years, and only from 8 Grand Cru vineyards. Produced in extremely limited quantities from the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards Madame Clicquot purchased in the early 1800s. A supremely elegant vintage Champagne, La Grande Dame 1995. Pale gold-green color, with brilliant reflections, effervescence is delicate and extremely steady.

Bollinger Special Cuvee

$112.99

For anyone who loves James Bond. and good Champagne! "I drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it – unless I'm thirsty." – Those are the wonderful words of Madam Lilly Bollinger. Bollinger is also the official choice of James Bond. Yes, 007's favourite Champagne! From one of the last remaining family-operated Champagne houses, a truly great sparkling white wine. Champagne doesn't need an occasion, just a glass! A blend of mostly Pinot Noir, with 25% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier.

Taittinger Nocturne

$119.99

This distinctively sweet “sec” Champagne (with 18 g/l residual sugar) is pale yellow in colour with shimmering highlights and bubbles that form a delicate ring of fine foam. On the nose, there are aromas of white flowers, yellow peach and dried apricots. The palate is smooth and creamy yet very crisp and gives way to flavours of raisins and fruit in syrup. This mature, rich and round wine culminates in a long, smooth finish. Nocturne is the perfect accompaniment to fruit desserts or lightly sweet pastry or cakes as well as rich pâtés with toasted brioche.

A blend of more than 35 different crus from a variety of harvests, this wine spends four years on the lees before being disgorged. An 18 g/l dosage of cane sugar combined with the slow cellar ageing creates a round, mellow, smooth Champagne that is perfect to enjoy with a dessert or late in the evening.

Veuve Clicquot Brut

$104.99

Philippe Clicquot founded this great Champagne House in 1772 but it was his son's wife, Madame Clicquot-Ponsardin, who made the Champagne house what it is today. She was widowed young and 'Veuve' means widow in French! Veuve Clicquot Brut is a perfect example of harmony between delicacy and power. Dominated by Pinot Noir, this wine has a firm structure, rounded with a touch of Pinot Meunier. Nearly a third of Chardonnay gives it the elegance and finesse needed for perfect balance. Shy but complex aromas of pear-apple, lemon, mineral and light toast. Veuve Clicquot is very delicate with just a touch of sweetness and a lemony, mineral finish. Terrific length.

Ruinart Rose Brut

$161.99

The history of Ruinart rosé, the very first rosé champagne to make its appearance, dates back to the 18th century. While Ruinart rosé champagne first appeared over 250 years ago, its excellent quality remains the essential feature of the production of this delicate wine to this day.  45% of the chardonnay is from the Côtes des Blancs and Montagne de Reims vineyards.  55% of the pinot noir is from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne vineyards, 18 to 19% of which has been made into red wine.  20 to 25% coming from reserve wines from the 2 previous years.  The nose is subtle and fresh, first offering an original palette of tropical fruits (guava and lychee) and small berries (raspberries, cherries and wild strawberries) in the first instance.  On the palate, the attack is distinct and full, cradled by a gentle effervescence.  Freshly picked berries are delightfully expressed and the balance brings together a beautiful freshness and voluptuous body, expressed by an elegant bracing touch of mint and pink grapefruit.

Agrapart 7 Crus Champagne

$136.99

Oh, yeah. A beautiful, beautiful Champagne - and 92 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, too. The review: "Agrapart’s NV Brut Blanc De Blancs 7 Crus E13 – named for the seven Cote des Blancs villages from which it is sourced, and in this instance disgorged in May, 2013 – displays uncommon delicacy, buoyancy, tension and nuance for an “intro-level” cuvee, and that uncannily combined with a sense of richness and purity to its white peach and grapefruit. Almond and pistachio cream lend allure; chalk and salt along with piquancy of peach kernel and toasted pumpkin seed impart interest, invigoration and saliva-inducement to an effusively juicy, succulent and refreshingly sustained finish. Seven grams of residual sugar, incidentally, is fairly high by estate standards but perfectly complements this wine’s forward fruit without engendering any sense of outright sweetness. This exceptional value in Champagne should remain irresistible for at least the next couple of years, and I shall be anxious to experience what happens further down the pike as I revisit the bottles I recently purchased (because older “intro-level” bottles are not usually something that growers – or, for that matter, most self-styled wine collectors – can lay their hands on to pour for you)."