Sparkling
NV Krug, Grande Cuvee 170eme Edition 6x75cl
“A subtle nose of maple syrup and candied lemon opens up to reveal a hint of maize meal and shiitake. It leads onto a palate that is utterly streamlined and lemon-scented. This is serene but it... comes with beautiful depth and a lovely note of autolysis, expressed as lemony, creamy polenta, enhanced by fine mousse. There are highlights of grapefruit zestiness with the lovely signature savouriness of Krug, expressed in just a hint of salty, grilled shiitake mushroom, revealed on the long and mouth-watering finish. A most brisk, taut, bright, but also rather subtle and profound iteration of Krug.” 95 points, Anne Kriebehl MW, www.falstaff.com
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2017 Bollinger, PN TX17, Champagne 6x75cl
“The wine is almost completely dominated by the extremely exciting and rare Tauxières Premier Cru, which is one of two villages classified 99% on the Grand Cru scale. Despite an impressive... vineyard area of 237 hectares, it is extremely rare to come across champagnes dominated by this fantastic Cru. A cooler microclimate and a thinner soil layer with even more compact chalk than sunny Bouzy make the wines from here lighter and more elegant than Bouzy but stronger than Verzenay which is also part of this exciting Blanc de Noirs with predominantly base from 2017. Here is also a small splash of Avenay to give a little buttery roundness to the cuvée with its low dosage of 4 grams. The reserve wines that always come from magnum bottles under low pressure make up 48% from three vintages in 2016, 2009 and 2006. In total, half of the wine is made in oak barrels and the other half in steel tanks. The result is very beautiful and personal. The scent has features of lead pencil, juniper and freshly lacquered boat together with more classic coffee notes, rose petals, apricot and peach. The taste is vivid and multifaceted with a lively precision, lighter fruit aromas than you normally find in Bollinger's wines. Even cassis is one of the more unexpected aromas in this finely tuned complex symphony. Very impressive and exciting champagne that really makes me want to taste more and that I will look out for to my private cellar.”
92-94 pts Richard Juhlin
£310 / Case£51.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2015 Bollinger PNVZ 6x75cl
"Offering up aromas of green pear, honeycomb, rye toast, candied peel and buttery pastry, it's medium to full-bodied, vinous and enveloping, with a creamy attack, fine depth at the core and ripe but... racy acids, complemented by a pinpoint mousse. This is a charming, gourmand and elegantly balanced Blanc de Noirs that represents a fine addition to the Bollinger portfolio." 93 pts., William Kelley, robertpartker.com
£420 / Case£70 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
1997 Bollinger, RD 3x75cl
£960 / Case£320 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2015 Pol Roger, Sir Winston Churchill 6x75cl
"A strong effort in a less-acclaimed vintage, Pol Roger's newly released 2015 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill opens in the glass with aromas of confit citrus, ripe orchard fruits and dried white flowers... mingled with hints of honeycomb, freshly baked bread and anise. Medium to full-bodied, vinous and concentrated, with bright acids, chalky structuring extract and a pinpoint mousse, this inherently rather rich, gastronomic Champagne is quite tightly wound out of the gates and will reward a bit of bottle age. Stylistically, it is somewhat reminiscent of a modern-day version of the 1985." 94+ pts., William Kelley, robertparker.com
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2008 Pierre Moncuit, Millesime Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Grand Cru 6x75cl
"Moncuit's Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Millesime shows a different facet of its personality in this version, with lower dosage vis-à-vis the Brut version. Here the flavors are brighter and... more sculpted throughout. Hints of toastiness, almond and tangerine oil add an exotic flair that makes the Extra Brut absolutely beguiling. Lower dosage seems to exalt the minerality and bright acids of the year, while pushing the fruit a bit into the background. Both Brut and Extra Brut bottlings are terrific; choosing among them comes down to personal preference. Dosage is grams per liter. Disgorged November 2020. "
94 pts, Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£300 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate