Normal Price:$60.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $52.80/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$49.20

A great way to begin the walk-around portion of our Champagne Extravaganza, the Duval-Leroy has lots of open, broad (mouth-filling) fresh fruit flavors that carry through to the lovely finish, showing a bit of mint and floral notes in the bouquet. *** (FR)

This is broad on the palate and an uber-crowd pleaser for the money. Got something to celebrate or just want a rich, satisfying glass of Champagne? This is your bottle! **+(JR) 2.Nv Champagne Philipponnat Royale Réserve Brut

Normal Price:$74.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $62.12/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$60.68

Definitely more structured than the above wine, with a lush, polished texture that conveys apple and pear nuances. Very classy wine, indeed. *** (FR)

Now we’re talking complexity and gravitas. This is a silky, complete wine with a very fine bubble. Reminded me somehow of Jacquesson with its fine acidity and elegance. ***+(JR)

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3. Nv Champagne Philipponnat Royale Réserve Brut Rosé

Normal Price:$114.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $100.32/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$93.48

This wonderful Rose is brimming with fresh fruit aromas and flavors, particularly strawberries. Its youthful exuberance in held in check by a solid core of bright acidity and a fine mousse. ***+(FR)

Oh yeah. The Roses today were amazing and this might have been my favorite. So elegant and fresh with just a bit of vinosity. Polished stuff. ***+(JR)

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4. Nv Champagne Alexandra Sainz Brut Nature

Normal Price:$70.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $61.60/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$57.40

We are always thrilled to have Alexandra Sainz join us for our grand tasting and this year she was spot on with three new disgorgements. Her first-ever Brut Nature is glorious, made with 100% old-vine Pinot Noir, the wine is super-complex and totally inviting. With no added sweetness, it shows off the character of the grape and the terroir of the Montagne de Reims. ***+(FR)

While I agree fundamentally with FR on this one, I caution those looking for a richer style or a lot of texture to look elsewhere. Sublimely elegant, it’s as dry as the Sahara and would be a great food wine. ***?(JR)

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5. Nv Champagne Alexandra Sainz Grand Cru Brut Héritage

Normal Price:$71.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $62.48/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$58.22

Alex’s Brut Héritage is a bit of a departure from last year’s bottling, having a broader texture and showing more toasty, leesy character. Still, plenty of fruit in the background that promises a bright future. **+(FR)

Obviously richer than the last disgorgement we featured at the summer event, it’s a complete, integrated bottle of lovely Champagne with more middle and a nice yeasty edge. I am betting this will improve even more with time in the bottle. ***? (JR)

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6. 2014 Champagne Alexandra Sainz Millèsime Grand Cru

Normal Price:$79.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $69.52/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$64.78

The 2014 Millèsime is more forward than the 2013 bottling, with tremendous complexity from the Grand Cru vineyard source and 9 years on the lees. It is simply wonderful on its own, spectacular with food and certain to age beautifully if you can keep your hands off it. ***+(FR)

Indeed, a very serious bottle of Champagne, this is layered, complex and something you’d want to enjoy with a very rich fish or seafood dish. ****(JR)

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7. Nv Champagne Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs

Normal Price:$105.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $92.40/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$86.10

I’m a huge fan of the Blanc de Blancs style and the Charles Heidsieck was a particular favorite of mine with its pristine, polished fruit flavors, floral aromas and brilliant acidity. Great minerality adorned with the addition of 25% reserve wine. ***+(FR)
Frank liked this more than me. While I enjoyed its fresh acidity and immediate complexity, it finished with a touch of bitter phenolics that I found a little off-putting. My guess is it will improve in the cellar. **?(JR)

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8. Nv Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve

Normal Price:$61.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $53.68/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$50.02

The Charles Heidsieck Brut was a crowd favorite because of its easy-going texture, rounded fruit flavors and moderate oak nuances. Very good everyday bubbles from a highly respected Champagne house. **+(FR)

As Frank says, this is an easy wine to love and the perfect partner for a celebration or a toast. And speaking of toast, there’s plenty of it here on a very broad palate and long finish. ***(JR)

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9. Nv Champagne Gosset Grande Réserve Brut

Normal Price:$64.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $59.32/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$52.48

Both of the Gosset wines were very good, the Reserve Brut showing perfect balance of fruit, acidity, minerality and bubbles. Lush and round freshness supported by incredible, age-worthy structure. ***+(FR)

One of my wines of the day, this disgorgement of the Grande Reserve is a stunner! Complete from top to bottom with a fine and elegant bubble but also lots of power in reserve. I wish I could drink this every day! ****(JR)

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10.Nv Champagne Gosset Grand Brut Rosé

Normal Price:$108.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $95.04/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$88.56

The Gosset Rosé has plenty of immediate appeal but the Grand Cru villages that go into its make-up suggest a serious side. It has the weight, richness and texture to stand up to food in spectacular fashion. It was extremely well-received by our seminar participants as well as walk-around guests.
***(FR)

A weighty, coppery Rose with lovely, ephemeral red and yellow cherry fruits and the perfect amount of acidity. A very serious ‘culinary’ Rose Champagne that I’d reserve for special occasions rather than midnight on New Years. ***+(JR)

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11. Nv Champagne Colcombet Réserve Privée Brut Éclat

Normal Price:$56.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $49.28/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$45.92

Champagne Colcombet, a relatively new producer and new to the west coast, is really lovely with an appealing freshness, scintillating brisk palate and super clean finish. It’s complete, balanced and tremendously complex, especially for its reasonable price. This is definitely a Champagne to stock up on for any and all occasions. ***(FR)

Immediately appealing, nicely made and quite lovely, this is a less tricked out version of the Duval-Leroy or Charles Heidsieck Bruts above and is the kind of Champagne you’ll probably drink A LOT of! **(JR)

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12. Nv Champagne Colcombet Réserve Privée Brut Sabré

Normal Price:$56.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $49.28/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$45.92

As mentioned above, Colcombet is a newcomer to the marketplace and this Brut Sabré, basically a Blanc de Noirs, is quite rich and mouth-filling. Generous in all aspects of fine Champagne; fruit, complexity, toastiness and balance. **+(FR)

Really lovely, fresh Pinot Noir flavors and a surprising amount of class, this was a nice discovery for me. Then again, I always love BdN. **+(JR)

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13.Nv Champagne Bruno Paillard Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs EB (Extra Brut)


Normal Price:$123.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $108.24/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$100.86

The Paillard Blanc de Noirs was one of my top picks from the lineup. I described the wine as “monumental”, meaning deeply concentrated and powerful with being overpowering. Its Grand Cru pedigree really comes through with stunning clarity and exquisite balance. ****(FR)

Frank’s right! This is a monumental Champagne with the gravitas of many bottles costing far, far more. Excellent quality and a ton of class. ****(JR)

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14. Nv Champagne Bruno Paillard Rosé Première Cuvée EB

Normal Price:$108.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $95.04/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$84.46

The Paillard Rose is vibrantly fresh, with delicate fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry. Delicate and lacy, it still has the backbone to pair wonderfully with all sorts of food. With a wine like this, it’s easy to see why Rose Champagne is gaining so many new fans. ***+(FR)

Another great Rose, this fit right in the middle of the austere Philipponnat, the ebullient Gosset and the deadly serious Hebrart. Class in the glass here. ***(JR)

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15. Nv Champagne Henri Giraud Esprit Nature Brut

Normal Price:$69.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $60.72/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$56.58

I think John Rittmaster put it best when described the Henri Giraud Champagnes as “natural wine meets Champagne.” Henri Giraud enjoys an almost cult-like status with his novel approach to crafting fine Champagnes; like his exclusive use of oak barrels and clay amphorae. The Esprit Nature (spirit of nature) is elemental Champagne with polished fruit, wonderful minerality and startling complexity. ***+(FR)

Yeah. There is a lot of skin contact and richness here as well as decadent amounts of spicy flavors. I liked this a lot as a pairing with something like curry or spicy dishes. Unique! ***?(JR)

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16. Nv Champagne Henri Giraud Dame-Jane Brut Rosé

Normal Price:$122.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $107.36/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$100.04

What Henri Giraud accomplishes with his Esprit Nature is amplified in the unique Dame-Jane Rosé. Firm structure, balanced complexity and youthful fruit flavors in a powerful, yet approachable rose. ***(FR)

No. Not me. This had too much skin contact and had an almost madeirized quality to it I found off-putting. Maybe I’m not ready for Orange Champagne yet… NR(JR)

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17.Nv Champagne Gaston-Chiquet Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs

Normal Price:$67.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $58.96/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$64.94

I recently learned that Champagne Gaston-Chiquet was perhaps the original ‘grower-producer’ Champagne when the estate was divided over 100 years ago. Their Blanc de Blancs was especially fine; with precisely defined fruit flavors; an amalgam of minerals, toastiness, fresh-cut flowers and delicate perfume. ***(FR)

One of my wines of the day, this had a gorgeous vinosity and enormous complexity. Fresh, minerally and deep, deep, deep. Yes, it’s BdB so not necessarily applicable to all situations, but I would be very happy drinking this every day! ****(JR)

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18. Nv Champagne Gaston-Chiquet Premier Cru Brut Tradition

Normal Price:$55.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $48.40/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$45.10

The Chiquet Brut had a bouquet of fresh-washed stones and subtle mintiness. The vinosity (wine-like quality) is especially evident which is not surprising considering its Premier Cru status, generous amount of reserve wine and extended lees aging. It only hints at its splendor and promises to blossom with time. **+(FR)

I liked this more than Frank but he’s right about the green herb-spice component. Lovely flavors, though, and great spicy complexity and minerality. ***(JR)

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19. Nv Champagne Marc Hebrart 1er Cru ‘Mes Favorites’ Vieilles Vignes

Normal Price:$89.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $78.32/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$72.98

The pair of Marc Hebrart wines were both at the top of my list as the superstars of the tasting. The ‘Mes Favorites’ shows extraordinary vinosity, with power and precision apparent in equal measure. Its tremendously long finish caps an amazing Champagne experience. ****(FR)

Yeah, both the Hebrart wines were amazing! This has a stentorian sort of gravitas that commands attention. I loved this very serious bottle of Champagne. ****(JR)

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20. Nv Champagne Marc Hebrart 1er Cru Brut Rosé

Normal Price:$73.00 / 1-11 Bottle Price: $64.24/
Mix & Match 12+ Bottle Price :$59.86

The Hebrart Rosé is another broadly textured, powerful Champagne whose rich character is tightly wound. Very delicate pink color from the addition of barrel-aged Pinot Noir, its aftertaste goes on forever and ever. Really superb! ****(FR)
Rich, powerful and very, very serious, the wild raspberry and strawberry flavors were just wonderful. This is a very ‘culinary’ Rose that you’ll love to cook to and I’d sure love to find a few bottles in the back of my cellar in about five years. ***+(JR)

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In Summary
Best Values:
The standout values, especially at the case level, are Duval-Leroy Grand Brut, Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve, Gosset Grande Réserve Brut, Colcombet Brut clat, Colcombet Brut Sabré, Gaston-Chiquet Brut Tradition, Henri Giraud Esprit Nature Bruit
Solid Favorites:
Outstanding quality, classic wines; Philipponnat Royale Réserve Brut, Alexandra Sainz Brut Héritage, Bruno Paillard Cuvée Rosé, Gaston-Chiquet Blanc de Blancs, Henri Giraud Dame-Jane Rosé (for the adventurous)
Exceptional Quality:
The best of the rest; outstanding in all regards: Philipponnat Réserve Rosé, Alexandra Sainz Brut Nature, 2014 Alexandra Sainz Millèsime, Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs, Gosset Grand Brut Rosé, Bruno Paillard Blanc de Noirs, Marc Hebrart ‘Mes Favorites’ Brut, Marc Hebrart Brut Rosé