It was during a visit to Schramsberg Winery many years ago when I first heard the phrase, “The bigger the bubbles, the bigger the problems.”  At the time, I didn’t care about bubbles,  I was just looking for great sparkling...

50% 2013 and 25% each ’12-’11, deg 6/2015; dosage made, as for all of Laurent’s wines, from still wines of the two best cuvées, Grand Cellier d’Or and Coeur de Cuvée, done in wood. In the first 1-2 years after...

JR- How can you NOT love this wine?  All Nebbiolo finished at around 3 grams Extra Brut.  Elegant, lively and really quite expansive.  Even with all the ritzy Roses in the room, this was still one of my favorites.  Buy the...

2019 Cellier Joan Colet Rius Reserva Brut Nature Cava

FR- This Rose was one of last year’s biggest hits and though still just a baby, it displays brilliant fruit and lively acidity.   Like the Blanc de Blancs above, with a few weeks to recover from its ocean journey, it promises to be a...

JR- Also 42 months, this one is all Pinot Noir so has a bit more lacy fruit and less of that austere midpalate.  IMHO, this needs another few months to add weight. **(*)? 

JR- 42 months on the lees added a lot of extra complexity and texture to really a beautiful wine. Compact Asian pear, a hint of brioche and a lemon drop finish!  Serious juice.  ***(*)

JR- Lovely fruit and a nice round palate.  Very, very easy to drink and a good drink for anytime you want a top Champagne-like wine but don’t want to pay for it!  *** 

  All three of the Billecart Salmon wines were spectacular, beginning with this Blanc de Blancs cuvee.  Pure, lush fruit with brilliant freshness and youthful vivacity.  Simply gorgeous! ****JR- The Billecart wines were, across the broad,...

One of my favorites of the entire lineup; the Bruno Paillard was complete in all aspects and incredibly balanced; flavorful but subtle, immediately appealing but structured for more bottle age.  ****+ JR- I can’t disagree with Frank, and it...

The Duval Leroy Brut offers a generous palate of ripe fruit along with a mouth-filling texture.  It keeps all that richness in check with a fine bubble and crisp finish.  Great value as well. *** JR- Lovers of richer, more crowd-pleasing...

FR-Echoing the sentiments above, Eric’s Rose is simply exquisite; with precisely-defined aromas, fruit, bubbles and acidity; all adding up to a remarkable experience.  Jean-Marc, following in the Jacquesson tradition, makes serious wines that...

FR- I love the wines of Jean-Marc Seleque, definitely one of Champagne’s rising superstar producers.  Made in the Extra Brut style, this wine is the quintessential expression of Champagne’s unique chalky soil and mineral-driven acidity...

Lanson Champagne Brut Black Label

100% Pinot Meunier  This bottling of Louis Caster’s Cuvée Supérieure Brut is made from 100% Pinot Meunier, a bit unusual in that there is no Chardonnay or Pinot Noir in the blend.  It displays the broad, rich flavors of the...

NV Ronco Calino Franciacorta Rose 'Radijan'