News — Champagne

"Readers who want to enjoy a top-flight Champagne
without splurging will find so much to like here."
-2019 Pierre Peters l'Esprit

Pierre Peters has a fairly large and strong lineup, but when the l'Esprit hits the mark, it is one of our favorites. 

Champagne! Bérêche, Collin, Dom Pérignon, Fallon,
Laval, Prevost, Savart, Vilmart, & More

The list includes many of the top Grande Marques: Dom Pérignon, Dom Ruinart, Philipponnat's Clos des Goisses, Roederer's Cristal, and Taittinger CdC. There are back-vintages and large formats from this illustrious group of champagne houses. 

Champagne!
Bérèche, Bouchard, Collin, Fallon, Krug, Philipponnat,
Prevost, Salon, Savart, Selosse, & More

I had a lot of fun putting this list together. It includes many of my favorite Champagnes. 

An Essential:
Krug Grande Cuvée 171st Edition Half-Bottles

Krug Grande Cuvée is one of the great wines of Champagne, and sometimes half-bottles are exactly what you need.

"Rich, dense and explosive":
2015 Roederer Cristal

The 2015 Cristal flaunts the maison's extroverted and suavely textured signature.

The Cult Meunier:
2021 Jerome Prevost La Closerie "&"

The 2021 Esperluette has a riveting energy and saline cut. There are beautiful aromatics of stone fruits and white flowers. Everything is presented with a tension-filled drive.

Champagne!
Bérêche, Bouchard, Ulysse Collin, Dom Pérignon,
Ledru, Krug, Prevost, Savart, Selosse & More

This Champagne list covers a lot of ground and includes many rare bottles.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice:
Michel Fallon Ozanne Blanc de Blancs (2018)

As a side project, Fallon makes a tiny amount of wine from his family's vineyard in Avize, Selosse's home turf. Production is somewhere around 1,000 bottles.

"It's a terrific effort."
-2008 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François

Billecart-Salmon's Champagnes possess a sleek, timeless elegance that's utterly beautiful.

Brilliance in the Côte des Blancs: 2017 Agrapart Minéral Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

It's Minéral's kinetic energy and finesse that make it one of our favorite grower Champagnes.

Wine of the Year: Bobby's Pick
2008 Dom Pérignon

Without a doubt, 2008 Dom Pérignon has turned out to be one of the best wine purchases of my life. There is something absolutely magical about this Dom Pérignon. It is easily among the best of the past fifty years.

Utterly Magical: Selosse Brut Rosé

The magic of the rosé is how it combines a penetrating minerality wrapped around a rich, layered complexity.

Our Go-To Champagne Value: Laherte Frères Ultradition Blanc de Blancs Brut NV

Ultradition has become one of the most popular Champagnes in Crush history.

Comtes de Champagne Magic
2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne

When Comtes de Champagne is on, it's one of the most intriguing and enjoyable Champagnes that I know. There's magic to Comtes' radiance, class, and utterly appealing texture. The 2012 boasts these qualities.

"The 2006 Krug Vintage is fabulous."
2006 Krug Vintage

"When Krug is firing on all cylinders, there really is no substitute." -Antonio Galloni

"A magical Champagne in the making"
2006 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne

The 2006 CdC is one of the high points of the vintage.

"Fabulous" -Antonio Galloni
2008 Billecart-Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Louis Salmon

The 2008 Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Louis Salmon is the epitome of their style.

Our Go-To Champagne Value
Laherte Frères Ultradition Blanc de Blancs Brut NV

Ultradition has become one of the most popular Champagnes in Crush history. Simply put, Ultradition is an irresistible Champagne that delivers serious value. It's an accessible Champagne, but also one of incredible balance and interest.

"One of Champagne's brightest young talents"
2017 Renoir Les Epinettes Grand Cru

In 2019, I named Renoir's 2015 Les Epinettes my wine of the year. Today, I'm happy to follow up with the impressive 2017 Epinettes.  

Showstopping Champagne
2014 Laherte Freres Les Empreintes Extra Brut

Laherte's Empreintes is among the most impressive and eye-opening Champagnes we've tasted this year. Over the past handful of years, Laherte has emerged as one of the most talented growers in Champagne.

"Simply breathtaking"
2008 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne

"Taut and chiseled but also notably exuberant"
2013 Roederer Cristal

For us, 2013 in Champagne is a truly exciting vintage that will likely be considered a great one in due time.

"Nothing short of magnificent"
2008 Dom Pérignon

The 2008 delivers a laser-like focus and impeccable class. The balance and harmony flirts with perfection. There's a regal intensity and exhilarating tension.

Sheer Magnificence:
2002 Roederer Cristal

Cristal's 2002 flaunts a combination of sleek finesse and layered, multifaceted complexity that's absolutely magical.