News — Sparkling

Sheer Magnificence:
2002 Roederer Cristal

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

The Loire's King of Fizz, Part II:
2019 Les Capriades “Piège à Filles” Rosé

Les Capriades are absolute masters of pét-nat. When I taste their examples alongside many of their peers, it seems like they know something no one else does.

"Readers who can find the 2012 should not hesitate, as it is truly magical"
2012 Roederer Cristal Rosé

For me, any vintage of Cristal Rosé is one of Champagne's greatest wines. The 2012 is simply brilliant.

It is an utterly beautiful wine delivering finesse, length, and delicacy. 

The Cult of Prévost - Revisited:
Prévost Les Beguines Extra Brut NV (2017 Base)

Jérôme Prévost is one of the greatest growers in all of Champagne.

For many, this will sound trite. Prévost has a cult following, and the wines quickly disappear from the market. 

Our Champagne Go-To: Magnum Edition: Bereche Brut Reserve NV Magnums

"Although most readers probably associate Bérèche with some of their higher-end bottlings, the Brut Réserve is a real rock s

Poured at George V, The French Laundry, and Per Se - The Don't Miss $40 Champagne: Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Cuvee Prestige NV

Diebolt-Vallois is a long-standing benchmark in Champagne.

The impressive list of world-class restaurants where their cuvée Prestige is poured by the glass drives home how impressive this Champagne is.

Back Up The Truck - Pink Fizz Edition, $8 Per Bottle

This is our pick for value-driven summer refreshment. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better summer sipper for the price. With the unofficial start of summer less than a week away, this seemed like the perfect time to offer the wine. 

The Magic of Mineral
1987 Lauer Riesling Sekt Reserve

Force, power, rigor, minerality. And yes, we are talking about a wine with over three decades of age. It’s been well over a year since Florian Lauer released any Reserve sparkling wines from his cold cellars in the Saar. As one of the most lavish, plush and powerful sparkling wines we’ve ever had from him, the 1987 has been worth the wait.

Chartogne-Taillet Single-Vineyard Debut
Chartogne-Taillet Les Barres Pinot Noir Extra Brut NV

After working with Anselme Selosse, Alexandre Chartogne returned to his family's domaine and quickly started focusing on very limited single vineyard releases.

"Among the most compelling wines of the vintage"
2012 Laval Les Chenes

Catching a bottle of Laval in the zone will make you a convert for life. Out of Laval's line-up, it's the Les Chenes that's delivered the most often and in the biggest ways. 

2008 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses
"A wine of explosive power and energy, the 2008 Clos des Goisses is magnificent." -Antionio Galloni

Without a doubt, this is one of the most anticipated 2008 Champagne releases. Clos des Goisses is an absolutely unique experience of straining mineral power and aristocratic breeding. It is easily among the longest lived, most complicated and most mind-bendingly mineral wines in all of Champagne.

Collin Blanc de Noirs Les Maillons Extra-Brut (2013 base)

Every time that we offer Ulysse Collin's Maillons, it sells out in a flash.

Prévost Beguines Extra Brut NV (2014)

At age 21, Prevost inherited his grandmother's 2.2 hectares of Meunier vines in an obscure corner of France. In seemingly no-time, Prevost gained a cult following and finding his wine became an adventure.

Startling Precision
2010 Agrapart Blanc de Blancs Vénus Brut Nature

Agrapart's Champagnes are some of the most rivetingly precise and refined expressions of Chardonnay anywhere. Vénus is their top cuvée, and it takes the theme of elegance and kinetic, chalky minerality that runs through the line-up to an ultra-compelling conclusion. 

Collin Blanc de Blancs Les Roises Extra Brut (2012 Base)

It's impossible not to take notice of Ulysse Collin's Champagnes, especially the recent releases. They can nearly overwhelm the senses with their multi-dimensional complexity that seems to hit you from every angle.