Drappier Cuvee Brut NV Very lovely nose, lemon and apple pie. The palate is a big let down afterward, very light and apply. Lacking structure. 86/100 Drappier Millesime Exception 2000 Apples, yeast and bread. Bold palate, richly flavoured. Not very complex though. 87/100

Devaux Grand Reserve NV Perfumed, appealing nose. Elegant body, medium length. 87/100 Devaux Cuvee D Millesime 1996 Bread, honey and apples on the nose. Good fruit richness and good length. 89/100 Devaux Cuvee D NV Toast and citrus. Good depth of flavour but with the freshness to keep the wine enjoyable. Length was very good. […]

Salon 1996 Immediately obvious on the nose and palate that this is a couple of steps up. Layered, beguiling aromas of flowers, slate, citrus, spice and toast. The palate is without doubt, superb. The depth and complexity of flavour is almost overwhelming to the senses but the focus is equal to the task with some […]

Delamotte Brut NV Clean, fresh, fruit driven. Refreshing palate. 86/100 Delamotte Blanc de Blancs 1999 Cookie dough nose. Good focus on the palate. 87/100 Delamotte Blanc de Blancs NV Refined nose with some vanilla and slate. Palate is quite enjoyable, with good length, balance and flavour. 88/100

Dampierre Audion de Dampierre Cuvee de Ambassadeurs NV Lemon and biscuit aromas. Palate has a lot of pleasant fruit sweetness. Nice without standing out in any way. 86/100 Dampierre Audion de Dampierre Grand Vintage 1998 A bold, forward, complex nose. Palate is powerful but it still retains balance. Worth another look. 89/100

Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut NV Fresh and clean on the nose. Medium length palate, but lacks depth/interest. 85/100 Piper Heidsieck Brut Vintage 2000 Citrus driven nose. Decent balance, but again lacking in depth on the palate. 86/100 Piper Heidsieck Rose Sauvage NV Lovely pink colour. Interesting cherry and earth aromas on the nose. Palate is […]

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV Bread and apples. Rich mouthfeel with good flavour persistence. Nice. 87/100 Charles Heidsieck Vintage Rose 1999 Strawberries and cherry. The palate doesn’t show cohesion or anything of interest. 84/100 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires 1995 Very complex nose. Rounded, rich mouthfeel but the acid brings it into line. Great length […]

Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee NV Some kiwi fruit on the otherwise closed nose. Sweet and simple on the palate. 84/100 Bruno Paillard Brut Assemblage 1996 Funky, boot polish and violets. No structure to the palate. Very poor, hopefully an off bottle. 76/100 Bruno Paillard Rose Premiere Cuvee NV Yeasty nose with some lemon and earth. […]

Boizel Joyau de France 1991 Lots happening on the nose – toast, citrus, honey and more. Palate has good length and richness. Good complexity as well. At its peak and very interesting. 90/100 Boizel Brut Blanc de Blancs NV Strong bready aromas with a touch of yeast/cheese. Palate is much more restrained and elegant. A […]

Billecart-Salmon Brut NV Apple, brioche and toast/oak aromas. Rich mouthfeel. Pretty good. 87/100 Billecart-Salmon Nicholas Francois-Billecart 1998 An appealing layered nose of citrus, floral notes and toast. Good structure and balance between acid and fruit on the palate. Lots to like about this. 90/100 Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose NV Lemon and florals. Clean palate with some […]