Champagne & Sparkling

Next stock in: January 2023

If you are a fan of our Own Selection Champagne, you would likely be a fan of Champagne R&L Legras, Brut, Blanc de Blancs as well.

Sourced from the prestigious Grand Cru village of Mailly, located at the heart of the Montagne de Reims, and benefiting from over three years ageing, our UKC Cuvée is a classic blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay.

All the hallmarks of Grand Cru are here, with brioche and flowers on the nose and an elegant palate which marries notes of lemon grass, gingerbread and honeysuckle. The wine effortlessly combines structure and finesse and reverberates with a really authoritative Grand Cru crescendo on the finish.

{***}
{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{ratings}
[]Jancis Robinson::16/20
{ratings}
{***}

Located in Prosecco’s Conegliano region of the Veneto lie the 60 hectares of Masottina’s vineyards. Owned by the Dal Bianco family since 1946, they switched from being a négociant to vineyard owner in the 1960s. They produce a classic expression of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco. With fine, persistent bubbles, this is pale straw yellow with greenish highlights. The nose is intense, fruity with the rich scent of apple, lemon and grapefruit. It has a pronounced aroma of wisteria in bloom and acacia flowers. The palate has a pleasant acidity and fresh flavour. Full-bodied, and lingering, a soft finish rounds off this crowd-pleasing Prosecco.

A deliciously dry style. Masottina Prosecco Brut was judged No.1 Sparkling Wine from over 600 entries from 20 countries at the 16th annual Effervescents Du Monde 2018 held in Dijon, France. This comes on top of a 96 point Gold Medal score at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2017 so we're obviously well and truly into the seriously good territory here.

{***}{region}Veneto{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}NV{vintage}{***}

Although one should not necessarily judge a Champagne by the number of listings it has in the Michelin-starred restaurants of Paris, one can not fail but to be impressed by Legras in this respect; and in many other respects, indeed, as one tastes the wines. Founded in the 16th century, Legras is one of the great names of Chouilly, the famous and most northerly village of the Côte de Blancs. The House style combines a firm and classic structure with a generous fruit profile. Champagne R&L Legras Brut is a pure and very satisfying expression of Chardonnay; the Brut has been aged for three years on its lees and has a modest dosage of six grams per litre. 

Very pale, bright color. Extremely subtle chardonnay aromas of orange peel, lemon, powdered stone, vanilla, nuts, cream and rose petal; from the nose I would have placed this on the Meursault/Puligny line. Bright, spicy and stony, with soft citrus flavors backed up by firm, lemony acidity. At once generous and penetrating. Finishes juicy, tactile, aromatic and quite dry. Subtle, classy blanc de blancs. 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay, 7gr/L dosage. 92/100 Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}NV{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 91/100

[]Vinous:: 92/100

{ratings} {***}

Perfectly ripened and balanced white grapes have been carefully selected to elaborate this cuvee. On the palate this is a lively, fine and airy wine. The low dosage of this Champagne will charm wine lovers and connoisseurs. 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay, 4gr/L dosage.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}NV{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}   {***}

The Cuvees St Vincent, using their best wines from old vines plot aged with lees for 10 years before being released, stand easily the test of time and get better with age. The outstanding 2012 vintage Champagne has a promising and pleasant color with twinkling little reflections. A generous mousse with fine bubbles. On the nose the wine expresses a gourmet and powerful personality with buttered notes of hot brioche and an exceptional freshness due to Chardonnay. It offers a gustative aromatic richness, some complexity and a great balance – which reflect an exceptional cuvee. On the palate, the wine is sublimated by notes of pineapple flambe which give a very pleasant feeling of warmth. 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay, 4gr/L dosage.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}        {***}

Originating from Chardonnay de Chouilly Grand Cru white grapes, this vintage is only made on the best years. It ages in cellar for more than four years. A deep yellow colour. Strong aromas of fruit including peaches and pineapple.Once served in flute, it is to be left a few minutes while it opens up. Will go perfectly with lobster carpaccio, sushi, grilled mullet or simply with a foie gras.

{***}{region} Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}{***}

The 2008 Dom Pérignon Rosé is magnificent. Rich and deep in the glass, the 2008 offers up an exotic mélange of aromas and flavors. Sweet red cherry, mint, orange peel and rose petal all grace this beguiling beauty. Bright acids and a little less still red Pinot (21%) than in most recent editions yields a Rosé that is delicate and light on its feet, with less of the vinous intensity that marked vintages such as 2006. There is a classic feeling of austerity in the 2018 that is mesmerizing. Drink 2026-2048.
97/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Nov 2021

{***}{region} Champagne{region}
{color}Rose{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2008{vintage}

{ratings} []Vinous:: 97/100

{ratings}

{***}

The 2008 Dom Pérignon Rosé is magnificent. Rich and deep in the glass, the 2008 offers up an exotic mélange of aromas and flavors. Sweet red cherry, mint, orange peel and rose petal all grace this beguiling beauty. Bright acids and a little less still red Pinot (21%) than in most recent editions yields a Rosé that is delicate and light on its feet, with less of the vinous intensity that marked vintages such as 2006. There is a classic feeling of austerity in the 2018 that is mesmerizing. Drink 2026-2048.
97/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Nov 2021

{***}{region} Champagne{region}
{color}Rose{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2008{vintage}

{ratings} []Vinous:: 97/100

{ratings}

{***}

The 2009 Dom Ruinart has been absolutely fabulous on two separate occasions. Chef de Caves Frédéric Panaïotis turned out a brilliant edition of this tête de cuvée that offers a compelling balance of richness and vibrancy. Citrus, mineral, spice and dried flowers are all beautifully delineated throughout. In 2009 Dom Ruinart has a bit less fruit from the Montagne de Reims and more from the Côte des Blancs (specifically Cramant, Avize, Chouilly and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger) than has often been the case. This approach gives the wine more tension and steeliness than readers might expect in a vintage known for generally forthcoming Champagnes. I would not be in any rush to open the 2009, as it very clearly needs time. The only question is how much. Superb.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Antonio Galloni:: 97/100

[]William Kelley:: 95/100

{ratings}        {***}

The 2004 Dom Pérignon P2 is drinking beautifully on release, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet orchard fruit, fresh peach, pastry cream, buttered toast and cotton candy that display a less reductive profile than the original disgorgement. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and charming, with an ample, enveloping core of fruit, succulent acids and a pretty pinpoint mousse, it concludes with a long, sapid finish. Forward and giving, there's no obvious reason to defer gratification. 95/100. William Kelley, The Wine Advocate 

Delivers mandarin orange, ripe cherry, raspberry and apricot fruit notes, which are an exuberant burst of flavor at the entry point of this otherwise refined and subtle Champagne. The expressive fruit is joined on the lacy mousse by toast, pastry cream, Earl Grey tea leaf and an underpinning of minerally chalk and smoke. Lithe and graceful on the palate, but with a dancer's sense of restrained power. Drink now through 2037. 97/100 Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2004{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 95/100

[]Wine Spectator:: 97/100

{ratings}        {***}

Deutz are based in the village of Aÿ, which is very much Pinot Noir country. Theirs is one of the grandest Champagne houses in the village, where they count Bollinger as their near neighbours. Founded in 1838, Deutz is now under the ownership of the Rouzaud family (owners of Champagne Louis Roederer) and their finely-crafted range is currently inspiring critical acclaim.

Cuvée William Deutz is named after the founder of the house and combines a majority of Pinot Noir with around a third Chardonnay; a final sprinkling of Pinot Meunier completes the blend.

This vintage of Cuvée William Deutz offers an excellent purity of fruit and remarkable energy on the palate. It is a real stand-out wine from a vintage that undoubtedly has an abundance of wonderful wines. In such a superb vintage for Champagne, it may be easy to overlook some producers and focus on the bigger names. However, I would encourage you not to overlook this wine, it truly is an underappreciated gem.

 "We are almost at the stage where the 2008s will no longer be available from source, with the vast majority of houses having moved on to more recent vintages. In conclusion – '08 is first class, iconic and will be the vintage we all aspire to open with friends and family over the coming 20+ years. This is also a wine that is only made in rather small quantities compared to many of its peers, so may not come across the table again. I encourage everyone to purchase as much '08 Champagne as possible, this is a vintage to savour!"

{***}{region}Champagne{region} {color}White{color} {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} 

{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text} 

{ratings} 

[] Wine Advocate:: 95/100

[] Vinous:: 94/100

{ratings}

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{***}{region} Champagne{region}
{color}Rose{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2007{vintage}

{ratings} []Vinous:: 97/100

[]Jancis Robinson:: 17.5+/20

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{***}

Slated for release later this year, Krug's 2006 Blanc de Blancs Clos du Mesnil unwinds in the glass with aromas of buttered citrus fruit, crisp green pear, warm pastry, freshly baked bread, apricot and licorice. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, the 2006's comparatively extroverted and gourmand bouquet is in contrast to its deep, chiseled and tightly wound palate, and it's here that the site really dominates the vintage signature. Long, sapid and penetrating, complemented by a pillowy pinpoint mousse, this is a brilliant Blanc de Blancs that has been well worth the wait. By the standards of young Clos du Mesnil, it's already quite approachable and can already be drunk with considerable satisfaction. - Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Champagne{region} {color}White{color} {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} 

{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text} 

{ratings} [] Vinous:: 97/100

[] James Suckling:: 99/100

[] Wine Advocate:: 97/100

{ratings}

{***}

The 2012 Dom Pérignon is a dense, powerful wine. I am almost shocked by its vinous intensity and raw, unbridled power. The 2012 reminds me of the 2003, but with more finesse and not quite as pushed. Mildew, rain and frost were challenges and resulted in low yields, something that was further compounded by warm, dry weather that concentrated the fruit even more. Those qualities result in a dense Dom Pérignon endowed with real phenolic intensity. It is one of the most reticent young Doms I can remember tasting, I wouldn’t even think of opening a bottle for at least a few years. Drink 2022-2052 - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2021

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2012{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Antonio Galloni:: 97/100

[]James Suckling:: 97/100

[]Jancis Robinson:: 18/20

{ratings}        {***}