Champagne & Sparkling

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}
{***}

A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 15% each of Chenin Blanc and Mauzac, this is a beautiful, balanced wine, with elegant aromas of orchard fruit and honeyed spice. Aged traditionally and generously on its lees, it shows more exotic fruits on the palate with a clean, pebbly backdrop and an impressive depth of flavour.

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

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. The floral aromas are complemented by an autolytic yeastiness and yellow fruits on the palate. Linear and focused, yet not without an attractive depth of flavour, the wine has a long mineral finish.

{***}{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{ratings}   {***}

This, quite simply, is one of the finest Non Vintage Chardonnay Champagnes that one is likely to find, rather like Krug Grande Cuvée in its multi-vintage Grand Cru assemblage and its encyclopaedic complexity. Aged on lees for over ten years, the Hommage is rich and exotic on one level, with plenty of nutty depth, but also wonderfully fresh, linear and precise. Powerful enough for langoustines and other fruits de mer, this is so good that it works well as both aperitif and digestif…a revelation!

{***}
{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}NV{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Richard Juhlin:: 94/100  {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}2012{vintage}{***}

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 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 Clos du Mesnil captures all the pedigree of this epic Blanc des Blancs vintage. A soaring, majestic Champagne, the 2004 dazzles from the very first taste with its crystalline purity and brightness. In two tastings so far, the 2004 has been nothing less than a total showstopper. The vertical structure and pure, tightly-coiled power are the stuff dreams are made of. There is little doubt the 2004 is one of the very finest Clos du Mesnils in recent memory. Will it join the 1979, 1988 and 1996 as one of the all-time greats? Now, that is a tasting I would love to do! (AG) 98+ 

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

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

{ratings} [] Vinous:: 98/100

[] James Suckling:: 98/100

[] Wine Spectator:: 97/100

{ratings}

{***}

Dark black currant, plum violet and spicy aromatics lead to a silky elegantly textured palate showing great depth, tension and persistence.

{***}
{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2007{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Enthusiast::94/100
{ratings}{***}

Roederer's 2002 Cristal is a fabulous wine! Originally released in 2009, it was re-released in March this yearand was sold out in a very short time. The Cristal I tasted at Roederer in May 2018 was disgorged in 2010, after seven years sur lie. Its amazing richness and concentration makes it a forerunner of the 2015 and follows the 1999. Only two times2002 and 2015the fruit from all 42 plots reserved for Cristal was used for the Cristal. "I couldn't do any better blend than the one assembling all the 42 plots," says Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, stressing that at that time only two hectares were farmed biodynamically. As a result of the conversion to biodynamic farming, Lécaillon promised himself the production of even more beautiful, vital and balanced wines, and you can feel his satisfaction whenever he speaks of the cuvées that are yet to come such as 2012 and 2015, the latter of which he calls "the new 2002." Back to history: the nose of the 2002 Cristal shows a deep, ripe and elegant fruit with aromas of white chocolate, wet chalk, wild vanilla and pepper (typical for 2002) as well as terroir-driven truffle notes. Intense and very elegant in the mouth, this is a ripe, rich and concentrated yet also pure and vital Cristal with great finesse, elegance and mineral complexity. It's a sublime Champagne right now, although it's more wine than Champagne. Tasted in Reims in May 2018.
Stephan Reinhardt - 29/06/2018

{***}
{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{ratings}        
[] Wine Advocate:: 98+/100

[] James Suckling:: 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}        {***}

Apricot, pastry, chamomile, mint and light tropical notes are all signatures of a hot vintage with a very fast final phase of ripening that trails only 2002 and 2003 in terms of sugars. Of course, the year had plenty of challenges. The first part of the year was marked by cold and very dry weather during the winter and spring. June saw heat and some stress in the vines. July and August were quite warm, with heavy rains on August 15 and 16 that caused a widespread outbreak of botrytis that accelerated rapidly in the days leading up to harvest. Chef de Caves Vincent Chaperon explained that Chardonnay was favored over Pinot because better aeration within the clusters helped fend off rot, while parcels that had been less stressed by the June heat also suffered less from the effects of botrytis. Perhaps because of the unevenness in the season, there is also something disjointed about the 2010. While sugars were high, so were acidities, just behind 2008 in the decade of the 2000s. It will be interesting to see where the 2010 goes over time. It is the first vintage made under the direction of Vincent Chaperon, who worked alongside outgoing Chef de Caves Richard Geoffroy for many years. Drink 2021-2035. Antonio Galloni

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Antonio Galloni:: 93/100

[]James Suckling:: 98/100

[]Jancis Robinson:: 18.5/20

{ratings}        {***}

This is the result of nearly 15 years of cellar ageing. With this time comes an added power that doesn’t feature in standard vintage Dom Pérignon. The nose has beautiful ripe orchard fruit, honeysuckle and freshly baked pastry. The palate is as rich as one would expect from Plénitude 2 in this hot vintage. But the balance of a creamy acidity and flint-like minerality give the wine a lively balance. There are layers of marzipan and candied pineapple, apricot compote, warm breakfast pastry and liquorice. A wonderful salinity rounds out this remarkable wine. I thoroughly enjoyed this recently, but I dream of how well it will develop over 8-10 years in the cellar.

Drink now to 2040.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2003{vintage}
{ratings}
[]James Suckling:: 98/100

[]Jancis Robinson MW:: 18/20

{ratings}        {***}

The 2002 Dom Perignon is at first intensely floral, with perfumed jasmine that dominates the bouquet. With time in the glass the wine gains richness as the flavors turn decidedly riper and almost tropical. Apricots, passion fruit and peaches emerge from this flashy, opulent Dom Perignon. The wines volume makes it approachable today, but readers in search of more complexity will want to cellar this for at least a few years to allow for some of the baby fat to drop off. Geoffroy describes the vintage as very ripe and adds that some of the Chardonnay showed the ill-effects of the hot growing season in the somewhat burned, dehydrated fruit that came in that year. This bottle was disgorged in July, 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2032.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2002{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 96/100

[]Decanter:: 97/100

[]Vinous:: 98/100

[]Jancis Robinson MW:: 18/20

{ratings}        {***}

Medium lemon-straw colour. Praline and toasted hazelnut aromas dominate the nose with nuances of lemon curd and butterscotch. The palate is very rich with decadently silken texture and a high level of refreshing acidity. Predominately yeasty, brioche flavours are supplemented by a subtle earthy/savoury character and some minerality. Long, mineral coated praline finish. - Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}1985{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Advocate:: 94/100

[]Vinous:: 97/100

{ratings}        {***}

Krug's 2002 Brut (ID 415064 disgorged IV/2015) has an intense citrus color and opens with a generous, intense yet fine and precise bouquet that indicates great depth and elegance. Red fruit flavors on the nose lead to a generously rich yet pure, highly refined and elegant palate, with lots of ripe cherry fruits and delicious yeasty flavors. This is a highly complex and tensioned but beautifully balanced 2002 with a charming dosage that gives perfect roundness. The finish, however, is clear, fresh and well-structured, if not taut, and very mineral. Tasted in Reims in April 2018.

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

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

{ratings} 

[] Wine Advocate:: 97+/100

{ratings}

{***}

Unsurprisingly – and putting it bluntly – Krug 169 is sublime. The nose is profound and focused, consisting of sweet breads, biscuits, white flowers and orchard pear. The palate is rich and textured, striking a perfect equilibrium of power and grace, awash with Danish pastries, lemon rind and a wonderful lift of brisk salinity. It all builds to a lengthy crescendo, worthy of a standing ovation. This is arguably the king of multi-vintage blends. It should provide at least a decade of drinking pleasure; it is superb.

Drink now to 2036.

{***}{region}Champagne{region} {color}White{color} {maturity}drink-now{maturity} 

{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text} 

{ratings} [] Jancis Robinson:: 18.5+/20

[] James Suckling:: 97/100

{ratings}

{***}

"This is very profound on the nose. It is not so much superior to the 'ordinary' as of a different style. Very smooth and silky and laid-back. Very harmonious. Very lovely fruit. Very long." (Clive Coates - The Vine 01-May-1998)

{***}{region}Champagne{region} {color}White{color} {maturity}drink-now{maturity} 

{maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text} 

{ratings} 

{ratings}

{***}

From a recently released bottle disgorged in 2018, the 1997 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut is showing very well indeed, offering up aromas of citrus oil, crushed chalk, white flowers, warm bread and iodine that are appreciably more youthful than the more mature dried fruit tones that readers will find in bottles of the original disgorgement. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, tensile and incisive, with superb concentration, chalky structure and a long, searingly mineral finish. - Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}1997{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Wine Advocate:: 95/100

[]Wine Enthusiast:: 96/100

{ratings}        {***}