Champagne & Sparkling

Free-draining chalk, with its long association with Champagne, is seen as the ideal terroir and Hambledon has it, if you will pardon the expression, in spades. We are delighted to be working with this outstanding English winery. Sparkling wine in England goes from strength to strength, and we are confident that Hambledon will prove to be the finest of them all.

{***}{region} Hampshire {region}
{color} White {color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}{***}

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}
{***}

100% Chardonnay. Pale yellow with golden highlights. Elegance and subtle aromas of pears, ripe apples and a touch of citrus, lemon peel. Fresh on entry, nice volume on the palate and fine, creamy bubbles. Dry finish with good acidity. On the aftertaste, we find ripe white fruit and nutty aromas.

{***}{region} Cava{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{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}   {***}

Delicate blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Chouilly in majority, with a bouquet of attractive and seductive species of raspberries and griottines. Perfect as an aperitive, this wine fits perfectly with fruits, chocolate cake or tiramisu.

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

This blend of the three classic Champagne grape varieties forms the signature Thiénot style of finesse, fruit and freshness, offering springtime notes, magnificent balance and a lingering finish. The Champagne House’s great classic.

{***}
{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{ratings}        
[]Jancis Robinson:: 15.5/20    
[]Wine Enthusiast:: 91/100
{ratings}{***}    

"A cuvée which expresses, simply and cheerfully, the nobility of Chardonnay. A natural tribute to this wonderful grape variety ambassador of freshness and finesse, pillar of the style of the House. " N.Uriel, cellar master.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{ratings}
[]Jancis Robinson::17/20                                                            []Wine Enthusiast:: 90/100                                                         []Stephen Tanzer:: 92/100
{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}{***}

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. The Présidence has been aged for over four years and has a charming nose of brioche, almonds and apricot. The palate is refreshing; it’s full and ripe yet restrained: a pleasing compôte of contradictions in other words and one of the House’s strongest releases to-date.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2007{vintage}
{ratings}           
   []Jancis Robsinson:: 17/20 
{ratings}     {***}

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. An exemplary Champagne from a peerless vintage. Superlatives abound in what Julien Barbier describes as one of the very best wines he has ever made, an archetype of Chouilly Chardonnay. Toasted almonds and lemon zest vie for attention on a deliciously complex palate, with honey and brioche in support. The five grams of sugar defer gently to the power of the vintage; the finish is symphonic yet restrained, with plenty of potential underscoring the taut corridor of its peroration.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2006{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Richard Juhlin:: 94/100{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}{***}

n expressive version, with vibrant acidity providing fine cut, and flavors of wild berry, toasted brioche, orange pâte de fruit and clover honey riding the finely detailed bead. Smoky on the finish. Enjoy this rich, balanced version with food. Drink now through 2027. - Wine Spectator

{***}{region}Champagne{region} {color}Rose{color} {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text} {ratings} []Wine Spectator::92/100 []Wine Enthusiast:: 92/100 {ratings} {***}

Made from Chardonnay grapes from an old, 100 % Grand Cru vineyard in Avize, La Vigne aux Gamins is a unique Cuvee full of love and flavour. The wine has a very clear, almost limpid colour and delicate bubbles. The nose develops very subtly Aromas of prune whilst aerating the wine reveals notes of cooked fruits, brioche and the lovely lingering finish of a great terroir. La Vigne aux Gamins is free of all embellishments, making it an exceptionally pure Champagne.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                                {maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2004{vintage}
{ratings}
 []Wine Enthusiast:: 94/100{ratings}        {***}

The T-collection reveals a treasure preciously preserved in the Champagne House cellars - recently disgorged limited editions of the Alain Thiénot cuvee’s finest vintages.

Cuvée Alain Thiénot 1990, this superb vintage was distinguished by a mild winter and a hot summer, giving grapes with a perfect balance between fruitiness and freshness. After more than 20 years in the cellars, this wine has preserved the best of its organoleptic qualities typical of the year 1990 – an extremely elegant bouquet with notes of ripened wheat and a well-rounded and fruity palate.

Cuvée Alain Thiénot 1995, this great year in the Champagne region, marked by a mild winter, a cool spring and a hot summer, proves itself to be a distinctive vintage. This cuvee, a blend of 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir grapes exclusively grown on the House’s 1er and Grand Crus, presents a bouquet of aromas of roasted grains and an intense, well-rounded palate with remarkable length.

Cuvée Alain Thiénot 1996, this was one of the Champagne region’s greatest vintages, a year marked by a cold, dry winter and a warm, wet summer. This champagne wine, a blend of 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir grapes exclusively grown on the House’s 1er and Grand Crus, presents a lively, fruity bouquet. The palate reveals remarkable tonicity and citrus notes typical of 1996.

{***}
{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1990, 1995, 1996{vintage}
{***}

This superb vintage was distinguished by a mild winter and a hot summer, giving grapes with a perfect balance between fruitiness and freshness. After more than 20 years in the cellars, this wine has preserved the best of its organoleptic qualities typical of the year 1990 – an extremely elegant bouquet with notes of ripened wheat and a well-rounded and fruity palate.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}1990{vintage}{***}

This great year in the Champagne region, marked by a mild winter, a cool spring and a hot summer, proves itself to be a distinctive vintage. This cuvee, a blend of 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir grapes exclusively grown on the House’s 1er and Grand Crus, presents a bouquet of aromas of roasted grains and an intense, well-rounded palate with remarkable length.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}1990{vintage}{***}

This was one of the Champagne region’s greatest vintages, a year marked by a cold, dry winter and a warm, wet summer. This champagne wine, a blend of 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir grapes exclusively grown on the House’s 1er and Grand Crus, presents a lively, fruity bouquet. The palate reveals remarkable tonicity and citrus notes typical of 1996.

{***}{region}Champagne{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                           {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}1996{vintage}{***}

Krug Rosé is both unexpected and daring. It shows a broad and extensive aromatic palette, unusual for a Rosé Champagne. As you taste Krug Rosé, you will discover harmonies of puff pastry and red-berry tart, which develop towards honey and citrus fruits. Its floral accents and notes of dried or stewed fruit will enthral your palate. Its extreme delicacy is enhanced by the subtlety of its fine and elegant bubbles.

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

Krug Rosé is both unexpected and daring. It shows a broad and extensive aromatic palette, unusual for a Rosé Champagne. As you taste Krug Rosé, you will discover harmonies of puff pastry and red-berry tart, which develop towards honey and citrus fruits. Its floral accents and notes of dried or stewed fruit will enthral your palate. Its extreme delicacy is enhanced by the subtlety of its fine and elegant bubbles.

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

Gramona are acknowledged, in Spain and beyond, to be the the finest of all Cava Houses (voted among the Top of 100 Wineries of 2010 in the Wines & Spirits magazine).

The 2000 Enoteca Gramona Brut is a blend of 75% Xarello and 25% Macabeo aged for 12 years in contact with the lees with around six grams of sugar, which seems to polish the sharp acidity and makes the wine more balanced. After all those years in contact with the lees the bubbles are extra small and very well-integrated in the wine and the wine feels very balanced and fresh.

{***}{region} Cava{region}
{color}White{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2000{vintage}{***}