Freddy R. Troya

9.8

Armand de Brignac “Gold” Brut – NV
Champagne, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A prestige multi-vintage Champagne, composed of three distinct vintages sourced exclusively from estate-owned Grand Cru and Premier Cru parcels in Rilly-la-Montagne, Chigny-les-Roses, and Ludes. Blend composition; 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier.

Handcrafted in small batches, this cuvée exemplifies depth, polish, and harmony, a benchmark luxury Champagne that delivers substance beyond the spectacle. Dosage is kept discreet, allowing purity, texture, and natural vinosity to shine.

Aromas & Flavors
Golden apple, ripe pear, and baked quince lead the nose, followed by brioche, toasted hazelnut, almond cream, and hints of citrus oil. Subtle honeyed notes and chalky minerality add impressive aromatic layering.

Mouthfeel
Silky yet energetic. The mousse is fine and persistent, framing a palate that is both rich and precise. Chardonnay provides lift and elegance, Pinot Noir adds structure and depth, while Pinot Meunier rounds the mid-palate. Long, polished finish, lingering but never heavy or fatiguing.

Food Pairings
Caviar, lobster with beurre blanc, sashimi, truffled poultry, aged Comté, or simply on its own as a statement aperitif.

Verdict
A spectacular Champagne that justifies its prestige. Complex, impeccably balanced, and deeply satisfying, the Gold Brut delivers true luxury through craftsmanship and terroir, not excess.

Did You Know?
Armand de Brignac is produced by the Cattier family, whose Champagne lineage dates back to 1763. Unlike many prestige cuvées, the Gold Brut is crafted from 100% estate fruit, with each bottle riddled, disgorged, and finished by hand , a rarity at this scale.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
One of the most delicious Champagnes tasted recently, memorable and worth the investment. — 2 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Drinking well showing red cherry, berry, earth, spice & floral notes — a month ago

Her Mir Tage

9.2

1996 Domaine Armand Rousseau Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

Clos de la Roche, situated in Morey-Saint-Denis, is the most renowned and the largest Grand Cru vineyard of the village. Its terroir is consequently exceptional, yielding wines with striking acidity, remarkable concentration, and a structure that is powerful yet displays extraordinarily refined tannins. It is often considered one of Burgundy's most compelling wines, masterfully combining power with elegance.

The style neither mirrors the robust, muscular, and overtly powerful character typical of its northern neighbour, Gevrey-Chambertin, nor does it precisely replicate the extreme perfume, elegance, and delicacy that define its southern neighbour, Chambolle-Musigny. Instead, Clos de la Roche is the quintessential synthesis of strength and finesse—boasting a solid backbone alongside intricate depth of aroma and texture. Thanks to its pronounced acidity, one should not open a bottle without allowing for at least 15 years of ageing.

Upon opening, after 30 minutes the nose offered aromas of ripe black cherry, wild strawberry, sour plum, rose, and violet. After an hour, further notes of truffle, forest floor, leather, and spice developed. However, the minerality I expected remained elusive.

The bottle's condition was unfortunately not optimal. It lacked the sustained aromatic evolution and explosive bouquet I had anticipated. This fatigue and muted character were likely a result of its shipment from the United States. — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Armand de Brignac “Rosé” Brut – NV
Champagne, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A prestige multi-vintage Rosé Champagne crafted from estate-owned vineyards in the Montagne de Reims, including Rilly-la-Montagne, Chigny-les-Roses, and Ludes. Blend composition; predominantly Pinot Noir, supported by Chardonnay and a smaller proportion of Pinot Meunier, with a measured addition of still red Pinot Noir wine to achieve its delicate rosé hue. Produced in small batches, this cuvée emphasizes finesse, purity, and subtlety rather than power.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh wild strawberry, raspberry, and red cherry glide out gently, followed by rose petal, citrus zest, and faint brioche notes. The fruit profile is precise and lifted, with a quiet chalky undertone and restrained pastry character.

Mouthfeel
Exceptionally delicate and refined. The mousse is fine and silky, with bright acidity carrying the wine effortlessly across the palate. Light-bodied for Champagne, elegant and poised, finishing clean and graceful without weight or richness.

Food Pairings
Tuna tartare, salmon sashimi, shellfish, light charcuterie, soft cheeses, or as an elegant aperitif in good company.

Verdict
Not my preferred Champagne style, but undeniably well executed. Subtle, polished, and extremely delicate, this Rosé delivers finesse over intensity and proves its quality through balance and restraint.

Did You Know?
Armand de Brignac Rosé is assembled using multiple vintages and finished with the traditional Champagne method, with each bottle completed by hand, a rarity among luxury Champagne brands.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A memorable experience enjoyed with friends, especially alongside the Gold Brut from the same house, a beautiful contrast of delicacy versus depth. — 2 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.7

Byo dinner john k — 21 days ago

Conrad Green

9.6

A fantastically complex and profound nose. Dark gnarly fruit, some black cherry and complex herbal notes. Lovely fruit and getting better by the minute in the glass. Glorious as always. — 2 months ago

with Matt

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Quite a deep colour , deep garnet , with a medium wide garnet rim . Needs time to open , quite discreet but quite deep and dark on the nose , with some blackberry tinged , liquorice , dark cherry , earthy sous bois . This opens up after a while to show more floral influences, lighter , redder fruits . On the palate this is quite dense , with a blackberry , dark cherry hint , earthy , mineral with quite grippy tannins . Good volume and density . Balanced acidity and earthy , mineral tinged finish. This needs time and improved quite a lot with air but really needs a few more years in the cellar , maybe come back in 5 years and will last well at least another 10. Promising . — 18 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Pair of 12’s with the Rousseau showing more finesse & floral than the Roumier that will need more time — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Enjoyed a splash of another quality 2022.

Viscous. Lemon, lime, green apple, tropicals, kiwi, honeysuckle, light caramel, vanilla notes, beautiful soft chalkiness-limestone, volcanics, yellow and white flowers, excellent acidity with an elegant, balanced, round finish that lasts a full minute.

@EK148 — 2 months ago

Zack McDonald

8.9

BourGone Girl — 4 months ago

with Zorica