Vin d’Ottawa

8.9

Gentle bubbles, dry restrained marzipan — 2 months ago

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 months ago

Jeff Christner

9.4

Just about perfect w/oysters in San Diego! — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 2012 J. Lassalle Special Club is made from 60% Pinot Noir & 40% Chardonnay. The vines average 50 yrs old. Hails from Chigny-Les-Roses. Winemakers Chantal Decelle-Lassalle and Angéline Templier farm using the practice of Lutte Raisonnée, which means they fall just short of organic. Sustainable but use minimal chemicals. Rain during and at the end of the season when Mother Nature doesn’t dry the grape clusters, chemicals are often necessary to prevent mold. This isn’t Sauternes!

Texturally, it is quite nice. Beautiful fine mousse and micro oxygenation. Lively but not aggressive acidity.

Green & golden apples, pear, pineapple, lime/lemon with zest, orange citrus blend, green melon & kiwi. White spice, bread dough, nougat, limestone bits, thick chalky powder, graham cracker crust, melted caramel, vanillin, saline, sea fossils, understated herbaceous notes, fruit blossoms, spring flowers with an elegant, smartly polished, well balanced, nicely structured-crafted finish that lasts 90 seconds & lands on volcanics & spice on the long set.

You could make case for 94 here. Perhaps fully with a few more yrs of bottle age.

Pairs well with the Jasper Hill Farms Limited Edition of their Champagne washed Harbison soft white. — 2 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.4

All 2020 grapes. Equal parts CH/PN/PM.
Deg. 161224
Beautiful wine! — 2 months ago

Alan Weinberg

9.2

Showing great. Really an under the wire super bubbly. — 4 months ago

Jason Keefer

9.4

Classic! BRight fruit (strawberry), crisp acidity, perfect for summer (and sushi)! — 7 months ago

with Natasha

Brandon Boesch

9.0

So tart! Interesting flavors with champagne like influence. Unique experience, but not my favorite. — 2 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 months ago

Conrad Green

9.1

Bright cherry and roses. Fresh and poised and delicious. Very good — 5 months ago

with Matt and David