Champagne
Champagne, the epitome of elegance and celebration, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of sparkling wines. As one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world, Champagne has captured the hearts of wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs with its exceptional quality, refined craftsmanship, and iconic vineyards.
Historically, Champagne has been dominated by some world-acclaimed Champagne House, which source grapes and harvest from Champagne growers. These famous Grandes Marques include Louis Roederer (Cristal), Dom Pérignon, Krug, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Bollinger, all of them are revered for their notable names that display unrivalled winemaking prestige and pedigree.
In the recent decade, the emerging Grower Champagne trend in Champagne is shaking up the industry by challenging the dominance of the big Champagne houses. These small-scale producers, also known as "Récoltant-Manipulant" or RM, grow their own grapes and produce their own Champagne, showcasing the unique terroir and character of their vineyards. Jacques Selosse, Ulysse Collin, and Champagne Vilmart & Cie are among the most prominent names in this trend, producing some truly artisanal and terroir-driven Champagnes.
Champagne is primarily made from three main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. These grapes are carefully selected and blended to create a harmonious and complex flavour profile. Chardonnay contributes elegance, freshness, and finesse, while Pinot Noir adds structure, depth, and fruitiness. Pinot Meunier brings a touch of roundness and vibrancy to the blend.
The region of Champagne is divided into several distinct sub-regions, including Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and Vallée de la Marne. Each sub-region has its unique terroir, characterized by variations in soil composition and microclimates, which influence the style and character of the wines produced.
Champagne offers various styles, from non-vintage blends to vintage cuvées and prestigious prestige cuvées. While Non-vintage Champagnes typically epitomise the house style, the vintage Champagnes are made from grapes harvested in one particular year (top vintages such as 1996, 2002, 2008 etc), in which these wines showcase the unique characteristics of the specific vintage.
The prestige cuvées, often the flagship wines of the renowned Champagne houses, are the pinnacle of excellence. These exceptional Champagnes are created using the finest grapes, the most meticulous winemaking techniques and often benefit from extended ageing to achieve unparalleled complexity and finesse.
Champagne is synonymous with celebration, elegance, and luxury. Its effervescent charm and timeless appeal have made it the drink of choice for countless special occasions and memorable moments. With its rich history, iconic vineyards, and unrivalled quality, Champagne continues to captivate wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
Champagne
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Vinous - Neal Martin (95)
The Les Roises from Ulysse Collin, based on the 2013 vintage, testifies to why this producer has such a devout following. Apple crumble, grilled hazelnut and lemon verbena emerge on the nose that has beautiful definition and real intensity. It gains volume in the glass and shimmers with delight. The palate has a soupçon of reduction on the entry that merely lends tension, effortlessly counterbalancing the power of this champagne. There is a lovely edge and nervosité on the finish that urges you back for another sip. What a brilliant sparkling start to the evening.HK$5,195.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The most refined of these new releases, the NV (2008) Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Maillons wrap around the palate with endless layers of sensual fruit. Sweet red berries, flowers and subtle spices waft from the glass, but the Maillons is all about weightless, crystalline purity, tension and grace. From a purely textural standpoint, the Maillons stands apart for the finesse of its mousse and its exceptional overall harmony. Readers who can find the Maillons should not hesitate, it is insanely beautiful.HK$10,585.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The most refined of these new releases, the NV (2008) Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Maillons wrap around the palate with endless layers of sensual fruit. Sweet red berries, flowers and subtle spices waft from the glass, but the Maillons is all about weightless, crystalline purity, tension and grace. From a purely textural standpoint, the Maillons stands apart for the finesse of its mousse and its exceptional overall harmony. Readers who can find the Maillons should not hesitate, it is insanely beautiful.HK$3,005.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The most refined of these new releases, the NV (2008) Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Maillons wrap around the palate with endless layers of sensual fruit. Sweet red berries, flowers and subtle spices waft from the glass, but the Maillons is all about weightless, crystalline purity, tension and grace. From a purely textural standpoint, the Maillons stands apart for the finesse of its mousse and its exceptional overall harmony. Readers who can find the Maillons should not hesitate, it is insanely beautiful.HK$7,555.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Disgorged in March 2020 with 2.4 grams dosage, the NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Enfers (2014) 60 months is based on the 2014 vintage. Indeed, it's the same tirage that was released last year after 48 months on lees, but its additional year sur lattes has transformed it into an altogether different wine, one that attains new levels of texture, sapid nuance and quite simply excitement. Unwinding in the glass with scents of freshly baked bread, honeyed pears, pomelo, blanched almonds, praline and white flowers, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with a textural attack segueing into a deep and concentrated mid-palate that's pure and precise, girdled by racy acids and complemented by an elegantly pillowy mousse, concluding with a long, intensely mineral finish. It is testimony to Olivier Collin's immense ambition and relentless work ethic that he has achieved such results not in the celebrated terroirs of the Côte de Blancs or the Montagne de Reims, but rather in the little-known Val du Petit Morin, and in the process, he is expanding the parameters of the possible in Champagne.HK$23,210.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
Disgorged after 60 months on the lees, which will now be the standard for this cuvée, Collin's NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Enfers (2016) unwinds in the glass with complex aromas of crisp Anjou pear and stone fruits mingled with pastry cream, toasted almonds and white flowers. Full-bodied, satiny and seamless, it's deep and complete, with racy acids, terrific texture and unerring precision. While my allegiance varies between Les Enfers and Les Roises, depending on the year and the disgorgement, in 2016 it's impossible to choose: both wines are benchmarks for contemporary Champagne.HK$37,980.00 -
HK$16,495.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
Among the strongest releases of this cuvée, the NV Blanc de Noirs Les Maillons (2016 base), built on the 2016 vintage and incorporating a notable proportion of reserve wines—mostly from 2015—is particularly compelling. Disgorged in March 2020 with a dosage of 2.4 grams per liter, it emerges from the glass with aromas of mirabelle plum, almond paste and apricot mingled with mandarin and freshly baked bread. Medium- to full-bodied and elegantly muscular, the palate is structured around a deep, concentrated core of fruit and racy acidity, concluding with a long, persistent finish. One of the most elegant and precise renditions of Les Maillons to date, it stylistically recalls the superb 2013-based release that forever changed how this estate is perceived.HK$19,725.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
Disgorged this year after 36 months in tirage, the NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Maillons (2018) is based on the 2018 vintage, incorporating fully 60% reserve wines from the 2017 vintage. Opening in the glass with scents of sweet mirabelle plum, honeycomb, orange oil, bee pollen and spices, it's full-bodied fleshy and seamless, with a satiny attack that segues into a vinous, enveloping mid-palate that's complemented by a fine, pillowy mousse. Concluding with a sapid, penetrating finish, 2018 was the first vintage in which Collin employed his new Coquard press, and it doesn't seem fanciful to imagine that this contributes to the notable finesse of this release.HK$8,635.00 -
Vinous (96)
The NV Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée Les Maillons (2016 base) is fabulous. Rich and expansive, with soaring aromatics, the Maillons is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. The purity and intensity of the Pinot is so striking. Rich and dense, yet also wonderfully gracious, the Maillons is a total knock-out. It is a wine with tremendous personality and character. I loved it. Disgorged: March 1, 2020.HK$5,075.00 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
Disgorged with 1.7 grams per liter dosage after 48 months sur lattes, Collin's NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Pierrières (2016) 48 months bursts with aromas of green apple, blanched almonds, confit citrus and pastry cream. Full-bodied, layered and muscular, it's deep and concentrated, with racy acids and this site's telltale chiseled, incisive profile; it's long and penetrating, concluding with chalky grip. With this late-disgorged version, Les Pierrières takes another step.HK$20,535.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Collin's NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Roises (2015) 60 months is an arresting, thrilling wine that bursts with aromas of peach, confit lemon, mandarin oil, buttery pastry, almonds and white flowers. Full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with huge concentration and mid-palate amplitude, it's vibrant and precise, with a pillowy mousse and an immensely long and intensely saline finish. Despite my best intentions, as soon as I tasted this Les Roises, I knew that my self-imposed embargo on any further 100-point scores for Champagne in 2021 would have to be broken. And the frightening thing is that Collin shows no signs of relenting in his quest to expand the parameters of the possible in Champagne! While bottles of this tiny disgorgement won't be easy to find, anyone eager to taste one of the region's contemporary benchmarks should make every effort to seek one out.HK$23,210.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
Disgorged this year after 60 months on the lees, the NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Roises (2016) is brilliant, offering up complex aromas of confit orange, peach, citrus blossom, nutmeg and freshly baked bread, followed by a full-bodied, satiny and layered palate that's broader and more textural than Les Enfers, its deep core of fruit underpinned by racy acids and chalky structure. As I remarked on the wine's palpable levels of dry extract, Collin observed that due to the smaller size of the grapes Les Roises produces (due to fan leaf virus, or court-noué), he's obliged to press harder to liberate the juice, delivering simultaneously more dry extract and a slightly higher pH than adjacent Les Enfers. In addition to the supplemental concentration those smaller berries provide, this surely helps to explain some of the wine's texture and body.HK$37,980.00 -
Indulge in the exquisite Valentin Leflaive 16 40 Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Grand Cru Avize NV, a remarkable Champagne of the highest order. Crafted by renowned producer Valentin Leflaive, this Chardonnay-only blend originates from the esteemed Avize Grand Cru vineyards, nestled in the heart of France's Champagne region. Infused with a delicate balance of depth and vivacity, this vintage reflects the essence of its chalky terroir perfectly. Ravishing notes of ripe pear, fresh apple and subtleties of toasted almond waft from the glass, hinting at the wine's awe-inspiring complexity. On the palate, it's strikingly vibrant with an elegant dance of creamy brioche undertones, zesty citrus compounds and a tantalisingly crisp, clean finish. Meticulously made using traditional methods, this Extra Brut carries a gracefully attenuated sweetness, ensuring a profound tasting experience. The Valentin Leflaive 16 40 Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Grand Cru Avize NV is a treasure to uncover for any discerning wine devotee.
HK$3,490.00 -
(6x75cl) NVVinous (93)
The NV Brut Grand Cru is 100% Chardonnay from Avize, Oger and Cramant. Bright and sizzling in the glass, the Grand Cru captures the essence of the Côtes des Blancs in its chiseled personality. Citrus, floral, slate and mineral notes lend vibrancy throughout. The 10 grams of dosage are not at all evident. Impressive. Disgorged: May 10, 2021.HK$2,690.00 -
Vinous (94)
The NV Extra-Brut Cuvée de Jean Fannière Origine is 100% Chardonnay, vintages 2015 and 2014 from the 50 year-old vines in Chemin de Châlons, one of the most highly regarded sites in Cramant. Rich and ample, the Origine possesses superb depth and resonance that build with time in the glass. The flavors are so remarkably pure. In the glass, the Origine is bold and enveloping to its core, not to mention a Champagne of gravitas ad character. Apricot, tangerine oil, smoke, almond, sage and chamomile linger on the substantial close. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: July 7, 2017.HK$3,215.00 -
(6x75cl) NVVinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The NV Brut Rosé is gorgeous. Bright and energetic, with tons of underlying energy, the Rosé is stellar and also a highlight in this lineup. Lifted aromatics and sculpted fruit add character to this airy, gracious Champagne. The Varnier-Fannière Rosé is built on the Brut Grand Cru, with 20% still red Pinot. The 10 grams of dosage works quite well here. Disgorged: October 18, 2017.HK$3,020.00 -
Hailing from the celebrated Oger terroir of Champagne, France, the Vauversin Rossignol Grand Cru 2016 is one to savour. Crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes, this wonderfully balanced Chardonnay Grand Cru is delight for true connoisseurs. Its maker, the distinguished Vauversin family, employ meticulous traditional methods for an exquisite production. For three generations, the Vauversins have maintained an unwavering commitment to quality, manipulating lees with utmost care to infuse the wine with a remarkable maturity.
The Vauversin Rossignol Grand Cru 2016 embodies excellence with an enticing golden hue and sparkles of brilliant green. A nose replete with floral and citrus nuances gives way to an elegant palate, presenting crisp apple and lemon zest with a delicately creamy finish. This is a testament to the finer intricacies of winemaking, a vintage that decants the Vauversin pedigree into every glass. For an indelible journey into the world of fine wine, the Vauversin Rossignol Grand Cru 2016 marks the route.
HK$1,710.00 -
Veuve A Devaux Rose D Devaux NV exemplifies the pinnacle of fine rosé craftsmanship. Hailing from the esteemed vineyards of Champagne, this exquisite non-vintage blend is meticulously crafted using the traditional méthode champenoise. The selection of premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes ensures a harmonious balance of richness and elegance. Fermented in stainless steel vats, Veuve A Devaux Rose D Devaux NV undergoes extended aging on its lees, imparting complex aromas of red berries, delicate floral notes, and subtle hints of brioche. The Maison Veuve A Devaux, renowned for its unwavering dedication to quality, employs sustainable viticultural practices, reflecting their commitment to both excellence and environmental stewardship. Each bottle is elegantly presented, revealing a stunning pale pink hue with fine, persistent bubbles. Perfectly suited to complement a variety of gourmet dishes, Veuve A Devaux Rose D Devaux NV offers a refined sensory experience that discerning connoisseurs will truly appreciate.
HK$3,020.00 -
HK$4,695.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2008 La Grande Dame Rosé is a very pretty wine. Not surprisingly, the 2008 is starting to show signs of age, not in a negative way per se, but there is also little doubt that time seems to bring out the natural vinous intensity and gamey character of Pinot Noir. The 2008 is like a teenager going through adolescence. I had had the privilege of tasting La Grande Dame Rosé going back many decades. Those experiences left me with the strong impression that the Rosé is best enjoyed either relatively young or quite old, as the wine can be something of a moving target in between those two distinct phases.HK$15,015.00 -
(2x75cl) 1995Vinous (92+)
Deep but youthfully unevolved aromas of toffee apple, lemon and mint. Penetrating, rich and thick, with a deep, yeasty, baked bread component. At once brisk and seamless but brooding more than expressive today. Finishes long, dry and backward. This may ultimately merit a score in the mid-90s.HK$5,455.00 -
(6x75cl) 1995Vinous (92+)
Deep but youthfully unevolved aromas of toffee apple, lemon and mint. Penetrating, rich and thick, with a deep, yeasty, baked bread component. At once brisk and seamless but brooding more than expressive today. Finishes long, dry and backward. This may ultimately merit a score in the mid-90s.HK$14,750.00 -
(1x75cl) 1998Vinous (92+)
Light gold. Rich, smoky aromas of buttery pear, peach and smoked meat, complemented by exotic spice accents and a hint of white flowers; seems livelier on the nose than the deep, rich 1996 version. Weighty citrus and orchard fruit flavors are framed by juicy acids, and come across as a bit youthfully stunted right now. With air a note of poached pear emerged, along with a suggestion of toffeed hazelnut. Give this a few years.HK$1,540.00 -
Vinous (93)
(made from fruit grown in eight different grand crus, mostly Verzenay and Avize; lot 5122815): Vivid gold. Heady aromas of orange, white peach and smoky minerals, with a note of buttered toast adding depth. Densely packed citrus and pit fruit flavors show chewy texture and a bright mineral quality that adds vivacity. Rich but lively and precise, finishing very long, with notes of candied fig and toasty lees.HK$1,605.00 -
(6x75cl) 2006Wine Advocate (94)
The prestigious 2006 La Grande Dame is made from 47% Chardonnay and 53% Pinot Noir, and assembles the fruit of eight grand cru villages. Very intense and complex on the nose, this is a full-bodied, round, rich and mouth-filling, but also refined prestige cuvée; it reveals a fascinating purity, precision and freshness. The finish is long and complex, and shows a spicy minerality. There are coffee beans, bread and toast aromas in the aftertaste. This comes highly recommended.HK$9,185.00 -
Decanter (97)
Now almost blanc de noirs, boasting 92% Pinot Noir and just 8% Chardonnay from 60%-70% estate vineyards. La Grande Dame is one of the most affordable of Champagne’s elite prestige set, and the stunning 2008 vintage was intricately engineered by the masterful Dominique Demarville for the long haul. It unites all of the enduring potential of its thundering grands crus with the tension and energy of this legendary season, colliding high-tensile acidity with deep, fine, powdery chalk minerality, bringing its finish into stark focus.HK$10,100.00 -
Decanter (97)
Now almost blanc de noirs, boasting 92% Pinot Noir and just 8% Chardonnay from 60%-70% estate vineyards. La Grande Dame is one of the most affordable of Champagne’s elite prestige set, and the stunning 2008 vintage was intricately engineered by the masterful Dominique Demarville for the long haul. It unites all of the enduring potential of its thundering grands crus with the tension and energy of this legendary season, colliding high-tensile acidity with deep, fine, powdery chalk minerality, bringing its finish into stark focus.HK$6,805.00 -
Decanter (97)
Now almost blanc de noirs, boasting 92% Pinot Noir and just 8% Chardonnay from 60%-70% estate vineyards. La Grande Dame is one of the most affordable of Champagne’s elite prestige set, and the stunning 2008 vintage was intricately engineered by the masterful Dominique Demarville for the long haul. It unites all of the enduring potential of its thundering grands crus with the tension and energy of this legendary season, colliding high-tensile acidity with deep, fine, powdery chalk minerality, bringing its finish into stark focus.HK$6,490.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (96)
With a slight preponderance of Pinot Noir in the blend, this wine is rich and impressive. It is still young, with a crisp edge that makes the fruit shine. Apple and citrus flavors are integrated into a mineral vein. Drink from 2022.HK$1,375.00
