Wine Advocate (92-93)

The 2023 Vougeot 1er Cru Les Petits Vougeot is lovely, wafting from the glass with aromas of orange zest, rose petals, spices and cherries. Medium to full-bodied, ample and perfumed, it's pure and sensual, concluding with a mineral finish. This is especially strong this year.

Crafted meticulously by the eminent Francis Boulard, the Petraea XCVII-MM NV is a celebration of the Champagne region's heritage. An exclusive blend of various vintages, it is made using traditional biodynamic viticulture methods. Rooted in rich, chalky soils, the exclusively grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes give it its distinctive taste profile.

The wine is aged for at least seven years in oak casks, creating an intense golden colour with enticing aromas of ripe fruits and aromatic spices, underscored by invigorating minerality. The palate is enveloped by robust flavours of orchard fruits, nuts, and brioche, brilliantly balanced by a lively acidity that gives it structure and longevity. From its fine bubbles to its enduring finish, every sip of the Francis Boulard Petraea XCVII-MM NV is a testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship of the Boulard family.

Whether savoured alone or paired with gourmet dishes, it promises an immersive tasting experience.

Crafted meticulously by the eminent Francis Boulard, the Petraea XCVII-MM NV is a celebration of the Champagne region's heritage. An exclusive blend of various vintages, it is made using traditional biodynamic viticulture methods. Rooted in rich, chalky soils, the exclusively grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes give it its distinctive taste profile.

The wine is aged for at least seven years in oak casks, creating an intense golden colour with enticing aromas of ripe fruits and aromatic spices, underscored by invigorating minerality. The palate is enveloped by robust flavours of orchard fruits, nuts, and brioche, brilliantly balanced by a lively acidity that gives it structure and longevity. From its fine bubbles to its enduring finish, every sip of the Francis Boulard Petraea XCVII-MM NV is a testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship of the Boulard family.

Whether savoured alone or paired with gourmet dishes, it promises an immersive tasting experience.

The Francis Boulard Rachais Brut Nature 2012 is a venerable display of an excellent, biodynamically produced Champagne. Crafted meticulously by Francis Boulard, a renowned winemaker whose family has been dedicated to viticulture for over two centuries, this offering encapsulates the essence of Champagne's Massif de Saint-Thierry terroir. This Extra Brut is primarily composed of Pinot Meunier, possessing a remarkably low dosage making it exceptionally crisp and unfiltered.

Certain vintage years, including 2012, are known for their exceptional quality, and Francis Boulard utilises traditional methods to exquisitely express this bounty. The Champagne is fermented in oak barrels and the bottles are manually disgorged. The result is a wine possessing complex aromatic character redolent with green apple, nougat and yuzu notes supported by a vibrant acidity that promises enduring cellaring potential.

A bottle of Francis Boulard Rachais Brut Nature 2012 is a testament to unwavering commitment to organic and biodynamic practices, radiating the brilliance of its maker and the vineyard's exceptional terrain.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2015 Brut Nature Les Rachais (100% Chardonnay) is fabulous. Rich, ample and expansive in feel, the 2015 possesses notable depth from start to finish. Apricot, white truffle, baked apple tart, spice and chamomile all caress the palate. The 2015 feels open-knit and generous, no doubt partly because time has softened some of the contours. Clean mineral notes appear on the finish. Bottled with no dosage.

Vinous (94)

Bright purple. Intense dark fruit preserve and floral scents, along with hints of olive paste, vanilla and exotic spices. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering powerful boysenberry and cassis flavors underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Rich and broad but lively as well, showing excellent clarity and a suave floral nuance on the strikingly long, youthfully tannic finish.

Vinous (92-94)

Deep magenta. Sharply defined red and blue fruit and spice qualities on the nose, along with intense floral, botanical herb and smoky mineral accents. Taut and gently chewy in texture, offering vibrant bitter cherry, cassis and spicecake flavors that deepen through the back half. In a juicy and energetic style, finishing very long and spicy, with polished tannins framing lingering cherry and spice notes. All whole clusters.

Vinous (95-96)

A highly perfumed nose evokes an array of fresh, mineral-accented dark fruits and pungent flowers, along with suggestions of game, licorice and incense. Palate-staining, appealingly sweet, spice-laced cherry, cassis and floral pastille flavors show superb energy and a smoky mineral quality that strengthens with air. Finishes on a youthfully tannic note, with building sweetness and a lingering suggestion of exotic spices.

Vinous (96)

Glistening violet color. A deep bouquet displays mineral-accented dark fruit, floral and spice qualities that are complemented by suggestions of olive paste, licorice and incense. Stains the palate with densely packed blackberry, cherry-cola, candied violet and fruitcake flavors that become livelier as the wine stretches out. Shows superb energy for its depth and finishes extremely long and smoky, with a building mineral note, youthfully gripping tannins and outstanding, spice- and floral-tinged persistence.

Vinous (95-97)

Opaque magenta. Intensely perfumed, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh black and blue fruits, licorice, bacon fat and olive paste, along with a suave floral overtone that builds as the wine opens up. Stains the palate with deeply concentrated but vibrant blackberry, boysenberry, violet pastille and exotic spice flavors, plus a smoky mineral flourish that gains strength through the back half. Chewy tannins shape an extremely long, mineral- and floral-driven finish that shows superb clarity and spicy drive.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2022 Cornas Chaillot is a brilliant showcase of Franck Balthazar’s capabilities. Revealing a dense, complex bouquet of dark wild berries, mulberries, blueberries, spices and flowers, it's full-bodied, dense and ample, seamless and layered with a racy character, capturing the energetic qualities of this prime hillside terroir to perfection and concluding with a long, saline finish. It's the king of the cellar that will improve with time in the cellar.

Proudly presenting the formidable Franck Pascal Harmonie Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut 2011, a pinnacle of elegance and technique from the renowned Champagne region of France. This sophisticated vintage was expertly crafted by vintner Franck Pascal himself, a fervent bio-dynamic practitioner. Being an extra brut, it's intensely dry, yet maintains a compelling energy and vibrancy.

Originating from a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the low-yielding vines on chalky soils impart intense fruit and mineral complexity. The careful handling of the grapes lends a purity and transparency to this wine. Pascal's exceptional skills, combined with meticulous attention to detail, result in richly nuanced flavours with a delicate, silky mousse.

With the Franck Pascal Harmonie Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut 2011, savour the perfect balance of depth and lightness, assured to captivate even the most discerning of palates. Truly a sip reflective of Franck Pascal's unwavering commitment to crafting exceptional biodynamic wines.

An exceptional vintage, Franck Pascal Liberance Brut Nature 2015 hails from the Champagne region of France, meticulously crafted by renown wine artisan, Franck Pascal himself. Embracing organic farming years before many others, he created an unforgettable blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. This sparkling wine, vinified in oak casks, offers tantalising bites of biscuit, pear, and fresh creaminess on the palate.

Meticulous attention to detail characterises Franck Pascal's winemaking approach. Grown on small parcels under biodynamic management, this bubbly was made in minuscule quantities, from grapes scrupulously hand-picked at optimum maturity. Following fermentation, the wine matured 'sur lattes' for an exceptional period, adding depth and complexity to the taste.

As a Brut Nature, the Franck Pascal Liberance Brut Nature 2015 represents the purest expression of its terroir, with no dosage added. This fully expresses the character of its vintage, a natural, striking authenticity that conveys the wine's individuality and the winemaking mastery of Franck Pascal.

Experience the sublime artistry of Franck Pascal Pacifiance Brut Nature NV. This exceptional Champagne, crafted by one of the finest biodynamic producers in the region, embodies an unwavering dedication to quality. Each bottle captures Franck Pascal's meticulous approach to winemaking, with grapes hand-picked from vines meticulously cared for in small vineyards throughout the Vallée de la Marne.

Only the purest wine from the first pressing makes it into the Pacifiance Brut Nature NV, encapsulating the natural beauty, vitality and opulent flavours of the land. This non-vintage blend is expertly balanced with minimal intervention, allowing the character of the Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals to truly shine. The resultant tipple is rich, complex and full-bodied, underpinned by a lively acidity and creamy, long-lasting finish.

Franck Pascal Pacifiance Brut Nature NV is a work of art, presenting the quintessential champagne experience like no other.

Imbued with the riveting sophistication expected of the terroir, the Franck Pascal Quinte Essence Extra Brut 2009 is a unique masterpiece from the house of Franck Pascal. This exceptional biodynamic champagne, hailing from the fabled vineyards of Champagne, France, is crafted with meticulous precision. Franck Pascal, a virtuoso amongst winemakers, painstakingly nurtures each batch with the ethos of respecting nature and biodiversity. Largely Pinot Meunier with judicious blends of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it emanates a rich, complex aroma revealing nuances of ripe apples, almonds and buttery brioche.

The Franck Pascal Quinte Essence Extra Brut 2009 is aged for a generous nine years, lending it an undeniably mature cross-complex tang. Its inherently low dosage ensures it retains an extra brut distinctiveness. On the palate, it is vivacious and ebullient yet strikes a fine balance of acidity and creaminess, leading to a long, satisfying finish. A true labour of love, it embodies the spirit of its creator with deft aplomb.