This award winning Champagne is the epitome of the Castelnau Style.

Tasting Notes

To savor this Brut champagne is to embrace the refined, vibrant character of, complemented by a core of luscious yellow-stone fruits and the rich, full flavor of Pinot Noir. Crafted from a blend of wines from the current harvest and 30% reserve wines, this champagne, with its toasty nuances, exudes depth and generosity.

Production

Aged for a minimum five yearsi n the cellars, this champagne is the legacy of decades of skill and passion. It celebrates the rich diversity of terroirs, from which Chardonnay, the majority grape in the blend, is sourced, to impart its full freshness, depth of flavour and length.

Producer

Champagne Castelnau is located in the heart of Reims, and represents the very essence of the region. With 809 hectares of vineyards across 150 crus, a unique grape growers’ collective guarantees exceptional supply and consistently outstanding Champagne.

The House’s flagship champagne, Brut NV, (formally named ‘Brut Réserve’), showcases the prolonged ageing that defines the signature Castelnau style. This deliberate choice was introduced many years ago, in the pursuit of complex, feather-light champagne that would stand apart from the rest.  Aged for a minimum 5 years in the cellars, this champagne is the legacy of decades of skill and passion. It celebrates the rich diversity of terroirs, from which Chardonnay, the majority grape in the blend, is sourced, to impart its full freshness, depth and length.

Our Cellar Master, Carine Bailleul crafts our stylish wines and her talents have been widely acknowledged. In 2021, Carine was shortlisted for the IWC ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ award, and Champagne Castelnau has for the last two years been recognised within Drinks International’s annual list of the ‘World’s Most Admired Champagne Brands’.

Champagne Castelnau’s stunning new packaging design, with beautiful premium textured labels, provides a strong brand identity with unique features and highest quality Champagne cues.  Luxurious, glamorous, classic and traditional, the new design perfectly reflects the brand’s superior product credentials.

Specifications

This stunning wine is produced from 35+ year old Chardonnay vines, an impressive wine that will surprise many!

Tasting Notes 

Delightful toast and citrus notes with some exotic tinges lead into a serious wine with high mineral tension, full fruit in the middle and a very fine and persistent bead. 

Production Method

This stunning wine is produced from 35+ year old Chardonnay vines in the Chablis appellation using the Méthode Ancestrale meaning that the alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats and bottled before aging with the CO2 necessary for the long haul already in the bottle.
Aged on its lees for 36 months, it is then disgorged with no added sugar.
821 refers to the minimum total number of days necessary to produce this wine from the beginning of the growing season to the moment the bottle leaves the cellar.

Producer

Laroche is a famous name in Chablis, with family history dating as far back as 1695. Michel Laroche is the patriarch of the family and after decades as the director of Domaine Laroche, he decided in 2010 to sell his stake in the business and set up a smaller domaine, named after his father Henri. Michel had been leasing his private vineyards to the Laroche brand for many years and these vineyards now form the core of the D’Henri range, including the 1er Cru Fourchaume vineyard where the oldest parcel was planted in 1937.The domaine follows organic practices and they have undertaken studies of their vineyards with the help of renowned soil specialist Claude Bourguignon, adapting techniques to different soils to help fully express the qualities of each site. Any new plantings are done using cuttings from the oldest vines in Fourchaume. Vinification is done on a parcel by parcel basis and with minimal intervention, the focus being on expressing the aromatic intensity of each parcel. The grapes are carefully whole-bunch pressed and fermented in stainless steel, followed by long lees ageing. Michel is a fan of freshness with only some of the wines undergoing partial malolactic fermentation, while oak is used sparingly and more as a seasoning. The result is a creamy, round and savoury style with tension and chalky minerality running through.

Specifications

 Château Bonnet is one of Bordeaux's consistently reliable wines. Vignobles André Lurton are committed to making wines that are both full-bodied and balanced, like this Reserve cuvee, which typifies classic Bordeaux. Its faultless pedigree is revealed in its elegant balance, depth and charm.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Deep ruby-red colour.

Nose

The nose is intense, dominated by aromas of black fruit (blackberry, blackcurrant), mingled with delicious chocolate notes.

Palate

The attack is very supple. Round and fresh on the palate. Delightful notes of black fruit accompany us throughout the tasting. This is a well-balanced, easy-drinking wine. The finish has a lovely tannic structure that melts perfectly

Production

Specifications

A superb Châteuneuf-du-Pape from vines in their prime.

Tasting Notes

Intense and inky dark, with a concentrated, rich and complex nose of kirsch, bay and graphite. Very full bodied and weighty with some evident tannins, and there's a brooding power from such low yields. Despite its heft, the old vines provide great complexity and interest and we are left with a lovely juicy finish.

Production Method

Alex Favier inherited 37 different blocks of vineyards from his mother, Marie-Paule Sabon, comprising 50 hectares in total, making Domaine Chante Cigale one of the larger domaines of this most famous of French appellations. The terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is made up of three different soil types and those domaines with vines on all three consequentially gain in complexity For his reds, Alex has a typically large palette of varieties but his ‘old vine’ cuvée uses only Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre as these are his oldest vines and they provide the wine with great intensity and longevity. The vines for this bottling are over 65 years old, some as old as 100, and they are some of the oldest vines to be found on the plateau de Carbières (close to Château Montredon).The yield of these ‘Vieilles Vignes’ is very, very low indeed; the oldest vines may only yield a miniscule 15hl/ha, most others around 22-23 hl/ha, bringing the average to around 20hl/ha. Harvesting is by hand, with selective sorting of the grapes. Alex learned about viticulture and vinification from his father and took over from him whilst finishing his last year at school in 1999; eventually taking full control of the domaine in 2002. Each variety is vinified separately and undergoes an 18-24 day fermentation and a 32-36 day maceration period. Malolactic fermentation and ageing takes place in a combination of new oak barriques and concrete vats. Alex no longer uses the traditional larger casks known as ‘foudres’ for his Vieilles Vignes.

Producer

Domaine Chante Cigale is located within the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has been owned by the Sabon Favier family for several generations. Consisting of 41 hectares, the domaine benefits from old vines, some of which are veritably ancient at over 100 years old. Alexandre Favier took over from his father, Christian, and is part of a new wave of producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, combining modern technical expertise with time-honoured winemaking practices.

Alexandre is lauded by notable journalists including Steve Danzier and Jancis Robinson for his deftly-made and reasonably-priced wines. Domaine Chante Cigale has also built a reputation for specialising in white wines, of which they produce more than any other estate in the appellation.

A note on Sustainability

As you might expect from someone born and raised on an estate named after singing cicadas, Alexandre Favier keenly promotes the biodiversity of his vineyards. He is very conscious of his role as guardian of his land for future generations and Chante Cigale is currently in conversion to full organic status.

Specifications

A well-balanced elegant white Burgundy

Tasting Notes

This appellation is often overlooked, a crime! An intense mineral and citrus character with strong hints of complex nutty, buttery flavours. Very well balanced with crisp acidity and good texture, this is a concentrated yet elegant wine.

Production

The Fuissé region in the south of Burgundy is 250-300 metres above sea level. The soil there is predominatly argilo-calcareous. At Fussiacus the average vine age is 25 years so that the plants are in balance and at their peak of production. The techniques are those of organic farming albeit not certified. The harvest here is by hand.

This Pouilly Fuissé is produced in the traditional Burgundy style, with entirely manual grape harvesting. The grapes are gently pressed using a pneumatic press. The must is then fermented in French oak "Foudres" of 25 hectolitres using only natural yeast. The wine goes through malolactic fermentation in oak and is matured for a further 9 months.

Producer

Jean-Paul Paquet began to work the vines of Les Vieux Murs in 1978.

The Chardonnay grape thrives on the limestone and clay soils of the Mâconnais vineyards of Burgundy. At Domaine Les Vieux Murs the 30 to 50 year old vines are in perfect balance to produce fruit of optimum ripeness. Jean-Paul has now been joined by his son Yannick in the family business. Yannick has travelled widely to broaden his knowledge and is quickly earning himself a great reputation.

Specifications

 Thanks to expressive fruit – but without excessive concentration – Château Bonnet's red wine is unquestionably charming. In fact, it is a benchmark in Bordeaux. The wine is best enjoyed on the young side, although the quality tannin ensures good ageing for several year. With its fresh red cherry notes, this wine makes a great pairing for grilled meats and cheese platters.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Deep ruby-red color scattered with purple highlights. 

Nose

The nose is very attractive and fruity, revealing a delicious array of fresh fruit notes (cherry), underpinned by subtle hints of spice.

Palate

This beautiful Bonnet starts out straightforward on the palate, becoming very round, delicious and sweet. Fresh red fruit aromas (cherry) follow through to the palate.

Production

Grapes come from clay-limestone hilltop vineyards of Grézillac in the Entre-deux-Mers. Aged 12 months in 20% new oak barrels.

Specifications

The 2018 Patriarche Mâcon-Lugny is a fresh, elegant white Burgundy.

Tasting Notes

Golden color green reflections and a pleasant brightness. Aromas of honey and dried fruits, notably free of woody nuances. Harmonious on the palate—ample, elegant with notable freshness and honey notes. The finish is long, marked by delightful minerality.

Production

Traditional vinification involves soft pressing the Chardonnay. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks to ensure the wine retains freshness and fruitiness. After racking post-fermentation, the wine is further aged in stainless steel tanks to maintain its freshness, minerality, and fruit character. The 2018 vintage is regarded as exceptional offering both substantial volume and outstanding quality. It was the warmest year of the 21 century, ranking in after 2003.cipitation levels were slightly lower while winter was wet, and summer were dry, with occasional localized storms providing beneficial rainfall. Following the very low of 2016 and 2017, the vines regained vigor, and the favorable weather conditions supported the production of abundant grape bunch.

Producer

The harvest comes from the town of Lugny, situated on a 105-hectare plateau composed of clay-limestone soil. This area faces south-southeast, optimal sun exposure. The vines, averaging over 40 years in age, are predominantly Chardonnay, specifically the « muscatés » variety, which imparts a distinctive character to the wine.

Specifications

Fresh, vibrant fruit! The Chevalier immediately presents a captivating expression of the Estate. It embodies all the charm and silkiness one would anticipate from a great Margaux. The tannins are structured yet supple, making it delightful to enjoy young or after a few years of aging in the cellar for the discerning enthusiast.

Tasting Notes 

Expect ripe black cherry, plum, and red currant on the nose, layered with hints of spice, chocolate, and tobacco. The palate is rich and velvety, with a generous fruit core and supple tannins. There's a touch of oak spice and floral lift, and the finish is smooth, with lingering notes of dark berries and a whisper of cedar.

Production

From September 19th to October 16th.   Hand harvesting in several passes, according to the level of maturity of the plots. Meticulous sorting in 
the vines and in the vatroom. Gentle vinification by infusion. Cold maceration. 
Maceration period from 30 to 35 days decided by 
daily tastings. Aged in barrels and casks

Producer

The producer of Chevalier de Lascombes Margaux is Château Lascombes, a historic Second Growth estate located in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux. The wine is crafted as the château’s second label, offering a more approachable expression of the estate’s terroir while maintaining the elegance and structure typical of Margaux wines.

Château Lascombes itself dates back to the 17th century and is currently owned by Lawrence Family Wine Estates, with Axel Heinz—formerly of Ornellaia and Masseto—at the helm as CEO and winemake

Specifications

Make no mistake, we are in world class territory. Robert Parker compared the sweet wines of Tirecul as the most notable sweet wines from anywhere in the world.

Tasting Notes

Intense richness and bright acidity. Driven by orange peel marmalade and saffron aromatics.

Production

No one’s really sure why concentration comes from older vines, but here it is in evidence. 175g/l

Producer

Robert Parker compared the sweet wines of Tirecul as the most notable sweet wines from anywhere in the world. A lot is written about terroir, soil and microclimates. You often question how much of it is true, how do people know exactly why the wines work out the way they do? At Tirecul however, you can really see it in front of you. There aren’t many estates where you can see all the vineyard in one block. At the bottom of the hill it is too open, and the top of the hill it is too windy. It’s only in two little pockets that the fog sits to create the conditions for some truly phenomenal botrytis wines. It’s a bit of a Goldilocks site, all the quirks of nature are ‘just right’ (I haven’t tried any Tirecul in my porridge, but I am going to now).

90% of the 9ha vineyard is planted with an even split between Semillon and Muscadelle, the latter is a fascinating variety, often in the background but it can be the real star of the show. The balance is Sauvignon Blanc and the recently allowed Chenin. The exact blend of the sweet wines is unknown because the grapes are picked when they are showing the best elements of botrytis and fermented together. Bruno Bilancini has run the estate since the early 1990s, in the last few years has also produced very good dry white and red which are showing real promise.

Sustainability

Bruno Bilancini took over the estate in 1992, and has treated the environment with utmost respect since then. It was in 2009 that Chateau Tirecul started to convert to organics, with all wines beyond 2012 being certified as well as vegan.

Specifications

A distinctive wine has recently enjoyed a revival in popularity, while always remaining a cherished choice among connoisseurs.

Tasting Notes

A nice blend of citrus fruit and minerality with a very light touch of toasty oak.

Production

Manual harvest, pressing of the whole grapes, ageing for 12 months in oak barrels with stirring the lees and topping up of the barrels to prevent oxiadtion. About 5-10% of the oak is new.

Producer

Jean Berthet-Bondet has been working his land since 1984.

With a humble 15 hectares of 30 year old vines, this estate may well be small but it is steeped in history and heritage. Half of Jean's land is in the Château Chalon appellation which is home to the Savagnin grape, renowned for making the revered Vin Jaune. A unique wine that has seen a resurgence of popularity in recent years, but has always been appreciated by the knowledgeable few.

Specifications

From one of Burgundy's finest estates.

Tasting Notes

Fruit from 30 year old vines gives the wine impressive weight and concentration. Rich and intense with attractive peachy fruit and a long, persistent citrus backbone.

Producer

Following the construction of a new winery, the whites are now fermented and aged in separate cellars which has temperature control to allow for greater precision in the vinification and élevage.

The wine undergoes a cool fermentation and ages for just under a year in 225-litre oak barrels, of which 25% are new, incorporating a small proportion of new oak.

Oak Ageing:- Duration: 6 Month - Barrel Size: 225 Litres- Percentage of Wine Oaked: 100%- Percentage of New Oak: 25%

Producer

Around five centuries ago, Jean Girard began cultivating vines in Savigny-Les-Beaune. Seven generations later, Jean-Jacques Girard created his own estate to carry on the family tradition. In 2008, his son Vincent joined him on the farm.

Today, the family farm covers some 15 hectares. It produces around 100,000 bottles a year. Its agriculture is based on a deep respect for the terroir and the environment. To make these wines, she combines traditional know-how with new technologies.

Specifications

Nuanced and Graceful

Tasting Notes

Réserve Exclusive Rosé is a delicately nuanced Champagne literally bursting with red summer fruit flavours. A delicious cavalcade of redcurrant, blueberry and raspberry notes, combined with a hint of Gariguette strawberries.

From within its refined and vibrant structure, its clean flavours are extremely delicate and nuanced.

The Réserve Exclusive Rosé is a refreshing and exuberant Champagne offering fresh, light fragrances, and just perfect for summer drinking.

Elaboration

Aged for 2 - 3 years in the cellars.

The freshness and structure of this Champagne blend combine to perfection with the expressive fruit of the red wine making up 16% of the blend.

The Chief Winemaker adapts dosage levels to each Champagne in order to enhance its flavours and aromas. The choice of reserve wine is crucial and takes into consideration a whole range of factors, including the proportion of cru wines, year of harvest, grape varieties, and vinification and ageing methods, in order to guarantee the intrinsic style of each Champagne.

Blend

A harmonious blend of 10% Chardonnay imparting elegance and finesse, 45% Pinot Noir for roundness and structure and 45% Meunier for fruitiness and soft, supple character.

Medals & Accolades

• Gold Medal - Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2022

• Silver Medal - Rosé Masters 2022, Champagne Masters 2022, Decanter World Wine Awards 2022
• 92/100- Wine Spectator November 2022, James Suckling Tasting June 2022
• 15.5/20 - Gault & Millau - Guide des Champagnes 2023

Specifications

Bright & Gourmet

Tasting Notes

Colour

Attractive pale gold and extremely bright, in perfect harmony with the effervescence. A lively stream of exquisitely delicate bubbles in the glass.

Nose

Exquisite primary pastry aromas of brioche and custard. As the wine begins to breathe, new, floral, spicy aromas come to the fore, reminiscent of magnolia and star of anise.

Palate

Initially generous, fresh and thirst-quenching, underpinned by citrus notes of kumquat, accompanied by wisps of hazelnut and even liquorice. Elegant on the finish, with stunning, delicately tangy length recalling Granny Smith apples and pink grapefruit.

The 2017 Vintage

To describe the weather conditions for the 2017 vintage as chaotic would be an understatement. The season began amid icy conditions with the vines covered in frost, recording 24 days of frost 10cm above the ground in January alone.

After a relatively mild start to spring, bone-chilling Polar air hit France mid-April, causing significant, frost across the greater part of its vineyards, in places to devastating effect, particularly in Aube, Aisne and Haute Marne.

By mid-May the situation in the region completely turned around, with heatwave conditions setting in for two months, and temperatures in places nudging 35°C in the shade!

The weather took another dramatic turn in mid-July, with the arrival of rain and frequent storms, sometimes accompanied by hail, prompting the first signs of Botrytis. In August, the Champagne region faced subtropical conditions.

The harvest was early, and shrouded in wet weather, forcing growers to ruthlessly sort the grapes on the vine, and remain constantly on guard. The Chardonnays were less affected given their greater resistance to excess rainfall, and are a total stand-out.

Elaboration

Vinified in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks.

Aged at least 5 years in the cellars. The Chief Winemaker adapts dosage levels to each champagne in order to enhance flavours and aromas. The selection process while selecting the blend is paramount and takes a whole range of factors into consideration, including the proportion of cru wines, harvest year, grape varieties and vinification and ageing methods, in order to preserve the intrinsic style of each cuvée.

Blend

100% Chardonnay

Collection Vintage 2017 Blanc de Blancs, is 100% pure chardonnay, the white grape variety of the Champagne Appellation, and more than lives up to its name. It reflects the remarkable character of the vintage, having more than proved its resistance and resilience faced with the many uncertainties experienced in the Champagne vineyards in 2017.

Chardonnay grapes are sourced from the prestigious premier and grand cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, and more generous Chardonnay from the Vallée de la Marne, not forgetting the crus from Sézannais and Vitryat. It is a fresh, exquisite wine.

Alan's Personal Tasting Note

"I guessed that Nicolas Feuillatte had access to some quality fruit and cuvées from tasting the silkiness of the blue label reserve collection but this is different level, Wow, wow, wow. Beautiful fruit characters from the solid Chardonnay and the yeasty, toasty, brioche flavours from the long ageing make this an absolute stoater! It’s got the balance, complexity, length and flavour of champagnes more than twice the price you pay for this. Simply outstanding." 7th November 2024

Specifications