TOP CHAMPAGNE

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV - 3 $150 ★★★★★

MOST OF US HAVE heard the term ‘Champagne Charlie’, a good time guy – or gal – who enjoys fun and the finer things in life and isn’t worried about the cost. It might surprise you to know that Champagne Charlie was once a real person. Charlescamille Heidsieck, who despite being born into an established and respected Champagne dynasty, decided to forge his own way. He founded Champagne Charles Heidsieck in 1851 when he was 29 years old.

Heidsieck was revered for his audacity and sense of adventure, but also his entrepreneurial spirit and he is credited with introducing Champagne to America. He visited the US in 1852 and immediately saw the potential in this burgeoning market. His instinct was right and it didn’t take long for Champagne to take off and reward the brand with record sales. When Heidsieck returned five years later to check on his affairs he did so as a celebrity, with mass newspaper coverage and Champagnefuelled celebrations held in his honour. It was here that the personality of Champagne Charlie was solidified in infamy.

I think we all know a Champagne Charlie and they’re an easy type of person to love. The same can definitely be said of this spectacular Champagne. Medium in the glass, it has a lovely aromatic nose of baked bread crust with grilled lime. The palate, like the nose, is complex and weighty, rich and full with a creamy mousse, nutty characters and a mouthwatering minerality. This is a powerful Champagne with fantastic length that is very easy to love indeed. (A)

2 / H. Lanvin & Fils Brut NV ★★★★★ - 2 $57

Medium coloured in the glass with lovely creamy, nutty aromas mixed with apple and orange blossom on the nose. The palate is understated and delicate but with everything in its proper place. Beautiful autolytic characters run the length of this lively, linear and lengthy example. (B)

3 / Perrier Jouët Blason Rosé NV ★★★★★ - 2 $110

Mid pink with lovely autolytic characteristics and complex aromatics; apple brioche, strawberries, florals, nuts and warm toast abound on the nose. The palate is well weighted with lifted toastiness, creaminess and fine acidity running the length of the palate culminating in a crisp, refreshing finish. (C)

4 / Taittinger Brut Millésimé Vintage 2015 ★★★★★ - 5 $161

Pale in the glass with lovely complexity on the nose, this wine shows attractive sulphides, rich hazelnuts and cream against crisp apples and white floral aromas. The well-structured palate has a fantastic mouthfeel with lemon citrus and fresh brioche flavours. Expressive and lengthy. (D)

5 / Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Brut NV ★★★★★ - 2 $98

Freshly baked bread, green apple and honeysuckle aromas commingle on the nose which is mirrored onto the palate. Roasted nuts and cream flavours give the palate richness but the acid present gives freshness, juiciness and drive to this lengthy Champagne. (A)

6 / Taittinger Folies de la Marquetterie NV ★★★★★ - 3 $161

A medium colour in the glass, this is a bold Champagne style with aromas of honey and toast along with brioche and hazelnut on the nose. The palate is complex and textured with many elements well integrated. Weighty and persistent. (D)

7 / Taittinger Prélude Grands Crus Brut NV ★★★★ - 3 $153

Some positive reductive characteristics are present on the nose amid the heady and rich aromas of brioche and cream. A fine, intricate bead adds to the attractively complex, weighty and lengthy palate layered with stone fruit, apple and walnut flavours. (D)

8 / Roger Manceaux Brut Rosé NV ★★★★ - 2 $90

A gorgeous mid-pink colour with aromas of strawberry, chocolate, red apple and florals on the expressive nose. The palate is medium bodied yet delicate and clean with sublime texture, chalky tannins, red berry juiciness culminating in a lengthy finish. (E)

9 / Charles Hubert Brut Blanc de Noirs NV ★★★★ - 2 $95

A bold and powerful chardonnay expression with aromas of toffee apple, cherries and lemon citrus on the expressive nose. The palate is fleshy and creamy with hazelnuts, dough and baking-spice characters with superb persistence and length. (E)

10 / Mumm Grand Cordon NV ★★★★ - 2 $75

A quiet style that is understated, so can often be misunderstood. Fresh and lively on the nose with aromas of apple and citrus blossom that are mirrored on the palate which is well structured with a concentrated and linear profile and excellent length. (C)

Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur NV ★★★★ - 2 $89 (F)

Champagne Ayala Rosé Majeur NV ★★★★ - 2 $112 (F)

Charles Heidsieck Rosé Reserve NV ★★★★ - 3 $170 (A)

Delamotte Blanc de Blancs NV ★★★★ - 3 $99 (G)

Drappier Carte d’or Brut NV ★★★★ - 2 $75 (A)

Henri Giraud Esprit Nature NV ★★★★ - 2 $99 (G)

J Lassalle Préférence NV ★★★★ - 2 $85 (G)

Lanson 1760 Bio-organic Champagne NV ★★★★ - 2 $90 (H)

Lanson 1760 Le Black Label Brut NV ★★★★ - 2 $80 (H)

Lilbert & Fils Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs NV ★★★★ - 2 $87 (G)

Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé NV ★★★★ - 2 $90 (C)

Perrier Jouët Grand Brut NV ★★★★ - 2 $90 (C)