Pale yellow. Sauvignon Blanc defines its nose (herbaceous notes with citrus and a chalky mineral undertone), while Chardonnay is responsible for its soft and somewhat thick texture. Taste is light and Sauvignon makes a comeback in the slightly vegetal but intense finish. Drink or wait a couple of years.
Spot-on Alsace Gewürz at an affordable price. Spicy, lychee and melon nose with concentrated lychee and rose-petal flavours rounded with a honeyed note. A touch of sweetness in mid-palate mitigated by a crisp acidic finish.
If you're celebrating an anniversary with sparkling wine or commiserating a loss, here's a real bargain. This sparkling Chardonnay from Burgundy is straw-coloured with a toasty, apple and citrus bouquet; it's medium-bodied, dry, with lively lemon-lime acidity and flavours of apple and warm brioche.
Shows fine, persistent mousse with unfolding citrus, hints of berry-fruit, toasty brioche and a whiff of vanilla on the nose. Lemon citrus, green apple and trace berry flavours on the palate come wrapped in creamy texture with dry mineral grip, lively acidity, good weight and lingering citrus and toasty notes. Stylish, nicely balanced Champagne at an outstanding price.
A very elegant Champagne with a creamy mouthfeel, beautifully balanced with minerally, toasty, citrus and peach flavours and a long, lingering citrus finish.
Pale golden. Fresh nose of toasted bread, fresh mushroom, citrus, chalk and a touch of rancio. Very refreshing and energetic; with its sharp acidity, it seems more evolved than the 2005 tasted just before. Distinctive.
Based on the 2011 vintage with 30% reserve wine, this 65/30/5 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay/Pinot Meunier blend is sourced mostly from premier and grand cru vineyards. Elegant and refined, with light biscuit, lemon pith and cracked-stone savouriness. The focused palate carries green apple, an undercurrent of subtle red fruits, yellow plum, gentle dried apricot and fine salt through to a lengthy, lingering, honeyed finish. Refined, stately and elegant — befitting its royale name. Drink now or hold for 5+ years.