Champagne and Sparkling

Stuart McCloskey "The Majella sparkling Shiraz has a lovely mousse / palate feel and sings loud and proud. The base wine is matured in 2nd and 3rd use French oak hogsheads for 5 months before secondary fermentation. The wine is on “lees” for 12 months and using méthode traditionnelle, the bottles are hand riddled, then disgorged with a small dash of vintage port."

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “60% Pinot Noir / 40% Chardonnay. I like the nose very much as it wafts from my glass with a crescendo of red berries, pomegranate, crisp green apples and chalk. The palate is super fresh and comes across more succulent and fuller compared to the Cuvee Catherine. The mousse is rich and the mid palate weight adds further depth and a lovely mouthfeel. The fruit is fresh and sings with ripe raspberry, wild strawberry, pomegranate and a little bitter orange rind on the long finish… I detect a little chalkiness and salinity too, which brings a welcome distinction to the fruit. The balance is textbook and the structure provides some girth. I like it very much, but I feel the cold, outside temperature and driving rain is playing havoc with my senses (take note to my score!) - the colour and flavours talk to me of the summer and not the deep winter. Unquestionably, this drinks fabulously now, but I would like to see a further five years bottle age. Served using Zalto Universal glassware. Do not overchill.”

97 - 98 Points - Stuart McCloskey - "The bouquet is highly finessed with orchard fruits, fine floral notes, whispers of brioche and almond. The palate is equally fresh, incisive and shows all the hallmarks of elegance and grace which Chardonnay can deliver. I believe the ’15 Catherine Cuvée has reached an important crossroads which is exciting. Today, it’s charming, tensile and carries crystalline purity with ease, but and with a little aeration, the wine opens beautifully to reveal layer upon layer of fruit with touches of honey. I believe this will turn a corner in five or so years to reveal a real gem as all the qualities and characteristics are peering through – it is tightly wound for the time being. This has been a true joy to sample and is certainly one of the region's very best. Served using Zalto Universal glassware. Do not overchill."

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This red wine has a beautiful purple colour with deep violet hues. On the nose, there is a fruity promise of blackcurrant berries, tangy red berries and fresh citrus fruits. The palate is light and fruity, true to the nose and slightly tannic. The barrel adds spicy notes which are nicely blended. This 2015 vintage can be served as an aperitif, with grilled white meat or barbecue food.

"Grand Blanc 2013 is a true thoroughbred: perfectly made exceedingly elegant with an amazing and incredibly expressive minerality."

98 points - Decanter "Disgorged June 2019. 100% Chardonnay. Zero dosage. With notes of pear, menthol, gentle spices, and a hint of smoke, the bouquet impresses from the start thanks to its powerful aromatic complexity. With its dense, fleshy texture, this is a superbly flavourful Champagne propelled by very fine bubbles. Here again, there is a hint of reduction on the palate just after opening, but freshness soon comes to the fore, enhanced by a touch of mint on the finish. Power and length underpin this very great Champagne. Bravo!"

Aged for many months in the depths of the ocean Cuvée Abyss is a champagne with a distinct air of the sea. Equally, the first taste confirms the perfect quality of it’s origins and reflects the chalky, mineral and sandy character of our terroirs.

Decanter "Bottle-aged for 18 months at a depth of 60 metres under sea, this cuvée is composed of one-third Pinot Noir from Villers-Allerand, one-third Chardonnay from Montgueux and one-third Pinot Meunier from Chamery. Fresh, floral nose with a sea tang to it, but also a bit of reduction just after opening. The palate is elegant but incredibly taut, while the taste has an alluring oxidative element interacting with its white fruit. This is a Champagne that will shine at the dinner table."

34% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier and 33% Chardonnay

97+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “There’s a lovely depth to the bouquet which opens beautifully to crisp orchard fruit, lemon zest, toast, baked apple, wild honey, and a cornucopia of spring flowers. As anticipated from Grand Cru fruit, the palate feel is highly textural, broad and multidimensional. It sparkles on the palate with a core of crisp, orchard fruits. The acidity races across one’s palate which works miracles with the rich, honeyed creaminess. Salinity, acidity and minerality drive the wine and provide wonderful tension and a juiciness which I love. Chalk on the super-long finish. A Champagne which surpasses itself and a wine which will be drinking beautifully for the next 7-10 years. Do not overchill and keep it away from flutes. Try Zalto’s Universal glassware as we did (great result).”

97 Points - Magdalena Sienkiewicz "The assemblage is Pinot Noir 75% and Chardonnay 25%. The perfume exhibits beautiful complexities. Roasted apples, pears and flowers jump to the forefront but don’t overshadow the gentle notes of citrus, apricots, ripe figs and toasted almonds. The superb combination of structure, length and vigour are distinctive to a Grand Cru quality which this Grande Reserve isn’t shy of. Similar to its alluring perfume, the palate offers exuberance and complexity without losing the sense of control and elegance. Incredibly smooth given its scale. This Champagne will suit those seeking generosity. This is exactly what we were looking for in our house fizz and delivered at exceptional value."