House of Arras Brut Elite Cuvée 1501 NV

Stuart McCloskey 27 October 2026 “Crafted by the legendary Ed Carr, the 1501 is built predominantly around the outstanding 2015 vintage (95%, in fact), with a small addition of reserve wines adding further complexity. Four years of maturation on lees have brought an appealing richness and depth, while Tasmania's naturally cool climate provides the freshness and precision that underpin the entire composition. Add the benefit of further bottle age, and every element has found its place.

The aromatics are beautifully expressive. Freshly baked brioche, toasted hazelnuts and delicate pastry notes mingle with ripe white peach, preserved lemon and a suggestion of wild strawberry. There is a lovely savoury undertone too, something faintly earthy, which adds another dimension to the fruit. The palate is generous yet wonderfully composed, with a fine, persistent mousse carrying layers of orchard fruit, citrus zest and toasted almond. A creamy, almost silken texture is beautifully counterbalanced by a bright seam of acidity, drawing everything towards a long, gently saline finish.

The condition of the wine is impeccable, and I can genuinely see it ageing for another decade. Which, frankly, is bonkers for a non-vintage sparkling wine. Then again, I remind myself that almost the entire blend comes from a single, exceptional vintage, so perhaps I shouldn't be quite so surprised. What particularly appeals is the wine's sense of completeness, and it’s packed with energy. This is not an overtly rich or showy sparkling wine. The acidity is perfectly integrated, the fruit remains beautifully defined, and the extended maturation has brought genuine complexity rather than simply an abundance of autolytic character. It has the confidence, composure and refinement of a far more expensive sparkling wine. This is serious Tasmanian sparkling wine, with all the finesse, depth and quiet sophistication one could wish for. A wonderful alternative to expensive Champagne and English fizz (sorry!), and further proof that Australia's finest traditional-method sparkling wines deserve a place at the very top table”.

The accolades are extraordinary. Brut Elite 1501 secured the Australian Sparkling Wine Trophy at Tom Stevenson's Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships in both 2019 and 2020, a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about the quality of the wine. The championship's published assessment praised the integration of mature, toasted aromas with pristine white fruit, fresh Pinot character and a soft, silky mousse. The judges found the wine long, linear and beautifully balanced, describing Brut Elite as an underrated cuvée that deserved greater recognition.

David Sly, Decanter "A numbering system now applied to this cuvée defines its origins: the 2015 vintage supplies most of the base wine, with this being the first batch issued of this blend, having spent four years on lees. With such age comes impressive intensity – it's very full and rounded on entry without barging into your mouth. Bass notes from the red grapes give richness, but it’s kept in balance by Chardonnay’s fleshy peach and hint of mandarin. The long, lingering flavours have great persistence."

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "This is outstanding bubbly, even more so when you consider the price, which is often discounted. There’s lots of detail in the toasty, roasted cashew nut bouquet, the palate rich, full-bodied and very long on the palate. The finish is soft but also dry and refreshing. Possibly the best cuvée of this wine yet."

Curly Haslam-Coates, The Wine Front "The Arras Brut Elite Cuvée is a concept in progress. Predominantly 2015 fruit, this also has a portion of reserve wines that make it a non-vintage. 49% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay and 9% Pinot Meunier are sourced from across Tasmania, Derwent Valley, Pipers River, Coal River and the East Coast. Juicy peaches and raspberries, lemons, strawberries, kumquats and redcurrants combine with brioche, chocolate, vanilla, almonds, crushed oyster shells all combine in a complex and serious sparkling. It is delicious now but I would be interested to see this wine with a bit more age on it. There is still so much freshness here and real room to grow. I shall be watching the Brut Elite closely over the years to come, it’s going to be a very interesting development”.