88-90 points

2020 M. Chapoutier Les Meysonniers Rouge

Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, January 2022

“The 2020 Crozes Hermitage les Meysonniers feature gorgeous blueberries and florals on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied and silky textured. It does appear to lack a bit of the richness shown by the 2019, with the flavors falling away quickly on the finish.”

87-89 points

2020 M. Chapoutier Petite Ruche Rouge

Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, January 2022

“Chapoutier's entry-level Crozes is the 2020 Crozes Hermitage la Petite Ruche. It's peppery and fresh, marked by pretty raspberry and cherry aromas on the nose. In the mouth, it's medium-bodied and silky but lacking the richness of the preceding vintage. However, it shows fine delineation and purity. Drink it young.”

97 points

2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires

Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, December 2022

“Cellar Selection”

96 points

2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires

Decanter, March 2022

“Seven up for Charles Heidsieck; the seventh release of their magnificent Blanc des Millénaires Champagne, the 2007. Their charismatic chef de caves, Cyril Brun, describes the wine as ‘dangerous’, as in dangerously good, and it is hard not to concur. The legendary Daniel Thibault, who made the first Blanc des Millénaires in 1983, was aspiring to make a very specific style of Chardonnay, rich and indulgent at the same time as being classical and rigorous of construction, a deft paradox in other words. The 2007, child of a cooler, more linear vintage than the rather heady 2006, has achieved this ambition with great aplomb. Cyril is confident that stylistically the 2007 will be closest to the 2004 and the 1995, both greatly lauded and both of which have had an unfailing capacity to win virtually every competition into which they are entered. The pale gold shimmers invitingly, its mousse discreet yet persistent, its aromatics hitherto dominated by notes of grapefruit, yuzu, citrus and quince, behind that sourdough, flint-stone and intimations of toast and honey, both of which will become more pronounced over the splendours of a long life. 20% each of five great villages, all but Vertus ranked as Grand Cru, have provided the raw materials for this most magisterial of Blanc de Blancs Champagnes. Dosed at 7.3g/L (the lowest ever at Charles) and disgorged in July 2021, with a smart new bottle design.”

96 points

2019 M. Chapoutier Les Varonniers

James Suckling, James Suckling, February 2022

“This must be the best Crozes-Hermitage I ever tasted! Deep, smoky, minty and spicy nose that expands and expands as it aerates, gaining ever more earthy complexity. Stunningly concentrated and focused palate with so much bitter chocolate and black cherry, but even more power. Giant finish that’s astonishingly refined for this appellation. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.”

96 points

2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires

James Suckling, James Suckling, December 2021

“Intense oyster-shell and candied-lemon aromas pull you into this very elegant champagne, which is so precise on the sleek and focused palate with a finish of crystalline purity and brightness. Still really youthful, thanks to the uplifting freshness! A Blanc de Blancs from 5 top Crus in the Côte des Blancs. Drink or hold.”

96 points

2006 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires

Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, December 2020

“A textbook blanc de blancs in a relatively opulent style, with ample grilled nut, brioche and spice character alongside classic flavors of poached apricot, kumquat, oyster shell and lemon blossom. This rich profile is well-defined by racy acidity, sleek and well-cut, driving the long, lacy finish. A beauty. Drink now through 2035. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 4,500 cases made, 185 cases imported.”

95 points

2008 Charles Heidsieck Millésimé Vintage Rosé

Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, December 2022

95 points

2008 Charles Heidsieck Millésimé Vintage Rosé

Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, December 2022

“A rich Champagne, with a chiseled frame of acidity meeting fine, lacy texture to produce a harmonious effect on the palate. Shows a lovely range of roasted almond, dried cherry and raspberry, mandarin orange peel and accents of verbena, fleur de sel, brioche and espresso that play on the racy finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged 2020. Drink now through 2038.”

95 points

2008 Rare Millésimé Brut

James Suckling, James Suckling, July 2022

“Rich and complex nose of baked apricot, dried pineapple, praline, walnut, spiced pear and fig. Some nutmeg and smoky notes, too. It’s supple and creamy, with a broad array of ripe tropical and spiced fruit and salted-caramel undertones. Soft bubbles. Dry feel. 70% chardonnay and 30% pinot noir, mainly from the Montagne de Reims. 11 years on the lees, disgorged end of 2020. 10g/l dosage. Delicious now.”

94 points

Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs

Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, December 2022

“This Chardonnay-based Champagne from the Côte des Blancs is perfumed, fragrant. The citrus edge and minerality are in harmony, bringing together a wine that is taut, textured and ready to drink.”

94 points

2012 Charles Heidsieck Millésimé Vintage Brut

William Kelley, Wine Advocate, August 2022

“Soon to be released in magnum, the 2012 Brut Millésimé continues to show well, delivering aromas of citrus zest, crisp orchard fruit, freshly baked bread, buttery pastry and beeswax and framed by a deft touch of smoky reduction. Medium to full-bodied, racy and chiseled, with fine depth at the core and a long, penetrating finish, this bottle was disgorged in summer 2021.”

94 points

2018 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, May 2022

“Lovely, with a mix of fresh and dried peach, yellow apple and quince flavors, along with honeysuckle, salted butter and heather notes. The long finish has a nice tease of quinine for contrast amid the fruit. Drink now through 2030”

93 points

2020 M. Chapoutier Les Meysonniers Rouge

Wine Spectator, January 2023

“Boasts beautifully pure fruit, with black and red berry flavors layered with sweet licorice, giving way to warm earth and wet stone. Reveals white pepper, olive tapenade, dried thyme and sanguine undertones, which build toward the persistent finish. Drink now through 2030. 45 cases imported”

93 points

2019 M. Chapoutier Les Varonniers

Wine Spectator, January 2022

93 points

Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve

Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, December 2022

93 points

2018 Puech-Haut Tête de Belier Blanc

Wine Enthusiast, September 2022

93 points

2019 M. Chapoutier Les Meysonniers Rouge

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, May 2022

“Fresh, ripe, and well-defined, with raspberry, bitter cherry and plum puree notes that race through, carried by a fine minerally spine while savory and sanguine details infuse the finish. Drink now through 2030”

93 points

2019 M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Rouge

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, April 2022

“Solidly built, with a well-formed core of plum, blackberry and black cherry compote flavors supported by warm earth, anise, plum pit and black tea. The focused finish lets the fruit play out, keeping an underlying freshness in the process. Best from 2023 through 2034”

93 points

2017 Puech-Haut Prestige Rouge

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, April 2019

“Ripe, meaty black cherries, black olives, pepper, and garrigue notes all emerge from the 2017 Prestige, which is a tank-aged blend of 55% Grenache and 45% Syrah sourced from the Saint Drézéry region of the Languedoc. Deep, full-bodied, and downright sexy, it’s loaded with fruit, has sweet tannins, and terrific purity of fruit as well as character. Drink it any time over the coming 7-8 years.”