One Hundred
Benchmark Champagnes

1Krug, Clos du Mesnil

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs · France

Walled single-vineyard blanc de blancs of legendary intensity.

A 1.84 ha walled clos enclosed since 1698; bottled apart only when the vintage merits it.

Classification

Grand Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$1,200–1,800

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

20–50 years

Production

~1,000 cases

Established

House from 1843

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1995, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2008

More photos

2Krug, Clos d'Ambonnay

Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims · France

The rarest Krug; a walled plot of blanc de noirs.

0.68 ha of Pinot Noir in Ambonnay; first released with the 1995 vintage in 2007.

Classification

Grand Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$2,500–4,000

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

20–50 years

Production

~250 cases

Established

First vintage 1995

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002

More photos

3Krug, Vintage

Reims · France

Oak-fermented vintage Champagne of remarkable depth.

All Krug ferments in small oak casks; vintages are released only in years judged distinctive.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$300–450

Availability

Actively traded; fine wine merchants and brokers, Liv-ex secondary market

Drinking

20–45 years

Production

~10,000 cases

Established

House from 1843

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2011

More photos

4Krug, Grande Cuvée

Reims · France

A multi-vintage blend of over a hundred wines.

Each edition blends more than 120 wines from a dozen or more years; editions are numbered.

Classification

Multi-vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$200–280

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~50,000 cases

Established

House from 1843

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Editions 164ème to 173ème

More photos

5Salon, Cuvée S Le Mesnil

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs · France

One wine, one village, one grape, declared rarely.

Made only in exceptional years; fewer than forty vintages declared since 1905.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$700–1,100

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

25–50 years

Production

~5,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1905

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2012

More photos

6Dom Pérignon, Vintage

Moët & Chandon

Épernay · France

The prestige cuvée that defined the category.

Always vintage-dated; released in successive Plénitudes as the wine develops.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$200–300

Availability

Actively traded; fine wine merchants and brokers, Liv-ex secondary market

Drinking

15–40 years

Production

~400,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1921

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013

More photos

7Dom Pérignon, P2

Moët & Chandon

Épernay · France

The same vintage released after a second maturation plateau.

Held on lees for roughly sixteen years before disgorgement.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$450–650

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–45 years

Production

~20,000 cases

Established

Plénitude range from 2014

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004

More photos

8Louis Roederer, Cristal

Reims · France

Created for a tsar; now biodynamically farmed.

Devised in 1876 for Alexander II in clear glass; grand cru fruit from estate parcels.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$250–350

Availability

Actively traded; fine wine merchants and brokers, Liv-ex secondary market

Drinking

20–45 years

Production

~300,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1876

Farming

Biodynamic (certified in part)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015

More photos

9Louis Roederer, Cristal Rosé

Reims · France

Saignée rosé of unusual structure and grip.

Made by short skin contact on estate Pinot Noir from Aÿ.

Classification

Vintage prestige rosé

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$500–750

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~15,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1974

Farming

Biodynamic (certified in part)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014

More photos

10Bollinger, Vieilles Vignes Françaises

Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

Ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines, a few thousand bottles.

From tiny ungrafted plots in Aÿ and Bouzy farmed by hand in the old en foule manner.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de noirs

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$900–1,400

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

20–45 years

Production

~250 cases

Established

First vintage 1969

Farming

Ungrafted, organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2012

More photos

11Bollinger, R.D.

Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

Recently disgorged after long lees ageing.

'Récemment Dégorgé': the same wine as La Grande Année, held far longer on lees.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$250–400

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~15,000 cases

Established

First release 1967

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008

More photos

12Bollinger, La Grande Année

Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

Oak-fermented, Pinot-led vintage Champagne.

Fermented in old oak casks; the house style is vinous and firmly structured.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$150–220

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~60,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1970

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015

More photos

13Philipponnat, Clos des Goisses

Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

A steep south-facing clos above the Marne.

Slopes reach 45 degrees; the region's first true single-vineyard Champagne, from 1935.

Classification

Premier Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$250–400

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–45 years

Production

~1,500 cases

Established

First vintage 1935

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013

More photos

14Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs

Reims · France

Côte des Blancs grand crus at their most refined.

Only Chardonnay from five grand crus; a portion aged in oak.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$180–280

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~40,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1952

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013

More photos

15Pol Roger, Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

Épernay · France

Pinot-dominant, made in the style the statesman preferred.

Created in 1975 in his memory; the exact blend remains undisclosed.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$200–300

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~30,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1975

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 2002, 2008, 2013, 2015

More photos

16Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame

Reims · France

Named for the widow who invented riddling.

Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin devised the pupitre; the cuvée draws on her historic holdings.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$180–280

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~50,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1972

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2015

More photos

17Perrier-Jouët, Belle Epoque

Épernay · France

The anemone bottle; floral, Chardonnay-led.

Émile Gallé painted the Japanese anemones in 1902; the bottle was rediscovered in 1964.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$180–260

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~40,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1964

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014

More photos

18Ruinart, Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs

Reims · France

Chalk-cellar Chardonnay from the oldest house.

Aged in Gallo-Roman chalk crayères beneath Reims; the house dates from 1729.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$200–300

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~20,000 cases

Established

House from 1729

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1998, 2002, 2007, 2010, 2013

More photos

19Laurent-Perrier, Grand Siècle

Tours-sur-Marne · France

A blend of three great vintages rather than one.

Assembled from three declared years to build a consistent ideal; released by Itération.

Classification

Multi-vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$150–250

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~50,000 cases

Established

First release 1959

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Itérations 22 to 26

More photos

20Charles Heidsieck, Blanc des Millénaires

Reims · France

Rarely released blanc de blancs of great maturity.

Only a handful of vintages since 1983, each held far beyond the legal minimum.

Classification

Vintage blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$180–280

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~10,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1983

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1983, 1990, 1995, 2004, 2007

More photos

21Jacquesson, Avize Champ Caïn

Avize, Côte des Blancs · France

Single-parcel blanc de blancs of chalky drive.

One of the house's four single-vineyard bottlings, made without dosage adjustment.

Classification

Grand Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$180–260

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~400 cases

Established

House from 1798

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015

More photos

22Jacquesson, Cuvée 700 series

Dizy, Vallée de la Marne · France

A numbered blend built for quality, not house consistency.

Each release is numbered from 728 onward, reflecting the base year rather than a fixed style.

Classification

Multi-vintage cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$80–120

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~15,000 cases

Established

Series from 2000

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Cuvées 733 to 746

More photos

23Jacques Selosse, Substance

Avize, Côte des Blancs · France

Solera-aged Avize Chardonnay; oxidative and singular.

Drawn from a perpetual reserve begun in 1986 and topped up each year.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$800–1,400

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~300 cases

Established

Solera from 1986

Farming

Biodynamic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Solera, ongoing

More photos

24Jacques Selosse, Initial

Avize, Côte des Blancs · France

The entry to Selosse, and still a collector's wine.

Anselme Selosse brought Burgundian barrel work to Champagne in the 1980s.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$300–450

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~2,000 cases

Established

Estate from 1949

Farming

Biodynamic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Multi-vintage

More photos

25Egly-Ouriet, Grand Cru Millésime

Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims · France

Grower Champagne of vinous weight and long lees.

Francis Egly picks late and ages far beyond requirement; among the most sought growers.

Classification

Grand Cru vintage

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$200–300

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~700 cases

Established

Estate from 1930

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014

More photos

26Egly-Ouriet, Les Crayères Vieilles Vignes

Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims · France

Old-vine blanc de noirs from a single chalk parcel.

Vines planted in the 1940s on pure chalk beneath Ambonnay.

Classification

Grand Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$300–450

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~400 cases

Established

Vines from 1946

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

More photos

27Cédric Bouchard, Roses de Jeanne Les Ursules

Celles-sur-Ource, Côte des Bar · France

One parcel, one grape, one year, always.

Bouchard bottles each parcel separately and never blends across sites or vintages.

Classification

Single vineyard, single vintage

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$250–350

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~250 cases

Established

First vintage 2000

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018

More photos

28Ulysse Collin, Les Pierrières

Congy, Coteaux du Petit Morin · France

Flinty blanc de blancs from a rediscovered corner.

Olivier Collin reclaimed leased family vines in 2003; barrel-fermented, low dosage.

Classification

Single vineyard

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$180–280

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~800 cases

Established

First vintage 2004

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Base years 2016 to 2019

More photos

29Pierre Péters, Les Chétillons

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs · France

Old-vine Mesnil from three adjoining plots.

The family have farmed Chétillons since 1930; a benchmark for grower blanc de blancs.

Classification

Grand Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$180–280

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~800 cases

Established

Estate from 1919

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016

More photos

30Agrapart, Vénus

Agrapart & Fils

Avize, Côte des Blancs · France

A parcel worked by horse, hence the name.

Named for the mare that ploughs it; barrel-fermented and bottled without dosage.

Classification

Grand Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$200–300

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

12–30 years

Production

~300 cases

Established

Estate from 1894

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

More photos

31Agrapart, Minéral

Agrapart & Fils

Avize, Côte des Blancs · France

Grand cru blanc de blancs of chalk-driven tension.

Blended from Avize and Cramant parcels on shallow chalk soils.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~1,500 cases

Established

Estate from 1894

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

More photos

32Vilmart & Cie, Coeur de Cuvée

Rilly-la-Montagne, Montagne de Reims · France

The heart of the pressing, raised in large oak.

Only the middle fraction of the press; fermented in foudres and large casks.

Classification

Premier Cru vintage

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$180–260

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~600 cases

Established

Estate from 1890

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

More photos

33Bérêche et Fils, Le Cran

Ludes, Montagne de Reims · France

Single-parcel premier cru with long lees ageing.

Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche age under cork rather than crown cap.

Classification

Premier Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$150–220

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

12–30 years

Production

~500 cases

Established

Estate from 1847

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

More photos

34Chartogne-Taillet, Les Barres

Merfy, Massif de Saint-Thierry · France

Ungrafted Meunier from sandy soils.

Own-rooted vines survive in deep sand; Alexandre Chartogne bottles the parcel alone.

Classification

Single vineyard

Grapes

Meunier

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$150–220

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~200 cases

Established

Estate from 1870

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

More photos

35Larmandier-Bernier, Vieille Vigne du Levant

Cramant, Côte des Blancs · France

Old-vine grand cru, no dosage.

Pierre Larmandier farms biodynamically and bottles extra brut throughout.

Classification

Grand Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$180–260

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

12–30 years

Production

~400 cases

Established

Estate from 1971

Farming

Biodynamic (certified)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

More photos

36Georges Laval, Cumières Premier Cru Brut Nature

Cumières, Vallée de la Marne · France

Organic pioneer of the Marne valley.

Farmed without chemicals since 1971, long before it was fashionable.

Classification

Premier Cru brut nature

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$150–220

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~800 cases

Established

Organic from 1971

Farming

Organic (certified)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Base years 2016 to 2019

More photos

37Marie-Courtin, Résonance

Polisot, Côte des Bar · France

Single-parcel, single-vintage, zero dosage.

Dominique Moreau works one hillside parcel and bottles each cuvée from it alone.

Classification

Single vineyard

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$80–120

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

10–20 years

Production

~400 cases

Established

First vintage 2005

Farming

Biodynamic (certified)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

More photos

38Bereche, Reflet d'Antan

Bérêche et Fils

Ludes, Montagne de Reims · France

Perpetual reserve blend of layered maturity.

Drawn from a solera begun by the previous generation.

Classification

Multi-vintage reserve

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$180–260

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

12–25 years

Production

~300 cases

Established

Solera from 1985

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Perpetual reserve

More photos

39Billecart-Salmon, Cuvée Nicolas François

Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

The house's founder cuvée, cool-fermented and fine.

Billecart's long cold fermentations give a delicate, precise house signature.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$180–260

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~15,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1964

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013

More photos

40Billecart-Salmon, Le Clos Saint-Hilaire

Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

A walled clos behind the house, ploughed by horse.

One hectare of Pinot Noir, vinified in oak and bottled without dosage.

Classification

Single vineyard

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$700–1,000

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~300 cases

Established

First vintage 1995

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2007

More photos

41Deutz, Cuvée William Deutz

Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

Aÿ-based prestige cuvée of quiet class.

Named for the house's founder; Pinot-led and long-aged.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$150–220

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~10,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1959

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015

More photos

42Gosset, Celebris Extra Brut

Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

From the oldest wine house in Champagne.

Gosset traces to 1584 and blocks malolactic fermentation to preserve acidity.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$150–220

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~8,000 cases

Established

House from 1584

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2004, 2007, 2012, 2015

More photos

43Henriot, Cuve 38

Reims · France

A perpetual reserve of Côte des Blancs Chardonnay.

A single stainless vat continuously replenished since 1990.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$300–450

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

12–30 years

Production

~500 cases

Established

Reserve from 1990

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Perpetual reserve

More photos

44Moët & Chandon, Grand Vintage Collection

Épernay · France

Library releases from the largest house.

Older vintages held in the cellars and released after extended maturation.

Classification

Vintage cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$150–250

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~5,000 cases

Established

House from 1743

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1992, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2008

More photos

45Piper-Heidsieck, Rare

Rare Champagne

Reims · France

Declared only a dozen times since 1976.

Now a house in its own right; the cuvée appears only in years judged exceptional.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$200–300

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~15,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1976

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1976, 1988, 2002, 2008, 2013

More photos

46Duval-Leroy, Femme de Champagne

Vertus, Côte des Blancs · France

Chardonnay-led cuvée from a woman-led house.

Carol Duval-Leroy took over in 1991 and created the cuvée in her own name.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$120–180

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~5,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1990

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008

More photos

47Bruno Paillard, Nec Plus Ultra

Reims · France

Long-aged prestige cuvée with disgorgement dated.

Paillard was first to print the disgorgement date on every bottle, from 1983.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$250–350

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~2,000 cases

Established

House from 1981

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1990, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2008

More photos

48Louis Roederer, Brut Nature

Cumières, Vallée de la Marne · France

Single-plot, single-year, no dosage.

Made with Philippe Starck from one biodynamic Cumières parcel.

Classification

Single vineyard brut nature

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~8,000 cases

Established

First vintage 2006

Farming

Biodynamic (certified)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018

More photos

49Dom Pérignon, Rosé

Moët & Chandon

Épernay · France

Assemblage rosé of structure and long ageing.

Made by blending red wine from Aÿ and Bouzy into the vintage cuvée.

Classification

Vintage prestige rosé

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$400–600

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~30,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1959

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009

More photos

50Bollinger, La Grande Année Rosé

Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

Rosé built on the Côte aux Enfants red.

Coloured with red wine from Bollinger's own Aÿ parcel.

Classification

Vintage prestige rosé

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$250–350

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~8,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1990

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2005, 2012, 2014, 2015

More photos

51Louis Roederer, Cristal Vinothèque

Reims · France

Cristal held two decades before release.

Aged on lees, then a further decade on cork before leaving the cellar.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$900–1,400

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

25–50 years

Production

~1,000 cases

Established

Range from 2015

Farming

Biodynamic (certified in part)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002

More photos

52Pol Roger, Blanc de Blancs

Épernay · France

Côte des Blancs Chardonnay with the house's poise.

Drawn from Cramant, Avize, Oiry and Chouilly parcels.

Classification

Vintage blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~12,000 cases

Established

House from 1849

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016

More photos

53Dom Pérignon, P3

Moët & Chandon

Épernay · France

The third plenitude, released after some thirty years.

Disgorged only after decades on lees; released in minute quantity.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$1,500–2,500

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

30–60 years

Production

~500 cases

Established

Plénitude range from 2014

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 13°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1966, 1971, 1982, 1990, 1993

More photos

54Krug, Rosé

Reims · France

Multi-vintage rosé built on skin-macerated Pinot.

Introduced in 1983 against family expectation; blended like the Grande Cuvée.

Classification

Multi-vintage prestige rosé

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$400–600

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~6,000 cases

Established

First release 1983

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Editions 25ème to 29ème

More photos

55Billecart-Salmon, Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Rosé

Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

Among the most refined of prestige rosés.

Named for the founder's wife; red wine from Mareuil gives the colour.

Classification

Vintage prestige rosé

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$250–350

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~5,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1988

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013

More photos

56Laurent-Perrier, Cuvée Rosé

Tours-sur-Marne · France

The maceration rosé that set the template.

Made by skin maceration rather than blending since 1968; the fluted bottle is its signature.

Classification

Multi-vintage rosé

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$80–120

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

5–15 years

Production

~80,000 cases

Established

First release 1968

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 10°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Multi-vintage

More photos

57Ruinart, Dom Ruinart Rosé

Reims · France

Chardonnay-dominant rosé, unusual and long-lived.

Built on the blanc de blancs base with a small addition of red Pinot.

Classification

Vintage prestige rosé

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$300–450

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~5,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1966

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010

More photos

58Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame Rosé

Reims · France

Pinot-led prestige rosé from historic holdings.

Coloured with Bouzy red from the house's own grand cru parcels.

Classification

Vintage prestige rosé

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$250–350

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~8,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1988

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015

More photos

59Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne Rosé

Reims · France

Bouzy-based rosé of the prestige range.

Pinot Noir from Ambonnay and Bouzy carries the colour and frame.

Classification

Vintage prestige rosé

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$250–350

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~5,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1966

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013

More photos

60Jacquesson, Dizy Corne Bautray

Dizy, Vallée de la Marne · France

Chardonnay on gravel over chalk, ploughed by horse.

An unusual gravel terrace above Dizy; vinified in oak without dosage adjustment.

Classification

Single vineyard

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$180–260

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~350 cases

Established

First vintage 2002

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013

More photos

61Jacques Selosse, Contraste

Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

Solera blanc de noirs from Aÿ.

Part of the Lieux-Dits and reserve range that made Selosse a collector's name.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de noirs

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$800–1,200

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~200 cases

Established

Estate from 1949

Farming

Biodynamic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Solera, ongoing

More photos

62Jacques Selosse, Les Carelles

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs · France

One of the Lieux-Dits single-parcel bottlings.

Six named parcels released in tiny quantity, each ploughed and picked apart.

Classification

Grand Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$900–1,400

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~100 cases

Established

Lieux-Dits from 2010

Farming

Biodynamic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Base years 2012 to 2016

More photos

63Bollinger, B13

Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

A single-vintage blanc de noirs made once.

An experimental release from the 2013 harvest only.

Classification

Vintage blanc de noirs

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$250–350

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~2,000 cases

Established

Released 2019

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2013

More photos

64Pierre Péters, Cuvée de Réserve Grand Cru

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs · France

The grower's calling card, drawn on a perpetual reserve.

Blended with a reserve begun in 1988; consistently among the best-value grand crus.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$70–100

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

8–20 years

Production

~10,000 cases

Established

Estate from 1919

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 11°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Multi-vintage

More photos

65Egly-Ouriet, Brut Tradition Grand Cru

Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims · France

Non-vintage in name only, aged for years on lees.

Typically four years on lees where fifteen months is the legal floor.

Classification

Grand Cru multi-vintage

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

8–20 years

Production

~4,000 cases

Established

Estate from 1930

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 11°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Multi-vintage

More photos

66Ulysse Collin, Les Maillons

Congy, Coteaux du Petit Morin · France

Blanc de noirs from a chalk-poor, clay-rich site.

Vinified in used oak, bottled with minimal dosage.

Classification

Single vineyard blanc de noirs

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$180–280

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~600 cases

Established

First vintage 2004

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Base years 2015 to 2018

More photos

67Cédric Bouchard, Roses de Jeanne Côte de Béchalin

Celles-sur-Ource, Côte des Bar · France

A steep parcel bottled alone, minute quantities.

Yields are cut severely and pressings kept apart parcel by parcel.

Classification

Single vineyard, single vintage

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$250–380

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~150 cases

Established

First vintage 2005

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

More photos

68Vouette et Sorbée, Fidèle

Buxières-sur-Arce, Côte des Bar · France

Kimmeridgian blanc de noirs, no dosage.

Bertrand Gautherot farms biodynamically on the same marl as Chablis.

Classification

Blanc de noirs brut nature

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

10–20 years

Production

~1,000 cases

Established

First vintage 2001

Farming

Biodynamic (certified)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Base years 2016 to 2019

More photos

69Jérôme Prévost, La Closerie Les Béguines

Gueux, Montagne de Reims · France

The wine that made Meunier serious.

A little over two hectares of Meunier on sandy soils, vinified in barrel.

Classification

Single vineyard

Grapes

Meunier

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$200–300

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~800 cases

Established

First vintage 1998

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Base years 2016 to 2019

More photos

70Emmanuel Brochet, Le Mont Benoît

Villers-aux-Noeuds, Montagne de Reims · France

A single hillside farmed and bottled alone.

Brochet reclaimed his leased family vines in 1997 and works 2.5 ha.

Classification

Single vineyard

Grapes

Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

10–20 years

Production

~700 cases

Established

First vintage 1999

Farming

Organic (certified)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Base years 2015 to 2018

More photos

71Benoît Lahaye, Violaine

Bouzy, Montagne de Reims · France

No sulphur, no dosage, grand cru Bouzy.

Made without added sulphur; horses work the steepest parcels.

Classification

Grand Cru brut nature

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$120–180

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

10–20 years

Production

~300 cases

Established

Biodynamic from 2007

Farming

Biodynamic (certified)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Base years 2015 to 2018

More photos

72Paul Bara, Comtesse Marie de France

Bouzy, Montagne de Reims · France

Grand cru Bouzy at its most classical.

Family growers in Bouzy since 1833; the cuvée honours a longstanding customer.

Classification

Grand Cru vintage

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

12–30 years

Production

~800 cases

Established

Estate from 1833

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015

More photos

73Bereche, Vallée de la Marne Rive Gauche

Bérêche et Fils

Mareuil-le-Port, Vallée de la Marne · France

Serious single-village Meunier.

From the left bank of the Marne, where Meunier ripens best.

Classification

Single village vintage

Grapes

Meunier

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~600 cases

Established

Estate from 1847

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

More photos

74Marguet, Shaman

Champagne Marguet

Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims · France

Biodynamic grand cru blend, low dosage.

Benoît Marguet ploughs with horses across Ambonnay and Bouzy.

Classification

Grand Cru extra brut

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$80–120

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

8–20 years

Production

~3,000 cases

Established

Biodynamic from 2009

Farming

Biodynamic (certified)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Base years 2017 to 2020

More photos

75Suenen, C+C Chetillons

Cramant, Côte des Blancs · France

Grand cru Chardonnay from a rising grower.

Aurélien Suenen took over in 2009 and rebuilt the estate around parcel selection.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$120–180

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~500 cases

Established

Estate from 1928

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Base years 2016 to 2019

More photos

76Pierre Gimonnet, Special Club

Pierre Gimonnet & Fils

Cuis, Côte des Blancs · France

Club Trésors bottling of Côte des Blancs Chardonnay.

The Special Club label requires peer tasting approval before release.

Classification

Special Club vintage

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$90–130

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

12–25 years

Production

~2,000 cases

Established

Estate from 1935

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016

More photos

77Gaston Chiquet, Special Club

Dizy, Vallée de la Marne · France

Marne valley grower with unusual Chardonnay on Aÿ.

One of very few to own Chardonnay in Aÿ, a Pinot village.

Classification

Special Club vintage

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$80–120

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~1,500 cases

Established

Estate from 1919

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

More photos

78José Dhondt, Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs

Oger, Côte des Blancs · France

Old-vine Oger of quiet distinction.

A small family estate with parcels planted in the 1950s.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$80–120

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

10–20 years

Production

~600 cases

Established

Estate from 1930s

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Base years 2015 to 2018

More photos

79Diebolt-Vallois, Fleur de Passion

Cramant, Côte des Blancs · France

Old-vine Cramant fermented in oak.

From vines over sixty years old, without malolactic fermentation.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$150–220

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~700 cases

Established

Estate from 1959

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014

More photos

80Guy Charlemagne, Mesnillésime

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs · France

Old-vine Mesnil at a fair price.

Vines of around eighty years in the grand cru heart of Le Mesnil.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$80–120

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

12–25 years

Production

~800 cases

Established

Estate from 1892

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016

More photos

81R. Pouillon & Fils, Les Valnons

Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

Grand cru Chardonnay from a Pinot village.

A single parcel in Aÿ, vinified in barrel by Fabrice Pouillon.

Classification

Grand Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

12–25 years

Production

~400 cases

Established

Estate from 1947

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

More photos

82Jean Vesselle, Prestige Bouzy

Bouzy, Montagne de Reims · France

Deeply Pinot, from a grand cru red-wine village.

Bouzy is best known for still red wine; its Champagnes carry the same weight.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de noirs

Grapes

Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$60–90

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

8–20 years

Production

~1,500 cases

Established

Estate from 1930

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Multi-vintage

More photos

83Chartogne-Taillet, Heurtebise

Merfy, Massif de Saint-Thierry · France

Chalk-parcel Chardonnay north of Reims.

Merfy was a monastic vineyard long before the Marne rose to fame.

Classification

Single vineyard

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~500 cases

Established

Estate from 1870

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

More photos

84Larmandier-Bernier, Terre de Vertus

Vertus, Côte des Blancs · France

Single-village premier cru without dosage.

Bottled non-dosé to show the site rather than the sugar.

Classification

Premier Cru brut nature

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$90–130

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~1,500 cases

Established

Estate from 1971

Farming

Biodynamic (certified)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

More photos

85Agrapart, L'Avizoise

Agrapart & Fils

Avize, Côte des Blancs · France

Deep-clay Avize of unusual breadth.

From two parcels with deeper soils than the estate norm, giving weight over cut.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$150–220

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

12–30 years

Production

~700 cases

Established

Estate from 1894

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

More photos

86Vilmart & Cie, Grand Cellier d'Or

Rilly-la-Montagne, Montagne de Reims · France

Oak-raised premier cru of golden richness.

Fermented in casks with no malolactic fermentation.

Classification

Premier Cru vintage

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$90–130

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~1,500 cases

Established

Estate from 1890

Farming

Organic practice

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

More photos

87Pierre Moncuit, Cuvée Nicole Moncuit Vieille Vigne

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs · France

Mesnil old vines from a single 1952 plot.

Named for the winemaker who ran the estate for decades.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~800 cases

Established

Estate from 1889

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

More photos

88De Sousa, Cuvée des Caudalies

De Sousa & Fils

Avize, Côte des Blancs · France

Biodynamic old-vine grand cru from a solera.

Erick de Sousa farms biodynamically and draws on a perpetual reserve begun in 1995.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$120–180

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

12–30 years

Production

~1,000 cases

Established

Estate from 1950

Farming

Biodynamic (certified)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Solera and vintage releases

More photos

89Bruno Paillard, Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

Reims · France

Grand cru Chardonnay with dated disgorgement.

Blended from Chouilly, Cramant, Oger and Le Mesnil.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$90–130

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~5,000 cases

Established

House from 1981

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Multi-vintage

More photos

90Charles Heidsieck, Brut Réserve

Reims · France

The multi-vintage benchmark, rich in reserve wine.

Roughly forty per cent reserve wines averaging a decade in age.

Classification

Multi-vintage cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$60–90

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

8–20 years

Production

~100,000 cases

Established

House from 1851

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 11°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Multi-vintage

More photos

91Deutz, Amour de Deutz

Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

Prestige blanc de blancs of delicate build.

Drawn from Avize, Le Mesnil and Villers-Marmery parcels.

Classification

Vintage prestige blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$180–260

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

15–30 years

Production

~5,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1993

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015

More photos

92Perrier-Jouët, Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs

Épernay · France

Cramant-based prestige blanc de blancs.

Sourced chiefly from the house's historic Cramant holdings; made in tiny volume.

Classification

Grand Cru blanc de blancs

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12.5%

Guide price

$500–700

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

20–35 years

Production

~1,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1993

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2002, 2004, 2006, 2012, 2014

More photos

93Louis Roederer, Vintage Brut

Reims · France

Estate-grown vintage below the Cristal tier.

Roederer owns most of its supply, unusual for a large house.

Classification

Vintage cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$90–130

Availability

Good availability at fine wine retailers on release

Drinking

12–30 years

Production

~20,000 cases

Established

House from 1776

Farming

Biodynamic (certified in part)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2008, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016

More photos

94Alfred Gratien, Cuvée Paradis

Épernay · France

Cask-fermented in a house that never modernised.

Still ferments in old oak casks and blocks malolactic fermentation.

Classification

Prestige cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$100–150

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

10–25 years

Production

~3,000 cases

Established

House from 1864

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Multi-vintage

More photos

95Henriot, Cuvée des Enchanteleurs

Reims · France

Long-aged prestige cuvée named for the cellar hands.

Held on lees for a decade or more before release.

Classification

Vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$180–260

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–35 years

Production

~3,000 cases

Established

First vintage 1976

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1996, 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008

More photos

96Louis Roederer, Cristal Rosé Vinothèque

Reims · France

The rarest expression in the Roederer range.

Held over two decades before disgorgement; a few hundred bottles per release.

Classification

Vintage prestige rosé

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$2,000–3,000

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

25–45 years

Production

~300 cases

Established

Range from 2015

Farming

Biodynamic (certified in part)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002

More photos

97Philipponnat, Clos des Goisses Juste Rosé

Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne · France

Rosé from the great clos, rarely made.

Produced only in years when the clos yields suitable red wine.

Classification

Single vineyard rosé

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$400–600

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

15–35 years

Production

~200 cases

Established

First vintage 1999

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013

More photos

98Moussé Fils, Special Club Meunier

Cuisles, Vallée de la Marne · France

Meunier taken as seriously as any grand cru.

Cédric Moussé farms green-clay slopes given over almost entirely to Meunier.

Classification

Special Club vintage

Grapes

Meunier

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$80–120

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

10–20 years

Production

~500 cases

Established

Estate from 1923

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

More photos

99Georges Laval, Les Chênes

Cumières, Vallée de la Marne · France

Single-parcel Chardonnay, no dosage, minute volume.

Vincent Laval bottles a few parcels alone in years that allow it.

Classification

Premier Cru, single vineyard

Grapes

Chardonnay

Alcohol

12%

Guide price

$300–450

Availability

Very rare; auction houses and specialist brokers only

Drinking

12–25 years

Production

~100 cases

Established

Organic from 1971

Farming

Organic (certified)

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

More photos

100Krug, Grande Cuvée Magnum

Reims · France

The house blend in the format that suits it best.

Slower maturation in magnum is widely held to favour the wine.

Classification

Multi-vintage prestige cuvée

Grapes

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier

Alcohol

12–12.5%

Guide price

$450–650

Availability

Allocation or mailing list; secondary market via fine wine merchants and auction

Drinking

20–40 years

Production

~5,000 magnums

Established

House from 1843

Farming

Sustainable

Serving

Serve 12°C in a white wine glass

Vintages

Editions 164ème to 173ème

More photos