That's it, 2024 is coming to an end and you don't know which champagne to drink to celebrate the New Year tonight? After the first part, discover the rest of our favorites from our great tasting of brut champagnes without year published in “Terre de vins” number 102.
Mandois Brut Origin
A champagne with remarkable effervescence, both abundant and persistent. The nose is complex, mixing intense aromatic notes of thyme, currants and subtle waxy nuances evoking polish. There is also a touch of blond tobacco which brings a deeper dimension. On the palate, it appears dense, clean and of great complexity. The flavors are concentrated and savory, offering a unique and lingering finish. The bubble, both elegant and distinguished, underlines the finesse of this champagne. A wine of character and expressive.
95/100 – €30.90 – With a grilled lobster.
Paul Louis Martin Brut
The golden dress sparkles like a Christmas ball. On the nose, the aromas of yellow fruits are a delight. Clearly, it is rather the Pinot Noir (50%) which dominates first. The palate continues with quince jelly, mirabelle plum tart with beautiful liquorice bitters. But this time we also note notes that can be linked to Chardonnay (45%) when it has aged a little, such as honey and cooked orange. We clearly have a champagne with an assertive character, a little vinous, powerful, with warm notes of evolution. We will enjoy tasting this vintage in winter, when we appreciate champagnes that have a little body.
94/100 – €25 – With chicken thighs, trumpet of death sauce.
Prestige of the Sacres Brut
The blend is classic: one third chardonnay, one third pinot noir, one third meunier. The aging on lees for four years, on the other hand, is rather at the top of the range, as is the proportion of reserve wine (40%). The result is that we tick all the boxes of what we have the right to expect from an unaged brut: deliciousness, freshness and complexity. The nose is “thistle” and presents a beautiful finesse. The mouth bursts with aromas of juicy pear, mirabelle plum, tangerine, kiwi and toasted bread, all enhanced with a hint of clove. As for the acidity, it is nicely balanced by the velvety texture.
94/100 – €26.30 – With a kiwi cake.
Tsarine Brut
The jury's unanimous favorite was this very elegant champagne, vinified by Isabelle Tellier – one of the very first female cellar managers in Champagne – with the common thread of finesse and freshness. Expressive and beautifully complex, the nose unfolds with accents of citrus (pomelo, lemon), stone fruits (apricot, peach) and white flowers. After a generous attack, the tonicity and freshness of citrus fruits return on the palate, the substance is silky, the bubble fine, and the foam, distinguished, perfectly measured. The beautiful length is punctuated by a most invigorating saline and lemony finish.
96/100 – €30 – With duck and orange.
Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Card
Veuve Clicquot holds its place with this top of the range which remains affordable. The carefully studied blend of the best batches of grape varieties, without forgetting the proportion of well-selected reserve wines (up to 45% from one of the richest collections in Champagne), offer a whole color chart. Hawthorn flowers, a touch of iodine and fine brioche, white fruits and citrus fruits contribute to an expressive and distinguished nose. The candied lemon leads the tasting, on a round and fruity palate. If this champagne were to be a painting, it would be Monet’s “Water Lilies”, for its rich palette of colors.
96/100 – €49.50 – With a chicken casserole with morels and cream.
Médot Extra-Brut
It is the work carried out on respect for the living, twenty years ago, on the Montagne de Reims, which is bearing fruit today with this new certified organic vintage from Champagne Médot. This house knows how to tame each vintage to bring out all its splendor. The wine produced can surprise with its complex profile, an assertive oxidative nose joined by notes of brandy, plum and peach. It is suave, the mouth is rich, with a nice tension. Everything is in perfect balance. A wonderful champagne to get off the beaten track.
96/100 – €35 – With walnut bread, smoked duck breast and fresh butter.
