Freddy R. Troya

9.8

Armand de Brignac “Gold” Brut – NV
Champagne, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A prestige multi-vintage Champagne, composed of three distinct vintages sourced exclusively from estate-owned Grand Cru and Premier Cru parcels in Rilly-la-Montagne, Chigny-les-Roses, and Ludes. Blend composition; 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier.

Handcrafted in small batches, this cuvée exemplifies depth, polish, and harmony, a benchmark luxury Champagne that delivers substance beyond the spectacle. Dosage is kept discreet, allowing purity, texture, and natural vinosity to shine.

Aromas & Flavors
Golden apple, ripe pear, and baked quince lead the nose, followed by brioche, toasted hazelnut, almond cream, and hints of citrus oil. Subtle honeyed notes and chalky minerality add impressive aromatic layering.

Mouthfeel
Silky yet energetic. The mousse is fine and persistent, framing a palate that is both rich and precise. Chardonnay provides lift and elegance, Pinot Noir adds structure and depth, while Pinot Meunier rounds the mid-palate. Long, polished finish, lingering but never heavy or fatiguing.

Food Pairings
Caviar, lobster with beurre blanc, sashimi, truffled poultry, aged Comté, or simply on its own as a statement aperitif.

Verdict
A spectacular Champagne that justifies its prestige. Complex, impeccably balanced, and deeply satisfying, the Gold Brut delivers true luxury through craftsmanship and terroir, not excess.

Did You Know?
Armand de Brignac is produced by the Cattier family, whose Champagne lineage dates back to 1763. Unlike many prestige cuvées, the Gold Brut is crafted from 100% estate fruit, with each bottle riddled, disgorged, and finished by hand , a rarity at this scale.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
One of the most delicious Champagnes tasted recently, memorable and worth the investment. — 8 days ago

JKT

9.0

Always a shock right? Georgia and tasting like a hit balanced blend — 10 months ago

Aaron Tan

9.3

A note from Christmas. Befitting of the ocassion - it always feels so special to open a Vin Jaune. Something about these highly intense wines that just begs for contemplation. I found the 11' En Spois a really elegant expression of the wine, with citrus fruit and saline characters stealing the limelight. Sure it was aldehydic and leesy, as one would expect a Vin Jaune to be, but it never overpowered the juicy elements of the wine. For me, the ace-in-the-hole here was the sappy texture and "clean" linear acidity. All that with walnuts and Manchego - incredible! Just wished we had Comté then. — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Armand de Brignac “Rosé” Brut – NV
Champagne, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A prestige multi-vintage Rosé Champagne crafted from estate-owned vineyards in the Montagne de Reims, including Rilly-la-Montagne, Chigny-les-Roses, and Ludes. Blend composition; predominantly Pinot Noir, supported by Chardonnay and a smaller proportion of Pinot Meunier, with a measured addition of still red Pinot Noir wine to achieve its delicate rosé hue. Produced in small batches, this cuvée emphasizes finesse, purity, and subtlety rather than power.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh wild strawberry, raspberry, and red cherry glide out gently, followed by rose petal, citrus zest, and faint brioche notes. The fruit profile is precise and lifted, with a quiet chalky undertone and restrained pastry character.

Mouthfeel
Exceptionally delicate and refined. The mousse is fine and silky, with bright acidity carrying the wine effortlessly across the palate. Light-bodied for Champagne, elegant and poised, finishing clean and graceful without weight or richness.

Food Pairings
Tuna tartare, salmon sashimi, shellfish, light charcuterie, soft cheeses, or as an elegant aperitif in good company.

Verdict
Not my preferred Champagne style, but undeniably well executed. Subtle, polished, and extremely delicate, this Rosé delivers finesse over intensity and proves its quality through balance and restraint.

Did You Know?
Armand de Brignac Rosé is assembled using multiple vintages and finished with the traditional Champagne method, with each bottle completed by hand, a rarity among luxury Champagne brands.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A memorable experience enjoyed with friends, especially alongside the Gold Brut from the same house, a beautiful contrast of delicacy versus depth. — 8 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Champagne Cattier – Brut Rosé Premier Cru (N/V)
Montagne de Reims, Champagne – France 🇫🇷

Overview
Produced by the Cattier family (vinegrowers in Champagne since 1763, now in their 13th generation), this Premier Cru Brut Rosé blends 31% Chardonnay, 26% Meunier, 43% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims. Crafted with precision, it highlights the house’s reputation for balance and finesse.

Aromas & Flavors
Delicate raspberry and wild strawberry notes, lifted by citrus zest and a whisper of brioche. Hints of red currant and rose petals add charm.

Mouthfeel
Crisp, creamy, and elegant with fine bubbles. The mousse is persistent yet delicate, and the finish is both refreshing and silky.

Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with smoked salmon, tuna tartare, charcuterie, or fresh berry desserts. Also excellent as an aperitif.

Verdict
A well-made Premier Cru Champagne rosé that delivers finesse, freshness, and subtle complexity. A fine choice for those seeking elegance at a relatively approachable price point. 🥂cheers!

Did You Know? 📌
Cattier is also the family behind the ultra-prestige label Armand de Brignac (“Ace of Spades”), but their own Cattier-branded Champagnes often deliver outstanding value for their pedigree. — 3 months ago

lindsay Hall

9.6

Awesome pineapple cider tastes like white gummy bears yaaas — 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Armand de Brignac “Demi-Sec” – NV
Champagne, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A multi-vintage Demi-Sec Champagne crafted from estate-owned vineyards in the Montagne de Reims. Blend composition; Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, with a notably higher dosage designed to emphasize sweetness and roundness over tension and dryness.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe stone fruit, candied citrus peel, honey, and baked apple, with soft pastry notes and a distinctly sweet aromatic profile.

Mouthfeel
Broad and creamy, with gentle mousse and low perceived acidity. The sweetness dominates the palate, creating a rich but heavy impression rather than freshness or precision.

Food Pairings
Fruit-based desserts, pastries, or blue cheese. Best suited to pairing with sweetness rather than as an aperitif.

Verdict
Well made and technically correct, but stylistically not for me. The sweetness outweighs balance and vibrancy, making it less appealing compared to classic Brut expressions.

Did You Know?
Demi-Sec Champagne contains significantly higher residual sugar than Brut styles and was historically popular for dessert pairings and celebratory occasions.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
For sweet wine cravings, I would rather reach for Tokaji or Sauternes, where sweetness is matched with greater complexity and structure. — 8 days ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.1

Classic. Held up four days too. — a month ago

Fabian S

9.1

cherry, mushrooms, leather, floral, sparkling, red berry — 3 years ago

David Schultz

8.9

Picked it up at Ace liquor in Hopkins! — 4 years ago