Vintage Champagne: panel tasting results

A structured and powerful vintage that is superbly balanced. Toasted coconut, grey wisps of smoke and crushed stones overlay mango and pineapple, vanilla and spice....

It was monk Dom Thierry Ruinart who, three centuries ago, inspired his nephew Nicolas to create what is widely held to be the oldest Champagne...

Produced in Reims for Asda by Chanoine Frères, Louis Bernard Brut is a Champagne made by a maison with a history dating back to 1730....

Chef de cave Emilien Boutillat supervised the sourcing of grapes for the 2012 from 12 different plots, two-thirds of which are designated as either premier...

For 20 years, Jean Philippe Moulin has been quietly producing some of the most famous wines on the planet. Using the same source of grapes...

The Champagnes of Maison Billecart-Salmon are made from grapes grown in a radius of 20km around Epernay, in the vineyards of the Montagne de Reims,...

Ayala pioneered the dry styles of Champagne at a time when demi-sec or sweet was the norm. La Perle is sourced only from grand cru...

Supremely attractive nose of lemon, lime, dry stone fruits, Christmas cake, nutmeg, vanilla and almond. Delicate texture on the palate with a very long finish.

Nose of plums, spring flowers, berry fruit, fresh zesty citrus and a hint of verbena. Nice poise on the palate, harmonious and well-balanced. Terrific aperitif...

Compact yet persuasive nose of white flowers, smoke, poached pear, plums and spices. Generous and broad on the palate with a delicate mousse and silky...

Vinous nose with gentle bready notes, smoke and bright apple and lemon nuances. Appealing fresh fruit on the palate, with impressive shard of citric acidity...

Generous nose with developed notes of white fruits, clove, butter, pineapple and hints of figs. Compelling, sophisticated with a serious spicy character. Mineral finish.

Interesting aromas of apricot, plum, late season apple and lemon grass with hints of fresh cherries and white roses. Classically poised, resonant and pure with...

Sweet tobacco leaf on the nose with seductive honeysuckle undertones, lemongrass and fallen apples nuances. Approachable in the mouth with a firm pull of acidity.

Elegant aromas of baked apples, dried citrus peel, biscuit crunch and some cream. Lovely freshness on the palate, showing a fine mousse.

Approachable nose of crushed yellow fruits, white blossom and baked pear. Harmonious with tension and a smokey character. Zesty finish.

Evolving nose displaying nuances of lemon, cream and complex notes of truffle and mushroom. Fresh and structured with a pristine finish.

Attractive aromas of peachy fruit, cotton candy and complex salty notes. Very fresh on the palate, harmonious with a persistent, creamy mousse.

Delicate expression on the nose, showing scents of iris, orange blossom, oolong tea and almond flakes. Generous on the palate, poised with a refreshing finish.

Classic elegant aromas of plums, dried apricots, flowers and soft citrics. Delicate dry vinous notes on the palate with a spicy character.

Voluptuous nose of guava, Mirabelle plum, cotton candy and blossom. Delicious on the palate with a gentle mousse and fresh structure, chalky finish.

Charming nose of candied lemon and peach with delicate touches of ginger and iris root. Layered and delicate texture, perfectly balanced.

Mature nose of honey, beeswax, dairy, apple tart and caramel. Concentrated and driving on the palate with a gentle finish.

Very pure aromas of pear drop, honeysuckle, bergamot, acacia and quince. Imperious grip at the back, brilliantly balanced by a zesty freshness.

Zesty nose with notes of peach and apricot and hints of red fruits and nuts. Classic and harmonious, with a creamy body.

Pithy nose with lemongrass and verbena undertones and nuances of coconut and tropical notes. Rich and rounded, creamy, showing finesse.

Fresh nose of spring flowers with fresh and dried herbs notes and lemony undertones. Soft bubbles and very pleasant aftertaste.

Elegant aromas of white tea, fresh red berries, blossoming cherries and plums. Dry and zesty with an apple tart finish.

Fresh nose of crushed yellow plum with a smoky character. Savoury on the palate, with white pepper and red fruit touches.

Vibrant aromas of red berries, blueberries, lemon zest and hints of brine. Well-balanced and structured with a textured finish.

Gentle aromas of nectarine, plum, flower and a lemony breeze. Precise on the palate, with tension and freshness. Classy.

Persuasive nose showing notes of honeycomb, bitter lemon and dried herbs. Focused on the palate with a chalky finish.

A mature nose with tertiary notes beyond toast and brioche, the most powerful nose of the vertical tasting. The same sense of austerity as on...

Delicate floral and white pepper notes with subtle sweet nuances of caramel. Full-bodied with a leesy note and persistent finish.

The nose has pretty floral hints of citrus blossom, layered with apricot, peach, lemon tart and nuts. Toasted brioche on the firm palate, with pear,...

Classic nose of bakery, ripe peach, plums and figs. Impressive palate with a savoury character, concentrated, with a fresh finish.

Expressive nose with notes of ripe peach, bakery, Mirabelle plum and yellow flowers. Nice mineral tang on the palate.

Subtle nose with aromas of green salad, bakery and hints of savoury notes. Elegant and whimsical, charming palate.

Herbal nose of fern notes, roast apricot, rosemary and crème brûlée aromas. Well-structured on the palate, showing charm and finesse.

Playful and accessible, showing lemony, baked peach pie and brioche aromas. Fresh and zesty in the mouth with lively bubbles.

Restrained nose with elegant notes of wild berries and nectarine, and hints of resinous spices. Well-textured body with a salty finish.

Cherry blossom, strawberries, verbena and delicate cranberry leaf aromas. Assertive acidity and a lightweight pillowy texture on the palate.

Fresh citrus and red fruits aromas on the nose. Fresh and gentle in the mouth with tension and a delicate bitter finish.

Bloody orange, ripe citrus juice with tangerine peel and fresh white pear aromas. Smooth texture with a delicate mousse.

Fresh nose of green apple tart and peel, lime juice and hints of dry herbs and brioche. Pleasing in the mouth.

Exotic nose of oyster shells, dry fruit, grapefruit and cranberries with hints of sage. Savoury on the palate with a chalky finish.

Focused nose with fresh tropical fruit, cream, jasmine pearls and white tea notes, hints of incense and potpourri. Dry and delicate, rewarding.

Creamy nose with nuances of dry hay, quince tart and wet wool. Chalky fruit kernel mid-palate with a lively acidity.

Attractive smoke and meadow aromas with hints of baked brioche. Off-dry and earthy on the palate, quite gastronomic.

Nose of figs and plums with apricot and dried flowers nuances. Classy and creamy on the palate.

Classic nose of quince, brioche and plum with hints of oak and hazelnuts. The palate is broad-brushed and generous.

Delicate undertones of pickled apples, kumquat, pineapple and hints of vanilla and tobacco. Charmingly drinkable with a zesty finish.

Spicy nose with hints of spring flowers and petrichor, seasoned with hints of oak. Poised and zesty with a refreshing finish.

Lively nose of baked apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and warm cream. Lively on the palate with a fresh lemony character.

Baked almonds, marzipan, brioche, gingerbread and honeycomb notes. Attractive fruit on the palate with a hint of smoke.

Soft and charming nose of plum, caramel and hints of mandarin. Zesty freshness with nuances of nougat on the palate.

Pithy grapefruit nose with notes of spices and verbena. Composed and expressive with dairy undertones.

Indulgent playful nose of apple charlotte and quince with toasty undertones. Vinous and flavourful on the palate.

Developed nose of cooked yellow fruit, dry roses, white tea and grapefruit undertones. Seductive mouthfeel.

Classic nose of late season apples, nectarine, tobacco, nougat and dairy. Lively and structured on the palate.

Lively nose of blueberries, apricots and lemon peel. Very complete palate with a touch of sweetness.

Enticing smoky nose with a touch of flintstone and lemongrass. Ripe with a tight lean structure holding it.

Lifted and complex nose with notes of sea breeze and yellow apples. Pleasing texture on the palate.

Savoury nose with notes of bread, orange peel and ripe peaches. Brooding on the palate with a delicate bitterness.

Harmonious aromas of cinnamon, cloves, peaches and guava. Firmly defined palate with a biscuity finish.

Fresh and delicate aromas of orchard fruit, orange blossom, lily and cool fern. Generous and poised on the palate.

Evolving nose displaying notes of brioche, spices, ripe peaches, coriander and marshmallow. Powerful and biscuity, very young.

Very ripe and luscious peachy fruit on the nose. Smooth and vibrant palate with an impressive concentration.

Scents of citrus peel, lemongrass, hay and dried flowers. Rounded creamy texture with a pleasing lively finish.

Lemony-rain nose with yellow cooked fruit, linseed oil and buttered toast aromas. Generous palate, ripe and vibrant.