Armand de Brignac, Ace of Spades Gold Brut, Champagne

95
Tasted by: Christelle Guibert
This is a three-way assemblage: three grape varieties – and equal percentage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% of Pinot Meunier – and a blend of 3 vintages, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity.
90
Tasted by: Simon Field MW
(at Harrods, London, 08 Sep 2019)
By far the most voluminous of an admittedly modest range, quantity wise, this golden flagship is a blend of 2012, 2013 and 2014, relatively recently disgorged and dosed at 9 g/l, the liqueur de tirage the only component which has been oak aged. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir share the honours, the balance of 20% made up by Pinot Meunier. Beyond the green gold hue and persistent mousse there is an impressive vanillin richness, hints of acacia and buttered toast; ripe semi-tropical fruit is grounded by soft chalk, powdery yet discrete. The finish needs a little more time to settle; there is energy, which will soften, and power which will underwrite an impressive development over the next couple of years.
Armand de Brignac, Ace of Spades Gold Brut, Champagne
Producer
Armand de Brignac
Brand
Ace of Spades Gold Brut
Wine Type
Sparkling
Colour
White
Country
France
Region
Champagne
Sweetness
Dry
Closure
Cork
Alcohol
12.50%
Grapes
40% Chardonnay
20% Pinot Meunier