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Winner Details

Champagne: Vintage


2015: Gold 2 Silver 5 Bronze 4 Commended 3
2014: Gold 3 Silver 4 Bronze 1 Commended 5

 
A third place on the Gold List on the trot for Heidsieck’s Blanc des Millénaires, and some reasonable pickings around the mid-priced level. But even if the wines are ready to drink (and not all of the entries here were), there are still question marks over how easy they are to sell.


From the Tasting Teams


‘2006 is a nice vintage for us to work with because it’s decent value and ready to drink.’ Charles Van Wyk, FJB Hotels

‘I always want vintage champagne to deliver an experience – something with more character than NV sparkling, which is more about freshness.’ Giuseppe Longobardi, The Cross at Kenilworth

‘Vintage champagne is not an easy sell.’ Debbie Smith, 21212

Award winners

Found 14 wines

Sparkling: Champagne - Vintage

Charles Heidsieck, Blanc des Millénaires 1995, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

Does everything Charles Heidsieck touches turn to Gold? Not far off! For this winner, 'The nose boasts biscuity autolysis, nutmeg and apricot, with a creamy brown spice and stone fruit palate, good supporting acidity and a great finish,' said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel. 'Foie gras ahoy!' Meanwhile team leader Andrea Briccarello felt the colour showed complexity, noting tropical fruits such as pineapple, guava and mango on the rich mid-palate. 'Match with turbot,' he said. Good idea.

£86.92 Liberty Wines

GH Mumm, Brut Millésimé 2006, Champagne, France

Gold medal winner

Drinking beautifully now, this delighted with its mineral notes, complex bouquet and well-integrated acidity. 'Perfumed herbal aroma notes with some pastry and apple,' team leader Tom Forrest observed, noting a palate of 'creamy apple notes, lemon citrus and apple blossom, with good length and a crisp, clean finish'. Pair with veal sweetbreads, salmon, or lobster.

£32.87 Pernod Ricard UK

Palmer & Co, Blanc de Blancs Millésimé 2008, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

'Fine, with good fizz and bright acidity, notes of sultana and freshly baked croissant on the palate,' said Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth. 'Citrusy, with pineapple acidity and green apple finish,' said team leader Andrea Briccarello, suggesting matching with crab and fresh langoustine.

£28.60 Bibendum

Charles Heidsieck, Brut Millésimé 2005, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

A very strong Silver, Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth noted a fine gold appearance with persistent bubbles, adding: 'Almond pastry and dry sultana aromas, with fig jam and baked pineapple notes on a salty, mineral palate. Long and persistent.' 'Sugared lemons and parma violets on the nose,' said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel, suggesting turbot as the match of choice.

£46.00 Liberty Wines

Lanson, Noble Cuvée 2000, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

Debbie Smith of 21212 highlighted this wine's 'stunning, beautifully rich nose', singling out its 'brioche and baked apple notes' for praise.'La classe already showing amazing complexity and balance,' added an impressed Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at the InterContinental Hotel.

£69.54 Bibendum

Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs 2006, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

'Very pleasant, with depth and body, impressive elegance and sophisticated style,' said L'Ortolan's Guillaume Kaczmar, adding: 'Benefits from decanting.' 'Creamy, nutty, toasty with citrus and green apple,' added team leader Laura Rhys MS. Still regarded as young, we hope this will return.

£91.88 Hatch Mansfield

Lallier, Grand Cru, Vintage Brut, disgorged March 2014 1999, Champagne, France

Silver medal winner

A 'good, weighty, riper style', said Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels, adding: 'Dried apricot and bruised apple notes with refreshing acidity and some toasted brioche notes.' 'Elderflower and spiced pear on the nose,' added Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel, suggesting langoustine risotto.

£36.00 Boutinot

Artéis & Co, Brut 2002, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

'Opulent and complex,' stated Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel, adding: 'Long finish with spicy character. Drink now. Great value for money.' Team leader Laura Rhys MS added: 'Good weight and complexity.'

£25.00 Roberson Wine

Chassenay d'Arce, Cuvée Pinot Blanc, Extra Brut 2006, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

Pale lemon colour with small bubbles and some toasty apple notes on the nose. Crisp and dry, with creamy fizz, green apples and citrus on the palate and some minerals on a lemony finish. Mouthwateringly refreshing.

£32.96 First Class Products

De Castelnau, Brut Vintage 2004, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

Debbie Smith of 21212 was unequivocal, declaring: 'Fantastic nose; complex, yeasty palate; superb.' Guillaume Kaczmar of L'Ortolan agreed, adding: 'Finishes long and dry, with complex notes of dried fruits and nuts.'

£32.00 Spirited Wines, Castelnau Wine Agencies

Devaux, D Millésimé 2006, Champagne, France

Bronze medal winner

'Good depth and balance, nice acidity and refreshing finish,' said Guillaume Kaczmar of L'Ortolan, while team leader Laura Rhys MS praised its 'elegant fruit and mineral notes'.

£39.32 Liberty Wines

Françoise Bedel, Entre Ciel et Terre 2005, Champagne , France

Commended medal winner

Lallier, Grand Cru, Vintage Brut 2008, Champagne , France

Commended medal winner

£26.00 Boutinot

Moët & Chandon, Grand Vintage 2006, Champagne, France

Commended medal winner

£38.00 Moët Hennessy