Royale Réserve, Brut,

Philipponnat’s Royale Réserve bottlings offer up the signature Philipponnat traits of power and vibrancy – the perfect introduction to the house style. Both Brut and Non Dosé cuvées are a blend of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay with up to a third of the blend coming from two separate ‘perpetual reserves’, the subject of much recent innovation at Philipponnat. The Brut NV opens with a nose of crisp citrus, summer berries and fine biscuit aromas, the palate vinous yet high definition, with complex red fruit notes and gentle toast on the finish. Surprisingly long and complete for an NV cuvee, with a wonderfully refined mousse of the finest bead, this delivers a huge amount of pleasure and class– as you’d expect from the signature bottling from one of Champagne’s smartest addresses. Dosage 8 grams. Base Vintage 2012.