What
France’s best-selling champagne, a super-collective of over 5,000 growers originally formed in 1976 to bring premium champagne to a broader audience.
Where
Chouilly, Côte des Blancs; grapes for Nicolas Feuillatte wines only come from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards, 95 per cent Grand Cru for this Palmes d’Or. The Chardonnay, from Montgueux, adds a tropical richness to the blend.
Why
Palmes d’Or, the firm’s prestige cuvée, comes in a highly distinctive, “faceted” bottle in an opaque black to protect the wine from light. The 2008 vintage is one of the greatest so far this century, with racehorse tension and poise.
What else
The Reserve Exclusive and vintage-dated Blanc de Blancs are great value, bright-flavoured and bracing
Tasting Notes
Bitter lemon drifts into exotic citrus, butter biscuits and gingerbread. A mouthful of firm phenolics and a wash of acid brighten the entry; the middle is juicy and full of levity; the finish is quite clean textured but luxuriantly yeasty.
Try It With
Dishes that utilise roe or uni.
When To Drink
After meal or in a club.
Perfect For
Your favourite co-worker.
TL/DR
Taut fruit bathed in unabashed toastiness.