Top 10 Champagnes

The Clouets were once official printers to the royal court of Louis XV at Versailles, which explains the ornately gilded labels, but the Champagne inside earns its keep. This rose is 100% Pinot Noir from the family's Grand Cru holdings in Bouzy and Ambonnay, blended with a splash of still Bouzy red for its delicate salmon color. Bouzy is one of the warmest villages in the Montagne de Reims, giving opulent, red-fruited Pinot that Clouet reins in with bright acidity and minerality. Ornate on the outside, seriously grown-up within.

This is Agraparts' entry-level wine. And what an introduction it is! Although you may not get the site-specific flavor elements that come from their terroir bottlings, you definitely get to taste the winemakers style.

Bollinger is one of our favorite houses in Champagne — and, famously, the longtime Champagne of James Bond. Special Cuvée is where the legend starts: a Pinot Noir-driven blend built for richness and depth, with a deep library of reserve wines and long time on the lees doing the heavy lifting. This is Champagne with broad shoulders — toasty, structured, and serious, but never heavy. It's the house pour that made Bollinger a benchmark. Pop it for a celebration or, better yet, for no reason at all.

The Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Brut Cuvée Sainte Anne NV is a refined and expressive Champagne from the historic village of Merfy in the Montagne de Reims. This cuvée is typically a blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, sourced from organically farmed estate vineyards that have been family-owned since 1485. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in older oak barrels, the wine undergoes minimal filtration, preserving its authentic character. A modest dosage of around 4 g/L ensures a Brut style that balances richness and vibrancy.

On the nose, this Champagne reveals inviting aromas of ripe orchard fruits, including apple and pear, complemented by notes of brioche, toasted almonds, and delicate floral undertones. The palate is generous and well-structured, with a fine mousse and lively acidity carrying flavors of citrus zest, red berries, and a touch of minerality. The finish is long and elegant, showcasing balance and finesse.

This versatile Champagne pairs beautifully with seafood dishes, roasted poultry, or creamy cheeses, making it suitable for both celebratory moments and refined dining. While approachable now for its freshness and vibrancy, the Chartogne-Taillet Cuvée Sainte Anne NV will reward cellaring over the next 2–3 years, gaining additional nuance and depth. It is a superb representation of the Chartogne-Taillet family’s dedication to terroir-driven Champagne.

One of our favorite Champagnes at this price point.

The Jacques Lassaigne Champagne Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut ‘Les Vignes de Montgueux’ NV is a vibrant expression of 100% Chardonnay, showcasing the unique terroir of Montgueux, often referred to as the “Montrachet of Champagne.” Crafted by the Lassaigne family, this cuvée is a blend of grapes from 7 to 9 distinct parcels and three successive vintages. Vinified with minimal intervention, the wine undergoes extended lees aging to develop complexity and is bottled with minimal dosage, resulting in an Extra Brut style that emphasizes freshness and precision.

On the nose, this Champagne opens with lively aromas of green apples, white peach, and freshly baked bread, accented by notes of pastry cream and subtle chalky minerality. The palate is taut and racy, offering vibrant acidity and flavors of citrus and orchard fruits, leading to a long, chalky finish that underscores its purity and finesse.

This Champagne pairs beautifully with oysters, seared scallops, or sushi, where its minerality and crisp acidity elevate the flavors of the dish. It also makes a sophisticated aperitif, setting the tone for any refined occasion. While already approachable for its freshness and energy, the Jacques Lassaigne ‘Les Vignes de Montgueux’ NV will reward careful cellaring over the next 2–3 years, unveiling even greater nuance and complexity. It is a testament to the Lassaigne family’s mastery of terroir-driven Champagne.

A rosé Champagne born from over 40 years of Pinot Noir vine age. Aurélie Barrat and Loïc Masson craft La Grande Homée as a rosé de saignée, destemming and macerating their old-vine fruit for about 24 hours before vinifying in stainless steel—minimal intervention, maximum character. The result is deep ruby color with a fresh, fruity nose of raspberry and cherry that carries through to a palate driven by red fruits and gourmet tannins. Serious, thoughtful Champagne with bracing acidity and no added sulfites.

Bouzy is Champagne's grandest hill, and this vintage blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay captures red-fruit intensity after extended lees aging. Extra-Brut means less sugar to get in the way—pure expression of compote aromas, lively acidity, and a long, balanced finish. A serious Champagne that lets the Grand Cru terroir speak.

Ville sur Arce, Côtes des Bars."Jérôme's wines are made from one cépage, Pinot Noir, from one contiguous 6.5 hectare block of vineyards, “Largillier”, and from one year. Within the site, four contiguous parcels have been delimited : Minéral, Fruit, Fleur and Matière, from which Jérôme crafts various cuvées.  Endowed with the swell of fruit and power offered by the clay soils of this warm Côtes des Bars.  Jérôme only makes this undosed wine in what he terms ”rich” years From the parcel named Minéral, it was left en tirage until the end of 2022, the better to allow a graceful evolution."