Bruce Sandersons Recommended Champagnes

For complete reviews, see the Buying Guide of this or previous issues or www.winespectator.com. An alphabetical listing of all wines tasted for this report begins on page 220 of this issues Buying Guide.

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Krug BrutChampagne1996

99

$250

A powerful, majestic Champagne. Deep and compelling, with ripe, exotic aromas. Lean and racy on the palate. A classic 96.
deVenoge BrutChampagne1988 97 $110

a.r.lenoBle BrutBlancdeBlancs Champagnegentilhomme1999

93

$68

A suave Champagne, with honey, toasted brioche and hazelnut aromas and ginger, dried citrus and coffee flavors.
VeuVeCliCquot BrutChampagnerare1988 93 $85

This brilliant Champagne has a satin texture and a vibrant structure, with leather, dried berry, toast and coffee bean.
Krug BrutBlancdeBlancsChampagne ClosduMesnil1996 96 $800

Vigorous, this shows ginger, quince, biscuit and dried berry. A lean thoroughbred, with bracing acidity.
CHarleSHeidSieCK BrutBlancdeBlancs ChampagneBlancdesMillnaires1995 93 $110

Offers fine depth and complexity. Laserlike on the palate, with citrus, honey and mineral. Has great potential.
ruinart BrutChampagnedomruinart1996 95 $170

Elegant and creamy, boasting graphite, honey, toast and coffee aromas and flavors. Impeccably balanced and inviting.
J.detelMont BrutChampagneo.r17351997 93 $145

This well-integrated version seems to have tamed its acidity. Shows graphite, lemon, hazelnut and brioche.
Salon BrutBlancdeBlancsChampagne leMesnil1996 95 $350

Excellent harmony and a refined mousse set the stage for whole-grain bread and apple flavors. Intense yet stylish.
Krug BrutChampagnegrandeCuvenV 93 $150

A deep, vinous style, this has understated power and grace, offering lemon verbena, toast and honey aromas and flavors.
Bollinger BrutChampagnelagrandeanne1999 94 $125

Offers seductive aromas of graphite, vanilla and coffee. Firm and expressive, with a refined mousse and great balance.
Ployez-JaCqueMart BrutChampagne l.dHarbonville1996 93 $175

A beautiful Champagne, from the floral-, coffee- and briochescented nose to the graphite, vanilla and citrus flavors.
Bollinger BrutrosChampagne lagrandeanne1999 94 $200

Exotic aromas of tropical fruit, plus citrus peel and ginger, make this a seductive bubbly. The texture is like silk.
ruinart BrutrosChampagnedomruinart1996 93 $400

Very appealing for its mix of spices, picking up cherry and orange peel on the palate. Dry, intense and well-balanced.
Henriot BrutChampagne Cuvedesenchanteleurs1995 94 $130

A fresh, elegant ros, with a strawberry and cherry hint behind the citrus and smoke notes. Very refined.

This is delicious, featuring vanilla, graphite, toast and candied lemon aromas and flavors. Has refinement and length.
JaCqueSSon extraBrutChampagne1996 94 $110

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HeidSieCKMonoPole BrutChampagneBluetopnV 91

$35

Multigrain toast, lemon, coconut and beef bouillon aromas and flavors highlight this dry, muscular Champagne.
Krug BrutrosChampagnenV 94 $300

Elegant and expressive, this delivers floral, pear and toffee flavors matched to a creamy texture.
JaniSSon&FilS BrutChampagnetraditionnV 91 $34

A vinous style, with macerated cherry, wild berry, grain and spice notes and an ultrafine texture. Has intensity and length.
PiPer-HeidSieCK BrutChampagneCuverarenV 94 $100

Aromas of graphite and iron filings give way to ripe berry, peach and citrus in this vinous Champagne.
JaniSSon&FilS BrutChampagne KirklandSignaturenV 90 $22

Fresh, light-weight and refined, evoking vanilla, toast, lemon candy and graphite on an airy mousse. Offers terrific balance.
VilMart BrutChampagneCoeurdeCuve1999 94 $122

Firm and tight, but with a nice range of flavors within its compact frame, showing peach, orange and gingerbread.
Montaudon BrutChampagnenV 90 $35

Barrel fermentation adds depth and complexity to this harmonious Champagne, with vanilla, spice, kirsch and coffee.
VilMart BrutChampagneCuveCration1998 94 $108

A full-bodied bubbly, featuring graphite, honey, apricot and toasted brioche flavors. Well-balanced and lively.
PiPer-HeidSieCK BrutChampagnenV 90 $30

Round and exuberant, displaying tropical fruit, coffee and tangerine notes. This is full of finesse and flavor.
niColaSFeuillatte BrutBlancdeBlancs Champagne1998 93 $40

A pronounced graphite aroma introduces this finely wrought, chiseled Champagne, with lemon verbena, ginger and spice.
JaniSSon&FilS BrutChampagne FranoisderozaynV 89 $28

Harmonious and creamy, with a fine mousse and complex flavors of toast, coffee, graphite and ginger. A beautiful bubbly.
Bollinger BrutChampagneSpecialCuvenV 93 $60

Toast, pencil shavings, apple and lemon flavors highlight this dry, concentrated Champagne.
VranKen BrutChampagnedemoiselle ttedeCuvenV 89 $37

This exudes honey, with a richness and a supple texture. Peach, biscuit and dried orange peel notes add complexity.
PiPer-HeidSieCK BrutChampagne2000 93 $65

An elegant style, with a fine texture and citrus and apple flavors. Vibrant and balanced.

Opulent and energetic, this has a concentrated essence of vanilla, honey, apricot and citrus notes. A compelling 2000.