Philipponnat Royale Reserve Brut NV

Disgorged March 2019. Based on 2015. 35% reserve wines. (Disgorged over about 10 months.) Based on 2015’s ripe and healthy grapes, 'a small 2008’. Linear and intense. Softer nose than the cuvée based on 2014. Fruity impact and more exuberant and less challenging than the 2014 blend. Cherries on the nose and passion fruit on the palate. Almost more forward than the 2014 base. Jancis Robinson

• Drinking Window: 2019 - 2023
• Reviewer Name: Jancis Robinson

Very graceful, with lovely harmony and detailed texture. Lightly creamy, offering a subtle blend of Fuji apple, hazelnut, lemon pound cake and smoke flavors, with vibrant, mouthwatering acidity.

The NV Brut Royale Réserve (base 2017) is a terrific introduction to this range. Soft, open-knit and creamy, the Royale Réserve offers up hints of lemon peel, spice, mint, chamomile and dried flowers. This release is based in 2017, with 30% reserve wine composed of 20% of the previous year’s blend and 10% perpetual reserve. This gentle, caressing Champagne is a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Dosage is 8.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: April, 2022.

• Drinking Window: 2022 - 2028
• Reviewer Name: Antonio Galloni
• Review Date: November 2022

Aromas of baked apple pie, nutmeg, ginger and caramel. A moderately concentrated wine with medium weight and dosage; flavors of apple, spice and toast are a bit generic. Narrows a bit toward the end. Well-made but unexciting non-vintage brut.

• Reviewer Name: Stephen Tanzer
• Review Date: December 2014