H. Billiot Fils Grand Cru Brut Reserve

Pale silver. Mineral-laced citrus and orchard fruit aromas display excellent energy and focus. Brisk, mouthwatering and pure, offering stony lemon and quince flavors and a slow-building baked apple quality. Very clean, nervy and light on its feet, with excellent persistence.

The NV Brut Grand Cru Réserve is a rich, boisterous wine that showcases incredible intensity in its fruit. The fat, rich style completely covers every inch of the palate and a sweet, perfumed finish reminiscent of ethereal plums and kirsch offers final notes of elegance. The Grand Cru Réserve is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay (all Ambonnay). The base vintage is 2006, with equal parts 2004 and 2003 that round out the blend. Disgorged June 24, 2009.

This full-bodied offering is ripe and richly balanced. A predominance of the two Pinots gives it an intense fruitiness, with raspberry and red apple notes dominating. At the same time, there is a fine, mineral-driven tautness that gives it a final, crisp bite. Disgorged February 2012.