Henri Giraud is an exciting and leading name in the grand cru village of Aÿ making wines of great elegance that have earned them a loyal following among collectors and critics alike. The heart of this multi-vintage blend is the excellent 2020 vintage, which is combined with one third perpetual reserve, dating back to 1990. The wine is a beautiful golden colour, with a chalky, vinous precision on the nose, leading to a racy, detailed palate with great depth of flavour. This is a very serious Champagne: classy and precise, combining the appealing intensity of the vintage with the finesse of the Giraud style.

Yeasty, bready notes combine with sea spray, bruised apple and a hint of burnt orange on the finish. Spice and herbs add complexity alongside the palate’s finesse and vibrancy. Pale gold in colour, this bone dry sherry evokes memories of being by the sea with its salty and saline palate. Quite simply delicious.

Fresh and complex, with an alluring ripeness and depth to the fruit on the nose. Notes of pretty red forest fruits, wild strawberry and fresh cranberry, accompanied by notes of white flowers. Fresh, elegant and precise on the palate from the off, gliding to a long, mineral finish. Delicious now, this will age with style.

Domaine de Thalabert is always one of the best wines of the appellation and in certain great vintages the ageing capacity is remarkable. The 2022 is one of these vintages. Deep purple in colour, there is a vivid nose of violets, bramble fruit, pepper and wild thyme. The palate is fleshy and full yet with ample freshness that coats the palate with a fluid fine al dente fruit. This is no doubt one of the great vintages of Thalabert.

Domaine de Thalabert is always one of the best wines of the appellation and in certain great vintages the ageing capacity is remarkable. The 2022 is one of these vintages. Deep purple in colour, there is a vivid nose of violets, bramble fruit, pepper and wild thyme. The palate is fleshy and full yet with ample freshness that coats the palate with a fluid fine al dente fruit. This is no doubt one of the great vintages of Thalabert.

Domaine de Thalabert is always one of the best wines of the appellation and in certain great vintages the ageing capacity is remarkable. The 2022 is one of these vintages. Deep purple in colour, there is a vivid nose of violets, bramble fruit, pepper and wild thyme. The palate is fleshy and full yet with ample freshness that coats the palate with a fluid fine al dente fruit. This is no doubt one of the great vintages of Thalabert.

The 2024 La Fleur Petrus is quite a serious and brooding wine. Restrained at first there is plenty of spice with aromas of white pepper and sandalwood. Quite strict on the palate with sinewy tannin, red cherry fruit and a little liquorice note there is plenty of tension and energy. With time this might gain some weight and become more rounded on the palate.

This is very seamless and pure in style opening with fine spiced cherry fruit, five spice, wild strawberry and kirsch. A little detail of tannin which grip slightly but there is a purity and elegance here. The fruit is medium bodied and strawberry and red fruit focused. A lovely energy here and excellent intensity for the vintage.

A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 15% Merlot, the 2024 Batailley opens with charm and distinctive floral notes of violets and iris. Classical in profile, there is an understated elegance here. Gravelly and mineral, it is mid-weight, fresh and vibrant – a wine that has captured the growing season, and plenty of tension to unfold in the coming years.

Classic Cuvée Edition 1 is the inaugural release from Domaine Evremond, a joint-venture between two longstanding friends, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger and Patrick McGrath MW. A blend of 2020 (80%) and 2019 (20%) sourced from the original plots of the estate, the Classic Cuvée was aged on lees for three years. Aromas of citrus, toast, seashells and white blossom. The crisp, saline palate reflects English-style freshness and the chalky soil. However malolactic fermentation brings roundness and texture with notes of green fruits, white peach and a pinch of white pepper. A refined mousse leads to a hint of crushed almond on the finish. Precise and elegant, it's perfect to drink now but should benefit from further ageing under cork.