Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Gold Brut, Champagne, France (3L/DOUBLE MAGNUM)

NOTE: CHAMPAGNE BOX SHIPPED UPON REQUEST ONLY, ADDITIONAL CHARGES MAY APPLY.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES:

The first release from Armand de Brignac, the Brut Gold remains the most iconic cuvée in the range. Rich with the old world traditions of champagne blending, it is a trio of vintages from some of the most lauded terroirs in the region, resulting in a prestige cuvée that expresses vibrant fresh fruit character, and layers of complexity.

Peach, apricot and red berry aromas are followed by crystalized citrus, orange blossom and hints of brioche. The palate is rich with cherries, exotic fruits and a touch of lemon, vanilla and honey. The mouth feel is soft and creamy, with a hint of toastiness, from the unique Armand de Brignac dosage which is aged for one year in French oak barrels. Drinking beautifully now or can be rested under ideal cellaring conditions, until 2025.

Ideal as an aperitif or pairs perfectly with seared scallops, roasted quail and fresh water fish.

Blend: 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier

TASTING NOTES:

This is a three-way assemblage: three grape varieties – and equal percentage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% of Pinot Meunier – and a blend of 3 vintages, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity.

- Decanter, 95 pts. 

The NV Brut Gold is fleshy and expressive and opens in the glass with aromas of Anjou pear, dried apricot, yellow apple and buttery pastry, complemented by hints of almond paste. Medium- to full-bodied, flavorful and giving, it possesses a sweet core of fruit that's underpinned by succulent yet vibrant acidity. Soundly made and harmonious, it is a decidedly stronger effort than the house's latest Blanc de Blancs. It was disgorged with a dosage of nine grams per liter.

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 pts. 

An elegant, creamy Champagne, with pretty apple blossom and spice notes leading to finely meshed flavors of ripe white cherry, whole-grain toast and spun honey, framed by fresh, citrusy acidity. Drink now through 2021.

- Wine Spectator, 92 pts. 

A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, this ripe, well-balanced wine has some toast that adds complexity and richness to the apple and lemon fruit, indicating a mature bottling. The wine in a gold-foil bottle is one of five made by the Cattier house for rapper and entrepreneur Jay Z's Armand de Brignac Empire brand with the “Ace of Spades” logo.

- Wine Enthusiast, 91 pts. 

A medium straw color, the NV Champagne Gold Brut is mostly Pinot Noir with 40% Chardonnay and 10% Meunier, and in this release, the base is from the 2018 vintage. Forward with notes of orange and citrus blossoms as well as fresh bread dough, it’s medium-bodied on the palate and offers a leaner style.

- Jeb Dunnuck, 90 pts.