Sparkling
Find the top rated sparkling with Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s extensive sparkling reviews and easy to use rating system. Our sparkling ratings are full of great information and will help you make the perfect choice!
Moët & Chandon 1996 Dom Perignon Rosé Sparkling
- Editors' Choice
- $425
This is going to be a great wine: going to be, because it is still firm, dry, serious and very pure with structure over the red fruits and acidity. Give this wine another five years at least—and then it will be both impressive and delicious.
— R.V.
(11/1/2006)
Taittinger 1996 Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Chardonnay
- Editors' Choice
- $140
Hugely toasty, nutty, mature, this is a delicious wine. The richness of the apple and cream flavors gives way to a finely balanced wine that keeps lightness in play with intense flavors. Drink now, it is in perfect condition.
— R.V.
(11/1/2006)
Louis Roederer 1999 Cristal Brut Sparkling
- $188
A powerful Cristal, which has all the richness of the 1999 vintage. The aromas of white flowers and cocoa lead to a palate that is rich, intense, concentrated, but restrained. It is already drinkable, but should mature well.
— R.V.
(11/1/2006)
Gloria Ferrer 1997 Carneros Cuvée Sparkling (Carneros)
- Editors' Choice
- $50
This is the winery’s most expensive bottling, a late disgorged bubbly that has now seen a decade of age. It shows the elegant polish of the ’97 Royal Cuvée, but is superior even to it in richness. The creamy smoothness is the star attraction, but so are the subtle citrus, raspberry, brioche and vanilla flavors. Impeccably dry balance guarantees that this beautiful…
— S.H.
(12/31/2007)
Duval-Leroy 1995 Femme Brut Sparkling
- Cellar Selection
- $120
It is appropriate that Duval-Leroy has Femme as its top wine, since the company is run by one of the legendary “Champagne widows” Carol Duval-Leroy. This wine is an indication of the great quality now coming from this producer. It’s an elegant wine, dominated by Chardonnay, with intense green fruits, a fine structure, no sign at all of aging. With the wine this…
— R.V.
(12/1/2007)
Jacquesson et Fils 1997 Avize Grand Cru Extra Brut Chardonnay
- Cellar Selection
- $90
This blanc de blancs certainly shows its dryness, but with the wonderful maturity that it is just beginning to develop, it also has plenty of richness. Almonds are emerging to balance the white, almost tropical, fruits, calming the extreme crispness of the acidity. A great wine, which should develop beautifully over the next 10–15 years.
— R.V.
(12/1/2007)
Larmandier-Bernier NV Vieilles Vignes de Cramant Grand Cru Chardonnay
- $80
While the Larmandier’s main vineyard is in Vertus, they also have a parcel in the grand cru vineyard of Cramant. It is full of beautifully ripe fruit, beginning to round out as it ages. Green fruits and white pears, as well as yeast are still dominant; drink 2010.
— R.V.
(12/31/2007)
Ruinart 1998 Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut Chardonnay
Rich, toasty, mature, this important Champagne is all those things. It’s certainly mature for a 1998 vintage, which means it would be delicious to drink now. But the ripeness, allied to the serious acidity and wood structure, do suggest that it’s likely to age more.
— R.V.
(12/1/2008)
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