Tamlyn Currin’s L&S Grower Champagne Reviews

A big, full-blown, powerful blanc de noirs (100% Pinot Noir from the Grand Cru vineyards of Bouzy), which nevertheless retains a balance and freshness along with its considerable vinosity. Rated even higher than Bollinge...(read more)

100% Pinot Noir from a single parcel in Le Breuil called La Brousse where they have diseased vines producing some very beautiful bunches of grapes with tiny berries and great concentration. South-south-west-facing plot o...(read more)

One-third each Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from Festigny and Le Breuil. Vines around 38 years old. Organic and biodynamic farming (not certified). Hand-picked, stainless-steel fermentation, wine aged one yea...(read more)

All 2016 but not declared as a 'vintage' Champagne. 100% Meunier from Festigny and le Breuil, villages in the south-west of the Marne valley, aged in oak foudres, bottled in 2018 and released in 2023 with zero dosage. 'C...(read more)

A really fascinating Champagne that you need to try - not from the most fashionable Grand cru sites, maybe, but made with extraordinary care and precision and it shows - the focus and sheer energy and zing are distinctiv...(read more)

Fruit from Avize. 100% Chardonnay. Blend of 2017 and 2018. The 2017 was cool and rainy, 2018 was sunny but produced a huge crop so the wines could be a bit dilute, so they balance each other out in the blend. Stainless-s...(read more)

100% Pinot Noir, 90% being from Bisseuil, and 10% from Ambonnay. Ripe grapes means that this wine has quite a deep colour, almost oeuil-de-perdrix. Very fine and persistent bubble, full-flavoured with good acidity to giv...(read more)

70% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Meunier, from premiers crus Bisseuil (80%), Mesnil-sur-Oger (15%), Mareuil-sur-Aÿ (5%). 80% from 2020. Tirage April 2021, disgorged July 2023. Dosage 4 g/l. Beautiful nose. F...(read more)

80% Meunier, 10% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir. From 50-year-old vines in Monthelon and Mancy (Côteaux Sud d'Épernay) and 45-year-old vines in Boursault (Vallée de la Marne). 73% from 2016, 27% from thei...(read more)

Delightfully fragrant nose of flowers and tropical notes, with a herbaceous edge. This is a broad Chardonnay blend from Coteaux Sud d’Epernay and Marne Valley terroirs, enriched by 23% of perpetual-reserve wines. Really...(read more)

100% Chardonnay from old-vine south-east-facing plots in Cramant. Vines between 57 and 80 years old. Spontaneous fermentation in old wooden vats and casks. Natural malo. Wines are aged on lees, unfined, unfermented. Tira...(read more)

100% Chardonnay from premier cru vineyards in Vertus, Oger, Avize and Cramant. Lightly clarified juice goes into wooden vats and casks. Spontaneous fermentation and natural malo. Wines are aged on lees, unfiltered and un...(read more)