If ever there were a Champagne a meal unto itself, Bollinger would be the one. And their Brut Special Cuvée is the purest expression of the style of Champagne Bollinger. Produce of 60% Pinot noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot meunier grapes; luminous yellow/gold in color; noticeably and reliably rich and toasty on the nose with nuance of citrus peel and buttered biscuit; full-bodied and dry, frothy and toasty on the tongue with bold, sumptuous and satisfying depth of flavor. Mais oui, c'est Bollinger!

Founded in 1849, Pol Roger is one of only a few Grande Marque Champagne houses that remain family owned and operated. Produce of ⅓ each Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, Pol Roger Brut "White Foil" is sourced from Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards in Montagne de Reims (Pinot Noir), Vallee de la Marne and Petite Valle d'Epernay (Pinot Meunier) and the Cote des Blancs (Chardonnay). Pale gold in color with an ultra fine bead; flowery, delicately toasty aroma; creamy textured, then supremely balanced on the tongue with a dry, well-rounded, harmonious finish, it so elegantly cajoles another pull. We find it delectable. If it is true that a Champagne house be judged by the quality and consistency of their "House Brut," then the house of Pol Roger rates most highly. We recommend the Pol Roger Brut White Foil as "House Brut" Champagne at its very finest.

Like finely woven silk, this offers beautiful texture, sublime balance and integration. Rich apple pastry, candied orange peel, crystallized honey and dried apricot flavors are layered with hints of smoke, sea salt and toasted nut. Lovely, with a fresh, persistent finish. Drink now through 2028. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. Rated 95. –AN, Wine Spectator December 15, 2011

Standard bearer of the style of Champagne Henriot, the Blanc Souverain Pur Chardonnay is, in our humble estimation, a quintessential expression of Chardonnay from Champagne, with discreet aromas of citrus and wine-drenched chalk, fine wildflower honey and a subtle toasty yeasty quality; at once both crisp and refreshing and broad and satisfying on the tongue, with a subtle depth and complexity of flavor that both charm and impress. A most engaging and delicious Blanc de Blancs. Splendid value, too, in top quality Champagne!

Krug Grande Cuvée is the signature wine of the great Champagne House of Krug and, to be sure, a considerable demonstration of the skill and the intuitive craftsmanship requisite in the making of the very finest Champagne. Typically, Krug Grande Cuvée is composed of from as many as 50 wines from 20 to 25 crus and from six to ten different vintages, a work carried on by (among others in the Krug inner sanctum) the family Krug itself, the end result of which is a shimmering sparkling wine, seemingly effortlessly balancing richness and freshness, power and finesse. Brilliant golden in color with aromas that are deep and profound, already suggesting the very best that might be coaxed from mere grapes grown in such a wonderful chalky soil; there’s a fine toasty quality, for sure, a suggestion of citrus preserve and perhaps a fine wildflower honey with nuance of baking spice, but, truly, words elude us; yet there is surely a sense of the grandeur of it all at work here; the wine just struts out onto the tongue with presence and power, yet perfectly balanced and proportioned, like a vinous version of the big bang, bursting and expanding with complex flavors and, as it has so well been put, "finishing in a final flourish of freshness leaving one longing for more." If there were one name in Champagne that gets the tongues of our discerning Champagne-loving clientèle (and ours, as well) most atwitter, it’s Krug! Regularly $150.00 the bottle, on sale now at:

Rich and creamy, showing the dried fruit, nut and spice notes of fruitcake, with lemon meringue, quince and honey flavors. Clean citrusy acidity integrates beautifully and provides an elegance to this refined Champagne. Drink now through 2020. Rated 92. –AN, Wine Spectator December 31, 2011