NV Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Gold Brut Champagne, France

The blend here is 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier and like all of the wines in this tasting, it is a blend of vintages 2009, 2010 and 2012. The dosage, made from wine aged for one year in oak, is 9g/l. Beautifully creamy and refined nose, the sheen of almondy richness over quite full, peachy fruit, quite toasty but fruity too. Rich and rolling mousse, with lots of toast and nuttiness, buttery, but very good, precise acidity. Lovely and long, a tang of Seville orange in the finish.

Tom Cannavan