NV - Pierre Peters, Cuvee de Reserve Blanc de Blancs

The NV Brut Cuvée de Réserve Grand Cru (base 2022) is powerful and quite rich. Dried lemon peel, crushed flowers, chamomile, mint and dried herbs fill out the layers effortlessly. There's gorgeous fruit density and overall presence. The 2022-base is an especially dense, racy Cuvée de Réserve that can be enjoyed now or cellared for at least a few years. Dosage is 5 grams per liter. Disgorged: August 2025.

For an introduction into the range of Pierre Péters, the NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cuvée de Réserve is the perfect choice. It's based on the incisive 2021 vintage and completed by a 50% component of the perpetual blend, aged in a variety of vessels (stainless steel tanks, large oak casks and concrete). This is the most floral wine in the range, wafting from the glass with aromas of honeysuckle, citrus fruit, acacia and beeswax. Shaped by the high-acid vintage profile, expect a bright, lightly structured Champagne laden with racy acids and a focused finish. It was disgorged in May 2024 with a dosage of six grams per liter.

The NV Cuvee de Reserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut is 100% Chardonnay, disgorged in October 2021. Pale golden in color, it offers classic notes of brioche, toasted almonds, and honeysuckle over a core of baked apples and pear tart, plus a touch of chalk dust. The very dry palate is well-balanced and hard to fault, with a lively line of freshness defining the spicy apple and pear layers, supported by frothy bubbles, finishing yeasty/savory. This ticks all the boxes, if a little uninspiring.