Based in Mareuil sur Ay, in Montagne de Reims, Philipponnat holds a long history tracing back to 1522, and at some stage supplied the King of France Louis XIV.

Their approach is based on their exceptional Terroir, enabling them great maturity to deliver flavourful, powerful and well-balanced Champagne. The house is one of the most prestigious ones, ranked as #18 most admired brand by Drinks Business Magazine in 2019. To many, the house remains one of the best kept secret in Champagne!

The name of Royal Réserve goes back to the ancestors of the Philipponnat family, vineyard owners, wine-merchants and winemakers, suppliers to Louis XIV, magistrates and Royal Mayors of Ay. The essential characteristics of the Mareuil sur-Ay terroir, where mainly Pinot Noir grapes are grown, are predominant in this cuvée. It offers a superb balance between structure, vinosity and a long finish.

Blend: 65% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Meunier. First press juice of mainly Grand and Premier Crus grapes from the heart of the Champagne wine-growing area.

Vintage: 20 to 30% of reserve wines are aged in wooden barrels using the solera system to blend with base vintage and incorporate older wines without losing freshness.

Vinification: Vinified using traditional methods to avoid premature oxidation. Partial malolactic fermentation and reserve wines aged in casks to allow the aromas to develop complexity.

Dosage: Moderate (8g/litre) to maintain a balance between freshness, fruitiness and vinosity without masking the wine’s character and purity.

Aging: Aged on the lees in the House’s cellars at a constant temperature of 12°C for three years, far longer than the legal minimum requirement of 15 months.

To the eye: Deep gold in colour with amber glints. Delicate froth, lively and lingering.

With the nose: The first nose reveals vine blossom, linden and fresh, lightly toasted bread. After breathing, aromas of summer berries, citrus fruit and honey develop.

With the mouth: Fine vinous attack on the palate, fruity (redcurrant, raspberry, ripe grape) and fullbodied, generous and long. Light notes of biscuit and freshly baked bread on the finish.

Food pairing: As an aperitif, served chilled but not ice-cold (8°C). Enhances hot or cold white meats, poultry and premium charcuterie. An ideal complement to cold buffets, fish and seafood.

Storage: Royale Réserve Brut will maintain its balance and liveliness for about two years stored in a cool dark cellar. It will then develop for a further five years at least towards greater complexity and roundness.

Wine Enthusiast – 93 points

This producer’s nonvintage cuvée is just right. It is balanced, the ripe apple and pear flavors are laced with acidity and citrus are, giving minerality as well as structure from the 65% Pinot Noir in the blend. This Champagne is perfectly ready to drink.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate – 92 points

‘Based on the 2014 vintage, complemented by some 29% solera-aged reserve wines, the latest release of the NV Brut Royale Réserve was disgorged in July 2018 with eight grams per liter dosage. Offering up aromas of honeyed orchard fruit, dried white flowers, fresh peach and drawn butter, it’s medium to full-bodied, elegantly muscular and concentrated, with a textural attack, lively acids and a nicely defined finish.’

James Suckling – 92 points

’19 Jul, 2018 – This delivers attractive richness and body with nicely balanced acidity and fleshy fruit. Light berries and yellow citrus fruit with stone-fruit and pastry notes. The palate has supple peach and peach-pastry flavors. Lots to like and certainly a cut above the average NV offering. Drink now.’