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.

Philipponnat was the first Champagne House to clearly label its bottles with the main year used in blending a cuvée, its dosage (non dosé in this case) and date of disgorgement. This cuvée reveals the wine’s basic sensory qualities through its total absence of sugar and offers a subtle blend of aromatic precision (citrus notes, orange zest), minerality and vinosity. A dazzling and genuine expression of the Philipponnat style.

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. 20% to 30% of reserve wines are aged in wooden barrels using the solera system to 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. Undosed (0 g/litre) to reveal the wine’s full 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: Pale gold in colour. Delicate, lingering froth.

With the nose: Aromas of linden, vine blossom and hawthorn.

With the mouth: The attack is bold and pure, with notes of citrus fruit and great liveliness without aggressiveness. The finish is long and clear with notes of warm bread and fresh apple.

Food pairing: As a refreshing aperitif, served chilled but not ice-cold (8°C). Enhances raw fish and seafood. An ideal complement to Japanese cuisine.

Storage: Royale Royale Non Dosé expresses its full intensity in the 6 to 18 months after disgorging. This wine is also suitable for aging for several years.

James Suckling – 92 points

9 Jul, 2019 – A very fresh and bright, lemon and white-peach nose with gently flinty nuances, leading to a very fresh, pared-back and clear-cut, dry palate. Drink now.

Wine Advocate – 91 points

Disgorged in June 2020 without dosage, the NV Royale Réserve Non Dosé is very expressive, bursting with aromas of peach, white flowers, pastry cream and vanilla pod. Medium to full-bodied, enveloping and flavorful, it’s bright and chalky, with a pinpoint mousse and long, bone-dry finish.

Wine Enthusiast – 90 points

With its searing crisp character, this is a wine for food. Very textured, apple skins cut through the citrus acidity, creating a taut, nervy wine, although finishing with a richer, more yeasty character.