Grapes: 65% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Meunier

Philipponnat has been shaping Champagne’s story since 1522 — a house celebrated for its understated mastery and Pinot-forward style. The Brut Royale Réserve is their calling card: an elegant, full-flavored Champagne that bridges freshness and depth with effortless grace. The wine contains first press juice of mainly Grand and Premier Crus grapes from the heart of the Champagne wine-growing area of which 20% - 30% is aged in wooden barrels using the solera system to incorporate older wines without losing freshness, giving an incredible complexity that we love.

Pinot Noir provides backbone and richness, balanced by Chardonnay’s lift and Meunier’s supple fruit. The base wines are partially vinified in oak for texture and aged for several years on lees before disgorgement, creating a cuvée of quiet complexity and seamless precision.

Aromas of ripe pear, golden apple, and toasted brioche open into layers of citrus zest, almond, and chalky minerality. The palate is creamy yet focused — vibrant fruit framed by fine bubbles and a touch of spice. The finish is long, elegant, and beautifully dry, embodying the finesse that defines the Philipponnat house style.

Wine Enthusiast: 94 points