This spectacular wine replaces White Star as the flag bearer for the brand. It is a stunning improvement with a lovely citrus nose that shows hints of white flowers, minerals and brioche; it is smooth textured with graceful structure, bright acidity and showing long, precise and vivid flavors.

Bright and balanced, featuring a fine, lively bead, mouthwatering acidity and a lightly toasty profile of poached pear and black currant flavors, with rich hints of lemon curd and pastry cream.

(roughly 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay; 9 g/l dosage; LAIBG): Light, bright yellow. Musky pear and toasty lees on the nose and in the mouth. Fleshy and open-knit, with a hint of bitter lemon pith adding back-end cut. Finishes on a gently smoky note, with very good cling and focus and a hint of bitter quinine. This must be the best example of this bottling that I've had in years, if not decades. In the past the Imperial Brut received a dosage of 12 g/l, but no more; in fact, there's talk that in the near future it may be dropped down as far as 7 g/l.

This Brut NV is all about textural feel, in a comparable way to velvet and leather apparel. It takes a moment’s aeration in the glass for the discreet citrus, apple-ring and toasty character to emerge, so don’t rush this. The simultaneously mellow and lively balance and the harmoniously dry finish will appeal to a wide public. Drink now.