Special Wines for Valentine’s Day

February 2024
Written By: 
James Ginley
Photographs by: 
courtesy of the wineries

Savor these 90-point French champagnes

Pol Roger Brut Reserve
Epernay, France $63 
Aromas of warm biscuits, pear and citrus, followed by fresh fruit and a buttery palate. The flavor is concentrated, with soft, creamy bubbles and a medium body with a light cinnamon finish. The Pol Roger Brut Reserve is aged up to four years, blended from at least three vintages, and it shows in the well-rounded profile. A great value with a 91-point rating from Wine Enthusiast.

Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut
Champagne, France $55
Known for its cherry-red label, Piper-Heidsieck is a classic, well-structured, fruit forward champagne. The pale gold color displays neat, lively bubbles and aromas of almonds and hazelnut. The taste is fresh pear and apple, with white peach and buttery toast, leading to a finish of creamy mousse on the bright and spicy finish. This is a timeless classic. Rated 90 points by James Suckling.

Taittinger NV Brut Prestige Rosé
Reims, France $90
This elegant and balanced rosé champagne is made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. It offers an intense cherry-pink color with tiny, pinpoint bubbles that rise up in the glass. A fragrance of subtle earthy and floral nuances, with a palate of balanced red berry flavors coming to a crisp, refreshing finish. ‘A mouthwatering wine’, says Wine & Spirits Magazine, who gave it a 90-point rating.

Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs 2014
Reims, France $85
A vintage Blanc de Blancs champagne is always unique, and this example shows strings of tiny bubbles coming to the top. While crisp fruity aromas fill your nose, the luxurious palate opens to a blend of white fruits, toasty sweet breads, and a bit of oak. This is an elegant, timeless champagne that will continue to improve in the cellar. Robert Parker gave it a 94-point rating.

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV 
Reims, France $69
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is one of the bestselling and recognizable champagnes in the world, and it’s affordable! It offers the perfect combination of structure and finesse, with the fruity aromas and toasty notes coming from three years of aging in the bottle. The mouthfeel shows yellow and white fruits, followed by hints of vanilla and creamy brioche. Earned a 90-point rating from Wine Spectator.

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