Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Brut

Product Information:

The first release from Champagne Armand de Brignac, the Brut Gold remains the most iconic cuvée in the range. Rich with the old-world tradition of champagne blending, it is a trio of vintages from some of the most lauded terroirs of the region, resulting in a cuvée expressing vibrant and fresh fruit character with a soft texture.

A perfectly balanced blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier wine with a gentle dosage of 9g/l. Aromas of apricot, peach, hints of brioche, and orange blossom. The palate is shows exotic fruits and a touch of honey, lemon, and vanilla. Pillowy texture and soft, with a sophisticated toastiness. Aged for one year in French oak barrels. 

Each bottle of Armand de Brignac is coated in metal, finished with the hand application of French pewter labels and polished. Only 20 bottles can be completed per person per hour in the winery, and as a result, meaning no two bottles are the same. 

Maker:

12th and 13th generation wine growers, Jean-Jacques Cattier and his son, Alexandre, craft the prestige cuvées of Armand de Brignac. Their dream was to create a champagne of the most exceptional quality, that would represent the best of the best from the region, where their family have grown vines for more than 250 years.

The Cattier family is based in the Montagne de Reims and own 33 hectares of vines across some of the most lauded crus in Champagne, including the villages of Rilly-la-Montagne, Chigny-les-Roses and Ludes. The fruit selection is guided by the intimate knowledge the Cattier family have of the tapestry of vineyards in Champagne, after working the land for more than 250 years. Each year they search for the plots that present fruit with the most remarkable character – regardless of cru – from what Mother Nature presented from the season. Sustainability is a core principle of the Cattier’s vineyard management and their owned lands are certified HVE level 3 – the highest grading from the French government – acknowledging the level of care they give to the environment, to protect it for future generations.

Philosophy:

Only including the very first and freshest portion of the cuvée press, in order to produce the very best champagnes possible, is a winemaking signature of Armand de Brignac. This intense selectivity and meticulous attention to detail ensures the juice abounds with vibrant fruit character, soft texture and balanced acidity. Inside Armand de Brignac - Armand de Brignac Champagne French Oak Each bottle of Champagne Armand de Brignac is finished with a unique dosage, which comprises the finest base wine of the harvest, aged for one year in new French Oak. This winemaking touch provides subtle complexity to the finished cuvées, introducing hints of baked pastry, vanilla and toastiness. Inside Armand de Brignac - Armand de Brignac Champagne Trio of Vintages Unique to Champagne Armand de Brignac is the blending of a trio of vintages. Each assemblage brings together the unique characters from three distinct harvests, while maintaining a powerful lineage from blend to blend.

Nose - White Flowers, Orchard Fruits, Crème Patissière
Rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière.

Palate - White Cherry, Toast, Dried Apricot
Wafting through flavours of white cherry, toast, dried apricot and salted almond on the palate.

Finish - Salted Almond, Vanilla, Honey
Baked biscuits on the nose with a rich mouthfeel and notes of crystalized citrus.

The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity. - Christelle Guibert, Decanter, 95 Points.

A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, this ripe, well-balanced wine has some toast that adds complexity and richness to the apple and lemon fruit, indicating a mature bottling. The wine in a gold-foil bottle is one of five made by the Cattier house for rapper and entrepreneur Jay Z's Armand de Brignac Empire brand with the “Ace of Spades” logo. - Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points.

This presents floral and ripe fruit notes on the nose, wafting through flavors of white cherry, toast, dried apricot and salted almond on the palate. Well-balanced and smoky, structured by firm acidity and a lively mousse. - Wine Spectator, 91 Points.

The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - 50% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Meunier
Vintage - Non Vintage
Region - Champagne
Country - France
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.5%