#77 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2011 - 90pts WS

92pts James Suckling

Lots of pear and apple flavors with a hint of biscuit. Full body. Plenty of rich fruit and a tangy finish. Lots of acidity here. Drink now.

91pts Wine Enthusiast

Part of the Bollinger group, this nonvintage cuvée is sophisticated, with ripe fruit, acidity and tangy orange-zest flavors all in balance. A final fresh twist gives a great lift.

91pts Wilfred Wong

Perhaps one of Champagne's purest Bruts, the non-vintage Ayala Brut Mejeur highlights excellent ripe fruit, some nice aged elements and a superior crispness in the end. A perfect match with raw oysters on-the-half-shell. Medium to straw in color; chalk and peach fuzz in the nose, most certainly an amalgamation of fruit and earth; dry, perky acidity, well balanced; fresh core fruit, with an a accent of mineral in the flavors; fresh and frisky in the aftertaste. (Tasted: March 3, 2016, San Francisco, CA)

90pts Wine Spectator

Smoke and forest floor notes lead the way here, with the chalky texture carrying subtle flavors of grilled nut, lemon meringue and dried currant. Balanced, offering smoke details on the fresh finish.

90pts Wine & Spirits

Luscious ripeness lends this wine a quince-like flavor, feeling round and generous against the chalky briskness of Champagne. For all its fruitiness, this is dry, firm and grounded, a clean aperitif or a first-course wine for a rabbit terrine.

90pts Decanter

Broad, expressive nose - lots of yeastiness on display, plus spice, floral and some toffee and caramel notes. The palate is clean and precise, showing elegant fruit characters and some burnt biscuit flavours too. Classic Champagne style, very conventional but decent complexity.

Winemaker Notes

Pale gold in color with a fine mousse, the wine is aromatic on the nose. On the palate, it is well balanced and shows great finesse and complexity.

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the best grand- and premier crus bring vinosity and delicacy together in a very harmoniously balanced blend. The complement of Pinot Meunier adds a charming touch of fruitiness and liveliness.

Delicious as an aperitif, Brut Majeur is also the perfect wine to serve throughout a meal. It will pair perfectly with sea food, scallops, lobster, crab, fresh or grilled fish, fish terrines, salmonor beef carpaccio, as well as with sushi and Asian cuisine.

NM – Négociant Manipulant