“Moderate straw-yellow hue with fine, active bubbles. Expressive nose of toasted grain and red apple with light lemon accents. Foamy texture on entry with continued cherry notes that complement pear and spice together with a very pleasing, creamy mineral appeal. Tart apple and crisp lemon/lime-inspired acidity grace the elegant close.”

“Laurent-Perrier’s prestige cuvée is always non-vintage, a blend of top years. The latest bottling is so elegant, definitely maturing from bottle aging and older vintages in the blend, but still worthy of aging in itself. It is dry, in the L-P style, but has richness, an intense pink grapefruit character, hints of cilantro, the final acidity a great shaft of light.”

“Warm and rich, offering spice, leather and gently oxidative notes, with toast, citrus and ginger. It’s all married to a refined texture and vibrant structure, keeping this focused and persistent, with a wonderful kaleidoscopic finish. Drink now through 2012.”

“This multivintage blend has acacia notes, similar to the 99 Brut with more reserve wine richness. The broad texture carries earthy tones and a radishlike acidity, supple and bold. A substantial wine with the pomp and circumstance for a celebratory dinner.”

“Pale straw. Intense, pungent aromas of mineral-accented green apple, Anjou pear and spice. Deep and fleshy, with almost painfully concentrated orchard fruit flavors and a sappy, clinging texture. For all its weight and power, this is also precise and vibrant, finishing with a nervy mineral tone and excellent length.”

“Chalky, flinty aromas of orange, lemon and bread dough. Balanced, mouth-filling flavors of apple cider, malt and yeast are more expressive than the nose. Soft lemon drop finish.”

“Though very ripe, the wine’s richness is somewhat hidden by a blast of SO2 until you have given it some good aeration. Then the true nose emerges, and if you like fresh baked pastries and a creamy style of Champagne, this is your bottle. The fruit is peachy/tropical, and an unusual spice note-wintergreen?-adds some lift through the long finish ”

“Floral aromas; toasted almond flavor notes; lots of finesse, with a nice, lacy, wonderfully seductive character.”

“Its attractive nose of toast and green apples is augmented by hints of minerals, soy and creamy yeasts, and its explosive bubbles propel those outgoing elements in the wine’s unmistakably classy, perfectly integrated flavors. The wine is appropriately long and slightly lemony at the finish and calls for service with tangy finger foods. No other prestige-label Champagne comes close in value.”