TN: Boizel NV Brut Reserve Champagne

Having recently tried the 1995 Boizel Brut Champagne Joyau de France and really enjoying it, I was really looking forward to this NV Brut Reserve. At $20 / 375 mL (which is the bottle I tasted from) it’s quite a fair price for a good Champagne ($20-$25 online for 375 mL, around $50-60 for 750 mL).

The first difference was the presence of an actual “pop” when I opened the bottle.  As I noted with two bottles of the 1995 Boizel, there was only a very little pressure in the bottle which worried me, but did not impact the wine.   This NV Brut Reserve had similar fruits in the nose with grapefruit really standing out as well as a touch of hazelnut and minerals.  The wine was complex and had great presence and very good balance.  The finish was crisp and refreshing, but did not have the same lasting impression as the 1995, which I would expect.  This NV Brut Reserve is ready to drink now and was a steal for $20 / 375 mL.  A much different style than Veuve Clicquot Brut or Taittinger Brut; less acidic and crisp, but creamier and quite refreshing .  My rating: 88 pts.