Tasting notes:

In 1895, Champagne Gardet started as a small family-owned house based in the premier cru village of Chignyles- Roses in the Montagne de Reims. Now producing around 1m bottles, its vintage wines are renowned, and deservedly so. This example, from the beautifully fresh and well-structured 2008 vintage, has been recently released after 15 years on the yeast lees. Pale gold in colour with a wide cordon and streams of tiny bubbles, the wine displays plums, passion fruit, toast and a hint of caramel, accented by chalk and wax notes. Extrabrut in style (5g/l dosage), the palate is medium-bodied with bracing acidity, linen mousse texture and a lovely, cardamom-accented finish. Well-defined, complex and long, the wine will match grilled lobster or oysters in Champagne cream sauce. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)