Armand de Brignac "Ace of Spades" Brut Champagne.
1,000 Champagnes were blind-tasted by the world's most respected wine critics and sommeliers recently. The results were published in Fine Champagne magazine, the only international publication devoted to Champagne and a renowned authority on the industry.
Each Champagne was rated on a 100-point scale. The process was so strict that, if judges' assessments were more than four points apart, the Champagne would be tasted again and reassessed.
When the results were weighed, the top 10 included many classic names. The surprise first-place finisher was Armand de Brignac Brut Gold, with a taste score ranking No 1 among the world's best Champagnes.
The Top 10
96p Armand de Brignac Brut Gold
95p 2000 Dom Pérignon
94p 1998 Mumm Cuvée R. Lalou
94p 2002 Roederer Cristal
94p 2000 Egerier de Pannier
94p 1998 Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill
93p 1998 Dom Pérignon Rosé
93p 1999 Jacquart Blanc de Blancs
93p 2002 Roederer Cristal Rosé
93p NV Chartogne-Taillet Fiacre.
Of the competition's results, Fine Champagne editor-in-chief, Pekka Nuikki, said: "Our highest rating went to Armand de Brignac: a fine, smooth and creamy Champagne with underlying power and great mineral freshness. The panel praised the wine for its classic style and perfect drinkability today that doesn't compromise its ageing capacity. It has everything a truly great Champagne can offer, and the packaging -- the distinctive, showy golden 'ace of spades' bottle -- serves as a brilliant example of Armand de Brignac's courageous, successful branding."
