{"product_id":"armand-de-brignac-ace-of-spades-demi-sec-champagne-750ml","title":"Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Demi-Sec Champagne 750ml","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEvery Armand de Brignac bottle turns heads, and the Demi-Sec’s shiny purple one might do it best. In a lineup of gold, rosé, silver, and black, this is the one that stands out: a richer, softer, more indulgent Champagne for the guest who likes their celebration a little sweet, and a bottle that looks like nothing else at the table. It comes in a black, velvet-lined wooden gift box, and it’s the one you bring to the dinner, the brunch, or the after-party when the plan is to linger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe look is made by hand, as with every Ace of Spades. Each bottle is metal-clad, finished, polished, and fitted with its French pewter labels by hand, and the brand says that no two bottles are identical. It’s also one of the rarest in the range: Demi-Sec was once reserved for guests of the Maison in Chigny-les-Roses, and wasn’t released more widely until the end of 2015. The brand calls it “a rare expression of the House style,” “crafted as a richer, more indulgent cuvée” that “balances freshness with refined sweetness.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe wine is built to be sweet without being heavy. It’s a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, and 10% Pinot Meunier, with half from the harvest year and the rest from two older reserve vintages, and its 33 g\/L dosage is low for a Demi-Sec, “just the right level of sweetness” for rich food, with fresh acidity running through it. The dosage is aged in oak, which adds creamy depth and a toasty note. The nose is buttered brioche, English candy, and stone fruit compote; the palate layers in “chocolate, wild blueberries, and crystallized citrus,” and finishes long and elegant. Wine Spectator described “a lively backbone of acidity” balancing “this creamy Champagne, which offers subtle notes of pastry cream and candied ginger.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIt’s a wine for the moments that call for something sweeter: dessert tables, brunch, spicy and rich food, foie gras, blue cheese, and the celebrations where the bubbles are meant to be the treat. And it’s built to photograph: the purple bottle against a white tablecloth, a pastry tower, or a cheese board is unmistakable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eArmand de Brignac Demi-Sec is produced by the Cattier family in Champagne, France, led by Jean-Jacques and Alexandre Cattier. It is a multi-vintage blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, and 10% Pinot Meunier (50% from the harvest year, 25% each from two reserve vintages), with a 33 g\/L dosage made from base wines aged in French oak. Each metal-clad bottle is finished and polished by hand, fitted with French pewter labels, and presented in a black wooden gift box with a velvet lining. 12.5% ABV, 750ml.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt’s the one for people who like sweet; critics who’ve tasted it agree it’s well made.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Spectator — 90 Points (Alison Napjus):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A lively backbone of acidity balances this creamy Champagne, which offers subtle notes of pastry cream and candied ginger. Drink now.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Tasting Panel — 92 Points (Anthony Dias Blue, April 2016):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Juicy, floral and long; only Demi-Sec prestige cuvée.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Enthusiast — 90 Points (Roger Voss) · Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate — 91 · James Suckling — 91\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJancis Robinson:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I could easily imagine this accompanying a luxurious meal. Very well made with fully integrated sugar.” (18\/20)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Spectator (additional note):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“This is the sweetest of the five Champagnes... It is a well-tuned wine, fruity while maintaining the soft aftertaste of a demi-sec.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArmand de Brignac (official tasting notes):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The nose reveals notes of buttered brioche, English candy, and stone fruit compote. The palate is layered with chocolate, wild blueberries, and crystallized citrus, culminating in a long, elegant finish balanced by vibrant acidity.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBright straw. Buttered brioche, English candy, and stone fruit compote, with orange blossom and fresh berries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCreamy and softly sweet, with crystallized citrus, wild blueberries, honey, and a touch of chocolate, balanced by lively acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLong and elegant, with pastry cream and candied ginger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMulti-Vintage Demi-Sec Champagne — Prestige Cuvée\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50% Pinot Noir · 40% Chardonnay · 10% Pinot Meunier\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDosage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e33 g\/L, from base wines aged in French oak\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintages\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50% harvest year, 25% each of two reserve vintages\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArmand de Brignac (the Cattier family) — Champagne, France\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShiny metallic purple, hand-finished and polished; hand-applied French pewter Ace of Spades label; black wooden gift box with velvet lining\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABV\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12.5%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTasting Panel 92 · Wine Advocate 91 · James Suckling 91 · Wine Spectator 90 · Wine Enthusiast 90 · Jancis Robinson 17–18\/20\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAging Potential\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe sweet, creamy, indulgent Ace of Spades in the purple bottle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eButtered brioche, English candy, stone fruit compote, crystallized citrus, honey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMake the Moment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe reveal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Present it in its velvet-lined black box, chilled to about 8-10°C, so the purple catches the light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe pour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Serve in tulip-shaped Champagne glasses, and pour for the table at dessert or brunch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe table:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pair it with a dessert spread, a cheese board with blue cheese and honey, foie gras, or spicy Asian dishes, where the touch of sweetness shines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe gift:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Ace of Spades for someone who loves a sweeter bubbly, and one you won’t see everywhere.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFoie gras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlue cheese and soft cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpicy Asian and lightly spiced dishes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFruit desserts, baked desserts, and exotic fruits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eServing Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eServe well chilled, at 8-10°C, in tulip-shaped Champagne glasses.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Southern","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45824049020994,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Armand_de_Brignac_Ace_of_Spades_Demi-Sec_Champagne_750ml.jpg?v=1793036964","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/armand-de-brignac-ace-of-spades-demi-sec-champagne-750ml","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}