PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Telmont is one of the more interesting Champagne houses of recent years, in Damery in the Marne Valley, a historic house that has reinvented itself with a commitment to organic viticulture and a “transparent” approach to labeling. As one importer notes, the labels “are rich in information giving details about the grapes, disgorgement, vintage and the like,” so you can see exactly what’s in the bottle: the blend, the base year, the disgorgement date, and the dosage.
The Réserve Brut is the house’s flagship non-vintage cuvée, and, in the cellar’s words, “a beautifully balanced blend of seven distinct years, a perfect harmony of richness, fruit and freshness.” The blend is led by Pinot Meunier, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and it varies by release: the 2022 disgorgement was 53% Meunier, 31% Chardonnay, and 16% Pinot Noir, at a dosage of 5 g/L, bottled at 12% ABV. Wine Spectator notes that 20,273 cases were made of this cuvée, with about 6,000 imported.
Critics have rated it consistently at 90 to 92. Wine Spectator scored it 91: “Well-spiced and fragrant, offering flavors of ripe raspberry and cherry fruit, ginger biscuit, chalk and blanched almond accented by a rich hint of Grand Marnier liqueur. Bright and focused, with a satinlike mousse. Drink now.” Decanter also scored it 91: “A savoury style that flies the flag for elegance. Layered with delicate peach, rosemary, mushroom and white truffle notes.” Wilfred Wong of Wine.com scored it 92: “fresh and bright,” with “aromas and flavors of dried leaves, savory spices, and mineral notes.” Wine & Spirits scored it 90, noting that “pinot meunier lends a perfumed strawberry note to the brisk, chalky chardonnay.” The Sommeliers Choice Awards gave it a Gold in 2024, and Vinous scored it 88.
The house’s own tasting note: “On the nose, aromas of pear mingle harmoniously with those of toasted almonds. Fresh and airy, the first notes of crunchy pear on the palate evolve pleasantly into a soft unctuousness and reveal a refined finish.” A blogger tasting the 2022 disgorgement found “Granny Smith apples, tart pears, and slightly underripe lime,” with “sourdough bread” and a finish with “a stony quality; slightly saline and mineral in character.”
The 375ml half bottle holds about two and a half glasses, which makes it the right size for an aperitif for two, a toast, a picnic, a hotel-room celebration, or a gift. It’s the same wine as the full bottle (half bottles do tend to age slightly faster, so enjoy it now), and it’s best served at 8-10°C in a white wine glass. A fresh, savory Champagne, it pairs with oysters, shellfish, linguine with clams, fried foods, and soft cheeses.
Telmont Réserve Brut is produced by Champagne Telmont in Damery, Marne Valley, Champagne, France, a non-vintage blend of seven harvests from Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir (the 2022 disgorgement: 53% Meunier, 31% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Noir; blends vary by release). Dosage 5 g/L. 12% ABV. 375ml half bottle.
Scores are for the standard bottle of the Réserve Brut; the half bottle holds the same wine.
Wine Spectator — 91 Points:
“Well-spiced and fragrant, offering flavors of ripe raspberry and cherry fruit, ginger biscuit, chalk and blanched almond accented by a rich hint of Grand Marnier liqueur. Bright and focused, with a satinlike mousse. Disgorged 2022. Drink now.”
Decanter — 91 Points:
“A savoury style that flies the flag for elegance. Layered with delicate peach, rosemary, mushroom and white truffle notes.”
Wilfred Wong, Wine.com — 92 Points:
“The Champagne Telmont Réserve Brut Champagne is fresh and bright. This wine offers aromas and flavors of dried leaves, savory spices, and mineral notes.”
Wine & Spirits — 90 Points:
“Pinot meunier lends a perfumed strawberry note to the brisk, chalky chardonnay.”
Gold — Sommeliers Choice Awards 2024 · Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 88 · Bettane + Desseauve 88 · Jancis Robinson 16/20
Telmont (cellar tasting note):
“On the nose, aromas of pear mingle harmoniously with those of toasted almonds. Fresh and airy, the first notes of crunchy pear on the palate evolve pleasantly into a soft unctuousness and reveal a refined finish.”
Nose
Golden hue with fine bubbles. Pear, toasted almond, honeysuckle, and a hint of vanilla, with raspberry, cherry, and ginger biscuit.
Palate
Fresh and airy, with crunchy pear, green apple, mirabelle plum, and blanched almond, with a satiny mousse and a touch of Grand Marnier.
Finish
Refined and mineral, with chalk, savory spice, and a saline edge.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Non-Vintage Brut Champagne |
| Blend | Pinot Meunier-led blend with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (2022 disgorgement: 53/31/16); seven harvests |
| Dosage | 5 g/L |
| Producer | Champagne Telmont — Damery, Marne Valley |
| ABV | 12% |
| Critics | Wilfred Wong 92 · Wine Spectator 91 · Decanter 91 · Wine & Spirits 90 · Vinous 88 |
| Awards | Gold, Sommeliers Choice Awards 2024 |
| Style / Identity | A fresh, savory, Meunier-led Champagne with a transparent label |
| Aromas & Flavors | Pear, raspberry, cherry, ginger biscuit, chalk, almond, mirabelle |
| Serving Temperature | 8–10°C |
| Bottle Size | 375ml (Half Bottle) |
Serve at about 8-10°C in a white wine glass; a half bottle pours about two and a half glasses.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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