Brut Blanc de Blancs 2005 Ayala

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (89)

Ayala’s 2005 Brut Blanc de Blancs delivers delightfully juicy apple, pear, lemon and grapefruit, their acid impression nicely buffered by lees-induced creaminess, and leading to an at once soothing and refreshing as well as impressively persistent finish lightly and invigoratingly tinged with chew and piquancy of apple skin and pit – if not especially intriguing or reflective of its origins in the prestigious communes of Avize, Chouilly and Le Mesnil. Certainly, though, this avoids any of the difficulties now so common among wines of its vintage. I would plan on enjoying it over the coming year.

Winespectator (93)

Tightly knit, this Champagne is more about the fine structure today, but nonetheless offers a pretty note of honeysuckle wafting through the subtle flavors of crunchy pear, blanched almond, smoke and ground ginger. Disgorged July 2012. Drink now through 2028.