K&L Wine Merchants - Chelsea Herholdt Reviews

2016 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 02-06-2025

I cannot wait to see where this wine goes over time, but do not let that dissuade you from taking one home now. The nose is a bit quiet, but the length and structure of the palate just about leave you breathless. With excellent farming and sourcing, there is so much to be excited about in this bottle. It may be one of the earlier Tête de Cuvées released, but it is still clear just how much of a knockout the 2016 is. I recommend more than one, because once you pop one cork, you'll be itching to see how it evolves too.

Price: $299.99

2016 Franck Bonville Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 02-06-2025

“Drink me now!”—that’s what this Champagne screams. Time has softened this vintage cuvée beautifully, revealing a honeyed, brioche-kissed nose and a bright streak of zesty acidity, perfectly in sync.Vintage, Grand Cru, at this price, from one of my absolute favorite producers? Say no more, and grab more than one.

Price: $74.99

VN: 93

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 02-06-2025

The majority of the elegant Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs—Avize, Oger, and Cramant—are the primary sources for this estate-grown bottle of pure happiness. It beautifully showcases the quintessential chalky, bright, and refined character of this hallowed terroir, complemented by sturdy, refreshing acidity from stainless steel aging. There’s not a single thing I would change about this Champagne—especially its excellent price for such top-tier sourcing.

Price: $53.99

JS: 92

RP: 92

Franck Bonville Unisson Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 02-06-2025

This Champagne captures everything the Côte des Blancs does best—all in a gorgeous bottle, ready to be popped for any occasion you can dream up. Sourced primarily from the Grand Cru village of Avize, with most vines over 30 years old, it balances the creamy elegance of its terroir with vibrant acidity and chalky minerality. The Bonville family’s wines, and especially the Unisson, are a personal go-to, perfect for any Champagne-worthy moment. I’ll leave it to you to decide what qualifies—but I’d argue that just about anything does!

Price: $53.99

Laurent-Perrier "Grand Siècle" Iteration #26 Brut Champagne

Review Date: 11-15-2024

This iteration is based on 2012 (mostly), 2008, and 2007 and is 58% Chardonnay. Technical data aside, this is one of the most striking Champagnes I have enjoyed in years. The finish lasts for (actual) minutes and I don't want to drink anything else to wash it away. I rarely say this, but I see why it received 100 points. It is incredibly aromatic for just being released, with the bones and elegance to age for decades. I'd say that Grand Siecle ages "like a fine wine" but putting it side by side with anything else almost does it a disservice. #23 had just begun to show any secondary character, and the grace in this wine tells me it will slowly evolve into something potentially even more stunning. This is truly in a class of its own - I would grab as many as you can so you can mark the passing of time by opening them for years to come.

Price: $249.99

Fallet-Dart Brut Rosé Champagne

Review Date: 09-14-2023

Playful, elegant, cheery, and timeless. This rosé is a summer day bottled up and ready for you to enjoy year-round. With the predominantly Meunier (60%) spending 4 years on the lees, any harshness has softened just the right amount, while the remaining Pinot Noir and skin contact style holds everything firmly in place. This makes you want to do a little dance of celebration just for opening it!

Price: $39.99

Gosset "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 09-14-2023

It doesn't get much more classically Champagne that Gosset. From the blend of mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with 10% Meunier, the 6 years on the lees, all the way to the use of both stainless steel and oak, you get a bright, textured, and somehow strikingly unique wine. The nose reminds me of fresh cut summer melons, while the palate is regal and long. One of the best QPR values in our stores.

Price: $59.99

A.D. Coutelas "Cuvée 1809" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 09-14-2023

You can taste the Champagne history in this bottle. The cork is uniquely held in place by an almost forgotten method dating back to the 1800s, making it a unique looking bottle already. What matters more though is what's under that cork - a Champagne that spent time in small barrique, blended to perfection, and a whopping 8 years on the lees. We're used to seeing prices climb well over the $100 mark for such a beautiful wine 10 years in the making, not here. The value packed into this bottle is a lovely surprise. This will be sure to impress all Champagne lovers, from the novice to the nerd.

Price: $64.99

BH: 92

2015 A.D. Coutelas Brut Champagne

Review Date: 09-14-2023

2015 was a warm vintage in Champagne, and some harnessed it well, while others struggled with shut down vines. A.D. Coutelas did an excellent job of harnessing the warmth and producing a welcoming vintage wine that is far from a shame to have open now. Candied citrus meets a classic palate with balanced freshness. If you ever wonder what to pair with curries or other spice driven foods, this is your answer.

Price: $54.99

Damien Hugot Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

Review Date: 09-14-2023

The difference between this and the Brut version is purely dosage technically speaking, but you'd think they were completely different cuvées altogether. Fresh white peaches, bright meyer lemon, and citrus rind jump out of the glass. The palate is structured and fresh, again a complete departure from the Brut version from Damien Hugot. I'd recommend grabbing the two of them to put side by side for an adventure into the discussion of Champagne dosage.

Price: $49.99

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