Top 100 Best Champagnes 2016

Just two days ago, the site tastingbook, announced the ranking that every year, in collaboration with Fine Champagne Magazine, decreed the 100 world's best champagnes.

I remember how the tasting was "blind" and the producers - grand maisons and vignerons - could choose which millesimé, rather than n.v., send to the panel of tasters, with the only condition that the product is still for sale.

Below, the top 10, underlining that, compared to 2015, the gold medal touches, this time, a non vintage champagne.

1.Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle NV

2.Dom Pérignon Rosé 2003

3.Charles Heidsieck Rosé Réserve NV

4.Dom Pérignon Brut 2006

5.Krug Vintage 2003

6.Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV

7.Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne magnum 1996

8.Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2006

8.Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 1995 (ex aequo)

10.Henriot Rosé Millésime 2008

10.Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2006 (ex aequo)

Domaine Saint Sébaste Saint Sébaste Sélection 2014

This is a white wine, from Chasselas grapes, perhaps Swiss native, perhaps I stress, lacking unanimity of views in this regard.

From the vineyard, to cellar, the principles which inspire the action of Jean Pierre Kuntzer, owner of the domaine, are summed up in: bio-dynamic culture, minerality and expression of terroir. In fact, as the nose, as the palate, confirm these propositions.

So, fresh scents, net grapefruit and lemon aromas, and a resolute and convincing mineral character.

The mouth, a little citrine, supports and increases, firmly, the mineral structure, giving me dry sips, very balanced and elegant, which lead me to think that Mr. Kuntzer succeeds in his intent speaking, clearly, the terroir.

I'll have to investigate, maybe going just to meet Mr. Kuntzer.

Armin Kobler Chardonnay Ogeaner 2013

Already from the neck, with the inevitable and typical screw cap, a precise profusion, tidy and fresh scents: jasmine and banana, pineapple and plum, lemon and apple, with a strong mineral paints.

On the mouth, it does not stray at all from the olfactory kit, insisting on a solid and pleasant fruity presence, chiseled by considerable savory-mineral hugs.

It demonstrates great tension and ends beautifully enveloping, with intense and vertical saline returns. Great progress and determined persistence, for a great stylistic drink.

A very good Chardonnay and very different from the other classic (and a little discounted) Chardonnay coming from Italian South Tyrol.

Louis Roederer Champagne Vintage Brut 2004

Only grapes of property – 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir - for this assembled cuvée, malolactic only partly carried out, and a little less than six years sur lattes.

In this vintage, there is all the style maison, from the nose, which remembers and recalls, albeit with different amplitudes and different facets, their Brut Premier. Therefore, an olfactory attitude that is expressed by combining freshness and maturity, roasting and suffused woody tones, with a distinct set of aromatic herbs and candied citrus fruits, fine spices and a very sharp mineral side.

The palate, gives me sips so dense, so complex, in large part endorsing the olfactory scheme. However, the lack of acidity, fades the ardor, allowing, to the sugar residue, some space too and, in fact, substantially flattening the cup.

Fair and reasonable, to expect a little more, from these bowls.

Franz Haas Manna 2011

I still like this assembled by Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and late harvest of Gewürztraminer. I like it even more when you have the patience to wait it for a few year. It's worth it, believe me.

The color explains and justifies the passage of time, however, the olfactory luggage is intact, freshness in the first place. The attack is vegetal, with rosemary, mint and tomato leaf, while the fraction fruity declares pear and pineapple, banana and peach. Very noticeable a mineral disposition, which leads, straight, to the rock.

So much stuff, that comes back in time, compact on the palate, enhanced by vibrant acidity, stimulating continually the way hand-cup-mouth.

It closes persistent, with effective and scratching inspirations of mineral dolomite.