In our last article, we looked back on 2019 and highlighted the biggest champagne releases of the year. In this article, we look to the future and discuss what can be expected from our favourite sparkling wine in 2020.
As some houses prefer to keep their new releases undisclosed prior to launch, it is impossible to know every champagne set to hit the market over the coming year. Therefore, although many of the champagnes below are confirmed releases, some of them are speculative, based on our predictions of when different vintages and house styles will be ready for release. The champagnes are presented in alphabetical order below.
Bollinger La Grande Année 2012
Though La Grande Année 2008 was only released in April last year, it was in such high demand that by the close of 2019, the market was almost depleted. The next vintage La Grande Année 2012 has been released in February 2020. Given the incredibly high ratings awarded to La Grande Année 2008 (especially in magnum) we are anticipating the 2012 (an equally highly regarded vintage) to be as good, if not better. Given the same scores by Essi Avellan MW of 95-97/100 it shows the extremely good potential of both 2008 and 2012 in the long run.
Dom Pérignon 2010
Dom Pérignon had a busy year in 2019, releasing new vintage, rosé and Plénitude 2 champagnes. Therefore, this year is likely to be much quieter. However, we may see a surprise move from the highly regarded house: will they transition from Dom Pérignon 2008 to 2012, or have they produced some 2010? If so, they will be the only prestige cuvée to have done so, but previous chef de cave Richard Geoffroy famously relished the challenge of the more difficult vintages, so we think it’s a real possibility. This is purely speculative, but we’re saying keep your eyes peeled for Dom Pérignon 2010 this year.
Louis Roederer Brut Vintage 2013
We are set to welcome some vintage-tier 2013 champagnes this year. Louis Roederer are typically one of the first releases in the market and we’re predicting it won’t be long before Louis Roederer Brut Vintage 2013 is launched.
We were fortunate to taste it with cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon during a trip to champagne with Jancis Robinson MW in the summer of 2019 and were seriously impressed. With it’s high 80% Pinot Noir content, it’s already surprisingly expressive, particularly considering the bottle we tasted was so recently disgorged. Lécaillon described 2013, which was the most recent October harvest, as “a great vintage… in mineral expression, in fruit, with a bit of bitterness and chalkiness.” Jancis clearly agreed, awarding it 17.5/20 pre-release.
| Louis Roederer Brut Vintage 2013 | 18.5/20 80% PN, 20% CH | Lees Ageing: 5 Years | Disgorged: January 2019 | Dosage: 9 g/l | Post-Disgorgement Ageing: 6 Months Has a lot of tropical fruits right from the start, very open for a recent disgorgement. The fruit ripeness is there with lots of light red fruit, some dark cherry and bundles of those tropical yellow fruits. It has textural pleasure, ripeness, great length and it lifts up on the end with real freshness. Distinctly quite different vintage characteristics over 2012, this seems a little more forward and drinking very well at a young age. Drink now to 2030. |
Louis Roederer Cristal 2012 & Cristal Rosé 2012
Described as “the next chapter” by Lécaillon, Cristal 2012 is the first vintage of Louis Roederer’s prestige cuvée to be produced exclusively from biodynamically farmed fruit. It was actually at the end of last year in very small quantities, however, the main release will come in early 2020.
This new vintage is much more forward than the previous release, 2008, and is likely best drank a little earlier. Where the 2008 is very tight and restrained currently, 2012 is drinking well right now. The question is: will we see it close down in the coming months? This is a typical pattern for Cristal vintages post-release, which tend to hibernate for a few years before blossoming and showing off. Whatever happens, both the blanc and rosé are sure to be stunners, having already been scored 98/100 and 100/100 respectively, by Essi Avellan MW.
| Louis Roederer Cristal 2012 | 19/20 60% PN, 40% CH | Lees Ageing: 6 Years | Disgorged: March 2019 | Post-Disgorgement Ageing: 3 Months | Dosage: 7 g/l This has richness, ripeness and a slight fatness right now and the texture is right up there. The 2008 was very tight and precise at launch and this is similar; I feel this is a little more approachable as the texture is again very intriguing in this Cristal. Has a lot of power of fruit – fresh crunchy ripe apples and richer fruits like pineapple and many tropical suggestions coming out. This champagne has real enthusiasm and freshness and is a great sparring partner for the 2008. Will look forward to a re-taste with more post-disgorgement time. Drink now to mid 2030s. |
| Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé 2012 | 19.5/20 60% PN, 40% CH | Lees Ageing: 6 Years | Disgorged: January 2019 | Post-Disgorgement Ageing: 6 Months | Dosage: 8 g/l You would think the 2008 is a hard act to follow, but this youngster is showing off its class. You can see the youthfulness that is so charming, the power of the fruit, the yellow fruit is right in up front and then you start to see some of those soft red berry fruits. Fresh and almost toasty this champagne is very fine, the texture is surprisingly powerful considering this has 3 years less lees ageing than 2008 – bright acidity, but softer than 2008. At present you see more of the minerality on the 2012 (vs 2008) which is having more of a chalky phase right now. Very good, it is really hard to rate them different, this would appear to be showing very ready right now, but I am sure we will see it close down in a year or so to emerge again a few years later. I wonder if this will be one of those vintages we come back to in 20 years and won’t be able to believe how well it has matured. Drink 2020 to at least mid-2030s. |
Pol Roger
For the first time in a number of years, Pol Roger are launching four new vintages in the same year. In 2020, we can look forward to Pol Roger Vintage Rosé 2012 in February, Sir Winston Churchill 2009 in March, and both Blanc de Blancs 2013 and Brut Vintage 2013 in the autumn.
The rosé is Pol Roger’s final 2012 release and following the success of Brut Vintage 2012 and Blanc de Blancs 2012, both superb and highly rated cuvées released last year, we are expecting this to be one of the best Pol Roger Vintage Rosés ever made.
Salon Blanc de Blancs 2008 Magnum
Although Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2008 – one of the most anticipated releases of the year and, indeed, the decade – was officially launched in September 2019, there will undoubtedly be a second large release in 2020.
Produced only in magnums, there were just 8,000 made. They are in fact so scarce they can only be bought as part of a specially designed wooden case that will include two bottles each of Salon 2007, 2006 and 2004. No individual magnums will be sold. The investment will be more than worth it though – scored 19/20 and described as “a magical wine” by Jancis Robinson MW, those lucky enough to secure a magnum or two may find it one of the best champagnes they ever purchase.
| Salon Blanc de Blancs 2008 Magnum | 19.5/20 100% CH | Lees Ageing: 10 Years | Disgorged: January 2019 | Dosage: 6.2 g/l | Post-Disgorgement Ageing: 5 Months A hint of reduction and that smoky charm, there is an abundance of ripe fruit, very generous ripe apples and then you get hints of ripeness with a faint trace of tropical fruits. The magnum has great texture, precision and ripeness. For a recent disgorgement this is currently very generous, so expect it to shine for a year and no doubt close down tight for many years after. Has freshness, power, elegance and a real lightness; it plays on your palate, very fine. Drink now but will be better in at least ten years and last for many decades. |
Taittinger Brut Vintage 2013
Taittinger are another house that typically release their vintage tier champagnes before any other. We expect to see their latest, Brut Vintage 2013, available to purchase sometime this summer. Another champagne that we tasted with the chef de cave during our trip to Champagne with Jancis last year, Taittinger Brut Vintage 2013 is a 50:50 Pinot Noir:Chardonnay blend.
The 2013 harvest began late – on the 24th and 25th September – and was the most recent harvest to finish in October. We were fortunate to taste both bottle and magnum and can say with confidence that, despite the vintage being significantly overshadowed by its predecessor, it is a worthy follow-up to Brut Vintage 2012. Having tasted a number of 2013 champagnes now, this is a vintage that we endorse as an excellent successor to the highly regarded 2012.
| Taittinger Brut Vintage 2013 | 17.5/20 50% CH, 50% PN | Lees Ageing: 4 Years | Disgorged: January 2018 | Dosage: 9 g/l | Post-Disgorgement Ageing: 1 Year Shows an abundance of ripe fruits, apples, pineapple and some spicy character. Really fills out with the lees on the palate and some dried fruits add to the already lush fruits. Very good and a lovely, clean, slightly saline finish. Drink now to 2030. |
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2008
We’ve been following the progression of Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2008 for a number of years, having sampled it during “futurothèque” tastings at the house in Reims several times. After opening up in 2017 (and earning an 18.5+ rating from Jancis), it has recently started to close down again, suggesting it will soon re-start the cycle, become more expressive, and will likely be released mid-2020. This is definitely one to watch.
| Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2008 | 19/20 100% CH | Lees Ageing: 10 Years | Disgorged: July 2018 | Dosage: 9 g/l | Post-Disgorgement Ageing: 11 Months This is a trial disgorgement. Very ripe and tropical, has a hint of banana and papaya and on the palate you have all the freshness typical of the year. Lots of power and rich pineapple combined with lots of spice and the soil shows with a distinct chalk-like texture. Has a lot of freshness and great texture from the ten years lees ageing. |
The Finest Bubble Tasting Events
With all these new releases, you may be wondering how on earth you’re going to taste them all! Fear not, The Finest Bubble have a vast array of tasting events planned in 2020 – tailored to suit every level of champagne lover, from the new fans to the fanatics – and we will endeavour to include as many new releases at these tastings as possible. Keep up to date with all of our tasting events here. The first event of 2020 is our Range Tasting on Wednesday 1st April at Frederick’s, London.
Whatever happens, 2020 is sure to be another exciting year for Champagne, with the confirmed releases alone sufficiently whetting our appetite. As always, we will be here with tasting notes and reviews of all the latest releases as they occur throughout the year. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to be amongst the first to find out.
Brut Vintage 2013 has a high 80% Pinot Noir content and is surprisingly expressive for such a young champagne
Cristal Rosé 2012 has already received a 100/100 from Essi Avellan MW
Vintage 2013 is set to be a worth successor to the impressive 2012
Join us at one of our many champagne tasting events in 2020 and taste some of the best new releases
Salon 2008 will only be available in this specially designed wooden case, which also includes two bottles each of 2007, 2006 and 2004
