Page 6 - Hamilton Cellar List_Neat

#2.CW NV Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur Aÿ
This house was established in 1860 by Edmond de Ayala, the son of a Colombian diplomat. The family had roots in Spain, as Edmond de Ayala’s great-
grandfather, Don Antonio de Ayala y Vergara, was named Chancellor of New Grenada in 1750 by King Ferdinand VI, setting sail for what was to later
become Colombia. Edmond de Ayala’s father, Don Rafael de Ayala y Lozano, was a senior officer in the Colombian army and later the General Consul
of Colombia in Paris.

“Perhaps one of Champagne’s purest Bruts, the non-vintage Ayala Brut Mejeur highlights excellent ripe fruit, some nice aged elements and a superior crispness
in the end. A perfect match with raw oysters on-the-half-shell. Medium to straw in color; chalk and peach fuzz in the nose, most certainly an amalgamation
of fruit and earth; dry, perky acidity, well balanced; fresh core fruit, with an a accent of mineral in the flavors; fresh and frisky in the aftertaste”. Wilfred Wong

#2.CW NV Bollinger Special Cuvee Aÿ
In 1829, Champagne Bollinger introduced an instantly recognizable, dry, toasty style that connoisseurs around the globe have coveted ever since. Six
generations of the Bollinger family have maintained that trademark style, and Bollinger is one of the rare Grande Marque houses to be owned, controlled
and managed by the same family since it was founded.

With 399 acres of vineyards situated in the best Grands Crus and Premiers Crus villages, Bollinger relies on its own estate for nearly two-thirds of its
grape requirements, including the Pinot Noir that gives its Champagne its distinctive roundness and elegance. Bollinger is one of a select few houses that
can control the quality of its grape supply so carefully.

“60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier sourced from more than 300 crus, including 85% grands and premiers crus; 15% fermented in old oak
barrels. The complexity and richness of Special Cuvée is unparalleled among the entry non-vintage blends of every Champagne house, short of ascending to
the mesosphere of Krug. Its grand recipe explains why, built on incredible depth of 50%-60% reserves. Triumphant complexity is a given at Bollinger, but it’s
the dynamic freshness and vitality that really set it apart as one of the most affordable Champagne benchmarks”. Tim Atkin

#2.CW NV Philipponnat Royale Reserve Brut Mareuil-sur-Aÿ
The Philipponnat family have been growing grapes in Champagne since 1522. The House was founded in 1910 by Pierre Philipponnat. Charles
Philipponnat took over as CEO in 1999 and has improved the quality and production vastly by implementing smaller oak barrels, keeping different
vineyard plots separate and utilizing only the first press. The jewel in the crown of the House is the historic and iconic 5.5 hectares ‘Clos des Goisses’
vineyard that sits on a steep, south-facing 45° slope starting at the Marne River. This is one of the warmest vineyard sites in all of Champagne and is
planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In 1935 ‘Clos des Goisses’ was the first single vineyard Champagne produced and it would take over 50 years for
other Houses to start producing serious Champagne just from a single Clos.

“A moderately golden color is indicative of the relatively mature nose that reflects plenty of toasty yeast, brioche and white orchard fruit compote aromas. The
delicious, complex and caressing flavors are supported by a medium fine mousse that is neither soft nor aggressive on the lightly citrus-infused and agreeably
dry but not austere finish. This is a lovely NV Brut that offers notably better depth than is typical for the genre. Moreover, while it will certainly hold at this
level for some years to come, it’s already drinking quite well now”. Allen Meadows

#2.CW NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve Mareuil-sur-Aÿ
The Billecart family has been living in Mareuil-sur-Ay since the 16th century. When Nicolas Francois Billecart married Elisabeth Salmon in the early
1800s the two families’ long held vineyards were married as well. This led to Nicolas’ decision to leave his law practice and take over the family wine
estate. In 1818 he founded the house of Billecart-Salmon which now stands as the oldest continuously family owned and operated house in Champagne.
It is currently managed by the seventh generation, brothers Francois and Antoine Roland-Billecart. The cellars are in the hands of renowned “chef de
cave” Francois Domi.

“The Billecart-Salmon NV Brut Réserve is a blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay (from different villages along the Marne) and 30% Pinot Noir
(from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne). The recent disgorgement from January 2018 is straw-yellow in color and based 40% on
the 2015 harvest, with 60% of reserve wines. The result is a light and delicately fruity flavored cuvée with aromatic and spicy Pinot Meunier and redcurrant
aromas intertwined with chalky expressions and notes of ripe pears and yeast. Round and fresh on the palate, this is a light, finessed, elegant, very delicate and
harmoniously fruity Brut with a stunningly intense, persistent, well-structured and purely salty finish. Very stimulating as a soloist, aperitif or with lighter
dishes”. William Kelley