Ayala : N°16 Blanc de Blancs 2016

The 2016 Collection N°16 Blanc de Blancs reveals a delicate, complex bouquet of white flowers, honeycomb, spring blossoms, lemon oil and mirabelle, followed by a medium to full-bodied, seamless and delicate palate with bright acids, a pinpoint mousse and a long, floral finish. Round and enrobing, it's a blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% old white grapes—Arbane, Petit Meslier and Pinot Blanc.

Crisp and minerally, with a lacy mousse and a delicate wave of mirabelle plum, blanched almond, white blossom and pickled ginger notes. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now through 2028. 100 cases imported.

Pure mature Chardonnay gives this Champagne richness and a full texture. It is impressive, its crisp character contrasting well with hints of toast and ripe white fruits. Drink now.

Lovely minerality and creaminess here, as well as notes of brioche, buttered toast, lemons and smoked almonds. Very fine and velvety on the palate, with a rounded, full finish. A blend of chardonnay, arbane, petit meslier and pinot blanc. Drink now.

Blend of mainly Chardonnay with Arbane, Petit Meslier from Cuis and Pinot Blanc – all from Premiers and Grands Crus villages Aÿ, Avenay, Chouilly, Cramant and Oger. This is the fourth release in this collection of wines released only when judged to be at peak (so like most champagne, arguably), following No 8 launched in 2017, No 7 in 2020 and No 4 in 2022. 7,387 bottles made. Clear bottle. Disgorged 20 January 2023. Dosage 5.4 g/l. Steady, tiny bead. Very aromatic, fumy, rich and creamy on the nose. Creamy textured, too. Masses of flavour! Finish is a little fresher than the ripeness on the palate. Very well balanced and long. Lots of pleasure here. (JR)

The fourth release of the 2016 Champagne Blanc De Blancs Collection No. 16 cuvée (the number stands for the vintage). The house calls this “a limited edition cuvée honoring Champagne’s various white varietals through a blend of Chardonnay and the region’s forgotten grape varieties: Arbane, Petit Meslier, and Pinot Blanc.” A bright straw/yellow color, the wine offers notes of fresh pastry dough or shortbread, lime leaf, citrus blossoms, savory fresh fennel, and dewy stones. It’s medium-bodied on the palate, with a pillowy and refined mousse, salty minerality accentuating the wine, and a mouthwatering finish. This is a fantastic and fun wine that more savvy drinkers are going to want to put on their radar. Disgorged January 2023, with 5.4 grams per liter of dosage, and all the bottles are numbered. (The wine reviewed here was 2051 of the 7357 bottles produced.)

The Extra Brut 2016 is a taut, linear Champagne that still needs time, but the substance is there, as is the length. It shows very fine potential and will gain patina and open up while retaining its lovely saline signature and its pastry-like notes.