Sparkling wines reign supreme around holidays and the undisputed benchmark of the category is, of course, Champagne.
When looking for that special bottle to cap off a toast, look no further than vintage Champagne. Made in only the best years from grapes all harvested within the same vintage year, these offerings provide a unique snapshot of time and place that cannot be found in nonvintage bottles.
Vintage Champagne also shows more depth and complexity than its nonvintage counterpart thanks to its extending aging on the lees in the bottle. By law, there is a three-year minimum for vintage offerings, however, many producers opt to go well beyond that mark, delivering rich, textural wines with toasty, nutty flavors.
For what’s currently available on the market seek out options from 2002, 2004 and 2008 for some of the best performing wines. More recent vintage releases are also showing quite well, and be sure to check out our Vintage Chart for additional insight.
Here are 10 vintage Champagnes worthy of your next big toast.
AR Lenoble 2012 Chouilly Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut (Champagne); $90. Grand cru Chardonnay and a low dosage set this Champagne up for a great future… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Arlaux 2002 Millésime Rare (Champagne), $160. Disgorged in 2019, this wine was on its lees for 17 years. That has given… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Billecart-Salmon 2009 Vintage (Champagne), $100. Now perfectly mature, this Champagne still offers minerality as well as touches of freshness… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Deutz 2009 Amour de Deutz Rosé Brut (Champagne), $190. This is one of two prestige cuvées from this house, under the same ownership as Roederer Champagne… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Gosset 2008 Celebris Rosé Brut (Champagne); $250. This rich Champagne is full of ripe red fruits balanced by red currants, green apples and a shot of citrus… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Henriet-Bazin 2012 Marie-Amélie Millésime Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Brut Nature (Champagne); $75. Coming from premier cru vineyards close to Reims, this Champagne is still showing a bone dry character… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Krug 2008 Brut (Champagne), $309. A vintage Champagne from this producer is rare. But 2008 was a great year in… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Perrier Jouët 2013 Belle Epoque Brut (Champagne); $150. This vintage of the iconic brand, with its flowery Belle Epoque bottle, is ready to be popped… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Pol Roger 2015 Rosé Brut (Champagne); $130. This rich Champagne highlights ripe Pinot Noir that glories in its red fruits and structure… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Rare Champagne 2008 Brut (Champagne); $195. The new release of this producer’s prestige cuvée comes in its usual beautifully sculpted bottle… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Last Updated: July 12, 2023
