Brut Gold

The Cattier house is in the tiny village of Chigny-les-Roses, where they have owned and cultivated family vineyards since 1763. Today, patriarch Jean-Jacques Cattier oversees the family's artisanal winemaking traditions, including the Armand de Brignac labels aged in one of the oldest cellars in Champagne, 119 steps underground. The nose mixes citrus, orange blossoms, and peach with a leesy, warm brioche. Tiny bubbles preview a creamy, decadent, candied, curious affair on the palate before a toasted nutty finish. The Brignac dosage is aged 12 months in French oak. Like the gold-clad bottle, everything is slightly extravagant here, which undoubtedly adds to its popularity with those who love to celebrate with Champagne. The Ace of Spades Brut Gold was voted No.1 Champagne in the world in a blind tasting of 1000 brands in 2010, and the first release remains the iconic cuvée in the range.

A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, this ripe, well-balanced wine has some toast that adds complexity and richness to the apple and lemon fruit, indicating a mature bottling. The wine in a gold-foil bottle is one of five made by the Cattier house for rapper and entrepreneur Jay Z's Armand de Brignac Empire brand with the “Ace of Spades” logo.