Tense, edgy and savoury on release, it’s blossomed with a further six months in bottle into a merry celebration of the freshness of Cuis, the quintessential apéritif and one of the most pristine champagnes for its price. Freshness and purity of lemon and crunchy nashi pear are well toned by the texture and complexity of bottle maturity, lending bready, biscuity nuances and drawing out notes of white pepper and anise. The fine salt chalk minerality of the village is energised by crystalline acidity. It’s quintessential Cuis, classic Gimonnet and fantastic value champagne. 93 points, Tyson Stelzer