Bright and balanced, featuring a fine, lively bead, mouthwatering acidity and a lightly toasty profile of poached pear and black currant flavors, with rich hints of lemon curd and pastry cream.

Well balanced, this Champagne, even with its enormous production, remains a benchmark and is always enjoyable. In this bottling, ripe white fruit is cut with citrus, with an edge of toastiness that gives complexity. Drink now.

The latest release of the NV Brut Imperial is showing quite well, exhibiting an attractive bouquet of smoky pears, warm bread and dried white flowers. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a youthfully frothy mousse, ripe acids and a nicely balanced but somewhat fleeting finish. Given the sheer quantities produced, it's a very impressive effort.