Decanter 2nd Dec 2020
"Attractive nose of
nectarine and spring flowers with a slight hint of smoke. Lovely mousse, yeasty
brioche and vanilla on the palate with gentle freshness and a crisp, clean
finish. - Panel Tasting"
The Drinks Business 23rd Oct 2020
"
The Drinks Business Champagne Masters:
The Gold medallist for 2020 in the £20-30 price category was Champagne
Castelnau Brut Reserve, a non-vintage cuvée that just scrapes in beneath the
£30 cut-off – and can be bought today by UK residents from The Wine Society.
What do you get for your money? Well, the appeal of this fizz is its
pleasingly mature characters, meaning it has the brioche, beeswax and
hazelnut aromatics usually found in pricier Champagnes that have spent more
time ageing in the cellars of the region.
Here, you get all those lovely nutty and gently honeyed notes for a minimal
outlay by Champagne standards, and plenty of fresh lemon and apple fruit too,
along with a creamy-texture to the fizz, and a refreshing finish – although
there’s nothing excessively firm about the style of this generous Champagne.
Ok, so it may not be a famous name, but you can just tell your friends it’s a
Champagne for those in the know, or drink it in private.
And if anyone asks, key to its character is the five years this cuvée spends
in Castelnau’s cellars, slowly taking on those delicious flavours described
above. - Patrick Schmitt"
Spectator 31st Aug 2020
"Stage 21 is all about
Paris, starting in Mantes la Jolie and finishing famously on the Champs
Elysees. The rider in yellow will be enjoying Champagne on the bike as he
starts the route, finally speaking our language. The Champagne sponsor is
Castelnau and the Reserve Brut is a surprise package, less familiar on these
shores but a worthy, fresh but toasty fizz to raise in the race’s honour. - Ben McFarland/Tom Sandham"
Luxury Lifestyle Magazine 25th Jun 2020
"
Known by its peers and amongst the world’s top
wine critics for its exceptional quality, Champagne Castelnau Brut Réserve NV
is multi-award winning, vegetarian and vegan, and made to the highest
standard by respected Chef de Cave, Elisabeth Sarcelet who has been creating
this superb Champagne range for more than 30 years.
The signature for Champagne Castelnau Brut Réserve NV is a full and
flavoursome style, balanced with crisp, refreshing acidity and a clean,
pitch-perfect finish. Its contemporary, understated packaging is the perfect
complement to any table setting, from light snacks to a more formal meal.
"
Liverpool Echo 6th Jun 2020
"The champagne has a
wonderful nose of brioche, toasted pineapple and apple compote. The flavours of
fruits shiver in the mouth, there's a richness and depth which lingers for a
very long time indeed. The champagne would add the finishing touches to any
special day. Perhaps when you're finally able to see friends and family. - Jane Clare"
belleabouttown.com 22nd May 2020
"Champagne Castelnau,
a brand you may not have heard of but which might be just the thing you need
for a Bank Holiday celebration, Father’s Day, or any other occasion that takes
your fancy.
Known for its exceptional quality, Champagne Castelnau Brut Réserve NV is
multi-award winning, vegetarian and vegan. It’s full and flavoursome and I’m
told it has a level of complexity rarely found in a non-vintage Brut.
If you taste it you should get spicy overtones, warm praline flavours,
and fruity notes of peach and apricot, according to [chef de cave Elisabeth]
Sarcelet. It’s perfect with canapes or served with food like sole or other fish
dishes.
It’s also a bit more understated in appearance than some of its rivals, making
it an easy bottle to pop on the table for even the most low-key of occasions,
or to drink alone as an aperitif.
... it’s eminently affordable ... Give it a try – it might well become your
go-to tipple, no matter what the occasion. - Ellen Manning"
champagneguru.co.uk 1st Dec 2019
"Best value wines for
Christmas and the New Year: … an added level of maturity and richness brought
on to a great extent by extra lees ageing … Giles Fallowfield"
Decanter 2nd Nov 2019
"Intense savoury
tones, yet still rich and fruity. Assertive in character with a hint of
liquorice at the end. - Panel tasting"
The Press Association 26th Jul 2019
"... these brilliant
bubbles offer a fine layer of richness, decent biscuity notes and an
easy-drinking freshness at an approachable price. - Sam Wylie Harris"
The Independent 9th Feb 2019
"... a less well
known, great value buy ... from the Champagne capital of Reims, which strikes a
lovely balance between floral freshness and a richer, toasty, fuller mouthfeel.
Great for just sipping, or while nibbling on nuts and olives, or perhaps with
those oysters. - Terry Kirby"
The Press Association 20th Dec 2018
"A champagne for
those-in-the-know, the name Castelnau may not be the most familiar but in
champagne circles, it has an excellent reputation for quality – enhanced by an
award-winning cellar master. With plenty of complexity from extended ageing,
floral aromas, toast and spicy overtones dominate, with rounded peach and
wonderful freshness on the finish. - Sam Wylie Harris"
midweekwines.co.uk 19th Dec 2018
"With a 40% chardonnay
contribution but, more importantly, with six years lees aging to add richness.
The resulting roundedness is clear ... driven perhaps by a gentle biscuit
background that adds contrast to the wine’s pithy lemon, apple and grapefruit
flavours, good acidity and all round sophistication. - Brian Elliott"
Manchester Evening News 3rd Mar 2018
"I was struck
immediately by the elegance of this Chardonnay-dominated blend from Reims
Champagne House Castelnau whose cellar master is Elisabeth Sarcelet. Due to the
relative high proportion of chardonnay it comes on like a blanc de blancs with
a very floral nose. But further complexity is revealed with herbal qualities,
ginger and apricots. The palate has a fine mousse with a rich creamy texture
and long finish. - Andy Cronshaw"
Associated Press Syndicate 1st Mar 2018
"Très chic, this
champagne’s calling card is its rich, aromatic style, with delicious toasty
aromas and hints of hazelnuts and praline. With impressive depth and notes of
peaches, apricots and dried almonds, it’s delightfully fresh and a synergy of
power and elegance. - Sam Wylie-Harris"
Associated Press Syndicate 1st Mar 2018
"Très chic, this
champagne’s calling card is its rich, aromatic style, with delicious toasty
aromas and hints of hazelnuts and praline. With impressive depth and notes of
peaches, apricots and dried almonds, it’s delightfully fresh and a synergy of
power and elegance. - Sam Wylie-Harris"
The Sunday Times 28th Jan 2018
"If you’re flying on
British Airways and lucky enough to be handed a glass of champagne before
take-off it will probably be this. A first sip reveals plenty of fruity notes
and lively acidity, but there is enough yeasty flavour to withstand the
pressurised cabin. - Will Lyons"
Scottish Field 1st Oct 2017
"[Chef Craig
Rowlands'] … crab and scallop is a delicious combination. Balancing the
flavours in the dish will be key and it's exactly the same with the wine, which
is why I've opted for the poise and precision of Castelnau. There's a great
balance between the lively acidity and the flavours of red apples, peaches and
apricots. What's really impressive for a non-vintage Champagne is the rounded
mouthfeel and touches of bread and brown sugar. - Peter Ranscombe"