Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs

Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs is a 100% Chardonnay prestige champagne produced by Champagne Cattier, bottled at 12.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Awarded 94 points by Wine Spectator and a Double Gold Medal at the 2015 San Francisco International Wine Competition, this multi-vintage cuvée represents no more than 5% of Cattier's small annual production — making it among the most limited releases in the luxury champagne category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France  |  Multi-Vintage Blend  |  Producer: Champagne Cattier

Production & Heritage

Champagne Cattier, a family-owned house in the Montagne de Reims, has been producing champagne for over 250 years. The Blanc de Blancs expression is assembled from a blend of three vintages, using exclusively first-press Chardonnay juice — the freshest and most delicate fraction of the pressing cycle. Each bottle is aged for a minimum of three years on its lees in a gated-off section of the family's underground cellars, accessed by descending 199 steps. After disgorgement, the dosage liqueur itself has been aged for one year in French oak barrels, adding a subtle layer of complexity. Every stage — pressing, riddling, and bottling — is completed by hand.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with green apple and freshly cut lilies before evolving into ripe pear, freshly baked pastry, and toasted hazelnuts. Subtle hints of coconut and gingerbread develop with time in the glass.

Taste: The palate entry is precise and focused, with crunchy pear and gooseberry giving way to richer mid-palate notes of peach, guava, and ground ginger. A thread of lemon pith adds structure, while the oak-aged dosage contributes a barely perceptible breadth without sweetness.

Finish: The finish is elegant, crisp, and moderately long, defined by clean minerality with lingering hints of smoke and spice. A fine mousse carries the flavors to a dry, clean-cut conclusion.

How to Drink Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs

This champagne is best served chilled to around 46–50°F in a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate its aromatic complexity. Drinking it straight allows the precision of the Chardonnay and the nuance of the oak-aged dosage to come through fully. It also brings real depth to a classic French 75, where its mineral backbone stands up to gin and citrus. In a Champagne Cocktail built on a sugar cube and Angostura bitters, the toasted hazelnut and pastry notes amplify beautifully. For a lighter option, a Bellini made with white peach purée complements the guava and pear character already present in the wine.

Best For

• Celebrating milestone occasions — New Year's Eve, engagements, or significant anniversaries
• Gifting a champagne enthusiast who already knows the major houses
• Hosting a seated dinner party where a single prestige cuvée anchors the evening
• Building a luxury champagne collection alongside vintage-dated expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs taste like? It delivers ripe pear, gooseberry, and peach on the palate with toasted hazelnut and pastry aromas, finishing with crisp minerality and a touch of smoke and spice. The overall profile is precise, elegant, and dry.

How does Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs compare to Louis Roederer Cristal? Both are prestige champagnes with strong critical scores, but the Armand de Brignac is a 100% Chardonnay multi-vintage blend, while Cristal is a vintage-dated Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend. The Blanc de Blancs tends toward a leaner, more mineral-driven profile, whereas Cristal offers broader fruit and body from its Pinot Noir component.

Is Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the wine's layered aromatics, fine mousse, and extended lees aging make it particularly rewarding when served chilled and drunk without any additions. It is designed to be enjoyed slowly and attentively.

Where is Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs made? It is produced by Champagne Cattier in the Montagne de Reims, one of the principal sub-regions of Champagne, France. The wine is aged deep underground in the Cattier family's centuries-old cellars.

What foods pair well with Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs? Raw oysters and shellfish complement its mineral streak; seared scallops with brown butter echo its toasted hazelnut notes; aged Comté cheese mirrors the nutty complexity; smoked salmon plays off the wine's subtle smoky finish; and lemon tart reinforces its citrus pith acidity.

What sizes does Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, and Armand de Brignac also produces select expressions in larger formats such as magnums (1.5L) and Jeroboams (3L), though availability of the Blanc de Blancs in large formats varies by market.

Is Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs worth the price? It positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier of prestige champagne, competing directly with houses like Krug and Dom Pérignon. The limited production — no more than 5% of Cattier's annual output — combined with entirely handcrafted methods and strong critical scores (94 points, Wine Spectator) justifies its standing in that bracket.

Why Ace of Spades Blanc de Blancs?

What separates this cuvée from most luxury champagnes is the degree of hand involvement at every stage and the extremely small allocation relative to total production. The oak-aged dosage liqueur is a distinctive technical choice that few champagne houses employ, lending a subtle textural dimension without masking the Chardonnay's purity. With 94 points from Wine Spectator, 94 from The Tasting Panel, and a Double Gold at the 2015 San Francisco International Wine Competition, the critical consensus is consistently strong across independent sources. For collectors and serious champagne drinkers, it represents a genuine alternative to the established vintage-dated prestige cuvées — one built on multi-vintage blending skill rather than a single harvest's reputation.