The 2006 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François is showing superbly, bursting with aromas of warm bread, citrus oil, wild berries, smoke and gingerbread. On the palate, it's full-bodied, broad and voluminous, with a concentrated and fleshy core, chalky dry extract and lively acids despite the vintage, concluding with a saline finish. It was disgorged in April 2018 with 5.5 grams per liter dosage, and it's the usual blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, derived from Verzenay, Ambonnay, Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay, as well as the Grands Crus of the Côte de Blancs, emphasizing Mesnil.

Full bottle 1,662 g. 60% Pinot Noir from grands and premiers crus villages in Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne, 40% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. 5% of the wine was vinified in 15-year-old oak casks. Dosage 5 g/l. Very firm nose and a tingling, grapefruit-juice sort of flavour. Really lingering palate with definite richness. Less austere than some recent releases from this house. Really intriguing and rewarding. (JR)