Andre Robert NV Champagne Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs ‘Les Horizons’

"Arrestingly savoury, Andre Robert’s non vintage ‘Les Horizons’ possesses a nose of ripe yellow orchard fruit entwined with fresh marjoram and mandarin, dried bay, and preserved lemon; of all which is wrapped in hints of cultured better, fresh hazelnut, and chalk. Touches of chiffon cake and fragrant wood oils lend complexity. The palate is silken and precise yet never lacks for power. There is a similarity in shape possessed by all these wines that presents in an incisive opening followed by a long, lifted close. Here we find tarragon and marjoram notes leading toasted fennel seed, lemon curd, pear oil, and frangipane. The lilting finish possesses repeating fennel and pear notes. Very elegant, more in the way of complex and layered than powerful. Fine qualitatively and ‘Fine’ as a rating of quality." — David