Ayala A18 Le Blanc De Blancs 2018

Benjamin Ross - The wine shop guy was right

8/10

Went in looking for a prosecco and the guy behind the counter talked me into trying this instead. Completely different league honestly. There's a minerally, almost chalky quality to it that I've never noticed in champagne before, and it stays interesting right to the end of the glass. Converting me into a blanc de blancs fan.

Marianne Blom - Nice but stretching the budget

7/10

Had this at a friend's dinner party and liked it enough to track down a bottle myself. It's elegant and the citrus notes are gorgeous, but at nearly £70 I kept thinking I could get two really good Crémants for that. Would I buy it again? Maybe for Christmas, not on a Tuesday.

Kwame Mensah - Birthday treat that delivered

9/10

Bought this for my wife's 40th and we were both blown away. Really crisp and fresh with lovely lemony bubbles, and there's this biscuity thing going on underneath that makes it feel properly luxurious. Fine bubbles too, not like the cheap stuff that fizzes up your nose. Worth every penny for a special occasion.

Derek Chang - Proper champagne for grown-ups

8/10

Not gonna lie, I mostly drink beer, but my partner ordered this at a restaurant and I nicked a glass. Really clean and refreshing without being too sweet. The brioche-y smell pulled me in and the bubbles are super fine and delicate. I get why people spend proper money on champagne now.