Bruno Paillard Nec Plus Ultra 2009 Champagne

Samir Patel - Best champagne I've ever had

10/10

My wife got me this for my 50th and I'm still thinking about it weeks later. The nose hit me straight away — seriously expressive, like nothing I've smelled before in a champagne. Rich but not heavy, fresh but not sharp. I don't give 10s lightly but this earned it.

Jake Morrison - Properly serious champagne

9/10

The guy at my local wine shop recommended this when I said I wanted something a step up from the usual suspects. He wasn't wrong. It's got this depth to it that unfolds the more you drink — kept finding new things in each sip. Shared it with friends over a long Sunday lunch and everyone was impressed.

James Okafor - Lovely but hard to justify the price

8/10

Tried this at a wine bar and it was genuinely gorgeous — beautiful balance between the fruit and the acidity, and a really clean finish. But £224 a bottle? I've had champagnes at half the price that got me nearly as excited. Still, if someone else is buying, absolutely say yes.

Connor McBride - Treated myself and zero regrets

9/10

Saw this on a restaurant wine list and thought sod it, you only live once. So glad I did. It's got real structure to it but stays fresh and lively, not heavy at all. The acidity keeps everything in check and the finish is just clean and satisfying. 2009 vintage clearly doing its thing.

Suki Patel - Really good but maybe overhyped?

7/10

Had this at a dinner party and everyone was raving about it. It's definitely nice — smooth, well balanced, pleasant finish that lingers nicely. But for over two hundred quid I was expecting to be completely blown away and I wasn't quite there. Maybe I need to try it again on its own without all the food competing.

Wei Zhang - Worth every penny for a special night

9/10

Bought this for our 10th anniversary dinner and wow, it did not disappoint. Really complex stuff — you get all these layered flavours that keep changing as you drink it. The bubbles are super fine and the finish just hangs there perfectly. At £224 it's not an everyday buy but for a big occasion it's absolutely spot on.