Besserat de Bellefon Brut Millesime 2008 / Gift Box

Luciano Bianchi — Good not great for the money

7/10

I know this is rated highly but honestly at £90 I was expecting to be blown away and I was more like... quietly impressed? It's smooth, well-made, nice long finish. But I've had champagnes at £50 that excited me more. Probably one for collectors who appreciate the subtlety more than I do.

Felix Moreau — Lovely but would I rebuy at this price?

8/10

Got this as a gift box from my in-laws. It's genuinely excellent — really elegant and balanced, not heavy at all for something with so much going on. But £90 is a lot and I think you can get 80% of the way there for half the price. Still, very glad I tried it.

Freya Lindqvist — Proper grown-up champagne

9/10

The guy at my local wine shop talked me into this and I'm glad he did. It's a 2008 vintage so it's had loads of time to develop and you can tell — nothing tastes rushed or simple. Poured it alongside a much more famous brand at dinner and everyone preferred this one.