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.