Champagne Lanson Black Label Brut NV

2009 Wimbledon Champagne

Well, how could we resist. It was a hot day, with clear, gin blue sky, when the box with the Lanson Black Label arrived. We liked the little neoprene jacket it was wearing, and stuck it in the fridge for a couple of hours.

When we popped the cork we were not disappointed: clear pale wine, with a hint of amber and lots of tiny, tight strings of bubbles. A good nose: honey and the slightest hint of caramel. To taste: light, with a pleasant long note which lingers. A strong fruity note. Apparently, the long and slow maturation process in cool cellars gives the champagne finesse and a smooth texture. That may well be: we just know it went down a treat with some yellowfin tuna sushi, and we'd certainly get some in for the tennis.

You can get it in store at Tesco's from now to July 5th. It's a very fine champagne and we can't fault it: we do think, however, the neoprene jacket is something of a collector's folly, as the stuff goes down so fast you'll rarely have to keep it cool for longer than a few minutes.