ARMAND DE BRIGNAC. BLANC DE NOIRS
CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE 2015
WHY BUY: A pair of Champagne collectibles that deliver transcendence and transport. These critically-acclaimed bottles from the legendary Armand de Brignac (100 points and 98 points, respectively) demonstrate their signature wizardry at turning Pinot Noir from Grands Cru and Premiers Cru sites into Blanc de Blancs of stunning power and grace. Not only are these bottles vanishingly rare (only 7,328 of their ultra-rare Assemblage No. 4 and just 1,258 magnum of their 2015 Vintage were produced), but each is also individually numbered, making them akin to limited edition prints from a renowned artist. Made with scrupulous craft and care and aged for over 7 years on the lees, these are statement releases from a family, the Cattiers, that has been at it since 1763, or a full quarter-century before Marie Antoinette sneered, “Let them eat cake."
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: Tasting Panel awarded the Assemblage No. 4 a perfect 100 points, writing that it achieves “the purest form of integration between stunningly beautiful acidity and warm toastiness after seven years in the cellars ... at once sumptuous and lilting.” It was nearly as enamored of the 2015 Vintage, a 98-pointer that seduces, it wrote, with "initial scents of salted almond... think marzipan, plum upside-down cake... earthy hint of prosciutto” and concludes with an "extremely long, clean, minerally finish.” The Robb Report declared it, simply, "one of the most stunning Blanc de Noirs that we have tasted.”
OUR TASTING NOTES: The Assemblage No. 4 hits you first with that telltale mineral spine of serious Pinot Noir, then unfolds into something more, and mysterious. There’s dark fruit that's ripe without being jammy, and we love the spice notes that insinuate rather than dominate. Seven years on the lees shows up in the texture: a creamy, persistent mousse that swaddles the palate. And the finish — seemingly endless. The 2015 Vintage in magnum format brings a brighter, more vibrant expression, with red fruit leading the charge. There's genuine elegance here — an earned elegance, as opposed to a manipulated one. And this doesn’t impress itself upon you, but unfolds, in waves of complexity that build and retreat like a perfect conversation.
THE MOST TELLING DETAIL: Each bottle is hand-finished with metallic coating and French pewter labels at a pace of just 20 per hour. In other words: no two bottles are exactly the same.
THE STORY: The Cattier family founded their Champagne house in 1763 — before the French Revolution, before Champagne was even Champagne as we know it — and their descendants Jean-Jacques and Alexandre Cattier now craft these ultra-prestige cuvées under the Armand de Brignac label. Since 2014, Jay-Z has owned half the brand, but don't mistake this for celebrity vanity project: these wines stand entirely on their own merits. What sets Armand de Brignac apart is their almost fantatical attention to detail: only the tête de cuvée from the press is used, each cuvée blends multiple vintages, and everything ages for years on the second lees until reaching optimal balance and harmony. The Assemblage No. 4 spent over 7 years in the cellars before disgorgement in April 2023, while the 2015 Vintage rested for more than 7 years before its February 2024 release.
THE SPECS: The Assemblage No. 4 blends three vintages (predominantly 2015, with smaller proportions of 2013 and 2014) of Pinot Noir sourced from Premier and Grand Cru villages (including Verzenay, Verzy, and Mailly) and aged over 7 years on the lees. The 2015 Vintage is based heavily on Pinot Noir from Grand Cru sites like Mailly and Verzenay, with about a third of the blend coming from Pinot Meunier from Montagne de Reims; it was aged over 7 years, and enhanced with a liqueur made from 2022 Pinot Noir that aged for a year in new French oak.
FUN FACT: Each bottle tells its own story of rarity — literally: the Assemblage No. 4 bottles are individually numbered 1 through 7,328, while the 2015 Vintage magnums carry unique numbers 1 through 1,258, both inscribed with their disgorgement dates.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH: Structured, mineral-driven Champagnes like these call for partners of equal luxury. Think: Ossetra caviar, oysters on the halfshell, seared foie gras, and even dark chocolate desserts.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure these remarkable bottles today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Tuesday, June 17th, 2025.