Tarlant Brut Champagne Zero Brut Nature NV

94 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(2012 base vintage; roughly one-third of each of the three varieties; Vallée de la Marne; vines more than 25 years of age; no malolactic fermentation; 40% reserves of 2010, 2009 and 2008; aged 6 years on lees; zero dosage). Benoît Tarlant has sensitively honed every stage of viticulture and production to foster balance in his Zero, aiming for an accuracy, purity and directness that he likens to playing darts. Flavour, not austerity, is his priority here, with ripe fruit, three reserve vintages and extremely long bottle ageing creating balance and presence. He describes 2012 as a ‘wonderful vintage of depth, length and purity – I really feel the vibrancy of the 2008 base once more!’ and the result is the best Zero he has made yet. Glowing with a beautiful medium yellow-straw hue, it’s a wonderful contrast between crisp lemon, crunchy golden delicious apple and exotic notes of white nectarine. This is a delightfully complex and characterful Zero that exudes succulent texture of wonderfully ripe fruit complexity, held in poised tension thanks to beautifully integrated malic acidity, defining sensational line and length. (2020-2021)"

93 points James Suckling: "So much dried-pear and sour-cherry character here, plus an excellent balance of creaminess and chalky character on the palate, that you barely register that this is bone-dry. A blend of 32% each of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier with 4% pinot meslier, arbanne and pinot blanc, based on the 2013 vintage. Disgorged July 20th, 2020. Drink or hold. (1/5/22)"

92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The base year 2012 bottling of Zero Brut Nature from the Tarlant family is again composed of its traditional blend of one-third each of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. It was aged six years sur latte and disgorged in July of 2019. The wine offers up a beautiful bouquet of apple, pear, brioche, chalky minerality and a nice touch of white flowers in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a great core of fruit, excellent mineral drive and cut, elegant mousse and a long, beautifully balanced finish. Benoît and Mélanie Tarlant are two of the few winegrowers in Champagne that actually take the time to age their non-dosé bottlings sufficiently prior to release that they are drinking well when they hit the market. This is a beautiful wine. 2021-2045+. (Mar/Apr 2021)"

92 points Wine Spectator: "Rich hints of roasted nut and salted butter underscore the palate's black cherry and lemon curd flavors in this dry, lacy Champagne. Balanced, though firm, with a streak of salty mineral lingering on the crisp finish. Disgorged February 2018. Drink now through 2025. 650 cases imported. (11/30/20)"