Ulysse Collin Extra Brut BdB Champagne Pierrières (2018, 48m) NV

98+ points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "This year's releases from Olivier Collin begin with the NV Champagne Blanc de Blancs Les Pierrières Extra Brut, which is based on the 2018 vintage together with 40% reserve wine from 2017. This is the first year he has extended the aging fully to 48 months, which he has gradually been working to increase over the past several years across the range, and the results are well worth the investment, as this is the best release of this wine I have tasted to date. Pure, layered, and impeccably balanced, with compact intensity, the nose opens to gorgeous notes of preserved Meyer lemon, wet stone, saline, toasty incense, honeysuckle, and pure green apple. Full-bodied, with fantastic, compact concentration, it offers a refined pinpoint mousse that takes a backseat to the wine itself, which has a lush texture reminiscent of a great white Burgundy, with outstanding purity and intensity and an incredibly long finish. It has the longevity to drink over the next three decades and will improve and build in complexity if stored properly. Drink 2025-2050. Disgorged in February 2023 with 0.85 grams per liter dosage. (11/17/23)"

96+ points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Disgorged in February 2023 after 48 months on the lees, Collin's NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Pierrières is based on the 2018 vintage, complemented by some 40% reserve wines. Unwinding in the glass with notes of sweet citrus fruits and pear mingled with notions of quince, hazelnuts and almonds, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and racy, with a broad attack that segues into a vinous, muscular mid-palate, concluding with a chalky finish. Readers will note that with this release, there are no longer two different disgorgements of Les Pierrières; instead, Collin has opted to age the entire tirage for the full 48 months before disgorgement. Drink: 2023-2037. (12/14/23)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The NV Blanc de Blancs Les Pierrières (40% 2018 base, 60% reserve wines) is a rich, layered wine that shows all the explosive energy that makes these Ulysses Colin Champagnes so alluring. Peach, apricot, crushed rocks, chamomile, hazelnut and a touch of reduction race across the palate. This is an especially dense, heady vintage for the Pierrières. This only needs a few more months to recover from its relatively recent disgorgement. Time in the glass brings out notable crystalline purity. This is so impressive. Dosage is 1-2 grams per liter. Disgorged February, 2023. Drink: 2024-2032. (Nov 2023)"