Bright and lightly toasty, this elegant Champagne layers flavors of cassis, crushed hazelnut and lemon meringue pie on the creamy bead. Drink now through 2019.

The VC brand ambassador, the NV Brut Yellow Label (an assemblage of 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier) is currently based on the 2012 vintage and contains 35% reserve wines. On the nose, ripe and intense (yellow-fleshed) fruit aromas intermix with a very nice maturity from the reserve wines. Disgorged in January 2015 with a dosage of nine grams, this is a medium-bodied, yet round and full-flavored Brut. It possesses biscuit and nutty flavors, and a nice freshness and complexity in the intense, aromatic finish. Indeed, this is very delicate and impressively good.

The best-selling Champagne in the U.S. follows the Veuve Clicquot house style of softness and ripeness. It's fruity, with an attractive almond and toast edge that suggests this bottle has seen some age. It's immediately drinkable and fresh with balanced acidity at the end.