Champagne Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reserve Blanc de Blancs 750ml

I kicked things off with the always delectable NV Pierre Peters Champagne Blanc de Blancs Cuvée de Réserve, which is about as good as any aperitif worth having. Precise and penetrating, showing sneaky concentration and depth to its white stone and orchard fruit, it makes a piercing, lifted start to a meal and actually matched more or less perfectly with the first three courses.

Score: 92 points -- Ian D'Agata, Vinous, 2019