Armand de Brignac Brut Gold NV, famously known as Ace of Spades, is the house's signature prestige cuvée. The Champagne combines Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, with peach, apricot, red berries, crystallised citrus, orange blossom and brioche on the nose. The palate is rich and creamy, with cherry, exotic fruit, lemon, vanilla and honey balanced by fresh acidity and a refined finish. The dosage is aged in French oak, adding subtle toast and vanilla complexity.

Decanter | D 95
Tasted by: Christelle Guibert

This is a three-way assemblage: three grape varieties – and equal percentage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 20% of Pinot Meunier – and a blend of 3 vintages, 2009, 2010 and 2012. The nose is full of flavours and rich with notes of white flowers and crème patissière. However, the palate is crisp, fresh and delicate with a lovely creamy texture. It is elegant, refined and very stylish (unlike the bottle!). It’s a pleasant combination of power and concentration blended with finesse and elegance. While the dosage is 9g/l, it feels much drier, more like a 5g/l and this probably due to the spinal cord of acidity.

The Wine Advocate | RP 92
Published: Jul 30, 2026
Drink: 2026-2036

The NV Brut Gold is fleshy and expressive and opens in the glass with aromas of Anjou pear, dried apricot, yellow apple and buttery pastry, complemented by hints of almond paste. Medium- to full-bodied, flavorful and giving, it possesses a sweet core of fruit that's underpinned by succulent yet vibrant acidity. Soundly made and harmonious, it is a decidedly stronger effort than the house's latest Blanc de Blancs. It was disgorged with a dosage of nine grams per liter.

The Champagnes from Armand de Brignac are produced by the Cattier family, based in the Montagne de Reims, though the cuvées incorporate fruit sourced from various subregions of Champagne.

James Suckling | JS 92
Published: Jul 14, 2025

Lots of orchard fruit and grapefruit character. Medium-bodied with a creamy texture and a lightly spicy finish, this delivers a nice balance of fresh fruit like lychees and pears. Drink now.

Jancis Robinson | JR 16.5
Published: Nov 6, 2017
Drink: 2017-2020

40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier. Base wines 2009, 2010, 2012. Dosage 9 g/l. Launched early 2017.
Fine, tight bead. Fresh and very fruity. Exuberant wine that should stand out in a darkened nightclub. Big and bold. Still lots to give. Jancis Robinson

Winemaker

As the first release from Champagne Armand de Brignac, the Brut Gold remains the most iconic cuvee in the range.

Each bottle of Armand de Brignac is coated in metal, finished with the hand application of French pewter labels and polished. Only 20 bottles can be completed per person per hour in the winery, and as a result, no two bottles are the same.

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Cork
Harvest: Multi-vintage
Oak: Dosage aged for approximately 1 year in French oak barrels
Varietals: 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier
(Note: The exact multi-vintage blend can change between releases. The current official specification is 50% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Meunier)
Skin Contact: Whole-bunch pressing with gentle extraction
Winemaker: Armand de Brignac / Cattier
Region: Champagne, France

Serving Temperature: 8–10°C
Decanting: Not required; allow 10–15 minutes in the glass
Food Pairing: Oysters, scallops, lobster, fresh fish, roasted quail, sushi, creamy seafood dishes and soft cheeses