House of Arras Brut Elite NV

Wine Critic Reviews

Wine Enthusiast (92): Elite is a classy intro to one of Australia's most highly regarded sparkling labels. Lightweight but expertly structured and polished, it wafts gentle white stone fruit alongside hyacinth, crème brûlée and a creamy cashew nuance. There's lively bubbles and a wonderfully fresh crunch of acidity on the finessed palate, backed by a whisper of lees yeast and seashell flavors.

Falstaff (92): The initially reductive nose opens up to reveal gently tart notes, almost salty lemon and corn husks. On the palate, the wine shows typical Tasmanian vivacity, with wonderful energy and leanness. There's a gentle autolytic hinterland and more of that lemony, zesty intensity, while the fine bubbles remain lively and spirited. An exquisite aperitif with a high refreshment factor.

Tom Cannavan (93): Ace sparkling winemaker Ed Carr has fashioned this from the three main Champagne grapes, with barrel fermentation of the base wines adding an extra layer of creamy depth. It is super impressive, vanilla, light buttery and toasty aromas and a fat lemony fruit base. On the palate a nice persistent mousse, plenty of bold flavour, and a pure, exhilarating blast of saline and citrus acidity that slices through some ripe, opulent mid-palate fruit.

The Wine Front (94): About The Wine Front

Bob Campbell (94): About Bob Campbell

Jeremy Oliver (94): When to drink:2012to2015

Jeremy Oliver (94): When to drink:2016to2020

James Suckling (90): Pale in appearance. The nose is fresh and lifted, with notes of minerals, sea shells, talcum powder and white flowers. The palate is light-bodied with a finely integrated mousse and striking acidity, giving notes of lemon pith, grapefruit and orange blossoms. A lovely NV methode traditonnelle. Drink or hold.