It is not made every year; on average, only every other year provides enough quality. It is also the only champagne that started its life as a private cuvée for a monarch; in this case, Tsar Alexander II of Imperial Russia, in 1876.

It was made exclusively for his family until the Russian Revolution of 1917, after which production was ceased until the late 1920s. A favourite of the rich and famous. Beautiful yellow in colour with burnished gold reflections. Intense nose of white flowers, citrus an red berries, followed by warmers notes of toast and wood. On the palate, ripe lush fruits (vine peaches) and toasty flavours. Dense fleshy structure. Powerful finish.

Aged an average of 5 years on lees, plus 6 months after disgorging.