Got something special to celebrate this year? Jay-Z just might have you covered.
The mogul's champagne brand, Armand de Brignac, has unveiled its first vintage release, Blanc de Noirs Vintage 2015. A 1.5-liter magnum bottle will set you back $3,400, but it will be a rare purchase as the limited edition run produced just 1,258 bottles. Each metalized bottle of Blanc de Noirs Vintage 2015 is finished with hand-applied French pewter labels and a final hand polishing. The finished wine rested in the cellars for more than seven years until it was disgorged on Feb. 8.
The brand describes the pour as offering up a "symphony of flavors" with a mix of the essence of almond, plum, a hint of warming cinnamon, strawberries and clementine, complemented by the subtle hint of violet flower. A sip is said to culminate in a "pleasing and elegant length, leaving hints of gingerbread, orange, and the refined essence of licorice." The flavors can be traced back to the weather of 2015, which delivered a wet spring followed by a dry and warm summer season, which impacted the fruit culled during that time.
Blanc de Noirs Vintage 2015 is the latest addition in the Armand de Brignac portfolio that also includes a Gold Brut, Rosé, Demi-Sec, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs Assemblage No. 4. Blanc de Noirs Vintage 2015 hits select retailers worldwide beginning in November. Jay-Z sold a 50 percent stake in the brand, often referred to as Ace of Spades, to LVMH's wine and spirits division Moët Hennessy in 2021.