Eric, I used to think not, but now Im a believer. Champagne must be very sensitive as Ive had way too many oxidized Champagnes, especially in the last year or so. The warning I put out also extends to Wine Commune which Ive always understood is buyer beware. Im now aware, unfortunately.
As with the great majority of the wines I have ordered from them, I got the wine in excellent shape as promptly as I would have had I bouth (at significantly higher price) from some other retailer. Some wines take a long time; most do not
+1 to that!
I’ve bought a lot of champagne from them and fortunately haven’t had this problem. The Phillipe Prie that they continually have is a more-forward style that always comes off as mature, but I wouldn’t call it oxidized.
Just tasted through a bunch of champagne/sparking wine in this category, some a bit higher in price. Go to champagne is still Pierre Peters NV which is in the $40-$50 range. Just so classic. Within your range, would recommend Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Brut Rosé.
We aren’t very familiar with this house, other than a 1996 a few weeks ago, but the SO pulled an NV Duval Leroy [Champagne] for supper last night. It was good, and had some grassy/herbal kind of notes. It went surprisingly well with a rich risotto we made too. The bead seemed very fine to me. I’m not sure it could replace our normal favorites, but certainly an enjoyable drink overall.
But my ‘new’ mushroom cookbook was the balls for a chanterelle recipe!
My house champs is < $30 from envoyer, R&L Legras BdB
Piper Heidsieck is right at $29.99 at Hennepin Lake in Minneapolis. Best NV I have had in a while.
NV Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut - France, Champagne (11/3/2018)
Day 1: Gorgeous NV. Creamy mouthfeel with citrus, spice, dough and charred pie crust. A vibrant wine with sharp acidity. Medium plus finish and at the amazing low price of only $33. 92 points
Day 2: Very similar character from day 1 but picks up some nice perfume notes and dried apricots. Very good acidity on this wine. Not as good as day 1 but solid. 90 points
Recommendation: Dink on day 1 and buy from a shop that moves through NV Champagne. This current NV selections is outstanding as some of the previous ones were sub 90 points. (92 points)
Moutard is good for under $30, as is Aubry,but to me the best in that range is Ployez-Jacquemart.