Arras Brut Elite Cuvee 1801 Magnum 1.5L, Tasmania

Best in Class, Best Australian Brut NV

The Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships 2026

A blend of 61.9% Pinot Noir, 29.2% Chardonnay, and 8.9% Meunier, the base wine comes from the 2018 vintage. For a Brut style, the dosage is quite low at only 3.13 g/L, leaving very little to the imagination. The nose opens with gentle notes of pan brioche and warm butter, followed by heartening aromas of lemon curd, meringue, grilled cashews, smoked grapefruit, and hawthorn. The palate is enriched by a fine and persistent perlage whose unbroken chain of bubbles holds court, contributing to an overall impression of freshness and chalkiness. A curled lees character of bread crust and fresh dough unfolds like a peacock’s tail into citrus and green fruit tones. It culminates in a sublimely elegant and vibrant finish, making this an NV Brut that punches well above most others on the market.

96 points Lisa Cardelli, Winepilot

“Arras is made by a quietly spoken genius, Ed Carr, whose name should be known around the world. 
He is, by some considerable distance, Australia’s greatest sparkling winemaker.”

James Halliday

There's something wonderfully celebratory about a magnum of Tasmanian sparkling wine, especially when it comes from House of Arras. Established in 1995, the house has become a benchmark for Australian traditional method sparkling, thanks in no small part to the remarkable work of winemaker Ed Carr. Drawing on Tasmania's cool climate vineyards, the Brut Elite Cuvée 1801 combines Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with the complexity that comes from patient lees ageing. The generous 1.5 litre format is particularly appealing for entertaining.

Brilliant pale gold with delicate green reflections and a fine, persistent bead. Lemon zest, crisp apple and white peach mingle with toasted brioche, roasted almond and a hint of sea spray. Beautifully textured, with lively citrus acidity, creamy mousse and a long, savoury finish. Elegant yet full of character, with the freshness and depth that have made Arras such a celebrated name.

Magnificent with freshly shucked oysters and finger lime, crispy prawn and ginger wontons, or delicate potato blinis topped with smoked trout and crème fraîche. A magnum made for sharing.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2032. The larger format should help preserve its freshness while allowing further savoury complexity to develop.

Pinot Noir 61.9% Chardonnay 29.2% Pinot Meunier 8.9% TIRAGE 4 years DOSAGE 3.13g/L ALC/VOL 12.8% ACIDITY 7.3g/L pH 3.13