Champagne, Alsace
Champagne
The chalky soils of Champagne combined with its frigid growing environment create wines that are electric and salivating. But it’s the creation of bubbles that makes these wines stand out.
The bubbles are formed during a secondary fermentation in bottle, known as Méthode Traditionelle. The longer they age, the more nougat and brioche flavours develop and the finer the bead (bubble) becomes.
In terms of who invented Champagne, the English make a strong case as they worked out the formula for purposely making the fizz happen and their stronger coal-fired glass bottles - resulting from the Industrial Revolution - could hold the pressure. Whereas the French were still bottling in wood-fired glass which wasn’t strong enough and they hadn’t cracked the technique of creating bubbles on purpose.
Grapes
White: Chardonnay
Red: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Styles
Nowhere in the world can emulate the fineness and electric detail of these wines. Non-vintage Champagnes should be enjoyed earlier in their lives, while vintage wines have more structure and can age beautifully. House styles differ too. Blanc des Blancs (100% Chardonnay) offer a more elegant and fragile expression while Blanc des Noirs (100% Pinot and or Meunier) are darker fruited with more obvious structure and power.
Favourite Producers
Pierre Peters, Louis Roederer, Vilmart, Andre Clouet, Taittinger, Larmandier, Egly-Ouriet, Jacques Selosse
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Hugel Gentil 2021A very fresh dry white with yellow apple, lemon, fresh garden herb and snowpea aromas. Crisp and structured with a nice interplay of lively acidity and creaminess. Long, delicately spicy and herbal finish that’s very clean. A cuvee of 32% gewurztraminer, 25% pinot gris, 15% riesling, 15% pinot blanc, 10% sylvaner and 3% muscat. Drink or hold. STUART PIGOTT, JamesSucjkling.com
2021White BlendFrance343$31.00 As low as $27.90 -
Paul Blanck Pinot Blanc 2022From soils of gravel, sand and south-facing clay and limestone. The juice is extracted with infinite care in our air-bag press. The slow, gentle pressing avoids crushing the stalks and pips. This is followed by slow, natural fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats, generally lasting from four to 10 weeks.2022Pinot BlancFrance343$37.00 As low as $33.30 -
Trimbach Reserve Riesling 2020 375mlSuper-ripe lemon, fresh pineapple and herb aromas pour from the glass of this medium-bodied, concentrated and sophisticated dry riesling. Completely dry, with excellent balance at the long, very clean finish. 100% estate fruit from Ribeauvillé and Bergheim. Drink or hold. (94) JAMES SUCKLING2020RieslingFrance343$39.00 As low as $35.10 -
Paul Blanck Pinot Gris 2021
This wine sits in a range the Blancks call "Les Classiques". These are easy, accessible wines made from the traditional Alsatian grape varieties. They are fruit-driven, aromatic, dry wines that give the best of themselves within the first five to seven years, if you wish to retain their primary fruit-driven personality. The screw cap closure enhances this profile and helps the wines keep both freshness and liveliness far longer. They generally come from light soils with sand and gravel as well as sandstone or clay.
Fruit for the Blanck Pinot Gris was sourced from gravel, sand and south-facing clay and limestone vineyards. It was gently whole-bunch pressed before spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel.2021Pinot Gris, RieslingFrance343$41.00 As low as $36.90 -
Zind Humbrecht Muscat Turckheim 2020Zind Humbrecht is one of the unquestioned kings of aromatic whites. His ceaseless drive to create the world's greatest examples of his varieties is nothing short of remarkable as are the resulting offerings. A devoted proponent of Biodynamics, a gifted presenter and communicator and a towering figure of modern wine, the first Frenchman to be awarded the MW (International Master of Wine) he has justifiably earned his reputation as one of the legends of modern wine.
The Tuckheim Range is the value tier and represents classic Alsatian whites from a regional blend of grapes as well as estate fruit. These vineyards are grown on the valley floor, where the glacial debris of rolled stones, granite and gneiss has settled over the aeons. Wine from these soils tends to have a lovely fruit profile underpinned with a stoney-mineral tension that screams 'drink me' and marks the wines with the typical mineral streak of Alsace.
2020MuscatFrance343$42.00 As low as $37.80 -
Cave de Turckheim Cremant d'Alsace Brut NVThe Crémant d'Alsace owes a large part of its finesse and originality to the unique personality of each of the Alsace grape varieties, and to the ideal conditions enjoyed by the vineyards : a dry, sunny climate with vineyards slopes bathed in the rising sun and special geological conditions.
From the Kientzheim and Wettolsheim villages. Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. Soil : Clay-limestone and sand. Expressive nose, delicate and freshness. A fine liveliness. Dominance of white fruits fleshed. Bubbles are fine and delicate.2013France343$43.00 As low as $38.70 -
Super Felsa Spranger Riesling 2020Preserved lemon flavours are held in check by the limestone minerality and the palate is given volume and texture by the usual lees contact over winter. A lovely mouthful of wine that finishes long and dry and beautifully balanced. Unmistakably fine Alsace Riesling. VINTAGE & VINE
2020RieslingFrance343$44.00 As low as $39.60 -
Paul Blanck Riesling 2023The fruit comes from vineyards with sand and gravel soils around the village of Kientzheim.
The juice is extracted with infinite care in an air-bag press. The slow, gentle pressing avoids crushing the stalks and pips. The must starts fermenting of its own accord thanks to the natural yeast present in the juice, and the fermentation generally lasts from four to 10 weeks. It is carried out in stainless-steel vats equipped with temperature control, a medium which maximises the expression of this variety's aromas.2023RieslingFrance343$44.00 As low as $39.60 -
Albert Mann Cuvee Albert Pinot Gris 2020 375mlLots of Asian pear and fully ripe banana on the forthright and fresh nose. Then comes a very dry and clean palate with an excellent balance of ripeness, restrained creaminess and animating acidity. Properly dry finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap. JAMES SUCKLING2020Pinot GrisFrance343$46.00 As low as $41.40 -
Zind Humbrecht Pinot Blanc Turckheim 2022Uncomplicated but charming, with plenty of fresh pineapple and mandarin orange fruit. Medium bodied with restrained mid-palate richness. An animating freshness at the bone dry finish that pulls you back for more. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. STUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com
2022Pinot BlancFrance343$48.00 As low as $43.20 -
Zind Humbrecht Pinot Blanc Turckheim 2023More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2023Pinot BlancFrance343$48.00 As low as $43.20 -
Massenez Liqueur de Litchi (Lychee) 500mlSILVER - World Liquor Awards
Exotic, generous and delicate with an intense attack on the palate. A real explosion of flavors!LiqueurFrance343Special Price $49.00 Regular Price $55.00 -
Mittnacht Freres Cremant d'Alsace Extra Brut NVMittnacht Freres have been producing biodynamic wines for quite some time and are well known for their refined wines. They own some parcels in the Grand Crus like "Rosaker" or "Osterberg". We are looking forward to introducing more of their range some time soon.
This Appellation 'Cremant D'Alsace" is made using the traditional method with a secondary fermentation in bottle. It's aged for 32 months before disgorging.
Subtle sparkling with notes of pears, apples and peach, on a festival of light and very elegant bubbles. The palate is dry, notes of granny smith apples and hazelnut, built around a nice, ripe acidity. Delicious festive number !
NVPinot Blanc, Pinot noirFrance343$54.00 As low as $48.60 -
Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Turckheim 2021More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2021GewurztraminerFrance343$55.00 As low as $49.50 -
Zind Humbrecht Zind 2020More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2020chardonnay, White BlendFrance343$55.00 As low as $49.50 -
Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Turckheim 2022This entry-level dry pinot gris has a wonderful flinty freshness and a very appealing lightness of touch on the medium-bodied palate. Very salty and lemony bone-dry finish. Just 12.2% alcohol. From vines of varying ages, the youngest planted in 1992. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. STUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com
2022Pinot GrisFrance343$56.00 As low as $50.40 -
Zind Humbrecht Muscat Turckheim 2022Very fresh and bright with effusive pink grapefruit and lilac aromas from the warm, dry growing season. I love this wine’s zesty personality and the wonderful mineral freshness that gives the long finish a terrific kick. This almost pure muscat a petits grains. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. STUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com
2022MuscatFrance343$56.00 As low as $50.40 -
Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Turckheim 2022STAFF PICKS 2024 - RICH
Gewurtztraminer can be often misunderstood with low quality examples from the and 80's and 90's still in the minds and on the palates. This is a great wine to help change that mindset. Floral notes with honeysuckle leap from the glass with a hint of white pepper and the traditional spiciness. Due to an drier than normal vintage the alcohol is lower than usual and coming in at less than 1g residual sugar, there is a mineral freshness not often seen from this varietal. The palate follows the nose but brings in elements of stone fruit and sweet spice. If you haven't had a Gewurtztraminer in a hot minute, this is perfect. RICH
Hard as it may be to believe, this gewurz has stacks of yellow rose and star fruit aromas, but is only medium-bodied and tastes so bright. The interplay of the acidity and the exciting touches of tannin and bitterness drive the long, bone-dry finish. Just 12.6% alcohol. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. STUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com2022GewurztraminerFrance343$56.00 As low as $50.40 -
Zind Humbrecht Muscat Turckheim 2023
More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2023MuscatFrance343$56.00 As low as $50.40 -
Zind Humbrecht Zind 2021More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2021chardonnay, White BlendFrance343$65.00 As low as $58.50 -
Trimbach Reserve Pinot Gris 2018
More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2018Pinot GrisFrance343$66.00 As low as $59.40 -
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve NV 375mlANDRE CLOUET (9/10)
Bouzy and Ambonnay are the epicentre of pinot noir in Champagne, and the Clouet family is the priviledged custodian of eight hectares of estate vines in the best middle slopes of both villages. These are rich and concentrated expressions of pinot noir, wines of deep complexity, multi faceted interest and engaging character, yet with remarkable restraint and sense of control. Recent tastings confirm my impression that this small and relatively unknown grower ranks high among Champagne's finest practitioners of pinot noir - and expresses one of the best value of all.
100% Bouzy and Ambonnay pinot noir. 6g/L dosage
Release after release, year after year, I have always marvelled at the lemon blossom freshness that Clouet manages to capture in pinot noir from two of Champagne's most powerful terroirs. Here it is again, in a captivating interplay of fleshy mirabelle plums, white peaches, crunchy golden delicious apples, and even a hint of pepper. Wild honey and mixed spice join the maelstrom along the way, gliding obediently into a well defined finish of soft minerality and integrated dosage. TYSON STELZER, The Champagne Guide 2014-2015
(100% Pinot Noir)The NV Brut Grande Reserve offers up layers of mineral-infused red fruits on a silky, mid-weight frame, with gorgeous length and a refined, subtle mousse. This impeccable, elegant wine shows terrific overall balance as well as complexity. I loved it. Andre Clouet is based in Bouzy, a village where Pinot Noir speaks with great eloquence, as is evident in these superb, pedigreed Champagnes. ANTONIO GALLONI, Robert ParkerNVChampagneFrance376$66.00 As low as $59.40 -
Zind Humbrecht Zind 2022Complex nose of Amalfi lemon and flint with leesy complexity. Excellent structure on the medium-bodied palate. Very straight with excellent candied citrus complexity and just a hint of oak. A cuvee of two thirds chardonnay and one third auxerrois. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. STUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com
2022France343$68.00 As low as $61.20 -
Marcel Deiss Riesling 2021Marcel Deiss Riesling comes from two different vineyards on the estate. One has soil with a filtering limestone surface and the other has sandy soil that is barely fertile and very dry. They practice organic and biodynamic agriculture (Ecocert and Demeter Certificate). The harvest is carried out manually and early to maintain good levels of acidity.
2021RieslingFrance343$70.00 As low as $63.00 -
Albert Mann Cuvee Albert Pinot Gris 2021Very fresh and creamy with delicate acacia honey, ripe melon and honeysuckle aromas. Healthy acidity for this grape with very polished texture on the medium-bodied palate. The lightness and liveliness at the finish pulls you back for more. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap. STUART PIGOTT, JamesSuckling.com2021Pinot GrisFrance343$71.00 As low as $63.90 -
Cave de Turckheim Riesling Grand Cru Hengst 2021This south / south-easterly facing slope in Wintzenheim is composed of calcareous clay. This heavy soil is giving a strong character to the wines.2021RieslingFrance343$73.00 As low as $65.70 -
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Bollinger Special Cuvee NV 375ml
More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
NVChampagneFrance376$73.00 As low as $65.70 -
Zind Humbrecht Riesling Roche Roulee 2021Stunning citrus fruit, generous body and excellent concentration with a vibrant acidity makes this a very expressive and appealing dry riesling, that does all the things people expect from Sancerre which it doesn't always deliver. Long invigorating finish STUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com
The nose is wonderfully flinty with promising reduction. The palate is dry, rather serene and round. Subtle flavors of sun-ripened Mirabelle skin appear on the mid-palate, then tapers to a long, taut lemon finish. The bone-dry lemon zestiness has a long echo. (Bone-dry) ANNE KREBIEHL MW, Vinous
Vivacious and uber refreshing, this positively hums with a primal energy and delivers it all with an emphatic snap of rocky mineral tension that clings to the medium bodied, pithy, zesty fruit that struts across your mouth like it has somewhere important to be. I love its vim and vigour, at no point is your palate not fully engaged and enlivened. It carries all this character with seeming ease as it slowly unwinds at the back.
The next day there was a distinct florality and a potent lemon oil note that really got me excited. Also the more textural, phenolic, extract components were a little more positively influential. This speaks volumes for the wines ability to age and evolve gracefully in the bottle, but it's a thrill to drink now. Gorgeous. ROSCOE2021RieslingFrance343$75.00 As low as $67.50 -
Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Roche Roulee 2021More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2021GewurztraminerFrance343$75.00 As low as $67.50 -
Domaine Dirler-Cade Alsace Riesling 2022One reason I never miss a chance to visit Jean Dirler and his family is that the Dirler-Cadé estate in Bergholtz makes outstanding wines from several different Alsace varieties. Its Sylvaner, a grape often treated as an afterthought in Alsatian wine-production circles, is especially noteworthy. I do not feel that I am exaggerating when I describe it as a world-class wine the fact that it ages extremely well is an added bonus.
The Rieslings in particular are exceptionnal: impressive saline tension for the Kitterlé, all about vigor and smoky brightness for the finish, straight wine, sharp, profound, with an extraordinary persistence and intensity. The Kessler, offers a myriad of vibrant flavours, the finish is overflowing with energy and anise brightness. Very young, the Searing offers a dazzling breath of light, and the Spiegel displays a radiant fruit and a vibrant, intense persistence- it's a stunning wine. IAN D'AGATA
From a sorting in the Grands Crus Kessler & Saering and in the lieu-dit Belzbrunnen - 2.3 g/l residual sugar2022Pinot BlancFrance343$77.00 As low as $69.30 -
Domaine Barmes Buecher Sylvaner Vielle Vignes Rosenberg 2021The 2021 Sylvaner Rosenberg is made from old vines, planted in 1969/1970, so just over 50 years old. The nose has a faint hint of melted butter and hazelnut. The small harvest meant that it needed to go into used barrique, because there was not enough to fill a foudre. The result is very creamy and smooth, on a slender body, with much lemon freshness. While svelte, this is generous and gorgeously smooth. (Bone-dry) ANNE KREBIEHL MW, Vinoua2021RieslingFrance343$77.00 As low as $69.30 -
Domaine Dirler-Cade Alsace Sylvaner Vieilles Vignes 2022The 2022 Sylvaner Vieilles Vignes opens with russet pear peel, suggesting ripeness and texture, which duly follow the palate, which is slightly crunchy with phenolics. These take the place of more freshness on a smooth, concentrated body with supple edges of pithiness. (Bone-Dry) ANNE KREBIEHL MW, Vinous2022Pinot BlancFrance343$77.00 As low as $69.30 -
Trimbach Reserve Riesling 2021More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2021RieslingFrance343$79.00 As low as $71.10 -
Zind Humbrecht Riesling Roche Calcaire 2022Brimming with star fruit, bergamot and flint, this is a dangerously fresh and minerally dry riesling for this warm and dry vintage. Terrific drive right through the bone-dry palate, the slate and Amalfi lemon zest at the finish strident. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. STUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com
2022RieslingFrance343$79.00 As low as $71.10 -
Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Roche Calcaire 2022Think ripe pomelo and melon with a touch of yellow grapefruit, then let yourself drift into this very fresh and chalky expression of the pinot gris grape. Only medium-bodied, but with a compact structure. Intensely salty finish that has a lot of drive. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. STUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com
2022Pinot GrisFrance343$79.00 As low as $71.10 -
Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Roche Calcaire 2022A juicy and very fresh gewurz with stacks of star fruit and licorice character. Just a touch of positive bitterness helps lift the medium-bodied palate, which is otherwise really silky. Beautiful balance in spite of the touch of unfermented grape sweetness. Mostly from young vines in the Grand Cru Hengst and the Clos Windsbuhl sites. Picked at the end of the 2022 harvest. Drink or hold. STUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com
2022GewurztraminerFrance343$79.00 As low as $71.10 -
Marcel Deiss Riquewihr 2021A blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris and some Pinot Blanc, the 2021 Riquewihr was harvested along the Schoenenbourg Grand Cru, on the more exposed side of the grand cru Sporen, and from parcels towards Kientzheim. After some funky reduction has dissipated, luminous candied lemon notes appear. The palate, however, is fuller and seems buffered and airy, with very concentrated freshness, soft fruit and defining pithy bitterness that makes the mouth water. The finish is bone-dry and rapier-like, edged with ginger. (Bone-dry) ANNE KREBIEHL MW, Vinous
This wine comes from the parcels of Domaine Marcel Deiss located on the end of Riquewihr (places called Engelsreben and Rosenbourg) conducted biodynamically. The siliceous superficial framework of these soils resting on deep marls, gives a wine extremely salivating, precise, robust, thick, aristocratic and cold in primitive youth, but fleshy. Complete and very long aging. This is the complex message of a vibrant fruit from a deep cold earth.
If you have never had the wines of Deiss this is a great place to start. He has always been adamant that the great wines of Alsace are 100% about place and grape second, so much so that he famous for his field blend wines that combine several grapes and that which for Deiss represent one of the great expressions of the region.
2021White BlendFrance343$80.00 As low as $72.00 -
Domaine Dirler-Cade Alsace Cremant 2020More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2022Pinot BlancFrance343$82.00 As low as $73.80 -
Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Roche Calcaire 2023
More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2023Pinot GrisFrance343$82.00 As low as $73.80 -
Zind Humbrecht Riesling Roche Calcaire 2023
More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
2023RieslingFrance343$82.00 As low as $73.80 -
Weinbach Sylvaner 2022This is our second shipment of Weinbach’s Sylvaner, drawn from old vines in the Clos des Capucins. Sylvaner may have fallen down the Alsatian pecking order in recent decades, but you could hardly tell that from tasting Weinbach’s example. Old, biodynamically tended vines and low yields are just two key components to the quality and style. The fruit was pressed gently as whole clusters, then fermented with indigenous yeasts (an element of the terroir that enhances depth and complexity in the wines) in old oak vats. Sylvaner boasts relatively high acidity, which works a treat with the early-ripening, sandy and rocky terroir of Capucins. The result is a deliciously fruity, taut, salivating white with complex aromatics and plush concentration.
A biodynamic Sylvaner among thorns, the 2022 opens with golden orchard fruits, aromatic salts and a twist of savoury herbs, while the palate is packed with silky fruit and balanced by a mouth-watering spine of crystalline acidity. Impressive length, too.
2022SylvanerFrance343$84.00 As low as $75.60 -
Apollonis Authentic Meunier Blanc de Noir Brut NVBased in the Marne Valley, this producer has a predominance of Pinot Meunier in many of its Champagnes. Winemaker Marie Petit Loriot plays the tanks music as the wine ferments. This fruity wine is vibrant, densely textured and at the dry end of Brut. WINE ENTHUSIASTNVChampagneFrance376$85.00 As low as $76.50 -
Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut NVMore product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!
ChampagneFrance376$86.00 As low as $77.40 -
Brimoncourt Regence NVA lightly toasty and flavorful Champagne with notes of praline, candied walnut, lemon peel and grilled orange. Fine bubbles. Pretty balance of toasty nut and zesty citrus. Dry feel. JAMES SUCKLINGNVChampagneFrance376$87.00 As low as $78.30 -
Domaine Barmes Buecher Sands Pinot Blanc 2021The vines for this 2021 Pinot Blanc Clos Sand were planted in 2013. It was first vinified as a single vineyard in 2018. This is a granitic site, at 400m of altitude, enclosed by forest, looking south-east. Matured in a mix of stainless steel and used 300-liter barrel, because there was not enough wine to fill a foudre , this spent 11 months on gross lees. The nose is shy, with mere suspicions of lemon. The palate is sylph-like but wonderfully juicy and rounded in its concentrated slenderness. It has the richness of yeast and strikes a beautiful balance. Very elegant, finishing with pristine lemon purity. (Bone-dry) ANNE KREBIEHL MW, Vinous2021Pinot BlancFrance343$88.00 As low as $79.20 -
Brocard Pierre Champagne 'Tradition' NVBrocard Pierre's entry-level and only blended-grape expression of Champagne, Cuvée Tradition Brut, spends three years on the lees in bottle before release, which in our opinion, makes it one of the best quality-for-value wine of Champagne.
The Tradition is made of Pinot Noir (80%), Chardonnay (10%) and Pinot Blanc (10%) grapes from vineyards planted on clay-calcareous soil near Celles-sur-Ource. 2018 vintage reserve wine makes up the dominant base, while 30% comes from different réserve vintages. The juice was fermented in oak (15%) and stainless steel (85%) at controlled temperature. The wine then spent 4 months in stainless steel, and it was aged on lees for 2.5 years. It has 6g/l of dosage.
A flattering nose dominated by the Pinot Noir. Good harmony in the mouth, strength associated with freshness but not heavy accompanied by a slightly mentholated finish. Ripe citrus. Unctuous mousse. Chalky, mineral and saline and mouth coating. Generous autolitic notes.
NVChampagneFrance376$89.00 As low as $80.10 -
Thierry Fournier Blanc de Blanc NVJulien explains that the Marne Valley vines sit in clay limestone soils, often giving richer Chardonnay notes than fruit from the Cote de Blancs. That said this is still very, very precise and fine with a rich mid palate for sure but then a precise, linear finish. To describe the flavour profile as ‘Chablis with bubbles’ would be perhaps to over-simplify things but this certainly makes for a sleek yet flavourful NV. Importer CellarHandNVChampagneFrance376$90.00 As low as $81.00