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$29.98
Like most grower-producers the Colin family has long-standing ties to the land they farm. The Colin's started out as grape growers in the Cote des Blancs hamlet of Bergeres-les-Vertus Read More...
in 1829. Today the family's operation, under the enlightened direction of Philippe Colin, is headquartered in the neighboring town of Vertus. The Colin's own thirty acres of vines (80% Chardonnay) divided into numerous plots scattered primarily along the Cote des Blanc. Philippe Colin believes in utilizing the best new technology, like temperature-controlled fermentations, with best of the old ways such as hand vineyard cultivation and the use of a classic wooden Coquard grape press. Colin also embraces malo-lactic fermentation in his base wines which makes all of his Champagnes very approachable and enjoyable with, or without, food. This Alliance bottling for example is real crowd-pleaser that deftly juxtaposes lush apple, pear fruit with savory nougat and mineral undertones. Truly delicious stuff!
$64.98
WINE ADVOCATE 94 POINTS -"The NV (2007) Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs rocks. It is a big, mouth-filling wine loaded with extravagant Chardonnay fruit. This Read More...
is a decidedly extroverted, powerful vintage of the Blanc de Blancs, but I am quite confident the wine will settle down with further time in the bottle. Juicy peaches, mango, passion fruit and French oak wrap around the sensual, enticing finish. This is a dazzling showing from Collin. The 2007 includes 35% 2006 reserve wine. This bottle was disgorged March 1, 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. I visited Olivier Collin in early April, in the middle of what turned out be a very early bud break. The pristine, immaculately tended vineyards point to a grower absolutely obsessed with quality, which comes through in the wines as well. I tasted a number of Champagnes, including three stunning 2008s that have not yet been released. Collin is another of my very favorite growers. I never miss a chance to drink these wines."
$69.95
A very rare bird with no reviews that we are aware of. This cuvee was first produced from the 2008 vintage, this 100% Blanc de Noirs,is made from a parcel of pinot noir called Les Maillons, Read More...
in the village of Barbonne-Fayel. Disgorged March, 2012.
THE WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS
The most refined of these new releases, the NV (2008) Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Maillons wrap around the palate with endless layers of sensual fruit. Sweet red berries, flowers and subtle spices waft from the glass, but the Maillons is all about weightless, crystalline purity, tension and grace. From a purely textural standpoint, the Maillons stands apart for the finesse of its mousse and its exceptional overall harmony. Readers who can find the Maillons should not hesitate, it is insanely beautiful. Dosage was 1.7 grams per liter. Disgorged March 5, 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. Olivier Collin’s estate is practically in the middle of nowhere, but it is well worth a visit. Collin crafts beguiling, totally fascinating Champagnes from his tiny facility in the sleepy town of Congy. The wines are fermented and aged in barrel (with some less stirring) and bottled without fining or filtration. This year Collin has a new wine, the Chardonnay Les Roises, from fruit that was previously sold to the negoce. These remain some of the most unique and thrilling wines being made in Champagne. There is little question Collin’s wines are now on the same level as those of his mentor, Anselme Selosse. Readers who want to learn more about these wines may want to take a look at my video on our site. - Antonio Galloni
THE WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS
The most refined of these new releases, the NV (2008) Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Maillons wrap around the palate with endless layers of sensual fruit. Sweet red berries, flowers and subtle spices waft from the glass, but the Maillons is all about weightless, crystalline purity, tension and grace. From a purely textural standpoint, the Maillons stands apart for the finesse of its mousse and its exceptional overall harmony. Readers who can find the Maillons should not hesitate, it is insanely beautiful. Dosage was 1.7 grams per liter. Disgorged March 5, 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. Olivier Collin’s estate is practically in the middle of nowhere, but it is well worth a visit. Collin crafts beguiling, totally fascinating Champagnes from his tiny facility in the sleepy town of Congy. The wines are fermented and aged in barrel (with some less stirring) and bottled without fining or filtration. This year Collin has a new wine, the Chardonnay Les Roises, from fruit that was previously sold to the negoce. These remain some of the most unique and thrilling wines being made in Champagne. There is little question Collin’s wines are now on the same level as those of his mentor, Anselme Selosse. Readers who want to learn more about these wines may want to take a look at my video on our site. - Antonio Galloni
$39.98
A Grower Champagne with incredibly giving with toasty aromas and a very delicate bead. At the same time, with enough full structure to carry you through a meal. It is especially fine Read More...
for warm hors d'oeuvres and soft cheeses like St. André.
$37.95
WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is a striking wine, and frankly one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Coutier. Read More...
Pure Blanc de Blancs is unusual in Ambonnay, where Pinot plays the leading role. Coutier’s NV presents an intriguing combination of the richness that is typical of Ambonnay married to deep, expressive varietal Chardonnay fruit. Smoke, ash and crushed rocks are all layered into the energetic, vibrant finish. This is a flat-out delicious, utterly joyous Champagne from Coutier. Disgorged May 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017."
Coutier can certainly make a strong claim as Ambonnay’s value king. In addition to offing plenty of “bang of the buck,” Coutier is notable for their use of Chardonnay in this fabled bastion of Pinot Noir. In fact, proprietor René Coutier’s father was the very first vigneron to plant Chardonnay in the village back in 1946. Today, about a third of the domaine’s 23 acres of vines are planted to this noble white grape. Compared to the Côtes des Blancs, the soil of Ambonnay has a higher ratio of clay to chalk, a factor that imparts an appealing richness to this Chardonnay Champagne. This bottling is based on the 2009 vintage with 40% reserve wine and was fermented entirely in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation. The result is a very showy and accessible Champagne that received this recent rave from the Wine Advocate.
Coutier can certainly make a strong claim as Ambonnay’s value king. In addition to offing plenty of “bang of the buck,” Coutier is notable for their use of Chardonnay in this fabled bastion of Pinot Noir. In fact, proprietor René Coutier’s father was the very first vigneron to plant Chardonnay in the village back in 1946. Today, about a third of the domaine’s 23 acres of vines are planted to this noble white grape. Compared to the Côtes des Blancs, the soil of Ambonnay has a higher ratio of clay to chalk, a factor that imparts an appealing richness to this Chardonnay Champagne. This bottling is based on the 2009 vintage with 40% reserve wine and was fermented entirely in stainless steel with full malolactic fermentation. The result is a very showy and accessible Champagne that received this recent rave from the Wine Advocate.
$34.95
WINE SPECTATOR INSIDER 90 POINTS- "A sublayer of salinity adds depth to the bread dough, sultana andred berry flavors in this lightly chalky Champagne, Read More...
which displaysa lovely integration, with a subtle, smoky finish. Drink now through2014.Given its value, style and grace it was an easy call to place this November Champagne of the Month on this bestof list. Champagne R.H. Coutier is located in the celebrated Montagne de Reims village of Ambonnay, where the Coutierfamily has lived since 1619. As we suggested last month, the 30% Chardonnay component is very expressive and works togive this value priced Brut a verve and subtlety that is lacking in most other Montagne de Reims Champagnes. Here then is a classy, albeit mouth-filling Champagne whose red berry Pinot Noir character takes a back seat to savory notions ofbreadfruit, lemon curd, toasted grains and honey."
$229.98
In-store purchase only.
Please call 800-331-3005 for details.
WINE SPECTATOR 93 POINTS - " Floral, citrus and spice aromas and flavors are at the forefront of this filigree, delicate Champagne, which is harmonious Read More...
and well-defined, with a long aftertaste of roasted nut and toast. Very dry. Drink now through 2028."
$489.98
In-store purchase only.
Please call 800-331-3005 for details.
$1495.00
In-store purchase only.
Please call 800-331-3005 for details.
$169.59
In-store purchase only.
Please call 800-331-3005 for details.
WINE SPECTATOR 94 POINTS - "Vibrant and mouthwatering, this offers a range of patisserie pear and apple fruit, candied lemon zest, pastry dough and marzipan Read More...
notes set on a finely detailed texture, which imparts a great deal of finesse. The lasting finish echoes a smoky mineral note. Drink now through 2025."
PETER LEIM CHAMPAGNE GUIDE.NET 3 STARS - "Roederer was notably successful in this difficult vintage, and the 2005 Cristal is outstanding, demonstrating all of the positive attributes of the year while avoiding its faults. It's blended from 55 percent pinot noir and 45 percent chardonnay, and while it has an elevated sense of richness indicative of the vintage, it's remarkably elegant and graceful, already showing a terrific complexity of flavor and a classical refinement. Thanks to its bold fruit aromas, it's unusually approachable for a young Cristal, but it will take time to reveal all of its facets, and it should continue to develop over the next several decades. Last tasted: 3/12."
PETER LEIM CHAMPAGNE GUIDE.NET 3 STARS - "Roederer was notably successful in this difficult vintage, and the 2005 Cristal is outstanding, demonstrating all of the positive attributes of the year while avoiding its faults. It's blended from 55 percent pinot noir and 45 percent chardonnay, and while it has an elevated sense of richness indicative of the vintage, it's remarkably elegant and graceful, already showing a terrific complexity of flavor and a classical refinement. Thanks to its bold fruit aromas, it's unusually approachable for a young Cristal, but it will take time to reveal all of its facets, and it should continue to develop over the next several decades. Last tasted: 3/12."
$479.95
In-store purchase only.
Please call 800-331-3005 for details.
$39.98
One of the big pluses of summer is the pleasure of outdoor dining. Of course, there are many types of wine that work well out on the patio. However, for us nothing quite matches the Read More...
magic of well-crafted rosé Champagne. A case in point is this stunning discovery from Daniel Etienne. The Etienne family has been tilling the soil above the tiny Premier Cru hamlet of Cumieres for many generations. Cumieres is situated on the Marne River a few miles northeast of Epernay. Its gentle slopes, which are overlooked by the Bois de St.-Marc and the ridge of Hautvillers to the north, enjoy a beneficial southern and southeasterly exposure. Today Daniel and Brigitte farm some 18 acres of vines practicing “culture raisonnée”-using chemical treatments only as last resort. Their brut rosé is a blend of estate grown fruit from the 2007 and 2006 harvests. It was bottled in early 2008 and was disgorged in August 2012 with a light dosage of six grams per liter. This pale salmon bubbly commences with pleasing scents of summer berries joined with hints of rose petals and watermelon. While predominately composed of Pinot Noir, the Chardonnay component (25%) keeps this rosé light-footed and lively as it proffers zingy cherry and cranberry flavors modulated by creamy autolytic notes and haunting mineral tones. A charmer from start to finish that is definitely priced right.
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