Ground Control to Major Tom!

We are lost in outer bubbles. Completely, utterly lost, drifting in a blissful state into the oblivion. The finish is just not coming. Nor do we want it to. We are on a timeless course to Constellation VGCU-50 (Vintage Grower Champagne Under $50) and this will take us there. It was meant to be.

Ahem. Wake up Major. We have Operatives listening in. Get your feet back on the ground, STAT!

Sorry! Got a bit lost there for a moment. We simply don’t get enough great bubbly around here, let alone VINTAGE stuff from an outstanding year. The golden etherealness within is less saturated than the label, but a pale white gold, nonetheless. The bubbles rise effortlessly in a fine bead. The nose is, well, otherworldly, with lemon meringue pie, a touch of fresh cut strawberries, a just picked bouquet of wildflowers, with nuances of crème fraiche, walnut Turkish Delight, and lemon balm tea. Yes, it is that complex. The palate echoes the multitude of aromas, with additional layers of candied lemon peel, fresh baked bread, and hazelnut nougat. Utterly dry and bracing, yet chock full of sweet smells, the long, long finish is breathtakingly perplexing. An eye-popping “WHOA” Champagne if there is one.

Make no mistake, this is driven by the majority of Pinot Noir in the blend, with the Chardonnay balance lifting the decadent character to a feather-like freshness. A masterful concoction indeed.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous defines this unique house’s style best, “While grower Champagnes have become all the rage in recent years, brothers Fernand & Gaston Chiquet were among the first, if not the first, growers to bottle and sell their own wines, something that was groundbreaking all the way back in 1919… Chiquet favors malolactic fermentation for his wines and levels of dosage that tend towards the lower end of the spectrum. These are wines imbued with extraordinary personality and character.”

YES Please!

With your average NV Yellow Label costing upwards to $60 these days, hunting down a tiny production boutique vintage Champagne at this price is a near impossibility. With only 100 cases imported to the US in the first place, this priced to move final batch won’t last. Get savvy and jump on it!

94 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“This is a solid set of wines from Nicolas Chiquet. I found all the wines expressive, quite giving and impeccable… One of the most polished, refined wines I have ever tasted from Chiquet. Ample and racy in the glass, with terrific textural richness, the 2009 offers exceptional balance and tons of pure class. Apricot, pastry, brioche, spice and lemon confit all build as this racy, voluptuous Champagne shows off its soft curves and inviting personality. Drink 2019-2029.”

92 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“Gaston Chiquet’s 2009 Brut Premier Cru Or is showing very well, revealing aromas of crisp yellow orchard fruit, honeycomb, white flowers and fresh brioche. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and nicely defined, with an enveloping core of fruit, ripe but racy acids, and a delicate pinpoint mousse. Drink 2020-2039.”