Michel Gonet Champagne Grand Cru Coeur du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2010 - Pre-Arrival

100 Points, Chris Cree Master of Wine - “…complex, with layers of nuanced lemon curd, brioche, quince, citrus, and fine, chalky minerality - all supported by lovely fresh acidity into an amazing, evolving finish that lingers forever!” 

Why is this 100 point wine a “must buy” bargain?

First it is sourced from the Gonet family's most historic parcels: Les Hautes Mottes in Le Mesnil Sur Oger, neighbored by Les Chetillons and La Croix Collard, prime location to say the least. The lowest price online today for a “Chetillons” Single Vineyard Champagne from a current vintage is $148. Pierre Peter’s 2010 is $458 per bottle - this wine, my friends, is a steal!

The family has been  making wine in Champagne since 1802, with Sophie and Diane the latest generation at the helm today, so they know what they are doing to say the least.

It is 100% Chardonnay that remains on its lees in the bottle for up to ten years, before disgorgement, then given a little time to rest in bottle before being sent to market. This prolonged aging in the bottle sur latte creates complexity and super fine, persistent bubbles that dance across the palate.

With age the wine becomes more complex, with layers of nuanced lemon curd, brioche, quince, citrus, supported by fine, chalky minerality and lovely fresh acidity.

It is an Extra Brut style of Champagne, with a dosage of just 4.5 g/l, so on the very dry side of the scale but not austere or tart at all. It is very “gastronomique” - a fancy French way of saying it’s complex, savory and has enough gravitas to pair well with a wide range of cuisine.

I was first able to taste this hidden gem in Paris with Diane Gonet in February and I was absolutely blown away! This was typically only sold to top restaurants, most in France, mostly with several “stars” to match, but having done a couple of dinners here at Cree, and meeting in France several times, we have developed a special relationship with Diane and Family. Not only did they make it available to us, it was a great price to boot!

This winery is still a somewhat undiscovered gem, but their wines rival some of the hottest cult Champagne producers whose wines are almost impossible to get - and sell for 3-5 times as much.

Don’t miss a virtually unheard of opportunity to enjoy a classic, Grand Cru bubbly in its absolute prime of life!