Cuis
Champagne Pierre Gimonnet & Fils
Quality first. Didier Gimonnet prizes his old vineyards which naturally deliver low yields – around half of the regional average.
The Gimonnet vineyards are located in the Côte de Blancs where 100% Chardonnay Champagnes reach their greatest expression. He owns plots in the Grand Cru Villages of Cuis, Cramant, Oger and Chouilly – each of them adding their unique character to the blends.
Freshness and precision are fundamental to the Gimonnet style. As the reserve wines might lose freshness in tank, he keeps them on fine lees in magnums under crown seals. This huge amount of additional work is certainly worth it – which is apparent when you taste the wines.
The result of this uncompromising attention to detail are Champagnes that precisely express the mineral tension of Côte de Blancs Chardonnay.
Le Mesnil sur Oger
Champagne Pierre Péters
Reims
Champagne Louis Roederer
The house style tips slightly towards Pinot Noir, but in an extremely precise, controlled way. Cristal is usually a 60/40 blend of Pinot Noir & Chardonnay. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to retain acidity and freshness. Fruit grown on chalk soils are key to the Roederer style as these soils give wines with clarity, precision and minerality. To that effect, the house owns 80 hectares in top sites in the Côte de Blancs.
Winemaker Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon has 450 tanks at his disposal to allow for precise block-by-block vinification. This level of attention to detail is unique among the great houses and results in wines of tremendous precision, clarity and elegance.