$100 and over
Ceritas Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay
Billecart-Salmon Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs
The Côte des Blancs finest grand crus: the finesse of Chouilly, the power of Avize and Cramant, the structure and longevity of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger; every parcel vinified separately to retain character; 5.5g/L dosage
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Blanc de Blancs
A legacy since 1734, Champagne Taittinger is the largest eponymous family owned Champagne House and one of the top, independent champagne brands in the world. This family of growers cultivates the second largest vineyard in the Champagne region. The composition of the house’s cuvées is a result of an intuitive and complex process, one which the Taittinger family know how to create and sustain; a Champagne which is completely unique. The Taittinger Comtes Blanc de Blancs 2007 is a lively champagne with a light, abundant bubble. There is a bouquet on the nose of pears and fresh cut flowers and flavours of lemon zest and fresh pineapple. A delicate balance of finesse and aromatic intensity.
Récolte du Domaine Olivier Leflaive Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
Domaine Moreau-Naudet
Billecart-Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Non-Vintage
Family run since the 19th century, the Billecart Champagne house delivers large number of bottles which are always well made and of the highest quality. The Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs is a chardonnay-based cuvee produced from the five grand cru vineyards of the Cote des Blancs. It is a blend of two different years revealing the special quality of the chardonnay. It will surprise you with its pure intensity of dry fruits aromas, almonds, and fresh hazelnuts mixed with those of fruit. The creamy sensation of the bubble associated to aromas of buttered brioche and mineral aromas. Persistent finish with a fresh and elegant sweetness. Pairs perfectly with fine oysters, grilled fish and seafood or if you're feeling extra fancy, caviar.
Penfolds Bin 19A Chardonnay
Soaring and intense white peach fruits, interwoven nuttiness, crème brûlée, and a heightened leesy texture framed by bracing acidity.A square-jawed Bin A with undoubted opulence on the nose and also on the initial hit of flavour on the palate, but the gate comes down early doors and it leaves you with the notion that you have just been locked out of a very promising party. Unlike Bin 311, I think that this wine will segue smoothly into a ravishing beauty, given a few years, after all, it has an epic track record on its side. The fruit has flashes of white peach and Comice pear but the overriding theme is ‘white’, with blanche neige purity and a more than a little gusto under the bonnet. This is one of the most impressive and consistently excellent Chardonnays in the country and 2019 continues this impeccable track record. 19+/20 (Drink 2023 – 2032) - Matthew Jukes.
Domaine Jean Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaumes
Domaine Jean Dauvissat Père & Fils works 22 hectares of vineyard in Chablis across 7 communes with 53 separate parcels across Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru. Fabien took over from his father in 2009, following training in Beaune and Dijon concluding with a Masters on Bordeaux. The Domaine began with Fabien’s grandfather in La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, but it was Fabien who took up where his grandfather left off in terms of bottling and labelling rather than selling off in bulk. Fabien’s approach is one of respect for the terroir, working each vineyard and parcel individually to express the differences from one site to another; and one of respect for the environment by restricting interventions wherever possible. Vinification is in temperature controlled stainless steel with the total maturation for the premier crus around two years. A young new Chablis producer to watch. Domaine Jean Dauvissat Pere & Fils are known to produce Chablis that are rich, with the perfect balance between minerality and fruit. Using no oak, the wines are aged for a considerable time in modern stainless steel tanks before being bottled, so they have time to develop. Fourchaume is the best known of the Chablis premier crus, perhaps because it is an extension of the Grand Cru vineyards, and benefits from a similar Right Bank exposition. Round, mature fruit, crystalline purity, sweet, lemony acidity classic cool river rock minerality. A classic Chablis premier cru.
Domaine Jean Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru Montmains
Product Description: The distinctive feature of Montmains is its terroir, which is very stony, giving a wine with pronounced mineral aromas and a full, rounded mouthfeel. Maker: The domaine was started by Fabien Dauvissat's great grandfather, Alphonse, in La Chapelle Vaupelteigne, and developed by his son Jean who married a girl from Milly and who began to develop domaine bottling. Their son Philippe preferred selling in bulk to bottle, but Fabien Dauvissat has reversed that trend since his arrival at the domaine in 2009. Domaine Jean Dauvissat Pere & Fils are known to produce Chablis that are rich, with the perfect balance between minerality and fruit. Using no oak, the wines are aged for a considerable time in modern stainless steel tanks before being bottled, so they have time to develop. Apart from two cuvees which see oak, the wines are fermented in stainless steel for preserve the integrity of site, then it's bottled after 18 months for village Chablis or two years for the crus. Vineyard: The estate covers just over 23 hectares, spread over seven communes in the Chablis region (La Chapelle Vaupelteigne, Milly, Chablis, Beines, Lignorelles, Villy and Maligny). The origins of the estate date back to the union of Christiane and Jean, who both owned Family vineyards in the communes of Milly and La Chapelle Vaupelteigne respectively in the 1950s. The estate then expanded in the 80s with the arrival of Christiane and Jean's son Philippe, and today includes 55 parcels, comprising 1 Ha 40 of Petit Chablis, 18 Ha of Chablis and 4 Ha 30 of Chablis Premiers Crus. No shortcuts from vineyard to bottle. Fabien began to plough the vineyards from 2012 (all of them by 2014), trials with natural yeasts started from 2015 (all the cellar from 2017), stopped using enzymes in 2016. He starting organic farming from 2014 (with a hiatus during the difficult 2016 vintage), with certification from 2022 and many vineyards also being managed along biodynamic principles. All the vineyards are now hand harvested. Every decision made in the vineyard pays homage to the distinctive terroir of the site. With this legacy in their hands, Fabien owns the responsibility to nurture it, to ensure it thrives for generations to come. Tasting Note: Nose - Vibrant, Well-defined, Dry Stone Struck flint and salty mineral tones accent this ripe yet gorgeously smoky. Palate - Direct, Vibrant, Chalky Juicy, succulent, with smooth and lightly rounded body, undercut with firm, fresh acidity. Finish - Oyster Shell, Light Grip, Fennel Savoury oyster-shell minerality and some grip to finish.
Domaine Fabien Coche Auxey Duresses Blanc
Product Information: Once thought too steep and cold for perfect ripening, Auxey-Duresses is located just above the village of Meursault and is finally hitting its stride. More fresh and mineral giving notable acidity, its cooler aspect works so well in the warmer vintages like 2022. These are among the sites that will benefit from global warming. It delivers fine, fresh aromas of citrus and white flowers, underscored by a distinct chalky minerality. Auxey Duresses adjoins Meursault vineyards close to some of the most famed vineyards of the village with Les Luchets and Vireuils joining directly on to Meursault as the village points to the hills just to the west. Here the slopes are steeper and the limestone more apparent and the wines correspondingly more fresh and mineral. Hand harvest or low yields, whole bunch pressing, long ageing on lees 12 months for Aligote and Bourgogne and up to 18 months for Meursaults. Coche's wines represent excellent value, people should realise Burgundy is still accessible, particularly in appellations not of interest to investors’, as Wine journalist Matthew Hayes explains. '[Fabien Coche] Traditional rather than austere modern wines, they are oaked but not over-oaked, and substantial without being fat. They are fairly priced, too, if anything in Burgundy remains actually fairly priced.' Maker: Established in 1940 and formerly known as Coche-Bizouard, the Domaine Fabien Coche is dedicated to cultivating the exceptional qualities found in the renowned wines of Burgundy. With a commitment to traditional methods, Domaine Fabien Coche carefully tends to every aspect of the winemaking process, from vineyard work to bottling, ensuring the production of wines that are truly exceptional. Fabien Coche, is a fourth-generation vigneron, who took over the management of his family's prestigious domaine in 2005, following in the footsteps of his well-known relatives. Fabien Coche’s father is a first cousin of Jean-Francois Coche-Dury and it is not so long ago that the two domaines shared almost identical labels. Fabien started working with his father in 1998 and since 2005 has taken over the running and now has his own distinctive labels. The Coche-Dury family holds a prominent position among Burgundy's esteemed families. Fabien Coche's holdings were formerly part of the same estate until 1940, Coche-Dury is now overseen by Fabien's cousin Raphael. Fabien has become a prominent figure in the wine industry, achieving notable success in the current generation. Showcasing his expertise and passion, Fabien's impressive collection of vineyards covers approximately 11 hectares, encompassing Meursault, Monthelie, Pommard and Auxey-Duresses. Stylistically the wines at this estate are incredibly pure with little (if any) discernible mark from the hand of the winemaker with new oak at a low 25% and a notable percentage of larger format barrels. I would place the style of his wines in-between that of his cousins Coche-Dury and Roulot. Fabiens wines have the acidity and purity of Roulot without the trademark SO2 which tends to mark Roulots wines when young, and also without the extravagant luxuriant texture that so defines the wines of Coche-Dury. Here we simply find real old vine depth delivering some of the purest expressions of each vineyard site that we have seen right the way through the range from Aligote right to the very top. Vineyard: The vineyard was established in 1940, this estate spans prestigious appellations including AOC Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Pommard, Auxey-Duresses, and Monthelie, both village and premier cru. The vineyards, covering 12 hectares and have been practicing organic viticulture since 1998. With vine is high ranging from 8000 to 11000 per hectare. Average vine age is impressive here with more than 60% of vines over 60 years old. The domaine is currently transitioning to fully organic vineyards, which should be complete by 2024. Nose - White Flowers, Apple, Light Buttery Oak Concentration of lemon peel and green apple fruit with hints of white flowers, butter and spice. Palate - Golden Apple, Ripe, Creamy Fruit carries through nicely on the palate, with a creamy texture and marvellous balance. Finish - Lemon Peel, Spice, Chalky On the whole quite meaty and substantial. Ripe and full with distinct chalky minerality.