Gaston Chiquet - "Tradition" 1er Cru Brut Champagne NV (375ml)
Price: $38.00
| Producer | Gaston Chiquet |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Varietal | Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir |
| Sku | 24567 |
| Size | 375ml |
Nicolas Chiquet has produced many of my favorite Champagnes over the years, and his Brut 1er Cru "Tradition," which used to have a green label and was sometimes called "Carte Verte," was the intro wine to the world of Grower Champagnes for a lot of people, myself included. As such, it was often seen as a "starter" wine that Champagne lovers would then move on from. But this...this is really good wine, and it's only gotten better over the years. From the same general part of the Marne as the H. Goutorbe, and has the Marne forwardness, yet there's more Chardonnay in this wine, and certainly more Meunier. It's more precise and chiseled than Goutorbe, but more softly fruity, too. There's something nutty about this wine, too, something almond-skin, or walnut, likely as much from the Meunier as from the 4 years it spends on the lees. Green apple, honey, lemon, brioche, quite complex. Supremely balanced, nothing out of place, complete Champagne. And one that greatly repays a few years cellaring, too. -- James
