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R.H. Coutier Champagne Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs NV

$49.99
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From the importer: This fine Champagne produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes from the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay is definitely a rarity as this village is known almost exclusively for its Pinot Noir based wines.
The golden color with feint hints of green belie the high-toned nature of this fine wine. The nose shows classic apples and white stone fruit blossoms tinged with citrus. A creamy texture with fresh mineral tones and floral notes round out the racy acidity that follow. Very classy stuff…

Since 1619, Champagne R. H. Coutier has been farming in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay, one of the top wine-producing villages in the Montagne de Reims. You may recognize some of the champagnes made from the likes of Bereche, Marie-Noelle Ledru, and of course Krug’s famous single plot, Clos d’Ambonnay.

While Ambonnay is generally regarded as Pinot country, Coutier’s vineyards are planted with one-third Chardonnay and two-thirds Pinot Noir. In fact, in 1946 René Coutier’s father was the first vigneron to plant Chardonnay in the village, which has done well over the ensuing decades and now is as highly regarded as the Pinot Noir from Ambonnay.

The vineyards on the Montagne de Reims have a south by southeast facing exposure to provide a warmer microclimate for France’s coldest and most northern winegrowing region. A higher ratio of clay to the chalky limestone subsoils lends an added roundness to the wines produced here. Their house style marries the richness of the village’s Pinot Noir with the pure, racy crispness of its Chardonnay, a match made in heaven. The Coutiers farm nine hectares sustainably, but keep their production small and focused, selling off 80% of their fruit to the local cooperative and keeping the best fruit to bottle 2000 cases under their own label.

In the winery, whole clusters are pressed with their stems to act as a natural filter for clarity. No barrel fermentation and low dosage on all of the wines offered today an elegant precision to balance the richness of fruit. Typically only half of the wines go through malolactic fermentation to preserve freshness and acidity, but this is also dependent on the vintage. The sign of a great winemaker is always the ability to adapt to whatever nature throws at you.

Professional Reviews

Robert Parker

RP 93
"The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is a striking wine, and frankly one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Coutier. Pure Blanc de Blancs is unusual in Ambonnay, where Pinot plays the leading role. Coutier’s NV presents an intriguing combination of the richness that is typical of Ambonnay married to deep, expressive varietal Chardonnay fruit. Smoke, ash and crushed rocks are all layered into the energetic, vibrant finish. This is a flat-out delicious, utterly joyous Champagne from Coutier."

Details

  • Grape Variety

    Chardonnay

  • Vintage

    NV

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Organic

  • Style

    Earthy , Elegant , Minerally

  • Sweetness

    Champagne Brut , Dry

  • Body

    Light Bodied

Customer Reviews

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