From: Champagne, France
Tasting Notes: Large and in charge! This opulent, luxuriant, palatial champagne is from the southern-most part of Champagne, closer to Burgundy than the rest of Champagne. Because of this, many a vigneron go to school in Burgundy, and Pinot Noir reigns supreme for champagne production. However, Chardonnay is the reigning queen in this scenario and tastes like pure, spun gold. Imagine all those "toasty, brioche notes" ubiquitously said but coming alive in your glass with an undercurrent of lemon and orchard fruit confit all wrapped together with a savory core and a slight saline finish (ahem, inviting you to have another drink).
Through fastidious work both in the vineyard and in the cellar, Vouette et Sorbée produces Champagnes faithful to the character of their terroir and vintage. Gautherot farms the estate biodynamically; its vineyards have been Demeter certified since 1998. Bernard manually harvests the grapes and employs a vertical Coquard press to obtain the juice from the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. In the cellar, he ferments with natural yeasts and employs minimal sulfur before bottling. Bottles also list disgorgement dates, as well as the year of the base wine (Vouette et Sorbée’s wines aren’t vintage-dated since they only spend 20 months on the lees vs. the minimum 36 months mandated, for vintage designation).
92 Points -Wine Spectator
96 Points -Wine & Spirits Magazine
