From: Champagne, France
Varietal: Chardonnay
Since before 1750 the Gimonnet family have been vine growers in the village of Cuis, supplying the great Champagne houses with grapes up until the 1930's recession. As the sales of grapes fell during this prolonged recession, Monsieur Pierre Gimonnet finally decided to take up the challenge of vinifying and commercializing his own harvest. It was a great struggle at first, establishing a clientele who were not, at that time, accustomed to "blanc de blancs" Champagnes, not least from a new small independent producer. The effort finally paid off and today the name of Champagne Pierre Gimonnet et Fils is one of great renown, and highly respected.
Pierre Gimonnet built this reputation on the basis of his unique and exceptional vineyard, half a century of experience, and the uncompromising standards that he imposed upon himself. The estate is now run by Pierre's sons, Michel and Didier, who share the fanaticism of their father for the Gimonnet Champagnes. In 1987 the Gimonnet family acquired the house of Larmandier Père et Fils based in Cramant. This brought some exceptional vineyards to the Gimonnet enterprise. Although the Larmandier wines are vinified at the Gimonnet cellars in Cuis the cuvées are vinified and aged separately. Consequently, some remarkable Champagnes are produced from the Cramant Grand Cru vineyards, especially the outstanding Larmandier Cramant Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs and the exquisite Cramant Grand Cru Special Club. The policy of the estate, from the very beginning, in the true traditions of all great winemakers, was to limit the production of grapes in the search of quality, with the ambition to become one of the great specialists of "blanc de blancs" Champagnes.
Tasting Notes: Featuring rich accents of pastry, chopped hazelnut, and lemon curd, this well-cut Champagne offers a finely detailed bead and a delicate skein of aromatic spice, layered with poached apricot and white cherry fruit. Minerally finish. Disgorged April 2018. Drink now through 2029. 30 cases imported. -Wine Spectator
93 Points -Wine Spectator
92 Points -The Wine Advocate
