Gimonnet Brut 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs

PIERRE GIMONNET & FILS 1ER CRU BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT

Cépages: 100% Chardonnay
Assemblage: 64% 2014 base with reserves from 2010-2013
Vineyard/Village: Cuis 1er Cru
Malo: yes
Elevage: Stainless steel; reserve wine in magnums under
1.5 atmospheres of pressure for 1-6 years
En Tirage Aging: Over 36 months

Producer:Pierre Gimonnet & Fils
Vintage:NV
Country:France
Region:Champagne
Appellation:Cote de Blancs
Variety:Chardonnay
Color:White
Farming Practice:Sustainable
Import Partner:Terry Theise

TASTING NOTES
The 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs is made of Chardonnay from Premier Cru sites in Cuis. What’s on the market now was disgorged in August 2016, and this will be here through the summer. It’s 70% 2013, 6% 2012, 9% of 2011, 10% of 2010 and 5% of 2009. It’s both classy and classic young Gimonnet; mineral, stylish and needing only time to shed the youthful brashness that partly obscures the rich toasty flowery fruit. Its successor is 65% 2014, 12% 2013, 10% 2012, 8% of 2011 and 5% of 2010. Disgorged in Feb 2017, Didier feels it’s a quick developer. A subtle oxidative note, while fellow tasters spoke of “lactic” “caramel” and “butterscotch.” Didier theorizes it’s the ’12 in the blend." —Terry Theise

Expert Review

PARKER
Score:90
Date:2015-11-02
Review: Gimonnet’s NV Brut Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Cuvee Cuis fills out nicely on the mid-palate, with a little more mid-palate pliancy and richness than the Belles Annees. Green pears, flowers and crushed rocks are some of the nuances that flow through to a wiry finish endowed with significant energy and polish. This is a striking effort from Gimonnet. Disgorgement date: August 2, 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.

SPECTATOR
Score:90
Date:2018-10-25
Review: Hints of pineapple and baked peach add a ripe fruit accent to this otherwise firm and dry version, featuring a fine bead, minerally undertow and well-knit flavors of persimmon, fresh ginger and slivered almond. Drink now through 2018. 1,200 cases imported. -A.N.

TANZER
Score: 92
Date:2013-12-20
Review:(80% 2010 wine, 10% 2009, 4% 2008, 5% 2007 and 1% 2002; disgorged in May, 2013 after 30 months on its lees): Green-tinged yellow. Intense, mineral-accented aromas of orange zest, pear and white flowers, with an iodiney quality building in the glass. Chewy in texture and nicely concentrated, offering precise citrus and bitter quinine flavors and a strong top note of dusty minerals. Finishes clean, bright and very long, with lingering chalkiness. This would make a superb match with fresh oysters or crab.

BURGHOUND
Score: 93
Date:2013-10-15
Review:A wafting and distinctly cool nose featuring essence of white flowers and Meyer lemon slides gracefully into bright, clean and utterly delicious middle weight flavors that possess lovely depth and length on the markedly dry finish. This is dry but not aggressively so and I very much like the yeasty character that adds significant interest to the finale. For my taste this is drinking perfectly now though it could easily be held. Lovely and
understated.

Where to find this wine

Accounts that have purchased this wine in the previous twelve months are listed below, alphabetically by city. Please call ahead to confirm availability or vintage

Firehouse Liquor - Dundas
Dundas
507-645-5717

North Loop Wine & Spirits
Minneapolis
612-338-5393

South Lyndale Liquor
Minneapolis
612-827-5811

Surdyk's
Minneapolis
612-379-3232

Haskell's - Minnetonka
Minnetonka
952-544-4456

Tessa's Office
Rochester
507-226-7763

Jack's Bottle Shop
Rochester
507-993-6692