NEW Releases from Champagne Pierre Gimonnet et Fils

Nov 5

For 4 generations, the Gimonnet family has been passionately dedicated to the nuances of Chardonnay, which are revealed by the exceptional chalk terroir of the Côte des Blancs.

They are Champagne producers since 1925: Olivier, Didier, and their sons are dedicated to continuing the work of Pierre (1898-1991) and Michel (1929-2008). They cultivate 40 parcels across 30 hectares of of Chardonnay on 5 legendary terroirs of the Côte des Blancs: The Grands Crus Cramant, Chouilly and Oger; as well as the 1ers Crus Cuis and Vertus.

They make wines only from their estate vineyards, with a philosophy centered on sustainable practices that respect the soil and preserve the biodiversity of the environment.

After our initial order sold out instantly this spring, we're thrilled to have even more Champagnes available now, including magnums and Special Club cuvées, just in time for the holiday season.

Cuis 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut NV

Understated and classic, this 1er Cru always impresses with its cut and precision. Didier, the third generation of the Gimonnet vine growing family, oversees the winemaking of this Côtes des Blancs grower champagne house based in Cuis, with 30 HA owned. Like all of their Chardonnay-centric wines, Cuis, the signature of the domaine, is crystalline and bright, driving through to the lingering finish. Based on 2021, this has 30% reserves from 6 previous vintages, uniquely stored in 750mL bottles. The base was fermented in stainless, with full MLF, and this bottle was disgorged in April 2023 with 6-ish g/L. Green apple and lemon streak across the buzzy palate, finishing with ample chalkiness and salinity. Such a go-to champagne, for solo sipping or with food.

"There's a subtle succulence to this graceful Champagne, framing flavors of peach skin, ripe pear, Marcona almond and orchard blossoms. The fine, detailed mousse is raw silk–like in texture. Finishes with minerally fleur de sel and oyster shell notes. Disgorged December 2023. Drink now through 2029." 93 points, Wine Spectator

Appellation : AOC Champagne
Country : France
Grape(s) : Chardonnay

Price : $84 for 750mL
Case : 6 / case

Price : $184 for 1500mL
Magnum Case : 3 / case

Rosé des Blancs 1er Cru Brut NV

This wine, like all of their Chardonnay-centric wines, is laser focused. According to Didier, he wants a rosé that tastes like a blanc de blancs with colour. "Powerful Chardonnay." It certainly succeeds. My bottle was from 2021 vintage (no reserves) and sources fruit from Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, Cuis, and Vertus, adding 7% Bouzy still pinot noir. It was disgorged in February 2023, with 5.5 g/L. Singing with blood orange, pink grapefruit, subtle crushed florals, and Rainier cherry across a brisk, green apple and bright lemon core, this streaks like an arrow through a chalky finish. Beautiful energy here in this supremely food-friendly wine.

"Balanced and minerally, with the crisp, lacy mousse carrying delicate notes of white cherry, pink grapefruit pith, blanched almond and fleur de sel. Refreshing. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged July 2023. Drink now." 91 points, Wine Spectator

Appellation : AOC Champagne
Country : France
Grape(s) : Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Price : $102 for 750mL
Case : 6 / case

Price : $207 for 1500mL
Magnum Case : 3 / case

Fleuron 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut 2019

Fleuron, meaning flagship, was created to capture the spirit of the vintage, and represent the year. In 2019, the blend included Cramant, Chouilly, and Cuis, highlighting the texture of the north of the Côtes des Blancs. As always, this was fermented in stainless, with full MLF. It was disgorged in October 2023 with 5 g/L. Smoked stone, crisp green apple, deep chalk and a lemon latticework are woven throughout a very fine, long, lacy finish. Quite smart, drinking beauty now and in future, and a lovely fingerprint for 2019.

"An elegant blanc de blancs, showing a finely detailed mousse and lithe, lively acidity. Apple blossom, chalky mineral and oyster shell notes are enticing aromatics lacing flavors of beeswax, poached quince and pear, and biscuit as they expand on the creamy palate and through the lasting finish. This offers the feel of an aperitif style, with the concentration and focus of a more serious example. Disgorged July 2024. Drink now through 2039." 94 points, Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator

Appellation : AOC Champagne
Country : France
Grape(s) : Chardonnay
Price : $119
Case : 6 / case

Oenophile 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Non-Dosé 2018

Oenophile is the same cuvée as Fleuron, but with zero dosage. Didier Gimonnet believes dosage is an important part of vinification and Champagne, so is typically against the style, although he was one of the first to make a 0 dosage champagne back in 1985. This is from Cramant, Chouilly, Oger, and Cuis, fermented in stainless with full MLF. It was disgorged in October 2023. Like all their wines, this is precise and poised, though this particular cuvée streaks across the palate like a lightning bolt. Smouldering stones, chalk, green apple, and lemon pith rule the taut, straight palate, finishing with a lingering buzzy salinity. Electric. 7500 bottles produced.

"For the extremely warm year this is remarkably fresh with very pure lemon blossom and white flower character. A thread of delicate chalky minerality runs through the focused palate, which the fine mousse accents beautifully. A cuvee of wines that are 45% from Cramant, 30% Chouilly, 22% Cuis and 3% Oger. Disgorged in February 2023. Drink or hold." 93 points, Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com

Appellation : AOC Champagne
Country : France
Grape(s) : Chardonnay
Price : $125
Case : 6 / case

Special Club Cuis 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs 2018

In 2018, Didier Gimonnet had enough wine in excess to try a single Special Club Cuis, without disturbing the integrity of his flagship 1er cru bottling. This comes from two older plots, and was fermented in stainless with full MLF. It was disgorged in June 2023. Powerful and savoury, woven with perfumed lemon pith and peel, and a medicinal herbal vein throughout. Structural and powerful, yet graceful and finessed, gripped with chalk which lingers on the finish. Such a beauty. Though a proper Special Club, due to glass shortages they were unable to use the traditional and marked Special Club bottle, so they were given dispensation to use a different bottle for this vintage.

"Vivid acidity creates a mouthwatering frame for flavors of Honeycrisp apple and nectarine, with pickled ginger, chamomile and blanched almond accents. Lacy in texture, this shows focus and length in a finely balanced, bright and graceful package. Disgorged June 2023. Drink now through 2035. 621 cases made." 94 points, Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator

"A youthful and very minerally Blanc de Blancs with excellent drive and purity. Lovely white flower and lemon zest notes emerge. Long and very focused. A cuvee of 85% from the Croix Blanche and 15% from Les Roualles. Bottled on the 9th May 2019 and disgorged in April 2023. Drink or hold." 94 points, Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com

Appellation : AOC Champagne
Country : France
Grape(s) : Chardonnay
Price : $156
Case : 6 / case

Special Club Cramant Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2017

Special Club (Club Trésors) is an invite-only group of 25ish grower champagne vignerons, recognized for the quality of their wines. A Special Club champagne is different from their other cuvées, can only be made in outstanding vintage years, and is packaged in the special distinctive bottle. The 2017 Cramant came from a handful of their plots from 40-100 years old, was fermented in stainless, with full MLF, and spent 5 years sur lattes before disgorgement in summer 2023 with 4 g/L. Tight lemon pith, green apple, and meringue wrap around a creamy core, and stretch long on the chalky palate. Finely boned and structural, this has a delicate, graceful, old vine power, finishing with lingering salinity.

"Pie crust, chalk, grapefruit and nutmeg on the nose of this chalky, minerally Champagne. Tight and driven, with sharp acidity and very fine bubbles. Delicious sea salt and citrus notes come through at the end. 100% chardonnay from Caramant. 3 g/L dosage. Disgorged February 2024. Drink or hold." 95 points, Claire Nesbitt, JamesSuckling.com

Appellation : AOC Champagne
Country : France
Grape(s) : Chardonnay
Price : $218
Case : 6 / case

Most of our producers are small, independently owned and operated businesses, like ours. You can view our complete portfolio here. Thank you for letting us share these producers and wines with you.

Cheers,