(Pierre Gimonnet Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuis 1er Cru Cuis) Nowhere else do the récoltant-manipulant wines shine as hypervalues as they do in the vintage category. It doesn’t hurt that ’02 is one of the finest vintages of the last half-century. Here, Gimonnet’s skill with Premier-Cru-as-Grand-Cru-worthy Chardonnay is on full display. This bottling’s emerging style of utterly silken elegance above all—above even the obvious midpalate ooomph and the laser-powered, mineral-coated acidity, promising many years of unfolding layers of complexity—makes it a perfectly regal tipple to toast the finest occasion right now. Hot Picks
By Shayn Bjornholm, MS
(Pierre Gimonnet Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuis 1er Cru Cuis) Nowhere else do the récoltant-manipulant wines shine as hypervalues as they do in the vintage category. It doesn’t hurt that ’02 is one of the finest vintages of the last half-century. Here, Gimonnet’s skill with Premier-Cru-as-Grand-Cru-worthy Chardonnay is on full display. This bottling’s emerging style of utterly silken elegance above all—above even the obvious midpalate ooomph and the laser-powered, mineral-coated acidity, promising many years of unfolding layers of complexity—makes it a perfectly regal tipple to toast the finest occasion right now. Hot PicksPremiere, (See more on Sommelier Journal...)