NV Jacques Chaput Champagne Cuvée Calypso Brut

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  6/12/2008, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (NV CALYPSO Brut Chaput) Champagne Dear Friends, I received this allocation a few minutes ago and I'm sure it will be opened by more than a few of you come this New Year's. This is Chaput's special cuvee, blended for the Millennium celebration and now really coming into its own. Most would consider this his signature cuvee, a blend of "black and white" grapes that produce a wine "equally intense as it is generous". In France, we tasted this blind next to a bottle of Krug Grande Cuvee (mostly 1997/1998 fruit) and the Calypso was preferred by 8 (maybe even 9?) of the 10 winemakers at the dinner - it was also preferred to a bottle of 1995 Bollinger. Made of 1995, 1996 and 1999 juice from equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay the bottles were originally serigraphed by Parnaso with a theme of Calypso - the nymph that kept Ulysses under her spell for nearly nine years. The wine is a classic NV, seductive and full of resin and what they would call "nut oil". This is a sensual wine (as the name suggests) with an elegant structure and an explosive bead that smells of fresh ginger. Full of character that lasts on the palate, this is a wine made to impress the senses rather than hold back in reserve. Ageing extremely well, it should continue to hold and evolve for many more years. Another rare example from Chaput from some of his best vintage stock of the 1990s (aged NV wine like this is becoming harder to find as most NV cuvees are well into 2001 and 2004). Recognized by the Guide Hachette and other French journals, this wine will be a favorite of many. This parcel is directly from the cellars at Chaput - one shipment only at this price, about the same as in Reims and Arrentieres: NV Jacques Chaput Brut "Cuvee Calypso" Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Champ9330