Champagne Warrior

• By Brad Baker
  April 2009, Issue #2, Champagne Tasting Notes and Reviews

  (Marcel Moineaux Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs) Subscribe to see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  9/26/2007 (link)

  (Moineaux MARCEL BdB Brut) Moineaux Dear Friends, This is the Champagne producer I told you about last week (that many trusted palates had told me about) and I’m happy to report that the trip was worth the effort. If you want to go deep under the radar in Champagne, to a Grand Cru source that is still priced like a premier cru bottler - look to the Cotes des Blancs and the village of Chouilly where Marcel Moineaux may be the next best thing since early fall truffles... This wine is only produced in the best vintages and it is one of the more impressive bottles for the tarriff to come out of this area in a while (and the Cotes des Blancs is the realm of Larmandier-Bernier, et al). From the millennium vintage, if you are looking for an ageworthy Blanc de Blanc (100% Chardonnay) that is full of intrigue and magic (either now or with age) this wine is one of those fleeting bargains that will undoubtedly increase in price once the wines of Moineaux become more recognized. I first tasted this wine with the 1998 vintage and have had a taste here and there since but have found the wines very difficult to source. The prices have started to creep up and now is the time for all of you to discover his wines. With precision, focus and an exquisite reflection of terroir the small batch, hands-on element of the wine is quite apparent. The 2000 is a terrific experience - it has a melange of Asian spice elements and toast with a beautiful fine bead not often found in this price range. What really sets this apart is a citrus, lively quality that has energy and (for lack of a better word) - passion. Moineaux crafts his vintage Champagne with the utmost sincerity and he makes the wine wit the consumer in mind and not just his bank account. With a non-interventionist philosophy (like so many of the upstart producers we champion), Marcel Moineaux is worth our support. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for top quality and value for Grand Cru fruit of this steed. ONE SHIPMENT ONLY directly form the winery cellar - only 18 cases for the US: We have an exceptional price on this item, about the same as at the winery cellar: 2000 Marcel Moineaux Blanc De Blanc Brut Grand Cru (Chouilly) This item is EXTREMELY LIMITED - please be patient with final allocations Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Champ2100