NV Jacques Chaput Champagne Tradition Brut

RJonWine.com

• By Richard Jennings
  10/1/2012, (See more on RJonWine.com...) 90 points

  (NV Jacques Chaput Champagne Tradition Brut) Light yellow color with abundant mousse; tart apple, tart pear, chalk nose; tasty, tart pear, tart apple, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  6/5/2008, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (NV CHAPUT Tradition Brut) Champagne Dear Friends, Here's a chance to step outside the box and try a Champagne that is rarely imported to the US. Champagne is often overlooked as a premier "wine" by US consumers but if you ask many oenophiles what their favorite wine is and it may well be Champagne. There is nothing like top Champagne, especially with a little age on it. If a magnum of 1961 consumed with a Belgian merchant friend last winter is any indication of the pleasure the finest Champagne can deliver, then I will take whatever is available. The Chaput name in Arrentieres is like the Kennedy name in Massachusetts. Love them or hate them, they rule the roost and the Champagne production around this enclave would be far the poorer without them. Thankfully, they are interested in one thing only: quality of the highest order. Pricing has always been an issue (with their standard NV Brut Tradition hovering around $50+ and their vintage wine at $60-70+) but the wine is in the bottle and they age beautifully (the NV cuvees age for years - as an example, one of their high-end NV cuvee's comprised of 1996/1999 juice disgorged in 2001 is still a baby). Many of the cuvees are made in very small quantities and the vintage 2004 below has only 20 cases for the US. We've secured a parcel of Chaput at a sane price, which makes them more than attractive than usual (makes me stand up and take note). I believe you will be quite impressed with this producer, so take a step into the world or Chaput - it is worth the experiment: NV J. Chaput Brut Tradition EXTREMELY LIMITED This is the new bottling, just released - it is from a masculine blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay and it is the definitive Chaput wine, noted for it's tell-tale "cream bead". This lot is comprised of 2001, 2002 and a dash of 2005 juice which gave the Tradition serious material to work with. Initially slow to blow off its masculine presence, within a few minutes the bead softens and the piquant, textural elements meld together into a memorable rendition of this wine. The luxurious mousse takes over and it covers the palate with a concoction of lime, ginger and Chablis-like flavors that are not only refreshing, but serious as well. Ready now but should age. Noted by the Guide Hachette as one of the best wines in the region. 2004 J. Chaput Brut Blanc de Blanc (vintage) EXTREMELY LIMITED As mentioned above, quantities on this wine are miniscule at best. Released to the UK and to us early to allow the consumer to follow the evolution of the wine from the get-go, if you are a fan of 2004 Chablis you will undoubtedly find much to admire here. From 100% Chardonnay, this is about varietal tone pure and simple and the raw, angular state of this vintage Champagne will bring a smile to many of your faces. Floral and masculine, it softens with 10-15 minutes of air but this wine holds great promise for future development and I wouldn't touch a bottle for at least 5-6 years. At this price for vintage Blanc de Blanc, it's a terrific buy. Could bring complex surprises down the road. Reminds me of the 1995. Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Champ9710 Champ9720