Laurent Ponsot Corton Charlemagne Cuvée du Kalimeris Grand Cru
Laurent Ponsots new company is a stage in a wide-ranging project that began four decades ago. In this different format, Laurent Ponsot continues to use his experience, his craftsmanship and his passion to serve the terroir of Burgundy. The company Laurent Ponsot is neither a domain nor a maison: its a state of mind. To create an exceptional wine is the equivalent of designing luxury goods. Haute couture is how we have decided to describe these incredible wines, like unique designer pieces, made even more glorious through our experience and craftsmanship. In 775 Emperor Charlemagne donated this vineyard to a Catholic institution in Saulieu, which kept it for the next 1000 years! Laurent Ponsot SAS sources its grapes from these three villages via six different producers, making a wine representative of the appellation whose richness is derived from its diversity. The wines are finely chiselled, precise, and rich with the scent of flowers and minerals. Match with fish, shellfish or a cheese platter to perfectly showcase their qualities.
Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
Product Description Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2013 is a rare and exceptional cuvée that reflects the unique characteristics of a vintage marked by a very late harvest. The year 2013 stood out with cool and rainy weather, resulting in a delayed harvest that only began at the end of September. This late ripening process gave rise to grapes with a rare balance of freshness and depth, producing a wine of great finesse and complexity. The blend is made exclusively from Grand and Premier Cru Chardonnay, with 70% sourced from the Côte des Blancs and 30% from the Montagne de Reims. With over 9 years of ageing on lees and a dosage of 5.5 g/L, this Champagne presents the ultimate expression of Ruinart’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality. The result is a cuvée with an extraordinary combination of freshness, depth, and a distinctive toasty character. The wine is vinified with meticulous care, following traditional techniques such as manual disgorgement and ageing under cork, a process that imparts a unique richness and subtlety to the wine. The late ripening of the grapes gives the wine its unmistakable structure and precision, while the chalky terroir of the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims provides a mineral backbone that enhances the wine’s complexity. Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2013 is a Champagne that balances elegance with boldness, and its unique character makes it a true standout in the world of luxury Champagne. Maker The House of Ruinart, founded in 1729, is one of the oldest and most prestigious Champagne houses, known for its uncompromising dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Ruinart is renowned for its exceptional Blanc de Blancs, a signature style that showcases the elegance and freshness of Chardonnay. Each cuvée is a reflection of the House’s century-old legacy of blending expertise, rooted in the distinctive terroirs of Champagne. Ruinart’s commitment to excellence is evident in every bottle, from the selection of the finest vineyards to the meticulous ageing process in the cellars. At the helm of Ruinart’s winemaking is Cellar Master Frédéric Panaïotis, who brings his passion for Champagne and his innovative approach to the craft. Under his leadership, Ruinart continues to create wines that push the boundaries of what Champagne can be, balancing tradition with modern techniques. The House’s dedication to quality is exemplified in the use of manual disgorgement and the reintroduction of the traditional cork ageing technique, ensuring that each bottle of Ruinart Champagne delivers a unique and exceptional tasting experience. Philosophy Ruinart’s philosophy is rooted in a commitment to creating Champagne that expresses the unique characteristics of the land and the year. The House believes that great Champagne is born out of a deep connection to nature and a respect for the elements. Each cuvée is an exploration of terroir, with a focus on expressing the purity of the grapes and the richness of the environment. By allowing nature to guide the process and using time-honoured techniques such as ageing under cork and manual disgorgement, Ruinart creates wines that are as much about tradition as they are about innovation. At Ruinart, the pursuit of excellence is constant, and every vintage is an opportunity to refine and perfect the art of Champagne making. The House’s philosophy is not just about creating wine—it’s about creating an experience that captures the essence of a place, a moment, and a story. Each bottle of Ruinart Champagne is a testament to this philosophy, offering a taste of the craftsmanship and dedication that has defined the House for over 290 years. Tasting Notes Appearance Golden with Green Reflections The wine presents an intense golden hue with subtle green reflections, offering a glimpse of its youthful character and the rich minerality imparted by its terroir. Nose Complex & Toasty On the nose, Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2013 reveals a complex bouquet with aromas of ripe citrus fruits, dried fruits, and subtle floral notes. Toasty hints of gingerbread and almond mix harmoniously with delicate minerality and a fresh, powdery edge. These fragrances are further complemented by a subtle touch of smokiness, adding depth and complexity to the profile. Palate Fresh, Structured, and Lively The palate is marked by its crystalline freshness, with vibrant citrus and floral notes that echo the nose. The structure is firm and precise, showcasing the balance between the minerality of the Côte des Blancs and the richness of the Montagne de Reims’ terroir. A delicate yet powerful tension between freshness and maturity drives the wine’s dynamic profile, leading to a long and satisfying finish marked by a delightful hint of bitter orange peel and a lingering minerality. Finish Long & Elegant The finish is elegant and refined, with a remarkable persistence of citrus and floral notes. The wine’s subtle bitterness, combined with its refreshing minerality, creates a finish that lingers, inviting further exploration. Style - Champagne Varietal - Chardonnay Country - France Region - Champagne Vintage - 2013 Bottle Size - 750ml ABV - 12.5%
Champagne Larmandier Bernier Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant (Disg. Sep 23)
Disg. Sep 23. First released in 1998, long before the concept of single-vineyard Champagnes became popular, this Blanc de Blancs was historically labelled Vieille Vigne de Cramant. Little has changed, save for the name, which is now inspired by 1960-planted Bourron du Levant, the vineyard from which most of the grapes come. The balance comes from a 0.5-hectare holding in the neighbouring terroir Le Fond du Bâteau (with 85-year-old vines). Both plots are at the heart of Cramant’s southeast-facing slopes on the flanks of the Butte de Saran. Basking in the first rays of the morning sun, these vineyards give wonderfully ripe, layered wines. The old vines’ deep root system combines with the terroir to bring a wine of glowing density and opulence. It offers a fascinating, concentrated and stone-fruited contrast to the other Larmandier cuvées (not to mention other producers’ Cramant wines). It remains a super-mineral wine, but you have more flesh, weight and body here. The winemaking is similar across each of Larmandier’s single-terroir wines. Here, it is spontaneous fermentation and malolactic fermentation, 12 months in large Stockinger barrels and no filtration. This cuvée, however, spends at least eight years in bottle on lees. The 2014 was disgorged with 2 g/L dosage.
Champagne Larmandier Bernier 1er Cru Terre de Vertus Blanc de Blancs (Disg. TBC) ( )
The Champagne Larmandier Bernier 1er Cru Terre de Vertus Blanc de Blancs (Disg. TBC) 2015 is an exceptional representation of a premier cru Champagne from the renowned Larmandier-Bernier estate in France. This 1500ml bottle, produced in the exceptional 2015 vintage, showcases the true essence of the terroir in which it was grown. On the nose, this Champagne offers an enticing bouquet of fresh citrus, green apple, and delicate floral notes. The pale golden colour is a testament to the wine's purity and elegance. On the palate, the Champagne Larmandier Bernier 1er Cru Terre de Vertus Blanc de Blancs delivers a crisp and refreshing experience, with a perfect balance of zesty acidity and creamy texture. Flavors of lemon, pear, and brioche dance on the palate, leading to a long and satisfying finish. Overall, this Champagne is a true expression of the Larmandier-Bernier house style, showcasing their commitment to producing exceptional wines that capture the essence of Champagne. A true delight for any Champagne lover.
Champagne Larmandier Bernier Grand Cru Les Chemins d'Avize (Disg. Apr )
Disg. Apr 2024. Les Chemins d’Avize debuted in 2009. For this cuvée, the Larmandier family vinifies fruit from two tiny plots in the heart of Avize (Chemin de Plivot, planted in 1955, and Chemin de Flavigny, planted in 1960). Both are chalky parcels with very little topsoil and lie on the lower slopes of Avize, not far from Agrapart and Selosse’s La Fosse vineyard. “Initially, it was really tough for the vines to grow here, the soil is so hard,” Arthur Larmandier told us. “Now, they make really, really great wines.” The winemaking is similar to the other cuvées, save for the use of smaller, neutral barrels due to the smaller quantities of wine produced. The wines age in bottle for a minimum of five years and are then disgorged by hand with only 2 g/L dosage. It’s a stunning, racy example of Avize, a little deeper than Terre de Vertus, though more delicate and less fleshy than this grower’s Vieille Vigne du Levant.
Mailly Grand Cru Les Échansons
The 2015 vintage of Mailly Grand Cru Les Échansons is a stunning expression of Champagne from the esteemed Champagne Mailly Grand Cru estate in France. Upon pouring, the wine reveals a pale straw colour with delicate bubbles dancing to the surface. On the nose, aromas of ripe yellow apples, freshly baked brioche, and a hint of lemon zest entice the senses. The palate is greeted with a creamy effervescence, followed by flavours of crisp green apples, toasted almonds, and a touch of honey. The finish is long and refreshing, leaving a lingering sensation of minerality and citrus notes. This is a complex and elegant Champagne that will continue to evolve with age, making it a standout choice for any special occasion. Enjoy now or cellar for a few years to experience even greater depth and complexity.
Billecart-Salmon Champagne Vintage 1.5Lx3
Billecart Salmon is one of the most renowned champagne houses. The dedication to detail and quality sets this producer apart. The blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot Meunier is aged on lees for an impressive nine years and finished with a dosage of 2g per L, offering an extra dry finish.
Billecart-Salmon, Cuvee Louis Brut Blanc de Blancs
Château Montrose St-Estèphe
The balancing act of Chateau Montrose sees 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and for the first time an inclusion from the recently purchased vineyard parcel of Phelan Segur. Chateau Montrose is considered a top producer from St-Estephe, known for potential in cellaring and considered unique for its style, which is set to 'vin de garde' wines. The estate property is set on gravel-based soils and sits in what is conisdered a microclimate, also conspiring in the unique perfumes, composition and forimdable structure of these wines. 2010 has been spectacular for Montrose power and presence, and will be a worthy wine to drink in a decade to 75 years.
Château Figeac Saint-Émilion
Château Figeac is a wine estate that had a very long history. It was once part of the Cheval Blanc estate, whichs soils was well known to be two-thirds of gravel, allowing Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Merlot to grow flourishingly in the area. The 2010 Figeac, had a beautiful complexity to enjoy now or the longevity to cellar for those who prefers. Wine will benefit from decanting.