LAURENT PONSOT Grand Cru Cuvée du Saule , Griotte-Chambertin

LAURENT PONSOT Grand Cru Cuvée du Frêne, Chambertin-Clos de Beze

Charmes-Chambertin is a gentle slope, undulating toward the valley floor. Its wines are often similarly gentle: red fruited, svelte and broachable, even at a young age. Thibault Liger-Belair, however, puts a different spin on it. His incantation of holistic farming, reductive handling and bespoke whole-bunch usage, results in wines that are more brooding and muscular, with Charmes’ typically smooth edges.

Piper-Heidsieck's roots trace back to Florens-Louis Heidsieck, who created the original company of Heidsieck & Co. Christian Heidsieck joined the venture alongside Guillaume Piper and once Florens-Louis died in 1828, the duo decided to continue the adventure side by side, founding Champagne Piper-Heidsieck. Émilien Boutillat offers a reflection on time with Brut Sauvage 1982 and Hors-Série 1982, presented in the Diptyque 1982 gift box, numbered, and released in a limited edition of 500 boxes. Offering more than a mere flashback, the Chief Winemaker proposes a particularly unique tasting: Émilien Boutillat shares a real reflection on time in his pairing of the two cuvées in one box. A dialogue between two facets of one vintage, of one blend, of one philosophy, revisiting bygone times, each with its own vision. The results of the 1982 harvest are considered amongst the most exceptional ever witnessed in the history of Champagne. The grapes grew under steady weather conditions. The results were irreproachable and the harvest abundant! The grapes, all varieties included, were in excellent condition and stood out for their nesse, equilibrium and grandeur, hallmarks of a great year in Champagne. The fruit of the same vintage, the same blend and dosage, Brut Sauvage 1982 and Hors-Série 1982 each boast a distinctive character, a result of their different ageing processes. There are two ways for a champagne to age: on lees or in a corked bottle following disgorgement. Disgorged in 1992, Brut Sauvage 1982 was cellared on lees for 10 years and cork-aged for 29 years. Hors-Série 1982 spent 39 years on lees before being disgorged in 2022. Tasting the two together offers a truly unique experience as these two cuvées showcase a new perspective on time, revealing different phenomenal sensations and precise generous aromas on the nose and the palate. Hors-Serie 1982 Tasting Note: With a pale golden robe, Hors-Série 1982 being recently disgorged present quite young, luscious notes of mirabelle plums, kumquats, dried pineapple, and fresh quince, with a touch of ginger and earl grey tea. Smoky accents of coffee beans and toast balance out the wine’s minerality. Brut Sauvage 1982 Tasting Note: Harbouring a golden robe and glints of copper, Brut Sauvage 1982 presents a clean, fresh structure and long finish. Initial accents of candied fruits, pastry notes of brioche and frangipane and a touch of vanilla and nutmeg pave the way to warm harmonies of chestnut honey, aged rum and Espelette pepper.

This Chambertin is captivating from the get-go, showcasing the full range of fruit: blackberry, and pomegranate, accented by notes of smoke and spice. The palate is tautly muscular and refined with big-bodied flavours, mineral depth and quite a firm finish.

Bonnes Mares Cuvée de l'Amandier is expressive with lush notes of ripe red and black berry fruit, earthy red and black cherry and spice. The medium-weight flavours possess an elegant and balanced mouthfeel, displaying excellent intensity on the persistent finish.

Clos de Tart is a monopole that was established in the 12th century. In 2017, French billionaire Francois Pinault (owner of Château Latour) acquired the Domaine for a reported quarter of a billion euros. Clos de Tart is one of the most prestigious vineyards in the world. Situated in the ??commune of Morey-Saint-Denis, the vineyard is planted on the slopes. This Monopole is entirely planted to 7.53 hectares of Pinot Noir on a complex of limestone that’s rich in fossilised marine life and white marl. Taking an extremely detailed approach to selection (based on soil profile, clonal or massale selection, vine age), Clos de Tart produces 13 separately vinified cuvées. This allows winemaker Alessandro Noli greater control in producing the Grand Cru.