Specials

Champagne Duménil is one of those discoveries that reminds us how many great growers are still hiding in Champagne. This small family estate, now led by Frédérique Duménil, has roots stretching back to the 1800s, but one of its most important decisions came in 1969, when Frédérique's grandmother Cécile planted Chardonnay in the Pinot-dominated Montagne de Reims. She loved vintage Champagne and believed Chardonnay would give their wines greater longevity. More than 50 years later, the 2015 Duménil Vintage Brut proves her right. A blend of 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir from cooler north-facing slopes, it spent more than six years on the lees before disgorgement in 2022.

Now roughly 11 years from vintage, it's drinking beautifully, with bright stone fruit, citrus, subtle tropical notes and a gorgeous green-gold hue. Rather than being heavily brioche-driven, it shows impressive freshness, precision and energy, with the structure to explain exactly why Cécile believed so strongly in Chardonnay. Vintage Champagne routinely sells for $85 to $100+, and this would be an excellent value at its normal $70 retail. At $34.98, it's ridiculous. Eleven-year-old, vintage-dated grower Champagne with more than six years on the lees for under $35, and we have only 180 bottles.

90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay
Aging : 4 years
Dosage : 9 g/l Learn More

92 Points! Anise, lime blossom and graphite aromas are subtle accents wafting through the white cherry, honeydew melon, lemon zest and salted almond flavors carried on the creamy mousse of this bright, balanced Champagne. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Drink now. - Wine Spectator

Raspberry Mille Feuille in a glass? This Rosé Champagne combines a base of Chardonnay with 15% red wine. The red wine is a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. In very ripe vintages, M. Triolet will keep a vat of “Pinot” and let it mature in the cellar. The red wine is blended with Chardonnay to make the “assemblage” which then undergoes the second fermentation followed by an extended period “sur lattes”. It is finished with the “liqueur d’expedition” of 12g/L to produce an elegant Brut Rosé Champagne.

The Triolets are one of a growing number of families who have begun estate bottling their champagne over the last three decades. They own 11 hectares in and around the village of Bethon and almost all their vineyards are planted to Chardonnay. Thierry Triolet farms in accordance with the principles of sustainability and is certified both as “Level 3” Haute Valeur Envirnmentale and Viticulture Durable en Champagne. He is committed to having low yields and prunes accordingly. The pressing is done slowly at low pressure in a modern bladder press.

From the importer: 'Mai sentito’ means ‘unheard of,’ and this sparkling Verdicchio, bottled before the second fermentation is finished, is certainly the first of its type I’ve had. It’s not some random hipster experiment, though, it’s an intentional, thoughtful, delicious bottle of wine. The Verdicchio variety supplies the green apple and herbal notes you’d expect, along with lovely fresh acidity; the maceration of the yeast in the wine as the fermentation finishes adds texture and background notes. Excellent aperitif, would pair perfectly with all manner of antipasti. Nice job, Riccardo.

Groovy, clean, precise Pet-Nat sparkler from the Czech Republic!