Pierre Gimonnet & Fils - Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut 'Fleuron' 2019

Didier Gimonnet directs this superb estate, located in the Premier Cru of Cuis. With 29.4 hectares of holdings in Grand and Premier Cru villages, predominantly in the Côte des Blancs, Didier’s family has been growing grapes in Champagne since 1750. It was Pierre Gimonnet, Didier’s grandfather, who started bottling estate Champagnes in 1935. In addition to the 13.5 hectares in Cuis, Gimonnet owns 11 hectares of Chardonnay in the Grand Cru villages of Cramant and Chouilly, plus another hectare in Oger and two in Vertus Premier Cru. Gimonnet also owns half a hectare of Pinot Noir, split between the Grand Cru of Aÿ and Premier Cru of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. The high percentage of old vines at this estate set it apart in a region suffering from a plethora of very young vineyards. Seventy percent of Gimonnet’s holdings are over 30 years old, of which some forty percent are over 40 years old, with 100+ year old vines in the lieux-dits of Le Fond du Bateau, planted in 1911, and Buisson planted in 1913, both in the Grand Cru village of Cramant.

Gimonnet’s outstanding wines are built on the strength of the terroir that he and his brother have expanded in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. 

Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut 'Fleuron' comes from 39% Cramant Grand Cru (Buissons, Gros mont, Fond du Bateau, Bauves, La Croix), 36% Chouilly Grand Cru (Mont Aigu, Ronds Buissons), 8% Oger Grand Cru, 17% Cuis 1er Cru (Basses Vignes, Croix-Blanche). Chalky terroir. Fermented and aged in stainless steel for 60+ months on the lees. Dosage: 5g/L

"An elegant blanc de blancs, showing a finely detailed mousse and lithe, lively acidity. Apple blossom, chalky mineral and oyster shell notes are enticing aromatics lacing flavors of beeswax, poached quince and pear, and biscuit as they expand on the creamy palate and through the lasting finish. This offers the feel of an aperitif style, with the concentration and focus of a more serious example. Disgorged July 2024. Drink now through 2039." - 94 points, Wine Spectator

"In a super-ripe yet bewitchingly age-worthy and energetic vintage, Didier Gimonnet's main vintage bottling from Chouilly, Cramant and Cuis shines with effusive apricot, mandarin vibrancy and bristling chalky-mineral tension, containing a compressed, immediately delicious fruitiness with a surprisingly firm structural framing. The crispness of Cuis acts as a lick of restraint in years such as this; it's a cooler Côte des Blancs terroir that can add a kick of acidic focus into a blend." - 93 points, Decanter

"The excellent 2019 Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Fleuron, sourced from eight lieux-dits in Cramant, Chouilly and Cuis, was disgorged in October 2023 with five grams per liter dosage. Soaring from the glass with aromas of green apple, lemon zest, elderflower and toasted bread, it is full-bodied, textural and intense, supported by bright acids and chalky extract that provide a sensation of freshness. In short, it reflects identity of the northern Côte des Blancs with a signature touch of Gimonnet, of course." - 92 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Producer: Pierre Gimonnet & Fils

Country: France

Region: Champagne

Varietal: Chardonnay

Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru

Vintage: 2019

Size: 750ml