Champagne Carole Haudot Blanc de Blancs Selection Parcellaire La Cul Crut Extra Brut NV

This 96-point Blanc de Blancs is many things at once: technically brilliant, emotionally resonant, and a genuine steal at $65 – nearly half its $120 retail price. Order two bottles and shipping is on us!

Tasting with Carole in her cozy living room, we were struck by how thoughtfully she reimagines tradition. Rather than heavy pruning, she experiments with vine-tying to balance growth and reduce mildew. Before acquiring her first barrel in 2021, she aged her base wines on lees in tank for years – building the complexity and texture that now define her style. Every decision reflects her willingness to challenge convention and her commitment to wines that speak with clarity and character.

Carole took over the family estate in 2017 from her father, Charles Haudot, who had tended these vines for nearly 40 years. Armed with degrees in agricultural engineering and oenology, and experience in Italy and New Zealand, she came home ready to push boundaries. Her 4-hectare estate – planted exclusively to Chardonnay – holds both HVE3 and VDC certifications, a testament to her dedication to sustainable viticulture, soil health, and environmental stewardship.

This 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs from the chalky soils of Vitry-en-Perthois spends three years aging on lees before finishing with an Extra Brut dosage. The result is pure, electric elegance, as aromas of saltine crackers and lemon bars give way to sea spray and a subtle wisp of smoke. On the palate, lemon peel, blanched almonds, pickled ginger, and orange cream saltwater taffy layer beautifully, each note more intriguing than the last. This is magnetic, fresh, and deeply luxurious, from a producer whose passion shows magnificently across her small-production portfolio. 96 points, only $65, and free shipping on two… this one’s an easy choice. Make it yours!