Domaine Gilles & Romain Collet Cremant de Bourgogne NV

This estate-grown wine is made in the Méthode Champenoise and given a full two years on the lees, with pristine Chardonnay fruit from a series of exceptional lieu dits raised in the flinty, chalky, pure electric soils of Chablis. Does it get any better than that? This is super cool, extra rare, and eminently quaffable Crémant de Bourgogne that will surprise and thrill you in all sorts of ways.

It also happens to be skillfully developed by the young superstar that is Romain Collet, alongside his father and notorious one-man-show, Gilles. It all began in 2012, when an American importer asked, “If you were to make a sparkling wine, a Crémant for Chablis, what would you want it to be?" Gilles replied he wanted something rich with minerality, fresh fruit, and naturally acidic. That last point was key for him. He did not want anything other than pure terroir to influence the character of the wine, and they’ve certainly, expertly achieved just that!

Fermented in stainless steel, then aged for 24 months in the bottle on the lees, and finished with a Brut-level dosage – it drinks exactly like you think it would: top-notch flinty, zippy Chardonnay with delicate, fine bubbles adding even more tension and liveliness. Supremely tantalizing, with loads of lemony, green apple-flecked, chalky deliciousness. But then there’s this nutty hazelnut skin aspect, and a rich, spiced berry note – mulberries, cranberries, orange zest, and clove. Plus, the bright acidity of Chablis keeps it crisp, dry, and energized. If you ask us, fried chicken is the winning pairing here, but sprinkle it with a little rosemary salt to make it fancy. For only $27, this will absolutely outperform plenty of $50-plus Champagnes, no contest. Best served in a wide Burgundy bowl, and really, truly delicious with food. With 95 points, this is a Crémant to collect in great numbers!