Champagne J. Lasalle was born in the midst of WWII, its very creation an act of defiance that showcases the spirit of Champagne’s vignerons. Today, Chigny-les-Roses (also home to Last Bubbles’ favorite, Champagne Gardet) is a postcard perfect Champagne village that produces some of our favorite Premier Cru bubblies in the Montagne de Reims. The Lasalle estate has grown to over 60 plots, covering some 16 hectares, with a planting blend that is a little over half pinot meunier, followed by nearly equal parts chardonnay and pinot noir.

Despite that, for this particular submission that achieved the rare Special Club status, the blend is 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir – not a trace of pinot meunier to be had. The individual lots are fermented and aged separately, resting in barrel for anywhere from 8 to 10 months before blending and bottling. The time on the lees lasts for a full decade – quite remarkable – and makes this a brand new release that just arrived to our shores!  Only about 590 cases total, and while this is certainly rare in the States – rest assured that Last Bubbles has it for the best price in the USA!

Upon initial inspection, the mousse is creamy and stable, with the wine glowing a luminous yellow gold. The powerful nose portrays apricots and golden apples, with bakery notes of pastry dough and fresh out the oven croissants. On the palate, green figs and candied lemons lead things off, though with time, the notes of ripe Tuscan melon and Galaxy peaches develop. Roasted almonds accent the slightly oxidative style (quite fresh nevertheless given the age and development in barrel) but a touch of river rocks and a clearly-defined acidity pulls the wine into a gloriously long finish. Another special wine from the most special of clubs, and one that every bubbly lover should find room for in their collection!