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Champagne Paul Déthune Princesse des Thunes Prestige Extra Brut Grand Cru NV Wine - Last Bottle

Champagne Paul Déthune Princesse des Thunes Prestige Extra Brut Grand Cru NV

The tete de cuvee from Ambonnay royalty never seems to disappoint. It's always regal and sophisticated, day in, day out!

$78
$115

Retail

32
Flavor Profile: Red apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, d’Anjou pears, green apples, brioche, marjoram, thyme, slate and clay
Time on Lees: 36 months
Dosage: 5 g/L
Farming Method: Certified HVE

Why We Love It...

If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times – this wine is Audrey Hepburn in a glass! It’s timeless. Gorgeous. Classy. I can always get behind a Champagne fit for royalty, but at a price fit for peons at more than 30% off of suggested retail? Hear, hear! All hail Champagne Paul Déthune and their ultra-classy, immensely lavish, and palatably timeless latest offering of Grand Cru Champagne – made half of pinot noir and half chardonnay, with a sensational 30% of the wine hailing from their coveted stash of oak-aged tuns of 40-plus-year-old reserve solera. This is no ordinary Champagne, and we’re beside ourselves to have a bit more added to our stock to share with you fine folk today!

Pierre Déthune is the latest in a long line of vintners going all the way back to 1610. Like each of his forebears, Pierre has created his own style of Champagne – rooted in tradition, yet ever-evolving – the one constant being the grassy lands of Ambonnay, one of 17 Grand Cru villages in Champagne. As of late, they’ve been busy with the final stages of their vineyards becoming ‘certified’ organic – even though they have farmed that way for years, and have been moving in that direction for over a decade plus. 

Princesse des Thunes is barrel aged, resulting in a “mature” style of Champagne that abounds with complexity – spicy, savory, and earthy tones, with the faintest whisper of oxidation adding even further depth. This is comparable in style to Krug, at a price tag nowhere near that $200+ mark!  There’s a dosage of 5 grams per liter to let the wine show its best flavors, and it aged for 36 months on the lees. If ever a $78 bottle of Champagne could be championed for its incredible value, this is that champion!

Pierre and Sophie Déthune have become known for their powerful yet delicate wines that over-deliver in quality and value with great frequency. This is my newest favorite of the lot – bar none. The pinot noir takes charge of the aromatics in this bottling, with an elegant nose of summer strawberries and raspberries, followed by floral notes of apple blossoms and cider spices. On the palate, the wine showcases red apples, with accents of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, followed by baked d’Anjou pears, crisp and fresh green apples, plus toasted brioche, with delicate herb notes of marjoram and thyme. It finishes with a bright and stony note – as wet slate and baked clay sensations guide you into a lush and creamy denouement.

We snapped up everything the importer could provide of this fresh bottling, and went back for a little more after the mad-frenzy of the last time we offered it. As usual with Déthune, it’s not enough, sadly, and any of you that enjoyed the previous bottle of this wine (or really, anything from their fantastic portfolio) are surely already loading up your carts! It’s what the royals would do too!

Fizz Meter

Technical Details

Country: France
Region: Champagne
Appellation: Montagne de Reims
Varietal: Champagne Blends
Blend: 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay
Winemaker: Pierre Déthune
Farming Method: Certified HVE
Oak: 34 hl oak tuns
Alcohol: 12.5%
Pair it with: Creamy Pumpkin/squash soup, with creme fraiche and fresh herbs

About the Producer

Champagne Paul Déthune embodies a rich winemaking legacy that dates back to 1610, with Pierre Déthune following in the footsteps of his father, Paul, and previous generations, including his great-grandfather Léon and grandfather Henri. Growing up in the vineyards of Ambonnay, Pierre learned the intricacies of viticulture alongside his father, fostering a deep connection to the land and its heritage. Together with his wife Sophie, he honors their ancestors' courage and dedication by carefully considering their choices for the future. This commitment to preserving their cultural heritage is evident in their work as independent winegrowers, as they strive to leave a lasting positive impact on their community and the environment.

Dedicated to sustainable development, Pierre and Sophie have a three prong approach to sustainability focusing on creating a safe and pleasant workplace for their employees, ensuring the financial stability of their operations, and minimizing their ecological footprint with organic farming practices, solar energy and rainwater recovery systems. Their estate, which produces a remarkable range of ten champagnes, is entirely Grand Cru, showcasing the unique terroir of Ambonnay. This meticulous attention to quality and respect for both people and nature results in champagnes that are celebrated for their elegance, complexity, and authenticity. By embracing their role as stewards of a timeless heritage, the Déthunes not only honor their family's history but also contribute to the evolution of sustainable winemaking practices in the Champagne region.

Champagne Paul Déthune Princesse des Thunes Prestige Extra Brut Grand Cru NV

$78
$115

Retail

32

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