More time on the lees to integrate, soften, and amplify flavors is always a good thing. As such, we LOVE getting a new disgorgement of a wine we already adored the first time around! This 100% Chardonnay has a 60% base of the 2017 vintage, with the remainder composed of the estate reserve wines – a vinous blend of vintages that goes all the way back to their very first – over 30 years ago! Even with nearly six years extended time on the lees, this has a youthful freshness and verve, with enough time on the cork to meld together and create layer upon seamless layer of pure Chardonnay intensity. It simply works for the Glavier style, and these remain as impressive as any Côte des Blancs’ Champagne on the market today!

Philippe and Véronique Glavier both hail from long-time Champagne families – though they’ve built up this domaine essentially from scratch. Philippe shared that during his first ever harvest back in 1995, he had no money for a press, and had to beg Veronique’s father to use theirs. Philippe couldn’t pay the custom crush fees, and her father’s press was booked through the long day, and for several days to come. And so he said to Phillipe, “You may not be rich, but you are young. You can work through the night.” Therefore, long after every other vigneron had gone home for the day, Philippe stayed through the night running his first grapes through the press all by himself. Tired but undeterred, he fought for their dream, and continues to do so today. And he is winning!

Caramel, coconut, and hazelnuts bring with this an onslaught of warmth that is followed by the brightness of lemon blossoms and green apples – all framed by that toasty, fresh-out-the-oven brioche note. The mouthfeel is uplifted and fresh with a percolating brightness that cuts through any autolytic richness impressively. Lemon oil, more green apples, lemon meringue, key lime, and pomelo, accented by spice notes of coconut and vanilla and finished with this gentle river rock minerality. It’s clean and ample throughout – offering tons of pleasure and complexity for a rather exceptional price! We don’t have nearly as much as we’d like – and sadly, this might not be around for long! Make like Hakamiah, and choose wisely!