Philippe and Véronique Glavier have managed this small estate in the Grand Cru village of Cramant since 1995. Set in the Côte des Blancs, Philippe and Véronique both hail from winegrowing families, with Véronique standing as the 12th generation of her family from the nearby village of Monthelon. Philippe is the third-generation vigneron, who inherited a small domaine that now serves as their base. Over the years, they’ve built their holdings to a total of 4.5 hectares – with 49 different plots in Cramant, Avize, Oger, and Le Mesnil. Each plot is farmed and vinified separately, granting the pair a nearly limitless possibility of chardonnay combinations for blending. 

This 100% chardonnay has a 60% base of the 2019 vintage, with the remainder comprised of the estate reserve wine. Some 2.5 years on the lees for integration, but with a disgorgement of June 2022, this is youthfully exuberant in the most charming and pleasing of ways! A blend of chardonnay from all of their holdings, predominantly Le Mesnil, then Cramant, followed by Oger, and Avize. The focus here is exceptionally precise, where full and ripe flavors from the warmer 2019 vintage meet with a bright and zippy acidity. The effect is upfront and approachable, yet with a depth lurking right behind the curtain. I experimented with this over the course of two days, and the wine kept its freshness undoubtedly intact – yet with every hour that passed, a new layer of flavor, and a new facet of expression was revealed. Cool stuff, and of a quality that you rarely see delivered in half bottles! 

The aromas are lively and opulent, with cherry and orange blossoms, followed by scents of green apple skin and sweet grass. The characteristic orchard fruit character comes through in the flavors – with red apples, d’Anjou pears, and a raw walnut character – all framed by that hints of creamy, leesy richness. The mouthfeel is harmoniously balanced, with an uplifting and fresh acidity that sparkles. Tangerine oil, Earl Grey tea, more green apples, and blood oranges carry this into a clean, spicy, and bright finish. It’s laser-focused, with a nicely developing complexity that you can’t have too many of! We know how much y’all love half bottles – and sadly, we don’t have nearly enough! To the fastest fingers goes the amazing half bottles of bubbly!