The Joly family has been growing vines in Champagne’s Côte-des-Bar region for over a century. The vineyard and cellars of Champagne Veuve Doussot are set in the charming village of Noé-les-Mallets, an area closer to Chablis than the center of Champagne, with a warmer microclimate ideal for pinot noir. Because of the proximity to Chablis, you’ll find nuances of the quintessentially chalky Kimmeridgian soil, interspersed with red clay and limestone. For Champagne, this translates to bright and crunchy red fruit characteristics and the indelible mineral quality that this ancient seafloor is uniquely famous for.

Veuve Doussot just recently eclipsed 50 years as Grower Producers. You can double that number (and then some) for how long the family has been growing grapes in the region, so it’s no exaggeration to say that they’ve seen a thing or two. Now with third-generation winemaker Stephane Joly in command, their portfolio includes 10 different Champagne cuvées, a few still wines, and even a Ratafia (an aperitif made from distilled Champagne grapes).

This cuvée is primarily composed of pinot noir, blended with 20% chardonnay, and aged in the classical Champagne tradition, on the lees in bottles for a minimum of 24 months. The dosage level here is designated as Brut – giving a richness and texture that intensifies the bright fruit flavors and toasty brioche notes. Baked apples, red cherries, white peaches, fresh-out-of-the-oven puff pastry, roasted almond toffee and hazelnuts, crisp pear, a bit of violet and peonies from the pinot noir, tons of beeswax, and a fine freshness to support the bold and rich style. It’s delicious. It’s sexy. At our marvelous price – You might just forget about that “other” Veuve!