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. With most of their plots located here in Cramant, it is only natural that they can create their signature expression of their land from these exceptional plots. 

The 2012 vintage in Champagne was considered to be excellent. The winter was warm and the spring was rainy with some frost and hail events, but the vintage was still hailed as great. Late summer brought even temps and, so, more even ripening that helped to save the vintage. The yields were a bit lower, but incredibly high quality, and chardonnay ripened to be rich and round with great acidity. Antonio Galloni of Vinous gave this 2012 Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs a 92-point score, saying that it’s full of “ripe pear, pastry and lemon confit…” Yes, delicious indeed. It was disgorged in July 2019 and was finished with merely 4.5 grams per liter of dosage. Fresh, zippy, and fruity are the order of the day here, and it’s magnificent. It’s one of my favorite BdBs I’ve ever tasted. The best part is, I also get another stellar vintage along with this one!

The 2013 vintage fared about the same as 2012, though the vintage was perceived as just a “good” one, not a great one. Budbreak and flowering were delayed because of the cold weather conditions, but September warmed things up considerably and again, saved the vintage. That being said, this vintage of Glavier’s BdB was given 94 points by Antonio Galloni, who called it “powerful, virile and ample.” He remarked that it was “vertical and remarkably expressive.” Philippe allowed this vintage to sit for 70 months on the lees to make it richer, and the scant 4.5 grams of dosage keeps the fruit front and center for a purity that is often so typical of Cote des Blancs Champagnes. 

Both have earned high praise from critics and offer something wholly unique, ample, and striking! You will do well to add these magnificent vintages to your collection, especially with savings as magnanimous as 44% off! Only 36 of these babies to share – make one yours today!