Best Buy Champagne of the Year

Champagne Brut Premier Cru "Tradition", Gonet-Medeville NV $35.00
The best value Champagne of the year! What class! A gorgeous, striking Champagne from the very first sip. Lovely aromatics. Crisp and chock-full of energy. Broadens and gathers strength as it opens up, moving gracefully on the palate while maintaining delicacy and focus.

From fruit grown in estate premier cru and grand cru vineyards in the Marne Valley and Cote des Blancs. 70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, and 10% Pinot Meunier from 2008 and 2007-both elegant vintages. A portion of the wine was barrel fermented while malolactic was fully blocked. This resulted in a rich mouthfeel balanced by freshness and energy. Altogether, a perfect Champagne. Disgorged on July 2011.

Champagne Producer of the Year: Ployez-Jacquemart

Last October we hosted an exclusive store tasting with Champagne producer, Laurence Ployez, of Ployez-Jacquemart. From the first sip of her Extra Brut Quality NV I was mesmerized. And then on to the Extra Brut Rose NV, the "Passion", the 2003 and 2004 vintage Champagnes, and finally to the tete de cuvee D'Harbonville--the revelation never stopped. What a stunning range of Champagnes!

Ployez-Jacquemart  is based in the Montagne de Reims with vineyards in Ludes and Mailly. This region is known for Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier-based Champagnes but Ployez also sources Chardonnay from the Côtes des Blancs both for blending and for making their magnificent Blanc de Blancs. I'm in awe of Ployez Champagnes for their delicacy and balance, intensity and depth, and unfailing finesse and elegance. Certainly not the least reason to love these Champagnes is they are some of the best buys (if not outright the best buys) in the market today.

Champagne Extra Brut, Ployez-Jacquemart NV $43.00





Champagne Extra Brut Rosé, Ployez-Jacquemart NV $49.00


Champagne Extra Brut "Passion", Ployez-Jacquemart NV 49.00