GIMONNET Blanc de Blancs 'Chouilly' Grand Cru Extra Brut (Recoltant-Manipulant) Cote des Blancs 2016 Bottle

Description

Didier Gimonnet's cult Blanc de Blancs releases from the Côte des Blancs are amongst the most thrilling, cellar-worthy expressions of grower Champagne. Significantly, they offer some of the most compelling value in the region, including sought-after Grand Cru releases.

JAMES SUCKLING 94 points/100
Ripe and concentrated, but youthful, bright and light-footed, this has stacks of candied orange peel character plus plenty of bread dough and a touch of celeriac. Not as dry as you might imagine for Extra Brut, but very chalky with vivid mousse at the finish. Another year or two of bottle age could bring more. From the Montaigu site, vines planted between 1951 - 1991. Bottled on the 27 April 2017 and disgorged April 2023. Drink or hold.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 93 points/100
Reviewed by: Kristaps Karklins
Drink Date: 2024 - 2044
Issuing entirely from the Montaigu vineyard in Chouilly, planted in 1951, the 2016 Special Club Chouilly Grand Cru is incisive and pure, reflecting the late-ripening vintage with all its attributes. Unfurling from the glass with aromas of white flowers, green apple and fresh lemon, it’s medium-bodied and bright with vividly chalky personality and a long, persistent finish. This is one of the most electric wines in the Gimonnet cellar from this vintage and justifies special pursuit. Vinified in tank, it was disgorged in July 2024 with a dosage of 4.5 grams per liter.

DECANTER 93 points/100
Tasted by: Tom Hewson (at France, 01 Mar 2024)
Drinking Window: 2024 - 2030
Hailing from Chouilly's Mont Aigu, Didier Gimonnet's picture of Chouilly in 2016 opens with some up-front concentration of juicy pineapple, roasted apple and honey, before unfurling gently with some of the compact power of the year upon an airy, fluffy mousse and touches of citric bitterness. As per the year as a whole it is bright rather than tense or acid-driven, with energy up front rather than built with tremendous length – although there is the intensity here to take medium-term ageing.

VINOUS 93 points/100
Drinking window: 2024 - 2032
The 2016 Extra-Brut Chouilly Grand Cru is a powerful, deep wine. The intensely solar nature of the vintage comes through in a Champagne that shows a bit more tropical fruit and overall ripeness than the norm here. Old vines planted in 1991 and 1951 accent textural depth. Even so, all the elements are impeccably balanced. Apricot, orange confit, spice, white truffle and baked apple tart speak to the exoticism of the year. Low dosage of 4 grams per liter is expertly judged. Disgorged: October 2023.
Antonio Galloni, March 2024