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Editors' Choice
"A blend of wines from six different villages across five vintages goes into this supreme example of a Blanc de Blancs. It is so crisp, so mineral and textured. At the same time, it is elegant, fresh and lively. Although it is nonvintage, it will benefit from some more time in bottle, so drink from summer 2015." ~ RV
Wine Advocate 91
"The NV Brut Selection Belles Annees is a deceptively medium-bodied wine. It ... read more
Editors' Choice
"A blend of wines from six different villages across five vintages goes into this supreme example of a Blanc de Blancs. It is so crisp, so mineral and textured. At the same time, it is elegant, fresh and lively. Although it is nonvintage, it will benefit from some more time in bottle, so drink from summer 2015." ~ RV
Wine Advocate 91
"The NV Brut Selection Belles Annees is a deceptively medium-bodied wine. It displays terrific delineation in its aromas and flavors in an energetic style that is classic Gimmonet. The intensity tapers off a bit on the finish, but this is a lovely bottle just the same. This bottle was disgorged on July 1, 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016.
Wine Spectator 92
"This fresh blanc de blancs dances across the palate, with a fine, lacy mousse carrying flavors of green apple, lemon pastry cream, toast point and dried apricot. The clean-cut finish shows minerally hints of chalk and saline. Disgorged September 2017. Drink now through 2022. 680 cases imported.Alison Napjus"
The Wine
Made entirely from white grapesmost often Chardonnayblanc de blancs Champagnes are beloved for their crisp minerality and focus. Several of the most celebrated wines in the region are made in this style. This cuve from Pierre Gimonnet is a great, pure expression of blanc de blancs.
Gimmonet is a great source for racy, elegant wines that express the energy and focus of Cuis. All of the Gimmonet Champagnes are 100 Chardonnay, with the exception of Paradoxe. The wines are aged in stainless steel and go through full malolactic fermentation. Dosage was done with liqueur made from the estates 2002 vintage Champagne and cane sugar." ~ AG
"This is 100 Chardonnay with nearly 75 from Grand Cru villages. 21.5 from Cramant (Buissons, Fond du Bateau, Gromonts), 46.5 from Chouilly (Mont Aigu, Ronds Buissons), 6 from Oger (Terres de Nol, Champ Nrons) and 26 from 1er Cuis (Croix-Blanche, Basses Vignes) It's a blend of 60 2004 and 40 2005. The dosage is low, just about 7 grams per liter.
Pierre Gimonnet has long been considered a benchmark for quality in Chardonnay-based wines in Champagne. Their chalky soils in the Cote des Blancs create wines of incredible focus and expressive minerality. Gimonnet's wines have been poured by the glass at some of the finest 3-star Michelin restaurants in both Europe and America; we're proud to now offer a wine that represents the quality standards of this revered house for prices that no longer confine it to a white table cloth." ~ Winery notes
Premier cru sites in Cuis and Mareuil-sur Aÿ
Grand crus in Cramant , Chouilly, Oger, Vertus, Aÿ,
Total vineyard holdings: 28 hectares
Annual production: 20,000 cases
Vines: 98% chardonnay, 2% pinot noir
Pierre Gimonnet & Fils (CUIS)
Didier Gimonnet is the second generation of growers to direct this superb estate, with 28 hectares of holdings in grand and premier cru villages, predominantly in the Côte de Blancs. The winery is in the premier cru village of Cuis where Didier's family has been growing grapes since 1750. Pierre Gimonnet, Dider's Grandfather, started bottling estate champagnes in 1935. In addition to the 13.5 hectares in Cuis, Gimonnet owns 11 hectares of chardonnay vines in the grand cru villages of Cramant and Chouilly, plus another hectare in Oger and two in Vertus. Gimonnet also owns half a hectare of pinot noir, split between the grand cru of Aÿ and 1er cru of Mareuil-sur Aÿ
The high percentage of old vines at this estate sets it apart in a region suffering from a plethora of very young vineyards. Seventy percent of Gimonnet's holdings are over 30 years old, of which some forty percent are over 40 years old, with 100+ year old vines in the lieux-dits of Le Fond du Bateau, planted in 1911, and Buisson planted in 1913, both in the Grand Cru village of Cramant.
"Cramant," says Gimonnet, is "very expressive and round;" Chouilly is similar in style but slightly less concentrated; Cuis is much more "neutral, acid, fresh, aerial:" this north-facing village is the coolest in the Côte des Blancs. These are sappy, crunchy, refreshing champagnes of acupuncturally tonic qualities with lingering, salty purity.

- 750mL (bubbly) size — NV (currently viewing)