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This selection includes the following great Champagnes:

Chartogne-Taillet NV Cuvee Ste Anne
From all the way north in Merfy, comes one of the best Champagne buys in the store – it’s incredible that this quality is available for under $40. Suave and polished, with bright fresh fruit notes of apple, browned butter and cashew. This is a seductive Champagne classic in style (50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) with depth and precision. Next to this most of the NV offerings from the big-house brands seem shallow in comparison. It's a difference of character, and depth, and there is a liveliness here never found in mass-produced Champagne. RSG

Alain Soutiran NV Brut Rose Grand Cru
All Pinot Noir from Ambonnay, this is a rose de saignee (the wine colored by maceration on the skins, not from being tinted with red wine) that comes out a lovely pale strawberry pink - an elegant color and an elegant wine. Like the Perle Noir, multiplied - lots of red fruits, excellent length, very dry – this threatens the Billecart Rose for finesse and quality. JW

Henri Goutorbe NV “Cuvee Prestige” Brut
This is unconventional Champagne. It goes beyond the expected tones of toast and subtle browned butter with a presence of rye, barley and truffle. It has an effective acidity without losing creaminess - this is the perfect Champagne for untraditional pairings with savory foods and meats. Predominately Pinot Noir, this is a seductively unrefined example from Ay. RSG

Michel Loriot NV Brut Reserve
One of the stars of Festigny, Michel Loriot makes two cuvees of 100% Pinot Meunier and this one brilliantly displays the character of this often overlooked grape. Ripe with honeyed and floral tones, the palate is creamy with flavors of hazelnut and the finish is long and tasty. This is style veers away from yeasty and is more fruit driven and charismatic. RSG

Brigandat, Pierre Champagne Brut Réserve
Combining aspects of Biodynamic and organic agriculture, Brigandat uses natural yeasts for the primary fermentation which takes place in cement lined cuvees. This Champagne has a creaminess imparted by 8-10 weeks of lees contact that is accentuated by a racy mineral component from limestone soils. The NV Brut is made from 100% Pinot Noir, and the current release has a base wine from the 2005 vintage. This is a ripe, expressive Champagne that is delightful to drink – full of character and with a pleasant savory undertone. RSG

Gimonnet NV Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru
This comes from Premier Cru sites in Cuis, Chouilly and Cramant. Gimonnet’s offering gives exactly what I want from a Blanc de Blancs – fresh, mineral-driven, with suave austerity and a contemplative allure. It’s hard to beat Gimonnet’s wines when it comes to grace and beauty. RSG