Michel Arnould "Grand Cuvée" Brut Champagne

Exclusively from the 2002 harvest, although not labeled as such, this Champagne is composed of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay. The color is gorgeous gold studded with tiny bubbles. The aroma is amazing. The Champagne has a graceful, delicate balance that Verzenay wines sometimes lack but with the signature hazelnut Pinot core. I found it to have creaminess to complement its racy cherry fruit on the palate, and an extraordinarily long, dry finish. It is dosed at 9 grams per liter: very dry! It will age very well. The Arnoulds own 27 acres in the village of Verzenay, a quite sizable holding in this high rent area. It is planted to 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, which is average for the village. The Arnoulds have quite a few plots of vines that are very old and positioned in the golden band mid-slope where the sun exposure is best. They have 40- and 45-year-old vines in the lieux-diets of Corret, Perthos and Coutures and 50-plus-year vines in the red wine vineyard Carreaux. All of the wines made by the Arnoulds undergo complete malolactic fermentation in stainless steel and enamel vats. If you have enjoyed the wines of Lallement, Bollinger and Krug in the past, I think you will very much enjoy Michel Arnould. They are bold, masculine Champagnes with plenty of toasty flavor. (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne buyer)