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By: Diana Turk | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/2/2023 | Send Email
The decadent, complex Michel Arnould "Grand Cuvée" Brut is the creamiest of their lineup, featuring a toasty hazelnut note and a crisp finish, which balances well with the richness and weighty texture of the palate. The rounded style of this release make it instantly accessible, while bright cherry fruit adds just the right amount of lift. North-facing slopes in Verzenay ripen Pinot Noir beautifully, but maintain a snap of acidity that pairs well with sushi, and the raciness here cuts through anything with ponzu sauce. This is easily one of my favorite Pinot-based Champagnes in the store, and a killer value.
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By: Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/1/2023 | Send Email
This is easily one of the best Grand Cru grower champagnes we offer, and it costs far less than it probably should. It combines the power and structure of Verzenay Pinot Noir with the delicate finesse and minerality of Chardonnay from Oger (70/30). On the nose, I get rich doughy citrus notes, cream and minerals. On the palate, the wine is rich with almond, brioche and apricot notes lifted by vibrant acidity for a finish that lasts all night.
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By: Scott Beckerley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/1/2023 | Send Email
As always, the character and quality of Michel Arnould's champagnes is fantastic. This brand new release of the "Grand Cuvee" has a nose of tart apple, dried cherries and roasted nuts. In the mouth, the first thing is the bright acidity and creamy mousse. This is followed by lemon cream, poached pear, cherry pie, and almond goodness. Extremely complex and it pretty much has something for everyone!
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By: Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 7/31/2023 | Send Email
A very good Champagne from a top producer. It is lively and balanced, with a nice juicy and soft mouth feel, a touch of fruit and nut flavors, and a mineral undertone. There is a clean and dry finish. It is easy to drink as well as complex and exciting. Michel Arnould has a long track record of producing high quality Champagnes and this cuvee is one more example of the skill of this producer.
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By: Philip Roufail | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 10/9/2022 | Send Email
This is such an easy drinking Champagne you could pour the whole bottle into a single glass and finish it before the cork dries. The 70% Pinot Noir is sourced from north facing Grand Cru vines in a natural amphitheater-like basin created by a meteor around the famous Champagne producing village of Verzenay. The 30% Chardonnay comes from Grand Cru vines in the Cote des Blancs so its pedigree and character far exceeds the price. The initial attack is light and crisp and the finish is round and creamy - a perfect and harmonious balance. Grab some Arnould La Grande Cuvee before its gone and celebrate the final months of 2022 with elegance and finesse!
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By: Michael Pires | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 10/8/2022 | Send Email
A high quality Champagne at an affordable price. Michel Arnauld's La Grand Cuvee is a medium-bodied, bone-dry, crisp, and acidic Champagne with notes of brioche, tangerine, almond, cherry, and lemon.
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By: Hope Cooc | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 10/8/2022 | Send Email
Flint, brioche, and nectarine on the nose. Pear, zesty lemon, passion fruit, and a balanced acidity on the pallet. It rounds out nicely and is crisp and refreshing.
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By: Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 10/5/2022 | Send Email
This is one of my very favorite non-vintage Champagnes! Patrick Arnould is lucky to trade some of his red wine from the grand cru of Verzenay for Chardonnay from the Clos Cazals in Oger- and that is the Chardonnay that goes into this wine. The combination of old vine Pinot from Verzenay and top class Chardonnay is magic... The Grand Cuvee has great Pinot character up front, with a hint of smoke on the nose, a very supple texture and a bone dry, persistent finish that shows off the chalk of the Clos. Get it while we have it!
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By: Morgan Laurie | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 10/23/2017 | Send Email
I tried this for the first time recently and was thoroughly impressed with the quality of this sub-$40 Champagne. Located in Verzenay, a historical Grand Cru rich in calcareous soil, this Champagne is full of ripe white cherries and hazelnuts with a touch of toasty croissant. It's balanced beautifully between richness and brightness with a bracing vein of acidity running through. Pick up a bottle for your next dinner date or party.
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By: Blake Conklin | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/10/2017 | Send Email
Well balanced, rich, but not overbearingly so. Who knew we'd have so many fantastic Grand Cru champagnes at such a fantastic price, and this here is no exception. This champagne finishes off with a nice toasted hazelnut finish, that simply makes this grand cru irresistible!
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By: Jim Boyce | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 4/5/2017 | Send Email
One of the true staff favorites, this Champagne comes off as rich and ripe, but the acidity cuts right through leaving an extremely well balanced, wonderfully complex and driving wine in your glass. Black cherry, brioche, and hazelnut complement. Think Krug at almost a quarter of the price!
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By: Mari Keilman | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 1/27/2011 | Send Email
Rich, yet exquisitely balanced, the Michel Arnould Grand Cuvée Brut has a subtle minerality on the nose, the classic bright cherry fruit in the mouth and an elegant, seamless hazelnut finish. Try with some seared sea scallops in a citrus cream reduction.
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By: Christie Brunick | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 12/1/2010 | Send Email
This is my quintessential Classic Champagne for the Holidays and all Year round for that matter. Mineral and fresh on the nose, Rich and luscious on the mid-palate, with an elegant, seamless finish. It keeps you wanting more...
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By: Jeff Garneau | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 10/26/2009 | Send Email
Lovely toast on the nose. Classic pain grille, bright cherry, and hazelnut in the mouth. The ripeness of the fruit is offset by bracing acidity and an intense mineral character. A big, bold wine, this champagne will be the center of attention at any party.
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