Michel Arnould "La Grande Cuvée" Brut Champagne

Staff Reviews

DO

Dejah Overby

Dejah Overby

Gary recently opened this for the staff tasting and I can see why this is an all around K & L favorite. The flavor profile and quality of this nonvintage Champagne is truly expressive of Michel Arnould's style. Yeasty, brioche nose, slight addition of flint, this is a fantastic champagne with delicate beads that rests delightfully on the palate. The toasty notes are balanced and does not come off as rich or overwhelming, fruit profile of ripe nectarine, yellow apple and tart apricot, ending with hints of passion fruit and Capri lemons match the aromatics on the nose. The balance of the acidity makes this such a complete and refreshingly crisp, easy to enjoy for all champagne drinkers, champagne.

SB

Scott Beckerley

Scott Beckerley

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!

PR

Philip Roufail

Philip Roufail

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!

Notes

This Champagne is composed of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay. 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-dits 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)