Baron-Fuenté "Quinconce" Brut Champagne (formerly Esprit)

Staff Reviews

KP

Kai Pedreno

Kai Pedreno

Review Date: 07/2026

Brioche, cream, and a savory, faintly cheesy depth, all held together by nicely balanced acid. It a good all-around champagne!

PR

Philip Roufail

Philip Roufail

Review Date: 07/2026

Quinconce means "clink clink," which is the sound champagne bottles make when they're being stacked "sur latte" in a cellar.I have no idea why Baron-Fuente decided to make the name change, but the champagne is excellent. This "elegant and harmonious blend" is unique. The grapes are sourced from Baron-Fuente's best Coteaux de Rivière slopes, which they consider their "finest grapes." 50% of the blend is a perpetual reserve that spans three harvests and 50% of the blend is Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier in equal amounts. Then they "clink, clink" it into the cellar for a full years on the lees. The result is a magnificently toasty champagne bursting with orchard fruit and baking spices. I was super impressed with this expression, and for sub-$40 it's a steal!

JP

Jonathan Parnell

Jonathan Parnell

Review Date: 07/2026

Seven years on the lees has the nose give lots of toast and brioche. Light mouthfeel and bright palate. Nice, dry finish. Outstanding!

Notes

This wine used to be called the Esprit- but now goes by the name "Quinconce"- the term used for stacking bottles like sardines in champagne. This super well-balanced bottle of Champagne gets an astoundingly luxurious seven years of aging on the lees! It is rare to find something so reasonably priced that is aged for so long. Composed of even parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier, it is fermented in stainless steel. Baron Fuente is a négociant that owns almost 90 acres of vines and purchases another 90 acres "sur pied," meaning that they pick the grapes. The Esprit has a very high-quality sourdough toastiness, arrived at honestly from the long aging on the lees. It is round and easy to drink, with flavors of hazelnuts contrasting its nice citrus zip. The perfect thing to serve as an elegant aperitif at an important dinner party! (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne buyer)