Champagne Philippe Glavier Blanc de Blancs Génésis Extra Brut NV

Philippe and Véronique Glavier have managed this small estate in the Grand Cru village of Cramant since 1995. Set in the Côte des Blancs, Philippe and Véronique both hail from winegrowing families, with Véronique standing as the 12th generation of her family from the nearby village of Monthelon. Philippe is the third-generation vigneron, who inherited a small domaine that now serves as their base. Over the years, they’ve built their holdings to a total of 4.5 hectares – with 49 different plots in Cramant, Avize, Oger, and Le Mesnil. Each plot is farmed and vinified separately, granting the pair a nearly limitless possibility of Chardonnay combinations for blending. The Génésis Extra Brut is nearly half composed of the estate’s reserve wine to create a full and balanced expression of Champagne. The wine ages for an incredible 54 months on the lees, followed by 3 grams per liter Extra Brut dosage upon disgorgement in December 2024. The fruit here is mostly from Le Mesnil, followed by smaller amounts of fruit from Avize, Oger, and the Glavier’s home base of Cramant. This Champagne is exceptional in every possible way – and my only wish is that we had more to share with you! This 100% Chardonnay, from 100% Grand Cru fruit in the Côte des Blancs, is a full and weighty expression that takes the traditional minerality of the region and adds considerable amplitude. The aromas are nutty and toasty, with notes of almond, nougat, and lightly browned butter. Stone fruits, white cherries, and baked apples, with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon, are lifted up with a vein of crumbled chalk minerality, which is essentially a requirement of Champagne from these incredible sites. Floral notes of rose petals arrive on the finish, with a lingering perfume that seasons the tongue long after sipping is complete. We’ve got this at the best price in the country, which means this will fly out of the warehouse. Do what you must to ensure a bottle or two heads your way!