Champagne Collet Esprit Couture Brut 2015

More than 40% off and by far the best price in the U.S. on this endlessly complex, 96 point vintage Champagne from a pioneering cooperative house out of Aÿ is simply remarkable. Add in free shipping on 2+ bottles, and now you’ve got an easy excuse to throw a party, if you ask me!

A group of 75 grape growers in Champagne’s village of Aÿ bound together in 1921 to create Champagne Collet, later helping to found the Champagne growers’ alliance, COGEVI. Previously, in 1911, these same growers joined the Revolt Champenoise, a movement to assert growers’ rights and protect Champagne’s legitimacy from fraudulent products and unregulated practices. From its inception, this has been a house clearly rooted in authenticity and committed to producing Champagnes that genuinely express the unique terroir where their grapes were grown.

Champagne Collet has rare access to greater than 600 acres of Grand and Premier Cru vineyards across Champagne – that is, some of the top-rated villages with the greatest quality of grapes. And yet, winemaker Sebastien Walasiak doesn’t use more than 10% of the total vineyard yields in order to produce the most consistent and exceptional possible Champagnes year after year. He is a master blender, fine-tuning his cuvees to exude concentration and power, and showcasing Champagne Collet’s signature lightly structured, immaculately balanced, and wonderfully complex wines that are a dream to enjoy with food.

This 2015 Esprit Couture takes a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, aging for 7 years on the lees. The effect is wondrously spicy, nutty, and toasty, with a golden core of yellow peaches, Rainier cherries, and lemon meringue, rounded out by notes of Southern biscuits, raw almonds, whipped butter, white pepper, and a spray of saline. This is contemplative, rich, and heady, with a persistent mousse and strong mineral undertones. An utter delight both with food and without, and a showing of some truly outstanding handiwork. Opting for 2 bottles (or more) to get complimentary shipping is a no-brainer... this is just so good, you’ll be glad to have extra! Only 10 cases available, so make haste!

PAIRING IDEAS: Place a dollop of caviar on a piece of fried chicken to enjoy with this Champagne, and delight in the many textures, flavors, and temperatures that dance across your palate. Swoon!