2004 Cuvée Prestige, Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru Champagne, Michel Gonet, Avize ($84)
“All of these Michel Gonet wines are sourced from Mesnil, the same magical village that provides the grapes for Blanc de Blancs made by such superstars as Krug and Salon. But this is the Gonet that steps up to those majestic heights. Richer than the other Gonets, with more power and a sumptuous mousse, this wine is sheer luxury and elegance–plus a great admixture of pain grillé and other stimulating flavors of age. Good for rich dishes…but this is a magnificent dinner-party-opener, as well.”- David Rosengarten
The Michel Gonet estate was established in 1802 by Charles Gonet and today, seven generations later, is run by Michel Gonet’s daughter Sophie. Champagne Michel Gonet is today a chardonnay specialist owning 40 hectares of vineyards that stretch across the best terroirs for this grape variety. The Gonet’s vineyards in the Cote des Blancs are located in Oger and Le Mesnil sur Oger. Their vineyards in the Cotes des Blancs face east with extremely chalky subsoil.
