Gimonnet Gonet "L'Origine" Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne NV

This Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc is nothing short of elegance and grace. L’Origine is made from 35 year old vines, 100% Chardonnay grapes, handpicked and meticulously pressed. Deep gold color with a steady stream of small, dancing bubbles, it has a delightful aroma of citrus blossoms, green apple, alpine strawberry and brioche that just came out of the oven. The palate is racy and textured with flavors of kiwi, salted citrus and apples that effortlessly flow into a refreshing finish with remarkable concentration and length.

If you are born in the Côte des Blancs and your last name is Gimonnet or Gonet, there is a really good chance you will end up in the Champagne business. The two families have a long and storied history as both growers and producers of some of the best of Champagne. In the early 80’s Anne Gonet and Philippe Gimonnet fell in love and married but since their older siblings were in line to take on the family estate, these two decided to establish one house. They combined their celebrated family names and Champagne Gimmonet Gonet was born.

Because of the family connection the two have some enviable holdings in some of Champagnes most exalted vineyards. The winery itself is in Mesnil sur Oger where Anne’s family's holding overlooks the vineyards of Krug and Salon. Because of the incredible potential inherent to these sights, they work with what is considered some of the best fruit in the region focusing on transparency and elegance.

In order to most effectively convey their exceptional terroir, there is not a single barrel used in the winery, and the wines don't go through malolactic fermentation. This way they remain bright, linear and imbued with the minerality that made the chalky white planes of the Côte des Blancs so famous. Along with the five hectares in Mesnil sur Oger, the other 10 hectares are mostly concentrated in the Grand Cru Villages of Chouilly, Cramant, Oiry and Oger, all of course planted to Chardonnay.

Since 2012, Anne and Phillips' son, Charles, has joined them in the vineyard and cellars. Together the family harnesses their vast generational knowledge, working as naturally as possible in both the vineyard and the cellar to produce Champagnes of elegance and distinction.