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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

We are proud to introduce to St. Louis...


A new Champagne to St. Louis --  almost did not make it before the New Year...


A great grower Champagne with a production of less than 3,000 cases per year...(compare that to over 400,000 cases produced of Moet Chandon per year)

Roland Champion is a grower Champagne producer with all Grand Cru vineyards located in Chouilly.   "RM" is on the label for Grower Champagne
 

N.V. Champagne Roland Champion Brut, Blanc de Blancs...$49.99
Chouilly Grand Cru
The NV Brut is aged for minimum 30 months (twice as long as the legal minimum in Champagne). This cuvee is made from 100% Chardonnay and is produced from the free run juice only.

"Graphite, bread dough and citrus aromas segue to lemon, apple and floral notes as this remains focused and crisp. There's a nice chalky feel on the long finish. Drink now through 2014. 1,800 cases made. –BS"
Rated 90/100 The Wine Spectator 
"Light gold with a fine bead. Highly floral bouquet displays pear, green apple, honeysuckle and chamomile, with a suave mineral undertone. Begins tight but gains weight and richness in the middle palate, offering pliant orchard fruit and baking spice flavors and a tangy bite of lemon zest. Nicely balanced and pure blanc de blancs with strong finishing cut and floral persistence. This is all grand cru juice, from Chouilly."
Rated 90/100 Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 







 
Very limited, they only make about 330 cases of Rose per year

NV Champagne Roland Champion Brut Rosé...$49.99 / 750ml
Chouilly Grand Cru 
The current release is the result of the blend of 20% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir.   The color is obtained by adding 15% of red wine from Verneuil, aged at least 4 years, which gives this unique orange/salmon color.


"A delicate, subtle Champagne, delivering aromatic notes of mulling spices and yeast that accent the flavors of kirsch, bread dough, candied lemon zest and rose petal. This is finely tuned, with lively acidity and a minerally finish. Drink now through 2021. 330 cases made. –AN"
Rated 91/100  The Wine Spectator 
"Bright orange. Aromas of blood orange, dried rose, allspice and minerals, with a subtle note of anise. Juicy and precise, with very good depth to its spicy red berry and citrus pith flavors. Finishes smooth and long, with excellent clarity and lingering spiciness."
Rated 91/10 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 

"Champion is a small grower in Chouilly, in the Cotes des Blancs, an area known for fantastic chardonnay. This rosé — of which he makes only about 330 cases — includes 10 percent red wines (pinot noir, pinot meunier) to give it a pale, salmonlike color and a beguiling palate of cranberries, strawberries and currants. Wow. And yum."
- Washington Post (David McIntyre, Dec 20th 2011), ***

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