A vibrant yellow-green in color, the Blancs de Blancs, d'Aÿ Grand Cru offers a delicate and fruity nose of citrus, pineapple, grapefruit with a hint of lemon. Lively on the palate with the finesse of Chardonnay and notes of citrus, white flowers, mandarin, fresh sage, and a long and fresh finish.
100% Chardonnay
The NV Champagne Grand Cru Aÿ Blanc de Blancs Brut pours a pale straw color and offers notes of pineapples, rich chalky earth, and fresh orange blossoms. Medium-bodied, with a lively mousse, it’s clean and fresh, with a refined finish. It has acidity, but it's not overbearing. I love this wine and the powdery, fresh floral notes; it's transparent to the vintage and the place. - 93pts Jeb Dunnuck
The Gaston Chiquet Champagne Blanc de Blancs d'Ay is classic with its sophisticated balance of tartness and chalkiness. This wine deeply intertwines aromas and flavors of dried apple skin and yeasty autolysis. Serve it with pan-fried English sole. - 93pts Wilfred Wong
Disgorged in January 2019, the latest release of Gaston Chiquet's NV Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs d'Aÿ is showing beautifully, opening in the glass with scents of crisp yellow orchard fruit, white flowers, blanched almonds and fresh peach. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, bright and charming, with a succulent core of fruit, a delicate pinpoint mousse and a nicely defined finish. Elegant and expressive, this is a beautifully balanced Blanc de Blancs that would make for a perfect aperitif. - 92pts Wine Advocate
Harmonious and appealing, with a juicy, lightly mouthwatering frame for flavors of ripe Gala apple and white cherry fruit, grated ginger and honey-roasted almond. This is fresh and minerality, with a fine, lively mousse and floral and spice notes playing on the finish. - 92pts Wine Spectator
Winemaker Notes
While there are many sparkling wine regions around the globe, only Champagne from the Champagne appellation in France can be labeled as such.
Professional Ratings
92
Jeb DunnuckThe NV Champagne Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs D'Ay Brut was released as a non-vintage wine, but it comes entirely from the 2020 vintage from seven parcels within A . It displays a bright yellow/straw color in the glass and reveals ripe aromas of fresh pear, quince, honeysuckle, and chalky stones. Medium-framed, it has a refined and spritely mousse, with a crispy feel with the texture of apple skin an
91
Wine SpectatorWith its lively, lacy mousse and well-cut acidity, this balanced Champagne would serve well as an aperitif, while its fine mesh and focused creamed apple, biscuit, preserved lemon and minerally brine flavors also recommend this to food. Try with fresh-shucked oysters or other shellfish. Disgorged December 2022. Drink now. 650 cases imported.
91
VinousThe NV Blanc de Blancs d'Ay is creamy, ample and textured in the way it balances Chardonnay freshness with A structure. Dried flowers, mint, spice, orchard fruit, lemon confit and light pastry notes all come together nicely, framed by notable structure and a clean, ripe finish. This is a fine showing for the NV Blanc de Blancs d™A . Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: March, 2022.
About the Producer
Now owned by Thomas Rivers Brown, Aston Estate is located near the remote township of Annapolis, approximately five miles and two ridge lines from the coast. This area is close enough to benefit from the ocean’s cooling effects yet is just outside the fog line, so days are long and temperate. The 14-acre southwest-facing vineyard thrives in a microclimate typified by full-sun days and moderate temperatures that are a standout in the cooler Sonoma Coast climate. Dijon clones 115 (2 acres), 667 (4 acres), and 777 (8 acres).
