The Gimonnet family has been farming in Champagne since 1750, though it was Didier's grandfather Pierre who first put the family name on a bottle. Today Didier works 28 hectares of Grand and Premier Cru holdings, concentrated in the chalky Côte des Blancs. Firm and well-knit, it's a lacy blanc de blancs with Dijon pear, smoke, fleur de sel, fresh ginger and slivered almond, crisp apple wrapped in a light creaminess with acidity that never lets up. Soft and rounded, but unmistakably Chardonnay. That's what chalk does.
Tasting Notes
Firm and well-knit, this lacy version offers a subtle mix of Dijon pear, smoke, fleur de sel, fresh ginger and slivered almond notes. The wine is soft and rounded although unmistakably from Chardonnay in the chalky Côte des Blancs. Crisp apples have a light creaminess as well as lively acidity.
Professional Ratings
93
Wine SpectatorThere's a subtle succulence to this graceful Champagne, framing flavors of peach skin, ripe pear, Marcona almond and orchard blossoms. The fine, detailed mousse is raw silk†like in texture. Finishes with minerally fleur de sel and oyster shell notes. Disgorged December 2023. Drink now through 2029. ‡A.N.
92
Wine EnthusiastThis Champagne comes from a top producer in the Côte des Blancs, based in the premier cru village of Cuis. This bottling shows maturity and fine bottle age. Its spice aroma and softened palate is ripe and full. Drink now. " Roger Voss
92
James SucklingA toasty style with slightly nutty, singed-bread aromas plus very intense white flowers reminiscent of linden trees. Light-bodied with crisp acidity, medium-sized bubbles and a leaner finish that™s elegant and floral. Drink now.
91
DecanterThe entry-level bottling from the estate™s home village of Cuis is always Didier Gimonnet™s priority, despite the house having holdings throughout the Côte des Blancs. The village™s cool, north-facing aspect comes across in the wine™s crispy-fresh, delicate build, bright with lemon macaron and pear juice, but the unusual addition of 27% reserve wine aged in magnums adds a touch of creamy almond de
90
VinousThe NV (2022) Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuis 1er Cru is a terrific introduction to this range. Creamy and ample in the glass, the 1er Cru offers a striking mix of Cuis energy, vintage-2022 richness and the complexity of the reserve wines that round out the blend. Green apple, pear, white flowers, chalk and mint build nicely into the intensely saline, reverberating finish. This release is based on 2022,
About the Producer
Region: Côte des Blancs
Premier Cru Sites: Cuis, Mareuil-sur Aÿ, and Vertus
Grand Cru Sites: Cramant, Chouilly, Oger, and Aÿ
Total Vineyard Holdings: 29.4 hectares
Annual Production: 20,000 cases
Vines: 99% Chardonnay, 1% Pinot Noir
Didier Gimonnet directs this superb estate, located in the Premier Cru of Cuis. With 29.4 hectares of holdings in Grand and Premier Cru villages, predominantly in the Côte des Blancs, Didier’s family has been growing grapes in Champagne since 1750. It was Pierre Gimonnet, Didier’s grandfather, who started bottling estate Champagnes in 1935.
