2018 R.H. Coutier Extra Brut Champagne Bout du Clos Ambonnay Grand Cru

“The 2018 Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs le Bout du Clos is fabulous. It emerges from blocks planted by Rene Coutier in 1969 and 1970, in one of the more renowned lieux-dits in Ambonnay. A gorgeous, riveting Champagne, the 2018 offers an exotic mix of kirsch, cinnamon, rose petal, mint and dried flowers. Weightless yet powerful, the 2018 is so impressive. It’s a wine of haunting beauty and one of the very best Champagnes I have tasted here. Dosage is 1.5 grams per liter.

If I had to make a list of grower estates to watch, Coutier would be very high on that list. The house has long excelled with their traditional NV Champagnes, wines that deliver outstanding quality and value. Under Antoine Coutier’s stewardship, the estate has moved towards sustainable farming. Investments in the expanded cellar mean that nearly all operations are now done in house in a facility that also allows the wines to spend more time aging prior to release. The new 2018 Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Le Bout du Clos is a fabulous addition to the lineup, while the NV wines that have long informed this range are still superb. Wines are done in a combination of barrel and stainless steel, with full malolactic fermentation. The Bout du Clos is an exception, as it does not undergo malolactic fermentation. Coutier remains under the radar. These are wines to buy now, before the rest of the world figures it out.”