Champagne, France
Chamery 1er Cru, Petite Montagne de Reims
This winery has been with the same family since 1862, when Grégoire Bonnet arrived to Chamery as one of the first recoltant manipulants in the village. In 1956, the current domaine was born out of the marriage of André Bonnet and Monique Ponson, who also came from a Champagne-making family in Vrigny. Their son Thierry joined them in 1979 and, today, his son, Cyril, has been with the family domaine since 2013.
A small Champagne house, producing about 70,000 bottles per year, with an intense need to do things by hand and with careful intention. Organic practices in the vineyards, year round ground management and patience in winemaking are the hallmarks of Bonnet-Ponson, who really take their time with every step of the grape to bottle to wine shop shelf journey.
The Cuvée Perpetuelle Extra Brut is a selection of 35 vine plots from across Chamery, Vrigny and Coulommes-la-Montage, all with 1er Cru classification. Average age of the vines is 35 years old with a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Meunier including 40% of reserve wines that are blended from their solera. The wine is aged 8 months on lees before blending with the reserve wine and then a further 4 years in bottle before release.
A full-bodied, aromatically intense expression of 1er Cru Champagne with white peach, crisp apple, bright lemon, juicy yellow plum and an almond/hazelnut note. A superbly fresh, delicately bubbly, tender wine with great structure and pure, vivid fruit-driven flavours.
Immensely enjoyable on its own or just as great with oysters, sushi, caviar, foie gras, fried chicken or creamy, soft French cheeses.