When it comes to smaller Champagne houses, Coutier is by far one of my favorites. The wines always deliver amazing quality at more-than-reasonable prices. This estate is located in Ambonnay, a village with a reputation for bold Champagnes. This fine Champagne produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes from this Grand Cru village is definitely a rarity as this village is known almost exclusively for its Pinot Noir based wines.
An important distinction to make here is that Coutier is a grower Champagne. Grower Champagnes are significantly different - before they work their magic in the cellar, grower families are involved in every aspect of viticulture, from the caring of the soil to pruning of the vines and harvesting. Think of grower Champagne this way. You need a tomato. You head to the grocery store and buy an industrial hothouse tomato grown thousands of miles away, or do you visit your local farmer’s market and buy an organic heirloom tomato from the farmer who grew it himself on the same farm that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather grew their tomatoes? As it turns out, grower Champagnes are typically 10-20% less expensive than large house Champagnes thanks to fewer hands in the supply chain taking a cut. The most important thing to remember is that Champagne doesn’t need an event to make it special - it makes every event special. Have a look at the glowing review below and decide for yourself.
“The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is a striking wine, and frankly one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Coutier … Coutier's NV presents an intriguing combination of the richness that is typical of Ambonnay married to deep, expressive varietal Chardonnay fruit. Smoke, ash and crushed rocks are all layered into the energetic, vibrant finish. This is a flat-out delicious, utterly joyous Champagne from Coutier …Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (93 points) - $39.99.