2006 Marguet Grand Cru Champagne

Altogether first class!

Despite challenging climatic conditions, 2006 was declared a vintage by many Champagne houses. While June and July enjoyed dry and sunny weather, August set a different mood with high humidity bringing the threat of disease pressure upon the vines. Thankfully, an ideal September favoured sub regions with the later ripening Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With most of his family's holdings in Ambonnay, a Grand Cru village of the Montagne de Reims, where Pinot Noir is king and Chardonnay its valet, Benoit Marguet found himself in a prime position to confirm once again that grower's Vintage Champagne can rival those from the Grand Marques while remaining sensibly priced.

Engaged in an organic conversion since 2004 and applying biodynamic principles in his vineyards, Benoit continues as a 'little big one' achieving wines of great structure and tremendous vinosity, which tend to gain even more focus with a bit of bottle age. His 2006 Grand Cru is already a worthy successor to its 2002 and 2004. It will continue to evolve over half a decade or more and is destined to prove the best of his vintage releases to date.

Another extraordinary effort from this boutique producer and one which will further consolidate Marguet's reputation as the best value Champagne currently available in Australia.

Pours a lavish white creamy mousse showing good hold and very persistent, exceptionally fine bead with a pale straw pale gold base wine colour. Nosing reveals a classic Champagne sniff with prominent yeast autolysis characters followed by some cashew, baked bread, citrus and light toast notes. The palate is slightly fuller and richer than the 2002 and 2004 releases with a sublime flavour profile of yeast lees, toast, cashew, brioche and a touch of citrus with the fullness of flavour perfectly balanced against finely structured acidity. Entrancing, creamy texture. Excellent persistence with a very long yeasty baked bread, cashew and toast aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years (2012-2018).
Alc 12.0%