Champagne Gardet Millesime Extra Brut 2013

Maison Gardet has been making Champagne since the late 1800s – relying on a combination of tradition, modern techniques, and meticulous sourcing to create their portfolio of thirteen spectacular cuvées that are spread across all conceivable styles of Champagne. This 2013 vintage Extra Brut is a remarkable value for top-notch bubbly – at 40% OFF – just the perfect wine to celebrate 2023!

Tucked away between the two major cities of Champagne – Reims and Épernay – Chigny-les-Roses is an absolute must-see. The village is nested right in the vineyards, standing against a cliff shelf, topped by the region’s dark verdant forest. A number of well-known producers have chosen this quaint village as their base, including Jay Z’s Armand de Brignac (aka Ace of Spades) and the Lasalle family. This beauty – mostly pinot noir (70%) then chardonnay (30%) from some of the best Premier and Grand Cru vineyards of the Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne is a spectacularly harmonious balance between bright, zippy freshness, and opulent, heady richness.

The cuvée is fermented in stainless steel, for both primary and malolactic secondary fermentation and left to age in tank for 8 months prior to bottle aging on the lees for at least 6 years prior to disgorgement. An Extra Brut level dosage of 4 grams/liter is made from the reserve wine and natural beet sugar to finish things off. Initially, the aromas skew lean, with zippy notes of lemons, white peonies, tarragon, and crushed chalk. The aromas and flavors grow in time, as ripe and heady stone fruits, orange cream, toasted brioche, and vanilla bean rise to the forefront. This is a balanced, nuanced, and all in all delightful Champagne which – at $40.95 – will outshine many a bottle at twice the price! Owner Christophe Prieux put it nicely, saying, “You don’t need an occasion to drink Champagne; you simply have to know how to create them.” We couldn’t agree more. Create away, friends!