Our previous shipment of this classy Champagne grower-producer flew out the door and we're glad this top-up is already in the pipeline!
The Creation of a Great Small Estate
When Xavier Gonet's parents' holdings were being divided up between siblings in 2000, he opted for a smaller hectarage of the very best sites; pinot noir (1er cru Bisseuil and grand cru Ambonnay) and chardonnay (grand cru Le Mesnil). Xavier has a degree in biochemistry and a diploma in oenology.
Xavier's wife is Julie (nee Medeville), the "Antique Dealer of Sauternes" (because her family chooses to release Ch. Gillette only after 20yo!) and she knows well the value of owning the best sites to create greatness. So they
purchased some more 1er and grand cru sites to reach 12ha.
Why Is Gonet-Medeville So Sought-After?
All the base wine here is barrel fermented and aged (hence one reason for the Krug reference). Xavier likes the flexibility of blending with very small lots (once again like Krug). He believes in long and hard vineyard work to create perfect and ripe fruit. His yields are low and his ageing in-bottle is long.
Long Ageing in Bottle
These wines are powerful and generously aged in bottle before release (in fact the two 2008 prestige cuvees were the last I know of to be released, even after Bollinger RD and Krug Vintage!)
The basic NV 'Tradition' (an aptly named traditional cuvee of pinot noir & chardonnay) could best be described as 'line and length' Champagne - it gives everything you would want in a bottle twice the price - effortless power, impressive length, great vinosity and a rich yeasty, brioche character with creamy fine moose. All with a firm backbone wrapped in persistent flavour.
If you haven't tasted wines from this small grower-champagne label, please do, you will be mightily impressed! Cheers, Randall.
"I last visited Gonet-Medeville only several years after its 2000 founding... Their enthusiasm and ambition were infectious; their attention to detail obvious and impressive... they made a fine show, and this is a grower well worth watching" - David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate
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