Maison 76: K&L's Own Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from Avize
K&L Exclusive Grand Cru Champagne from Avize Under $50: The Second Drop Is Here!
I never thought that we would launch our own Champagne label here at K&L—I have spent the last 25 years of my life looking for the best growers, négociants, and co-ops for our customers and feel proud to represent so many great ones. But when a great opportunity comes along, one must not pass on it! Olivier Bonville and Ferdinand Ruelle-Dudel offered up some pure Grand Cru Avize, and it was impossible to say no. So, we created the Maison 76 Cote des Blancs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne $44.99 together. Don’t worry—we left all the winemaking to Olivier Bonville!
This is flat-out one of the greatest brut sans année offerings we have ever had at K&L. The Maison 76 is all Chardonnay, purely from the Grand Cru of Avize in the center of the Côte des Blancs. Here the pure Belmnita chalk gives us wines that combine richness with freshness and minerality with attractive baguette toast. This wine is a full 60% reserves and dosed very low at just 5.8 grams per liter. It has been aged for three years on the lees.
“The first case off the truck is going straight to my house—but you are free to take the second one!”
The lavish use of reserve wines in this bottling really set it apart from anything else that we have in stock; this wine has a texture, a drinkability, and a hidden complexity that is rare to find in any bottle, let alone one that is under $50. The value that our large-volume buy has delivered is top notch. Grand Cru, especially Côte des Blancs Chardonnay Grand Cru, is hardly ever spoken about as a bargain, but this is an exception. It has always been my dream to supply the Champagne drinker and the Champagne lover top notch wines that can be purchased by the case and consumed, and for me, this is one of bottlings that has made my dream come true. All I wanted in it was everything—classy baguette toast, subtle white flowers, a creamy texture, and a fresh finish with chalky minerality for days. And, as usual, the Bonville family delivered!
Our first shipment of Bonville arrived in 2003 and it seems like only yesterday. We even had some of their 1992 in that shipment, along with their unforgettable 1996. The family has been making their own wines from their own vines since 1921, now over 100 years of experience. Many of you have had the chance to meet with Olivier Bonville, his daughter Camille and his son in law Ferdinand at our tent events over the years. The family is as generous as their wines are. If you love Champagne, this is one not to miss. The first case off the truck is going straight to my house—but you are free to take the second one!
A toast to you!
- Gary Westby, K&L Champagne Buyer