B-21 Top Recommendation
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Tasting off the beaten path in the gently rolling hills below Reims, it's a thrilling experience to discover a smaller grower-producer of exceptional quality Champagne with limited production rarely available in the U.S. and even better when it's a terrific deal. Described as "a fast-rising star in the Montagne de Reims if not in the entire Champagne region" by the Wine Advocate, these elegant cuvees from Champagne Marguet Pere & Fils boast rich flavors and distinct minerality on a creamy, fine beaded mousse reflecting some of the region's top Grand and Premier Cru terroirs, offering an opportunity to enjoy outstanding Champagne from an under the radar grower-producer without ever stepping on a plane at a superb value price.
Based in the village of Ambonnay on the south side of the Montagne de Reims hill, Champagne Marguet Pere & Fils is a small, family-run Champagne house dating back to the 19th century, producing a range of cuvees from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in Ambonnay and neighboring Bouzy with its oldest vines dating back to 1925. Sourced from 8.5 hectares of estate vineyards along with a few plots leased from other family members, fifth-generation Benoit Marguet trained at Champagne Mumm before assuming the role of Chef de Cave in 2005, converting the family vineyards to organic viticulture and implementing biodynamic principles including plowing by horse. Employing barrel fermentation with native yeasts and extended lees aging, Benoit adds a minimal amount of sulfur and no dosage or sugar before further lengthy aging in bottle, yielding impeccably balanced Champagnes with distinct minerality mirroring their unique vineyard origins. Described as "a wonderful introduction" to Champagne Marguet by James Suckling, the 95 pt. NV Marguet Shaman Extra Brut Grand Cru is a blend of mostly Pinot Noir from Grand Cru parcels in Ambonnay and Bouzy and the 93 pt. NV Marguet Shaman Rose Extra Brut Grand Cru JS is mostly Chardonnay blended with over a quarter reserve wines and some still Pinot Noir. Sourced from Grand Cru vineyards renowned for their exceptional Pinot Noir, the 92 pt. 2015 Marguet Brut Ambonnay Grand Cru offers "an elegant expression of both site and vintage" according to the Wine Advocate's William Kelley, while the powerful 95 pt. 2018 Marguet Ambonnay Brut Nature Grand Cru "breaks the rules in a beautiful way" according to James Suckling. A limited release of only 900 bottles, the 94 pt. 2015 Marguet Brut Avize & Cramant Grand Cru draws complexity from the rich chalky soils of its Grand Cru vineyards, and the 94 pt. 2018 Marguet Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is 100% Chardonnay from Avize, "a very original interpretation of this famous terroir" according to James Suckling. Among Marguet's single vineyard cuvees, the exceptional 2018 Marguet Le Parc Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru from 100% Chardonnay reveals a subtle minerality reflecting its origins above the village of Ambonnay bordering Krug's Clos du Mesnil and just down slope from Selosse's Le Bout du Clos lieu-dit, the unique mid-slope parcel containing deep deposits of tuffe, a chalk-heavy bedrock. From a prized and distinctive lieu-dit planted in 1970, the stunning 2018 Marguet Brut Ambonnay Grand Cru Les Crayeres is 100% Pinot Noir from the sunny, mid-slope parcel, a long-lived Champagne of great energy and depth and the 97 pt. 2018 Marguet Bouzy Brut Nature from 100% Pinot Noir boasts an "almost supernatural energy" according to James Suckling. From vines planted in 1967 on alluvial soils, the 94 pt. 2015 Marguet Brut Ambonnay La Grande Ruelle Grand Cru and the 98 pt. 2018 Marguet Brut Ambonnay La Grande Ruelle Grand Cru both from 100% Pinot Noir balance rich spiced fruit and vibrant energy "with an almost endless finish" according to James Suckling. Considered Champagne's first organic prestige cuvee, the 96 pt. 2014 Marguet Sapience Extra Brut 1er Cru is a collaborative blend with fellow biodynamic growers Benoit Lahaye, Vincent Laval and David Leclapart revealing rich depth and a "staggeringly fresh finish" according to James Suckling that will continue to evolve for another decade.
A true insider find for bubbly fans, these exceptional Champagne Marguet selections are offered in limited quantities at a fraction of the pricey prestige cuvees, all meticulously crafted to reflect their exceptional terroir and promising to reward Champagne lovers who act quickly with some seriously pleasurable drinking ahead. | 
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