One of the beauties of Champagne is the large number of producers that have been making wines for generations, and when we think we have found all of them worth knowing, there is always a new producer that grabs our attention and proves us wrong. Such is Jean Michel, where the family has been producing excellent Champagne for 160 years, just a few miles outside the Village of Epernay in the commune of Moussy. Some of our clients may remember this commune as the hometown of one of our direct imports, Jose Michel, although the two are not directly related. We love Moussy for one primary reason: it is home to some of the best Pinot Meunier in all of Champagne, and even producers like Krug cash in on the fantastic Meunier grown here at times. The Jean Michel estate is run by a younger vigneron, Oliver Michel, and his father. Like many of the new generation, he is not looking for complacency but to prove himself through his wines. Oliver is an intelligent winemaker who promotes sustainable and organic winemaking on the 12 hectares of family-owned vines, with extensive work to ensure they can showcase their best.
Jean-Michel produces several different Cuvées, with the Cuvée Spéciale at the top of the list. This Cuvée showcases the estate's beautiful Pinot Meunier, complemented by an equal amount of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This Champagne spent ten years on the lees before release, which is remarkable at this price for such a small, little-known estate. The Chardonnay brings energy and vivacity, while the Pinot Munier supplies the concentration and complexity of exotic fruit and spice, which is the grape's signature. The Cuvée Spéciale exhibits lovely richness, complemented by ample acidity that lends lift, fullness, and a balanced finish. Aromas of apple, minerals, spice, savory components, and orchard blossoms jump from the glass. The dosage of 4 g/l works perfectly here, with the finish yielding tons of dry extract and a whiplash of a finish. This Champagne is the top buy currently on the market for grower Champagne, especially from 2008, with most producers now showcasing their 2015 and younger vintages. This Champagne is a no-brainer, given its unbelievable pricing for the 2008 vintage, and is showing wonderfully right now. This is one to stock up on, as deals like this are becoming increasingly difficult to find, and we have the only bottles available in the USA.
2008 Jean Michel Champagne Cuvée Spéciale
2008 Jean Michel Champagne Cuvée Spéciale
One of the beauties of Champagne is the large number of producers that have been making wines for generations, and when we think we have found all of them worth knowing, there is always a new producer that grabs our attention and proves us wrong. Such is Jean Michel, where the family has been producing excellent Champagne for 160 years, just a few miles outside the Village of Epernay in the commune of Moussy. Some of our clients may remember this commune as the hometown of one of our direct imports, Jose Michel, although the two are not directly related. We love Moussy for one primary reason: it is home to some of the best Pinot Meunier in all of Champagne, and even producers like Krug cash in on the fantastic Meunier grown here at times. The Jean Michel estate is run by a younger vigneron, Oliver Michel, and his father. Like many of the new generation, he is not looking for complacency but to prove himself through his wines. Oliver is an intelligent winemaker who promotes sustainable and organic winemaking on the 12 hectares of family-owned vines, with extensive work to ensure they can showcase their best.
Jean-Michel produces several different Cuvées, with the Cuvée Spéciale at the top of the list. This Cuvée showcases the estate's beautiful Pinot Meunier, complemented by an equal amount of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This Champagne spent ten years on the lees before release, which is remarkable at this price for such a small, little-known estate. The Chardonnay brings energy and vivacity, while the Pinot Munier supplies the concentration and complexity of exotic fruit and spice, which is the grape's signature. The Cuvée Spéciale exhibits lovely richness, complemented by ample acidity that lends lift, fullness, and a balanced finish. Aromas of apple, minerals, spice, savory components, and orchard blossoms jump from the glass. The dosage of 4 g/l works perfectly here, with the finish yielding tons of dry extract and a whiplash of a finish. This Champagne is the top buy currently on the market for grower Champagne, especially from 2008, with most producers now showcasing their 2015 and younger vintages. This Champagne is a no-brainer, given its unbelievable pricing for the 2008 vintage, and is showing wonderfully right now. This is one to stock up on, as deals like this are becoming increasingly difficult to find, and we have the only bottles available in the USA.
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