We have a tremendous new champagne find arriving this month from Esterlin, which recently won big at the most recent Decanter Awards, a blind-tasting competition with hundreds of entries. Esterlin, founded in 1948 as a cooperative in Épernay, manages roughly 200 hectares across the Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, and Montagne de Reims, with a strong focus on Chardonnay-driven cuvées. The Blanc de Blancs Éclat is a non-vintage expression made exclusively from Chardonnay, crafted through extended lees aging (typically 3–5 years) to emphasize precision and texture, with no oak influence and no malolactic fermentation. The cooperative’s style leans on slow, cool fermentations and restrained dosage, highlighting the purity of fruit from premier chalk soils. Recent base vintages have benefited from ripe, balanced harvests in Champagne, lending both concentration and finesse as well as up-front appeal and the ability to spend a bit of time in the cellar. The wine exhibits crisp citrus, green apple, and white floral notes, underpinned by chalky minerality, making it ideal for clients seeking a grower-style Champagne with profound depth and value.

Decanter World Wine Awards Platinum Medal 97 points! “Rapturous orange blossom, yellow apple and lemon tart aromas linger deftly over the nose and harmonise delicately with the creamy mousse. Smooth and subtle with a decisive freshness from the acidity and crunchy mineral finish.”