Champagne, France
Chamery 1er Cru, Petite Montagne de Reims
This winery has been with the same family since 1862, when Grégoire Bonnet arrived to Chamery as one of the first recoltant manipulants in the village. In 1956, the current domaine was born out of the marriage of André Bonnet and Monique Ponson, who also came from a Champagne-making family in Vrigny. Their son Thierry joined them in 1979 and, today, his son, Cyril, has been with the family domaine since 2013.
A small Champagne house, producing about 70,000 bottles per year, with an intense need to do things by hand and with careful intention. Organic practices in the vineyards, year round ground management and patience in winemaking are the hallmarks of Bonnet-Ponson, who really take their time with every step of the grape to bottle to wine shop shelf journey.
The Cuvée Perpetuelle Extra Brut Rosé is a selection of parcels from across Chamery, Vrigny and Coulommes-la-Montage, all with 1er Cru classification. Average age of the vines is 35 years old with a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Meunier including 40% of reserve wines that are blended from their solera. The wine is aged 9 months on lees before blending with the reserve wine and then a further 4 years in bottle before release.
Full-bodied but lively intense expression of 1er Cru Champagne with wild strawberries, sage and thyme, dried figs, light spice and juicy nectarine. There's vivacious intensity from the delicate bubbles, well-balanced acidity and a lush texture that persists through a long finish.
Immensely enjoyable on its own or just as great with smoked salmon, spicy BBQ, Middle Eastern grilled chicken and almost anything fried.