Champagne Anthony & Clémence Toullec Assemblage Extra Brut Premier Cru NV

Anthony and Clémence are the fifth generation of family who farm four hectares of chardonnay, pinots noir, and meunier in the Montagne de Reims, located amongst 24 parcels. The parcels are located in Rilly la Montagne, Sacy, Montbré, Taissy, and Avenay Val d’Or. Anthony and Clemence are fans of low-intervention winemaking, preferring to let the wine, climate, and terroir all speak for itself. Along with that philosophy, they also like to use indigenous yeasts to ferment and vinify each lot separately. Their Champagnes are aged extensively on lees to develop complexity and depth. Their grapes are so good that they even sell some of them to revered Grande Marques house and Winston Churchill favorite, Pol Roger. All of this just makes me really love this team – and these wines! – even more!

This Toullec Assemblage is 50-50 pinot noir and chardonnay. It was aged half in barrel and half in tanks, and aged for about 10 months on its lees. This Champagne went through partial malolactic, so there’s both a creaminess and linearity about the wine that intrigues the palate. I absolutely love this wine because of its complexity. The flavors run the gamut, from the Meyer lemon citrine notes and stone fruit flavors of peach and apricot delivered by the chardonnay to the red raspberry flavors of pinot noir. Toss in some buttery brioche, and flaky pie crust notes, with the alluring finish of vanilla-infused chantilly cream, and this just pumps out happiness. At 51% off, this is one Champagne you should add to your bubbly arsenal before we sell out! For summer days fading gradually into fall weather, this high-scoring rarity is a fitting choice – it has heft and lift, all at the same time – just masterfully done!