Popping a bottle at 10:30 AM to celebrate the final F1 race

Celebrating the final Formula 1 race and the title decider for Lando Norris and decided to pop a bottle I’ve had my eyes on for a little while now.

This is a really interesting one, being a Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc from Ambonnay, the home of Pinot Noir, and I have to say I’m tremendously surprised.

Grown in Grand Cru vineyards south of the Montagne de Reims in soils dominated by clay but accompanied by some limestone, this actually makes for a fantastic Chardonnay vineyard. They first planted Chardonnay here in 1948 then expanded their plantings after that initial success and it now plays a role in most of the wines that they make. Their base level offering called “Tradition” is 25% Chardonnay.

This bottle is 50% 2021 with reserve wines being used for the other 50%.

R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Ambonnay, Champagne– The nose is a really beautiful combination of crushed limestone, sourdough, and bright lemon and orange peel citrus. The sourdough isn’t overly yeasty, though there is a little bit which I think works perfectly. As someone who typically prefers Champagnes that are on the citrusy side, to me this is my perfect balance of citrus and yeast. As the wine opens up you start getting notes of waxy starfruit, pear, ginger, and a gorgeous floral note that’s somewhere between white flowers and saffron.

On the palate, you get a bright citrus note that is primarily lemon, lemon peel, and orange & orange peel, with that wonderful yeasty sourdough note in the background and an amazing limestoney minerality. As it sits in your mouth that waxy starfruit begins to show itself and there is a surprising note of chicken stock/bouillon which is accented by the ginger, followed by white peach skins, green apple peel, and just the slightest hint of tickly white pepper.

The finish is long and full, leaving a really wonderful acidity on the palate.

For the price point, this is a stellar bottle of Champagne.

Congrats to Lando Norris for being this years Formula 1 WDC!