2008 Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru “Oenophile”, Brut Nature, Champagne, France

ABOUT THE WINE
Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay sourced from 1er Cru and Grand Cru vineyards in Cuis, Cramant, and Chouilly, the “Oenophile” cuvée is a Brut Nature—meaning no sugar is added at disgorgement, highlighting purity, structure, and terroir transparency. The 2008 vintage, one of Champagne’s greatest in recent decades, yielded wines of incredible tension, longevity, and depth. Gimonnet blends over 50% Grand Cru fruit into this cuvée, with base wines fermented in stainless steel to preserve energy and mineral clarity. After bottling, the wine spent over 10 years on the lees before disgorgement, gaining complexity while maintaining its sharp focus. The result is a Champagne that’s gastronomic and intellectual—ideal with oysters, sashimi, or aged goat cheese, but also compelling on its own for purists seeking chalky intensity and vintage expression.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Pierre Gimonnet & Fils is a revered grower-producer based in the village of Cuis in the Côte des Blancs, where the Gimonnet family has cultivated Chardonnay since the 18th century. Under the stewardship of Olivier and Didier Gimonnet, the domaine champions site transparency, long lees aging, and low-dosage styles that express the full finesse of Chardonnay from chalky soils. All vineyards are farmed sustainably, with an emphasis on old vines—many parcels are over 40 years old, including some planted in the 1950s. Gimonnet’s style is precise, mineral, and elegant, favoring steel fermentation and minimal manipulation. The “Oenophile” cuvée exemplifies their commitment to terroir, structure, and age-worthy purity, and is a benchmark for Brut Nature Champagne.