J. Lasalle, Cachet d'Or, Premier Cru Brut, Champagne, France, NV

This wine gets my strongest recommendation.

Overview of the Wine
Jules Lassalle established this family-owned Champagne house in 1942 in the village of Chigny-Les-Roses on the Montagne de Reims. A master of his craft, he established a signature style of elegant, tightly knit wines with a certain ampleur. When he passed away in 1982 his wife, Olga, and their daughter, Chantal, took over the estate, upholding Jules’ high standards and progressively pushing the domaine to the next level. In 2006 Chantal’s daughter, Angéline Templier, joined the estate as winemaker. These tough, hardworking women continue to follow vinification methods established by Jules in the forties. Their 28-year tradition of “une femme, un esprit, un style” (one woman, one spirit, one style) holds true today more than ever.

Three generations of women preside over this Champagne house, in the village of Chigny-Les-Roses, comprised of 11 hectares of Premier Cru vineyards. The Cachet d'Or is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in equal parts, aged for 36 months on the lees before disgorgement. The wine has a giving, fruit-forward style and is an easy drinking and ultra-affordable alternative to the more ubiquitous brands that shall go unnamed.

Grapes
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Meunier - 36 months on the lees before disgorgement.

Origin
Chigny-les-Roses, Champagne, France 

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
A blend of all three Champagne grapes with three years sur lies, this is fresh, fruity, creamy, and toasty. 

92 Points - Wine Spectator
There's an open-knit, almost airy feel to this vibrant Champagne, which carries a concentrated range of juicy pear and black raspberry fruit, with hints of crystallized honey. Shows gingersnap biscuit and verbena flavors on the chalky texture, gaining momentum on the racy, zesty finish.

90 Points - Vinous
Light gold. Ripe pear, honey and tangerine on the fragrant nose and in the mouth. Fleshy, broad and rather powerful, with a touch of bitter quinine adding a dry edge. Closes smooth and subtly spicy, with good cling and a lingering note of sweet butter. 

Product size: 750ml
*This wine is excluded from additional discounting.