CHARLES COQUET
CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE
Why Buy: Talk about extraordinary value. These Grand Cru Champagnes from Charles Coquet, including two 94-pointers, deliver the kind of complexity and refinement you'd expect from bottles twice the price. At around $40, they represent an opportunity to experience some of Champagne's finest terroirs at prices that don’t amount to a splurge. Coquet has earned a reputation among insiders for producing wines of remarkable precision, and this trio of offerings shows exactly why.
What They're Saying: The critics are emphatic in their praise. James Suckling awarded the L'Élegant Grand Cru NV an impressive 94 points, calling it a Champagne of "complexity and drive … crisp and crunchy with plenty of brioche and pie-crust undertones,” carried along by "fine bubbles” and concluding with a "fresh, creamy finish." The Dandy Grand Cru NV earned equal acclaim, with Suckling describing it, in his 94-point rave, as “floral," "agile,” and "full-bodied" yet remaining "focused with lots of spices, such as nutmeg, walnuts and sandalwood."
Our Tasting Notes: These wines reveal their Grand Cru heritage from the first sip, and showcase the kind of effortless sophistication that top-tier Champagne demands:
* The L'Élegant displays remarkable precision, with tiny bubbles that create a silky mousse and a palate that neatly balances citrus brightness with rich, toasty depth
* The Dandy offers a more muscular expression, its barrel fermentation creating marvelous layers of complexity while losing its beautiful tension
* A vibrant bouquet of wild strawberries rises up to greet you when you take your first impressions of the Rosé Chic Grand Cru NV. What defines this pale pink Champagne, however, is its fine, persistent mousse and clean, refreshing minerality
The Story: To understand what makes Charles Coquet's such a success, you literally have to go to the source — namely, to Champagne's most prestigious terroirs. The house sources exclusively from Grand Cru villages, where generations of growers have tended vines in chalk-rich soils that give these wines their distinctive mineral backbone. Unlike many larger houses that purchase grapes from across the region, Coquet maintains close relationships with a select group of growers in these elite communities, ensuring consistent access to exceptional fruit year after year. This focused approach allows them to maintain remarkable quality while keeping prices approachable – a rarity in today's Champagne market.
The Specs: The L'Élegant harmoniously blends 61% Pinot Noir with 39% Chardonnay, recently disgorged in 2023 to ensure optimal freshness. The Dandy, disgorged in 2021, combines 56% Pinot Noir with 44% Chardonnay and sees barrel fermentation, adding subtle complexity to the final wine. All wines undergo temperature-controlled fermentation and extended aging on the lees, giving them the layered complexity and fine bubble structure that characterize great Champagne. The Rosé Chic Grand Cru NV is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, sourced exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards. The wine was recently disgorged in 2023 to ensure optimal freshness. Charles Coquet employs temperature-controlled fermentation and extended aging on the lees to give this rosé its layers of complexity and refined, delicate bubbles.
What to Pair Them With: Though their precision and energy make them natural aperitifs, they also have the depth to accompany serious cuisine. The wines' natural acidity and fine bubbles cut through rich, hearty dishes while complementing delicate flavors. They're equally at home with fresh oysters, roasted poultry, or aged cheeses.
Fun Fact: The barrel fermentation employed for the Dandy is a technique more commonly found in Champagnes commanding three-figure prices. Coquet's decision to use this method while maintaining such approachable pricing demonstrates their commitment to quality over profit margins.
Our Guarantee: Remember, friends – we always buy and source direct, so you can rest assured that your Champagnes will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in 8-12 Weeks. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY & TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Wednesday, November 13th, 2024.