J. Vignier Champagne QVFMR Les Jardins d'Elise Grand Cru Extra-Brut (2008) (Pre-Sale Price)

J. Vignier QVFMR “Les Jardins d’Elise” Grand Cru Extra Brut — Cramant 2008

Les Jardins d’Elise is among the most extraordinary Champagnes we carry — a single-vintage, single-village Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from J. Vignier’s Cuvée Éphémère collection, produced in tiny quantities and released only when the wine is ready. The cuvée honors Nathalie Vignier’s great-grandmother Elise, who helped establish the three Cramant lieux-dits at its heart: Chenelots, Marais, and Herbin. The vines were between 25 and 45 years old at harvest, rooted in Cretaceous chalk, marl, and loam — the geological foundation of Grand Cru Cramant Chardonnay. Fermented and aged in neutral oak barrels on the fine lees, bottled in June 2009, and then aged an extraordinary 13 years en tirage before hand disgorgement. Dosed at just 2.7 g/L. This is a Champagne of rare depth, heritage, and patience.

Richly developed yet remarkably precise: preserved citrus, ripe orchard fruit, toasted almond, brioche, and subtle pastry notes on the nose, deepening with air into savory, almost oxidative complexity. The palate is creamy and layered — the 13 years on the lees have built a refined mousse and profound mineral structure — while the chalk-rich Cramant terroir keeps the wine fresh, focused, and long on the finish. Acidity at 6.2 g/L and pH 2.97 ensure this will continue to evolve for years to come.

“Les Jardins d’Elise is a Champagne of rare heritage and patience — 13 years en tirage, three historic Cramant lieux-dits, and a family story that stretches back generations.”

• Producer: J. Vignier, Cramant, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Collection: Cuvée Éphémère (QVFMR)
• Vintage: 2008
• Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
• Village: Cramant
• Vineyards: Chenelots, Marais & Herbin
• Vine Age: 25–45 years at harvest
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
• Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and loam
• Farming: Certified Sustainable by Socofret
• Vinification: Neutral oak barrels on fine lees
• Bottled: June 2009 | Lees Aging: 13 years en tirage
• Disgorgement: Hand-disgorged
• Dosage: 2.7 g/L | Acidity: 6.2 g/L | pH: 2.97 | Alcohol: 11.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Preserved citrus, orchard fruit, toasted almond, brioche, pastry, creamy mousse, chalky minerality, long saline finish
• Best Paired With: Caviar, oysters, lobster, scallops, turbot, roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, aged Comté, mature cheeses

2008 vintage. 13 years en tirage. Three historic Cramant lieux-dits. Hand-disgorged. J. Vignier’s Les Jardins d’Elise is one of the most compelling aged Blanc de Blancs Champagnes available today.