92 POINTS
Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast
With its crisp apple fruit and touch of citrus, this initially seems to be merely fruit. Then, slowly, richness and a sense of maturity emerge to create a wine that is complex, full and rich. Open this an hour before pouring.
91 POINTS
Peter Moser - Falstaff
91 POINTS
Josh Raynolds - Vinous
(6.5 g/l dosage ; disgorged in May, 2014): Pale green. High-pitched citrus fruit and floral scents, along with intense mineral and spice nuances. Dry and seamless on the palate, offering juicy lemon, tarragon and ginger flavors and a deeper suggestion of buttered toast. Finishes on a zesty minerally note, with lingering spiciness and strong persistence. This bottling is a blend of wines from 2011 (77%), 2010 (6%), 2009 (12%), 2007 (4%) and 2006 (1%). I also tasted a magnum-only release of this wine that was disgorged in September, 2013 and it showed an even more pronounced mineral character, along with potent florality and chalkiness. It was made from wines from 2008 (72%), 2007 (13%), 2006 (5%), 2005 (5%) and 2004 (5%).
90 POINTS
Stephan Reinhardt - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
I tasted two different versions of Gimonnet's signature NV Cuis 1er Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs earlier this year; both were excellent as usual. The most recent disgorgement from January 2015 is based on the 2011 vintage (+ 22% Réserve wines), and is very pure, lovely, fresh and delicate on the typically intense, chalky/mineral, well balanced and elegant palate. The lighthearted yet quite complex wine was disgorged with a dosage of 6.5 grams per liter. The forerunner, based on 2008 and disgorged in October 2014, was even finer and provided with a very god length.
90 POINTS
Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous
The NV Brut Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Cuis (magnum) is gorgeous. Extended time on the lees, the magnum format and a base of 2008 vintage juice are the three main reasons this terrific Champagne shines. Almond paste and spice notes add nuance to the pulsating Chardonnay fruit, while the creamy finish impresses for its depth and texture. This is a great choice for drinking now and over the next few years. The current release is based 2008, with reserve wines from 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004. Disgorged September 2013. Dosage 6 grams per liter.
90 POINTS
Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous
The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Cuis 1er Cru is terrific. Bright and nervy, as these wines are, the Cuvée Cuis also has a good bit of depth to round out the contours. Lemon peel, almond and dried flowers all add nuance throughout. This is an especially open-knit edition of the Cuvée Cuis, which is just fine, as this wine can be a bit angular upon release. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: May 25, 2018.
90 POINTS
Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous
Gimonnet's NV Brut Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Cuvée Cuis fills out nicely on the mid-palate, with a little more mid-palate pliancy and richness than the Belles Années. Green pears, flowers and crushed rocks are some of the nuances that flow through to a wiry finish endowed with significant energy and polish. This is a striking effort from Gimonnet. Disgorgement date: August 2, 2012.
90 POINTS
Antonio Galloni MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Gimonnet’s NV Brut Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Cuvee Cuis fills out nicely on the mid-palate, with a little more mid-palate pliancy and richness than the Belles Annees. Green pears, flowers and crushed rocks are some of the nuances that flow through to a wiry finish endowed with significant energy and polish. This is a striking effort from Gimonnet. Disgorgement date: August 2, 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.
Didier Gimonnet’s Champagnes are cool, bracing and pure. All of the wines undergo malolactic fermentation – yet remain very much wiry – and are aged exclusively in stainless steel.
