Though we're not entirely sure we can believe it ourselves, we've now racing towards the halfway point of 2026, and while we always look forward to the bubble-filled lineups that come along with the festive stretch at year's end, it is for lineups like this week's Champagne Monday offer where we don't mind (or maybe just can't help) jumping the gun a little bit!
Just as we did about this time last year, we are set to open a collection of champagnes for our coming Saturday tasting (27th June), with the focus this time honed in on the unique charms of several grower houses - meaning an estate in which the wine is made and bottled by the same farmers involved in the initial growth of the fruit. Due to the size, scope and demand involved in their day-to-day operation, the larger grande marques houses will look outside their own walls to buy fruit from other smaller grape growers from around the region. While the consistency and status of their resulting premium releases are of no doubt, what the grower champagne movement in the past couple of decades has brought is further attention to the terroir and microclimates of individual spots within Champagne, with nearly all grower-led estates involved in sustainable organic viticulture for the continued health of their soils. Such a minimal intervention, tight production approach always allows for unique idiosyncrasies in the final blend that speak shiningly of their beautiful spot in the world, and that's exactly what we look to show off in these six delicious choices!
Now will come the chance to taste a duo of Meunier-dominated NVs that we've spoken warmly of in recent months, the Dehours Grande Réserve and the Laherte Frères Rosé de Meunier, both back down on special! The 'L'Aventure' from Champagne Freres Mignon stunned us all when we popped a bottle just a few weeks ago; an incredibly complex yet enveloping synthesis of crispy citric fruit, sugary dessert pastries and salty mineral bite. Andre Clouet has remained a favourite for us through the years, and his Dream Vintage 2012 is showing remarkable midpalate balance in its current state, alongside its more powerful lees-influenced toasty notes that permeate after the finish. Albert Levasseur (run by current generation cellarmaster/Albert's grandson David) is a top talent working out of Cuchery (south-west of Reims), who makes the lineup with his brilliant Blanc de Terroir from the 2014 vintage; maybe the most full-bodied and enriched wine in the list! Finally, the beloved Jacquesson are out currently with their Cuvée 748 - an expression this time from the 2020 vintage, and with its low dosage, every bit as precise, racy and elegant as their past iterations.
We'll be ready and raring to go between 12-2pm this coming Saturday with all the additional detail about each of these houses, their stories, and how they have gone about carving their very own grower path in such a competitive region for winemaking. All down on special for the coming week!
Champagne Dehours & Fils Grande Réserve NV
$109 on special this week ($129 RRP)
// 80% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir
2022 base vintage, with 32% perpetual reserve wines (solera method began in 1998)
Cellared in June 2023, and disgorged January 2025 (aged in bottle for 19 months)
1.1g/L dosage
"Pale straw colour. Quite a bit of development on the nose and very, very much more interesting than the average NV. Bravo! This is what grower's champagne is all about." - 17/20 Points, Jancis Robinson MW
"Opens with expressive aromas of pear, peach, orange zest and honeysuckle. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and ample, underpinned by vibrant acidity. Demonstrative and approachable, this wine promises immediate pleasure." - 92 Points, Kristaps Karklins, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Laherte Frères Rosé de Meunier NV
$120 on special this week ($139 RRP)
// 100% Pinot Meunier (Organic & Biodynamic)
Fruit from Coteaux Sud d'Epernay & Vallée de la Marne (limestone & chalky soils)
2022 base vintage (disgorged June 2025)
2.5g/L dosage (Extra Brut style)
"The NV Extra Brut Rosé de Meunier is dazzling. Rich yet focused, with superb depth, Laherte's Extra Brut Rosé is a magical Champagne in every way. Orange peel, sweet red berry fruit, cranberry, mint and chalk are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop as this breathtaking Champagne shows off its pedigree." - 94 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"Very open and fruity, showing raspberries, wild strawberries, violets and manuka honey on the nose. So pure, fun and fresh with a medium body and light bubbles." - 92 Points, Claire Nesbitt, JamesSuckling.com
Freres Mignon 'L'Aventure' Extra Brut NV
$139 on special this week ($155 RRP)
// 100% Chardonnay (Avize, Cramant, and Cuis, all old vines around 50 years of age)
Spontaneous fermentation on indigenous yeasts (no fining or filtration)
Aged on lees for 2.5 years before disgorged in January 2025
3.2g/L dosage
"On the nose it is elegant with notes of flowers and pastries. On the palate it is mineral and fresh, with body and a toasted background. At first it is acidic, with hints of green apple drifting into almonds. Complex and very fine. Spicy finish. Fine and persistent bubbles. In its freshness, The Champagne L'Aventure fully transmits its territory and its grapes: ripe white and yellow fruit, citrus, candied fruit. In the mouth the bubbles are creamy, with a well present minerality and a finish of intense pleasure. Drink now or cellar for 5-10 years." - Importer Notes
"Sour cream, slightly slightly flinty. This really has a moreish cheesecake tang, lots of lemon zest flecked through the creaminess and a biscuity shortbread crust underneath. Very appetising. Dry and lemony but not austere thanks to the creaminess. The kind of wine I’d love with mussels or oysters – it has that briny echo." - 16/20 Points, Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com
Andre Clouet Dream Vintage 2012 -
$139 on special this week ($155 RRP)
// 100% Chardonnay (Grand Cru vineyards in Bouzy)
~48 months on lees before disgorgement
4g/L dosage
"The 2012 Champagne harvest was marked by varied weather conditions, with a rainy spring followed by a hot, dry summer. This meant that the grapes ripened early and the harvest began at the end of August. The grapes were healthy, with a good balance between sugar and acidity, producing fresh, fine and elegant wines. The Dream Vintage collection is a masterful gourmet retrospective dedicated to the great vintages of Champagne. This collection is crafted with a base of Chardonnay, known for its elegance and finesse." - Winemaker Notes
"Complex toasty and leesy aromas are woven around the rich body of this impressive vintage champagne, which makes a bold statement on the palate, but has a great deal of subtlety. Very long finish with an earthy mystery and great balance. Drink or hold." - 95 Points, James Suckling
Albert Levasseur Blanc de Terroir Extra Brut 2014 -
$169 on special this week ($189 RRP)
(Limited availability)
// 100% Chardonnay from Cuchery
4g/L dosage
"With this single grape variety on several plots, I wish to initiate you to the flavours of Chardonnay from Cuchery. The Chardonnay of the House is mainly located in two vines, planted in the mid-slopes in order to facilitate their full blossoming: “L’Olivière ” nicknamed “The vine of the nephew’s mother” planted in 2003, and “Les Chemins de Champlat”, planted in 2007. They both received Chablis pruning. Blanc de Terroir offers a great finesse, combined with notes of plums, acacia honey and elderberry flower. It’s an intense wine, full-bodied in the palate, balanced by fresh notes with the tastes of nut, fresh almonds, pear, white peaches and toasted bread. Mature, gourmet and persistent, it’s a harmonious and complex champagne!" - Winemaker Notes
Jacquesson Cuvée 748 Extra Brut -
$185 on special this week ($209 RRP)
// ~60% Chardonnay, ~25% Pinot Noir and ~15% Pinot Meunier
2020 base vintage (with 24% reserve wines drawn from cuvées 747, 743 and 741)
Aged 42-48 months on lees before disgorged in October 2024
2g/L dosage
"Aromas of wild berries, brioche, grapefruit, salted nuts and hints of ginger from this delightfully complex Champagne. It’s dry and well structured on the palate, with bright acidity and tight bubbles. Spicy at the end." - 94 Points, Claire Nesbitt, JamesSuckling.com
Jacquesson's NV Extra-Brut Cuvée No. 748, the 20th anniversary of this bottling, is gorgeous. Dried pear, crushed flowers, mint, chamomile and spice all grace the palate. The No. 748 is not quite as austere as some recent releases in this series, which means it will drink quite well right out of the gate. Floral notes lift the finish, adding precision and energy. The No. 748 is one of the most elegant and refined editions of this wine I can remember tasting." - 93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
If you wish to purchase any of these champagnes, please use the links above
Otherwise, if you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au
// Special prices valid until Monday the 29th of June