rating B
standout great introduction to champagne
about Stéphane Coquillette is the fourth generation of a family of Champagne growers. His grandparents started making wine in 1930, and his father took over the winery in 1950. Unusually, instead of succeeding his father, Stéphane established his own winery under his name when he was 25 (with his father's support and assistance). He's based in the Grand Cru village of Chouilly, and also sources fruit from several other top villages.
wines tasted
"Cuvée Inflorescence" NV ($50)
This is the second release of the appropriately named "Inflorescence" for the US market. It's a blend of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay, which is unusual for Côte des Blancs but characteristic of Stéphane Coquillette's wines. Perfect introduction to his house style: fresh, crisp, approachable, with a gentle, fruity richness.
"Cuvée Diane" Blanc de Blancs NV ($50)
"Cuvée Diane" is named after Stéphane's daughter and is 100% Chardonnay. It's typical of Stéphane's style: subtle, lean, and concentrated. Everything is done by hand, from trellising to harvesting to winemaking, and there are no chemicals used on the vines, despite Champagne's difficult climate. The vines were first planted in 1964, giving the wine extra concentration. Dosage is 5g/L, and the wine is based on the 2013 vintage.
"Carte d'Or" Premier Cru Brut NV ($45)
This elegant introduction to the Stéphane Coquillette range comes from a combination of Premier and Grand Cru villages: two-thirds Pinot Noir from Aÿ and Mareuil and one-third Chardonnay from Cuis and Chouilly (where the winery is based). The villages—all classified Grand or Premier Cru—are near each other, so this wine remains a focused expression of Côte des Blancs. The wine receives a gentle dosage of 5g/L for a little extra richness.
website https://www.champagne-coquillette.fr/en/
phone +33 3 26 51 74 12
address 15 Rue des Écoles, Chouilly
