Michel Gonet 'Les 3 Terroirs' Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne, France
Pickup available at DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
Usually ready in 1 hour
Champagne Michel Gonet represents over two centuries of winemaking heritage in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. Founded in 1802 by Charles Gonet, the estate has remained family-owned for seven generations, with the Gonet family maintaining vines in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger since the early 19th century. The modern era began in 1973 when Michel Gonet—born in 1935 and famously saved as a dysphagic infant by a sip of Champagne—established his own house in Avize. Michel dedicated decades to modernizing the cellars and acquiring prime vineyard parcels across Champagne with the singular goal of creating pure, environmentally conscious wines. Today, his daughter Sophie Gonet Signolle leads the estate alongside her brothers Charles-Henri and Frédéric, continuing the family's commitment to quality and tradition. Sophie has reinvigorated the house since taking the helm, working with star sommelier Marco Pelletier as consultant and talented young winemaker Antoine Gomérieux to elevate the wines to new heights. The estate's holdings span 40 hectares, primarily focused on Chardonnay (80%) with Pinot Noir (20%) for rosé production. In 2011, Sophie established the Villa Signolle on the legendary Avenue de Champagne in Épernay—a historic UNESCO World Heritage building that serves as a tasting room and bed & breakfast. A passionate advocate for women in viticulture, Sophie serves as President of Women Winegrowers of Champagne and was awarded the prestigious title of Dame Dignitaire by the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne in 2021.
- WINEMAKER: Sophie Gonet Signolle, with winemaker Antoine Gomérieux and consultant Marco Pelletier
- FARMING: Sustainable viticulture (VDC - Viticulture Durable en Champagne - certified since 2019), reasoned cultivation practices with focus on soil health and biodiversity
- VARIETY: 100% Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs)
- TERROIR: A masterful blend from three distinct Chardonnay terroirs that showcase the diversity of Champagne's geology. Le Mesnil-sur-Oger contributes Grand Cru fruit from the Côte des Blancs, planted on the region's famous silty chalk soils and chalk subsoil that impart crystalline minerality and tension. Vindey, located in the Coteaux du Sézannais south of Épernay, adds wines from clay-limestone soils with pockets of sand that bring roundness and body. Montgueux, an isolated chalk hill near Troyes in the Aube, provides mineral-driven, structured fruit from its elevated chalky slopes. This cuvée was created to showcase these special terroirs beyond their Mesnil holdings—Montgueux in particular is known for producing rounder, more approachable Chardonnay even when young. The combination of these three sites creates exceptional complexity and balance.
- VINIFICATION: Fermentation at low temperature in stainless steel tanks. No malolactic fermentation, preserving natural acidity, freshness, and mineral purity—a practice Sophie has employed since 2009 to gain finesse, elegance, and what she describes as "femininity" in the wines. Parcel-by-parcel vinification allows precise blending.
- AGING: Minimum of 4 years aging sur latte (on lees) before release, though many vintages receive 5-7 years. Disgorged only when leaving the estate. Final dosage of 4 grams per liter (Extra Brut). First produced with the 2009 vintage, currently releasing the 2020 vintage.
- TASTING NOTES: Bright golden to straw-yellow color with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose offers complexity with subtle aromatics of white flowers, stone fruit, citrus (lemon zest, citron), and acidulous fruit notes, followed by toasted almonds, brioche, hazelnut, and hints of butter. Some vintages show tropical fruit nuances. The palate is lively, vivacious, and aerial with persistent fine bubbles and a taut, structured body. Fresh and fruity with savory flavors, beautiful mineral purity, and a slightly tart edge. Rich autolytic character balanced by bright acidity creates a wine that is both fleshy and crisp. The finish is bone-dry, clean, and appetizing with crystalline citrus fruit and a mineral flourish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: An excellent aperitif Champagne with depth and structure. The freshness and velvet texture pair beautifully with shellfish (oysters, scallops, crab, lobster), sushi and sashimi, grilled white fish, or poached turbot. The mineral purity complements goat cheese, aged Comté, or creamy burrata. Try with light spicy dishes like Thai seafood salad or delicate chicken preparations where the wine's acidity and low dosage shine.
- SCORES: Gilbert & Gaillard 92/100 (2010 vintage), Jancis Robinson 16.5/20 (2013 vintage), Jamie Goode 91/100 (2010 vintage)
Champagne Michel Gonet represents over two centuries of winemaking heritage in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. Founded in 1802 by Charles Gonet, the estate has remained family-owned for seven generations, with the Gonet family maintaining vines in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger since the early 19th century. The modern era began in 1973 when Michel Gonet—born in 1935 and famously saved as a dysphagic infant by a sip of Champagne—established his own house in Avize. Michel dedicated decades to modernizing the cellars and acquiring prime vineyard parcels across Champagne with the singular goal of creating pure, environmentally conscious wines. Today, his daughter Sophie Gonet Signolle leads the estate alongside her brothers Charles-Henri and Frédéric, continuing the family's commitment to quality and tradition. Sophie has reinvigorated the house since taking the helm, working with star sommelier Marco Pelletier as consultant and talented young winemaker Antoine Gomérieux to elevate the wines to new heights. The estate's holdings span 40 hectares, primarily focused on Chardonnay (80%) with Pinot Noir (20%) for rosé production. In 2011, Sophie established the Villa Signolle on the legendary Avenue de Champagne in Épernay—a historic UNESCO World Heritage building that serves as a tasting room and bed & breakfast. A passionate advocate for women in viticulture, Sophie serves as President of Women Winegrowers of Champagne and was awarded the prestigious title of Dame Dignitaire by the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne in 2021.
- WINEMAKER: Sophie Gonet Signolle, with winemaker Antoine Gomérieux and consultant Marco Pelletier
- FARMING: Sustainable viticulture (VDC - Viticulture Durable en Champagne - certified since 2019), reasoned cultivation practices with focus on soil health and biodiversity
- VARIETY: 100% Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs)
- TERROIR: A masterful blend from three distinct Chardonnay terroirs that showcase the diversity of Champagne's geology. Le Mesnil-sur-Oger contributes Grand Cru fruit from the Côte des Blancs, planted on the region's famous silty chalk soils and chalk subsoil that impart crystalline minerality and tension. Vindey, located in the Coteaux du Sézannais south of Épernay, adds wines from clay-limestone soils with pockets of sand that bring roundness and body. Montgueux, an isolated chalk hill near Troyes in the Aube, provides mineral-driven, structured fruit from its elevated chalky slopes. This cuvée was created to showcase these special terroirs beyond their Mesnil holdings—Montgueux in particular is known for producing rounder, more approachable Chardonnay even when young. The combination of these three sites creates exceptional complexity and balance.
- VINIFICATION: Fermentation at low temperature in stainless steel tanks. No malolactic fermentation, preserving natural acidity, freshness, and mineral purity—a practice Sophie has employed since 2009 to gain finesse, elegance, and what she describes as "femininity" in the wines. Parcel-by-parcel vinification allows precise blending.
- AGING: Minimum of 4 years aging sur latte (on lees) before release, though many vintages receive 5-7 years. Disgorged only when leaving the estate. Final dosage of 4 grams per liter (Extra Brut). First produced with the 2009 vintage, currently releasing the 2020 vintage.
- TASTING NOTES: Bright golden to straw-yellow color with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose offers complexity with subtle aromatics of white flowers, stone fruit, citrus (lemon zest, citron), and acidulous fruit notes, followed by toasted almonds, brioche, hazelnut, and hints of butter. Some vintages show tropical fruit nuances. The palate is lively, vivacious, and aerial with persistent fine bubbles and a taut, structured body. Fresh and fruity with savory flavors, beautiful mineral purity, and a slightly tart edge. Rich autolytic character balanced by bright acidity creates a wine that is both fleshy and crisp. The finish is bone-dry, clean, and appetizing with crystalline citrus fruit and a mineral flourish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: An excellent aperitif Champagne with depth and structure. The freshness and velvet texture pair beautifully with shellfish (oysters, scallops, crab, lobster), sushi and sashimi, grilled white fish, or poached turbot. The mineral purity complements goat cheese, aged Comté, or creamy burrata. Try with light spicy dishes like Thai seafood salad or delicate chicken preparations where the wine's acidity and low dosage shine.
- SCORES: Gilbert & Gaillard 92/100 (2010 vintage), Jancis Robinson 16.5/20 (2013 vintage), Jamie Goode 91/100 (2010 vintage)