Alfred Gratien : Cuvée Paradis Brut 2016

A vivid, mouthwatering Champagne, with rapierlike acidity creating a well-defined springboard for flavors of ripe black cherry and raspberry, quince paste, lime blossoms and Marcona almond. The finely detailed mousse cushions the firm frame in plush texture, a harmonious effect that additionally carries the focused profile as it expands on the smoke- and spice-laced finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2024. Drink now through 2036. 2,000 cases made, 150 cases imported.

The 2016 Champagne Cuvée Paradis Brut pours a bright silver/yellow hue and offers a pretty, floral bouquet on the nose with aromas of fresh baked brioche, candied grapefruit, yellow plum, and vanilla bean. A blend of 65% Pinot Noir with the rest Chardonnay, coming from Premier and Grand Cru villages and raised in 228-liter barrels prior to bottling, the palate offers finesse and balance, with a good deal of persistence and energetic drive through a long finish. The mousse pillows through the mid-palate to round things out, and its silky texture of citrus oil coats the palate. An impressive offering, it has the backbone to last over the coming 15 years. Disgorged June 2024.

A fresh, welcoming nose with aromas of orchard fruits and blossoms, freshly cut grass, almond paste and hazelnut, followed by a palate that unfurls like a red carpet, with tangy fruit notes in perfect harmony and a vitality that lingers through to the finish.

This is the top cuvée from this Champagne producer. Fermented in wood and disgorged in 2024, the wine is rich, a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It has some age, giving a toasty aroma, while retaining white fruit on the palate. Drink the wine now.