Notify me
2014 Brut 1er Cru “Cuvée Spéciale”
J. LassalleWhen a producer decides to make a vintage Champagne, she commits to waiting a minimum of four years to release it. But the Lassalle women tucked this bottling away for even longer, allowing it to slumber on its lees for seven years. I commend them for their patience and can attest that this cuvée—made solely for us, the American market—is well worth the wait. With a pleasing weight and grip on the palate, this is a Champagne to savor. Breathe in the delicate aromas of peach blossom and brioche. Feel how the tiny, yet vigorous, bubbles fill your mouth, energize your tastebuds, and encourage you to take another sip. Observe how lively notes of citrus and stone fruit seamlessly give way to a luxurious creaminess. Take note of the long, stony finish. Third-generation Lassalle vigneronne Angéline Templier was once asked in an interview why Kermit chose to import the family’s Champagnes back in the ’70s, to which she explained, “He had a crush on the wines.” I now feel the same infatuation.
—Meghan Foley
Wine Type: | sparkling |
Vintage: | 2014 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay |
Appellation: | Chigny-Les-Roses |
Country: | France |
Region: | Champagne |
Producer: | J. Lassalle |
Winemaker: | Chantal Decelle-Lassalle and Angéline Templier |
Vineyard: | 50 years average; 16 ha total |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | Aged minimum 7 years on the lees before disgorgement |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 12% |
More from this Producer or Region
2011 Blanc de Blancs Brut 1er Cru
France | Champagne
Don't miss this 2011 Blanc de Blancs, a powerful yet refined tour de force from one of the region’s most consistent and talented growers.
2018 Coteaux Champenois Rouge “Chigny Les Roses”
France | Champagne
I know what you’re thinking: red wine from Champagne? Allow me to respond with a resounding yes!
2013 Brut 1er Cru “Special Club”
France | Champagne
The Spécial Club represents an elite association of growers who abide by such strict standards of quality. Extremely limited quantities, maximum 3 bottles per purchase.
2011 Brut 1er Cru “Cuvée Angéline” MAGNUM
France | Champagne
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is a Champagne of luxury, from its decadent golden tinge to the fine, persistent bead that playfully caresses the palate.
NV Champagne Brut 1er Cru “Cachet Or”
France | Champagne
The bottling is classic Champagne in every sense: full, well-balanced, and elegant, with a fine mousse, delicious to drink.
2022 Rosé Brut 1er Cru “Cuvée Angéline” MAGNUM
France | Champagne
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is a Champagne of luxury, from its decadent golden tinge to the fine, persistent bead that playfully caresses the palate.
2013 Brut 1er Cru “Special Club” MAGNUM
France | Champagne
The Spécial Club represents an elite association of growers who abide by such strict standards of quality, and the pedigree is evident with this 2012 release.
NV Rosé Brut 1er Cru MAGNUM
France | Champagne
The Lassalle women craft a pale, elegant rosé Champagne, all about delicacy and lovely, plush fruit.
2011 Blanc de Blancs Brut 1er Cru MAGNUM
France | Champagne
Don’t miss this Blanc de Blancs, a powerful yet refined tour de force from one of the region's most consistent and talented growers.
2011 Brut 1er Cru “Cuvée Angéline”
France | Champagne
This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is a Champagne of luxury, from its decadent golden tinge to the fine, persistent bead that playfully caresses the palate.
About The Producer
J. Lassalle
About The Region
Champagne
True Champagne must not only sparkle, but also must come from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France and be made using méthode champenoise—a process that involves prolonged aging of the wine as well as a bottle fermentation used to add the sparkle to the finished product. Though wine has been made in this region since at least the 5th century, Champagne as we now know is a relatively new creation. It wasn’t until the 19th century that sparkling wine production took hold on a large scale in much part due to improvements in the strength of glass for bottles and the embrace of French nobility of the sparkling wines of the region.
Only three grape varieties may be used to make Champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The chalk-heavy soils not only provide complexity and texture to the finished wine, but also act as a natural humidifier thus keeping the vine’s roots warm during colder months of the year. There are grand cru and premier cru designated vineyard areas but unlike Burgundy, there are few lieu-dit vineyards (though in recent years there has been a greater interest in producing vineyard specific Champagnes).
Kermit’s first foray into the region came in 1981 when he began importing the wines of J. Lassalle and Paul Bara—two producers whose wines we still import. In the mid 2000s, Kermit began importing the wines of Veuve Fourny et Fils.
Of Champagne, Kermit says, “You might be surprised to learn that I don’t like a goût de terroir to dominate the taste of Champagnes. If it dominates, you lose finesse. I want some, obviously—but only enough to keep things interesting.”
More from Champagne or France
NV Champagne Rosé Extra Brut Grand Cru
Nicolas Maillart France | Champagne
2019 Champagne Extra Brut 1er Cru “Mont Martin”
Nicolas Maillart France | Champagne
2016 Rosé Extra Brut 1er Cru “Vinothèque”
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
NV Rosé Brut 1er Cru
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
2009 Brut Grand Cru “Annonciade”
Paul Bara France | Champagne
NV Brut Réserve Grand Cru HALF BOTTLE
Paul Bara France | Champagne
NV Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 1er Cru MAGNUM
Veuve Fourny & Fils France | Champagne
NV Brut 1er Cru “Grands Terroirs” HALF BOTTLE
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
NV Rosé Brut Grand Cru
Paul Bara France | Champagne
2016 Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut 1er Cru “Monts de Vertus”
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
NV Brut 1er Cru “Grands Terroirs”
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
2011 Blanc de Blancs Brut 1er Cru MAGNUM
J. Lassalle France | Champagne
NV Champagne Rosé Extra Brut Grand Cru
Nicolas Maillart France | Champagne
2019 Champagne Extra Brut 1er Cru “Mont Martin”
Nicolas Maillart France | Champagne
2016 Rosé Extra Brut 1er Cru “Vinothèque”
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
NV Rosé Brut 1er Cru
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
2009 Brut Grand Cru “Annonciade”
Paul Bara France | Champagne
NV Brut Réserve Grand Cru HALF BOTTLE
Paul Bara France | Champagne
NV Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 1er Cru MAGNUM
Veuve Fourny & Fils France | Champagne
NV Brut 1er Cru “Grands Terroirs” HALF BOTTLE
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
NV Rosé Brut Grand Cru
Paul Bara France | Champagne
2016 Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut 1er Cru “Monts de Vertus”
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
NV Brut 1er Cru “Grands Terroirs”
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
2011 Blanc de Blancs Brut 1er Cru MAGNUM
J. Lassalle France | Champagne
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312