Lancelot-Pienne

Gouttes d'Or Cramant Grand Cru 2018 | Bottle 75cl

Description

Pure, chalky, and vibrant, Lancelot-Pienne's 2018 Gouttes d'Or champagne brilliantly embodies the identity of Cramant's Grand Cru. Produced from a legendary vineyard and meticulously vinified, this exceptional blanc de blancs reveals a finesse of effervescence. With notes of crisp pear, white flowers and salty minerality, it seduces with its tactile precision and persistence. A rare wine to be reserved for special occasions.

The production of the Gouttes d'Or Cramant Grand Cru 2018 cuvée from Champagne Lancelot-Pienne

Produced from the famous "Les Gouttes d'Or" vineyard, this single-vineyard cuvée showcases the best of Cramant, the iconic Grand Cru of the Côte des Blancs. Since 1969, the estate has cultivated 36 acres of Chardonnay vines here, rooted in exceptionally pure chalk soil.

The terroir

The vines benefit from an east/southeast exposure, which promotes morning freshness and slow ripening of the grapes. Active chalk, rendzinas, and limestone gravel make up a vibrant soil that shapes the unique texture of this cuvée.

Vinification

Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats (26 hl) with malolactic fermentation blocked to preserve tension and precision. After 10 months of aging in vats, bottling took place in July 2019. The wine then rested for 60 months on slats before disgorging in June 2024. The dosage is extra-brut: 2.2 g/l.

The 2018 vintage

The Gouttes d'Or cuvée is a vintage champagne, made exclusively from the 2018 harvest. This year's generous weather allowed the grapes to ripen beautifully while retaining their freshness and purity. The result is a complex, long and mineral wine with a very fine texture.

Tasting notes

• Color

  Bright pale yellow with silvery highlights. The effervescence is fine and persistent.

• Nose

  Delicately floral and mineral: fresh white flowers, crisp pear, a touch of saltiness and a hint of wet chalk.

• Palate

  Chalky and vibrant texture, with all the finesse of Cramant. Creaminess, tension, lemony freshness, and a lovely salty finish structure an airy and gourmet profile.

Serving suggestions

Appetizers

• Fine oysters from the claire
• Sea bream tartare with lime
• Parmesan breadsticks

Maindishes

• Grilled John Dory, beurre blanc sauce
• Poached poultry with crisp vegetables
• Langoustine ravioli and clear broth

Desserts

• Lemon shortbread and meringue
• Pavlova with white fruits
• Fresh fruit with verbena

Storage and serving tips

Storing this champagne

Store the bottle horizontally in a cool, dark place (ideally 10–12°C). This structured, non-oxidized 2018 vintage is ideal for aging.

Aging potential

At its peak between 2028 and 2032. It will gain in complexity while retaining the remarkable mineral tension that is the signature of the Cramant terroir.

Serving suggestions

Serve at 10–11°C in a tulip glass. Allow to breathe for 10 to 15 minutes before tasting to reveal its full aromatic range and chalky finesse.

Anecdote about this cuvée

The place name"Les Gouttes d'Or"(Golden Drops) takes its name from the fine droplets of morning dew that form on the vines. It is also a nod to the precious and luminous character of the juice produced from this small plot, which is cherished by the house.