French Wine Royalty: Gonet-Médeville
Julie and Xavier Gonet-Médeville are, in many ways, the first couple of French wines. Both hail from storied winemaking families: Julie’s family is famous for its incomparable Château Gilette, and Xavier comes from a long line of Champagne growers in Le Mesnil. Leading a new generation of winemakers, they bring their family knowledge, methods and passion to the many wines they now make together.
In 2000, when his family’s plots were being divided, Xavier opted for a modest collection of the highest quality 1er and Grand Cru vineyards with a goal of producing only the most exquisite, small-production Champagnes. Champagne Gonet-Médeville’s Pinot Noir (Bisseuil and Ambonnay) and Chardonnay (Mesnil-Sur-Oger) are farmed organically, and each parcel is vinified separately to emphasize its individual terroir. There is no chaptalization, malolactic fermentation, or fining, and dosage is minute. The wines are matured for a minimum of two years before release. Julie and Xavier’s resulting Champagnes are very elegant, delicate, festive and easy to drink.
Une Femme Wines is a women-led Champagne project from Jen Pelka, the Owner of The Riddler Champagne Bar in San Francisco. The project brings some of Jen's favorite women winemakers under one umbrella to produced stellar sparkling wines from California and Champagne. The Juliette is produced by Julie Médeville from top-notch Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from vineyards in Ambonnay, Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger, and Bisseuil. This Champagne is aged for 29 months on the lees to produce a textured, toasty wine. A portion of the proceeds from Une Femme wines is donated to Dress for Success, a non-profit aimed at empowering women on their journey for financial independence. Drinking for a good cause? Yes, please!
Grand Cru Champ d'Alouette Extra Brut 2004 $170
100% Chardonnay. 100% from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Champs d'Alouettes. It is usually blended for Cuvée Theophile and singled out only in the best vintages. Vinified in neutral barrels for 6 months prior to bottling. Aged on the lees for 9 years. Dosage 2.5 g/L.
Grand Cru Ambonnay La Grande Ruelle Extra Brut 2006 $175
100% from Ambonnay Grand Cru. Vinification in used oak barriques. Matured for five to six years on its side. Dosage 2 g/l.
Grand Cru Cuvée Théophile Rosé 2009 $295
60% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir, and 3% vin rouge. From the villages of Ambonnay and le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Matured on the laths for 7-8 years. 2gr/l. 900 bottles produced.