J. Dumangin Fils Premium Blanc de Blancs Champagne 2009 ~ Champagne, France

94/100 Bob Campbell
91/100 Tyzon Stelzer, Champagne Guide
93/100 James Suckling (2008 vintage)

Silver - Vinalies
Silver - Chardonnay du Monde
Commended - Decanter World Wine Awards

Tyzon Stelzer "Tightly-defined, lemon fruited style with lingering fruit concentration and fine minerality ..."

Bob Campbell "Pure with racy chalk/mineral and fine acidity. The wine has a beautiful ethereal texture. Delicate, charming."

Hospitality & Thirst "Intense biscuity, toasty, pastry, bread, cinnamon and spice complexity on the nose. The palate is powerful with citrus pith leading into an expressive and long finish."

Raymond Chan "This Champagne presents a very pale straw-yellow color and offers a softly full nose of exotic florals with gentle, nutty-toasty aromas of autolysis. On the palate, it is dry with soft white floral and citrus notes, accompanied by mineral flavors that exhibit subtle, rounded breadth while maintaining a delicate overall character. This versatile wine can be served as an aperitif or paired with seafood, especially shellfish."

Jordi Melendo "Whose Chardonnay grapes come exclusively from the "Dessus le Mont" vineyard, with aromas of citrus and white flowers, and a fresh and lively palate within a framework of pleasant and balanced acidity."

Guide Revel "Discreet nose (like beaten egg white, meringue, anise), delicate on the palate, freshness is mainly perceived in the behavior of acidity which coats the taste buds without aggressiveness. The lightness of the voluminous bubbles forms the delicate character of the whole."

Guide Euvrard-Garnier "Pale robe with bright reflections. Intense nose with a sincere and frank character, notes of citrus and wildflowers. Fresh palate where lemony notes express themselves generously. The overall impression is straight and clear, a lively and easy-to-drink cuvée."

James Suckling "This has a lively and attractive feel with white-peach and gentle, toffee-like nuances on offer. The palate carries almond pastry and quite fine, fresh lemon and peach sorbet-like flavors. Lots to love here." (2008 vintage)

100% Chardonnay

J. Dumangin Fils are a small family-run Champagne House based in the village of Chigny-les-Roses south of Reims. Dumangin have a long history overflowing with fantastic winemakers, some with names borrowed from Greek legend. The first family member to turn his hands to winemaking was Firmin Dumangin, born in 1650. Hippolyte Dumangin, born 1851, was the first to market champagne under the Dumangin brand. Achille Dumangin named a variety after himself around 1909. Jacky Dumangin achieved fame for a Premier Cru Champagne which won an impressive number awards during his 30 years at the helm. The current head of House Dumangin is Gilles. He is the 5th generation of the family to produce champagne.

The Dumangin family’s tireless efforts to produce the best possible Champagne from their own grapes was recognised by the prestigious French wine guide, the Guide Hachette des Vins, in 2008. The bible of the French wine industry awarded the Dumangin Grand Réserve a Coup de Cœur. The Coup de Coeur (judges' favourite) is the Guide Hachette’s highest possible recommendation.

Champagne is the most iconic sparkling wine in the world, produced in the region of Champagne in France. Synonymous with celebration, champagne is typically produced from a few specific varieties of grapes: pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier. With effervescent flavors of citrus, almond, and apple, champagne comes in varying levels of sweetness and has a moderate amount of alcohol. The most treasured Champagnes age for a minimum of 3 years.

The Champagne region is located 140 kilometres from Paris, France. While the vines in this region have been producing wine since the Roman era, it is only in the past couple of hundred years that winemakers began producing Champagne using méthode champenoise - the complex method that produces the style of Champagne the world knows and loves today. Another important component of the production of champagne is the chalk and limestone soils which dominate the Champagne region. Vines grown in these conditions result in wines that are high in acidity - a key component to making good sparkling wine. Champagne's northerly location - about as north as grapes can ripen - also allow for higher acidity and lower alcohol levels which are also very important for producing quality sparkling wine.