Micro-Production Grand Cru Champagne Artistry!
Today, we bring you a brand new micro-production Grand Cru from one of the hottest young producers in Champagne, and we do so for less than you'd pay for a basic bottle of Veuve Clicquot!
With only 333 cases produced - compared to around 1,500,000 for Veuve Clicquot - it is hard to fully explain just how rare this wine is and how absolutely insane of a price we offer.
The winemaker, shown here opening our sample of his Verzenay Grand Cru Brut NV, is Paul Froissart. If Paul is reading this, we ask forgiveness for selling his beautiful Champagne for such a thin margin. While it ought to go for around $75, today's price is nearly 1/3rd less.
Why the low price? Two reasons. 1) Our logistics chain is more efficient than just about any other wine store in the country. 2) We LOVE this wine and want to expose more of our customers to the beauty of handcrafted Champagne.
Read on for the full story, and for a crack two more of Paul's tiny-production gems, then smack down on that Big Yellow Button while our supplies last!
Lafalise-Froissart Verzenay Grand Cru Brut NV
Champagne, France
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When we visited Paul at his winery in June, we were the first customer to taste this new "secret" cuvée, made from 100% Grand Cru Pinot Noir grown in the northern reaches of Verzenay.
Comprised of 90% wine from the 2022 vintage and 10% from Paul's perpetual reserve, a mere 4,000 bottles were disgorged in February of 2025 and finished with a perfectly balanced 5 grams/liter dosage.
The result is a lovely, energized and intensely mineral Champagne with subtle taut cherry fruit and a pillowy softness that align with the Pinot Noir composition.
Layered flavors of butter cookie, red apple and spring flowers add complexity to a wine that is entirely generous and superbly drinkable. What sets this new bottling apart from his other cuvées is just how soft and versatile it is. Wonderful with food and on its own, it has the character, nuance and sophistication to make a Champagne lover swoon and the softness to allow them to serve it to friends who are just occasional Champagne drinkers.
We award 93+ points and are probably being stingy with that rating, especially given the huge scores that Paul's wines typically get from the press.
Looking online we found just a single listing, at $75. Today we are letting this rarity fly for a don't-tell-Paul price that is over twenty bucks less. The only bummer is that our supply is limited and our next batch will almost certainly be more expensive!
Vin Chicago Price: 52.99
Plus His 95- and 97-Point Rosé and 2020 Vintage Champagne!
Lafalise-Froissart Grand Cru Extra Brut Rosé NV
Verzenay, Champagne, France
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As one desires in a great bottle of pink Champagne, this gives plenty of delicious red fruit. But, at its essence, it is a serious, mouthwatering mineral-driven Champagne! Blending 80% Pinot Noir with 20% Chardonnay, Froissart crafts this effort primarily from “Les Rochelles” vineyard, a biodynamically farmed parcel featuring chalk and chalky-clay soils. Based on fruit from the 2021 harvest, this juicy and taut Extra-Brut bubbly was disgorged in April 2023 and finished with a 5 g/l dosage. Simply put, it is absolutely wonderful. We’re a solid 94 points. Jeb Dunnuck’s team goes even higher...
“Working with Pehu Simonet to create the red wine for the blend, Froissart’s NV Champagne Rose Extra Brut comes from the plot of 045 (80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay) plus 6-7% red wine and is an attractive salmon hue. It jumps from the glass with aromas of fresh raspberry, roses, orange zest, and a darker herbaceous tone of rosemary. Full-bodied and savory on the palate, with a fluffy mousse and a wonderful, balanced structure, this is another gastronomic wine with lots of depth. As it opens, it becomes ripe with pure apricot and Mirabelle plum. Drink 2025-2045. Maturity: 2025 - 2045.”
- 95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (11/17/2023)
We found just three listings online with a median of $114. Again, our special direct-to-Chicago pricing is dramatically less. Only 46 cases were bottled. We are honored to have a few of them for you today.
Vin Chicago Price: 79.99
Lafalise-Froissart "Cuvée 090" Grand Cru Extra Brut 2020
Verzy, Champagne, France
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This is the sole vintage Champagne in Paul's lineup and, from the very first sip, it absolutely EXPLODES with flavor, texture and nuance. It was the last wine we tasted when we visited the winery last year and it left an indelible mark on our psyche. So long, so beautifully, achingly long!
This is made from a single parcel of Chardonnay vines growing in the village of Verzy. Vinified in small barrels, Cuvée 090 is only produced in vintages that have the character Paul wants, and it too is very limited production. Of this 2020 bottling, a mere 50 cases were produced. We have just under three of them to offer you today.
While Paul suggests laying it in the cellar, we think you'll have a hard time keeping your hands off it. For one of our most experienced tasters, it was his favorite Champagne of 2025, which is remarkable considering how many bubblies over $150 we taste. If you love grower Champagne that seemingly lasts for a delicious eternity on your palate, this is for you.
It is a very strong 97 points on our scale, which is a big-time score for us. We found no listings anywhere for this wine. Even at twice the price, it would still be something special. Our small supply will go fast.
Vin Chicago Price: 112.99
