Gaston Chiquet Tradition Premier Cru Brut is a classic grower Champagne that brings together the three principal grapes of the region. Pinot Meunier provides ripe fruit and generosity, Chardonnay contributes freshness and elegance, and Pinot Noir adds structure and depth.
The Chiquet family has cultivated vineyards in Champagne for eight generations. In 1919, brothers Fernand and Gaston Chiquet became pioneers among the region's independent growers by producing and selling Champagne from their own fruit. Today, Nicolas Chiquet continues the family's work from the Premier Cru village of Dizy in the Vallee de la Marne.
The current release is composed of 40% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir. The fruit comes from vineyards in Dizy, Hautvillers and Mareuil-sur-Ay, all classified Premier Cru, along with Grand Cru fruit from Ay. The vines are rooted in clay and limestone soils over the region's underlying chalk.
The current blend is based primarily on the 2021 harvest, supplemented by reserve wines from 2018 through 2020. The inclusion of reserve wines brings additional depth and complexity while helping the estate maintain a consistent house style from one release to the next.
The grapes are harvested by hand and vinified in stainless-steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is completed, softening the wine's natural acidity and contributing to its rounded, accessible texture. The estate does not use oak for this cuvee, allowing the purity of the fruit and the character of the vineyards to remain at the forefront.
Following secondary fermentation in bottle, the Champagne spends more than four years aging on its lees. This extended maturation develops a fine mousse and adds notes of fresh bread, biscuit and toasted nuts. A dosage of approximately 6 grams per liter produces a dry but beautifully balanced Brut style.
Golden yellow in color, Tradition opens with aromas of ripe pear, golden peach, fresh apricot and red berries, followed by white flowers, citrus peel, chamomile and freshly baked bread. Subtle notes of almond, biscuit, ginger and crushed chalk emerge as the Champagne opens in the glass.
The palate is lively, creamy and well balanced, with a refined mousse and flavors of peach, black cherry, blackberry, Meyer lemon and toasted pastry. Bright acidity provides freshness, while the Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir give the wine a generous, vinous texture. The finish is persistent, dry and mineral driven.
Approachable enough to serve as an aperitif but structured enough for the table, Gaston Chiquet Tradition pairs beautifully with oysters, shrimp, smoked salmon, sushi, roast chicken, pork, charcuterie, fried appetizers, mushroom dishes and moderately aged cheeses.
Wine Spectator: 92 Points
Vivacious and well balanced, with integrated acidity and a refined mousse. The review highlights ripe black cherry, blackberry, Meyer lemon peel, biscuit and white flowers, followed by a lingering mineral finish. This review refers to a bottle disgorged in February 2024.
Jeb Dunnuck: 90 Points
Bright and inviting, with notes of fresh berries, citrus, flowers and peach. The palate is juicy and medium bodied, with a soft, pillowy mousse and a clean finish. This review refers to an earlier blend based primarily on the 2019 harvest.
Vinous: 90 Points
A rich and expressive non-vintage Champagne showing dried pear, chamomile, spice, dried flowers, mint and marzipan. Meunier and Pinot Noir give the wine its generous texture and broad presence. This review refers to a bottle disgorged in February 2025.
The Wine Advocate: 90 Points
Inviting aromas of yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, honeycomb, citrus and warm biscuits lead to a fleshy, charming palate with a refined mousse, ripe fruit and lively balancing acidity. This review refers to a bottle disgorged in November 2019.
Grape varieties: 40% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru
Region: Vallee de la Marne, Champagne
Villages: Dizy, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Ay and Ay
Soils: Clay and limestone over chalk
Farming: Sustainable
Current base blend: 68% from 2021 and 32% reserve wines from 2018 through 2020
Vinification: Fermented and matured in stainless steel
Malolactic fermentation: Yes
Lees aging: More than 48 months
Dosage: Approximately 6 grams per liter
Style: Premier Cru Brut Champagne
Alcohol: Approximately 12.5% ABV
Bottle size: 750ml
As this is a non-vintage Champagne, base vintages, reserve-wine proportions, dosage, lees-aging period and disgorgement dates may vary by release. Critic ratings may apply to different disgorgements of the same cuvee.
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