2017 Champagne Michel Littiere Millesime 750 ml

We can’t say his name. So we’ll just call him Our Man in Champagne. 

He’s a Master of Wine who’s got his hand in about a half-dozen aspects of the wine business, and he knows the region’s mosaic of terroir like few others. Plus, he’s got an unerring nose for undiscovered gems. We’re forever indebted to him for leading us to all-time member-favorite Grumier—and he delivered another hit with Champagne Michel Littière’s 2017 Millesime.

It’s a boundlessly aromatic wine, with tiny bubbles that carry notes of orange zest, brioche, lemon curd, white flowers, toasted hazelnuts, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, and ripe pineapple. A zing of acidity, ensconced in a silky mousse, takes center stage on the palate, with flavors of green apple, rosemary, toasted peach, crème de menthe, sage, lime flowers, and crème brûlée.

In Champagne’s 2017 vintage, frosts and hail cut down yields significantly. But in certain pockets, the grapes that emerged were of exceptional quality—like on Champagne Michel Littière’s small farm in the village of Oeuilly. 

The family-run house is the quintessential grower-Champagne, a hidden gem nestled on the left bank of the Vallée de la Marne, in the same village as the famous Champagne Tarlant. Dating back to 1970, this third-generation récoltant-manipulant (grower-producer) tends to just 15 acres of vines spread across 25 meticulously managed plots on the hillsides around the village. They’ve earned five consecutive selections in the Gault & Millau Champagne guide.

Based on Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, the wine has intensity and complexity, while Chardonnay contributes freshness and levity. One of our most exciting recent grower Champagne discoveries, we’ll be popping it beside everything from linguine and clams to blue cheese to truffle risotto.