Elise Bougy, Coteaux Champenois 'Ne Pas Faire Sans Blanc' 2022

Place: Champagne, France

Grape: Chardonnay

Vibe: Unicorn

Can’t believe this might be the first Coteaux Champenois on the shelves. Well it's the first I can remember... Where do I even put it in the warehouse? With the Fizz? With the French Whites? Anyway, I’m supposed to actually tell you about the wine, aren’t I?

In a word: delicious. This channels the solar 2022 vintage into a still white with real purity and poise. It speaks of the chalk of Mesnil, but in a different light. This is all about graceful minerality rather than froth. Just 784 bottles made. An absolute unicorn. IFYKYK. ABV: 12.5%