Gaston Chiquet | Tradition | Premier Cru Brut | Vallée de la Marne, Champagne | NV (68% 2021 Base) | Sustainable
Wine Spectator: 92 Points — Vivacious and well balanced, with integrated acidity and a refined mousse. Ripe black cherry, blackberry, Meyer lemon peel, biscuit and white flowers, followed by a lingering mineral finish. (Disgorged February 2024)
Vinous: 90 Points — Rich and expressive, showing dried pear, chamomile, spice, dried flowers, mint and marzipan. Meunier and Pinot Noir give the wine its generous texture and broad presence. (Disgorged February 2025)
Jeb Dunnuck: 90 Points — Bright and inviting, with notes of fresh berries, citrus, flowers and peach. Juicy and medium bodied, with a soft, pillowy mousse and a clean finish.
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. (Disgorged November 2019)
Gaston Chiquet is one of Champagne's most storied grower-producers. In 1919, brothers Fernand and Gaston Chiquet became pioneers among the region's independent growers by producing and selling Champagne from their own fruit — a tradition now carried forward by eighth-generation Nicolas Chiquet from the Premier Cru village of Dizy in the Vallée de la Marne. Tradition is the house's flagship non-vintage Brut, a classic three-grape blend that has defined the Chiquet style for generations.
The current release is composed of 40% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir, drawn entirely from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in Dizy, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Ay and Ay. The vines are rooted in clay and limestone soils over the region's underlying chalk. The base is 68% from the 2021 harvest, supplemented by reserve wines from 2018 through 2020 — a blend that maintains the estate's consistent house style while adding depth and complexity.
Grapes are harvested by hand and vinified entirely in stainless steel, preserving the purity of fruit and the character of each vineyard site. Malolactic fermentation is completed in full, softening the wine's natural acidity and contributing to its rounded, accessible texture. Following secondary fermentation in bottle, Tradition spends more than 48 months aging on its lees — an extended maturation that develops a fine, persistent mousse and layers of fresh bread, biscuit and toasted nut complexity. The wine is finished at a dosage of approximately 6 grams per liter, producing 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 — Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir bring a generous, vinous texture, while Chardonnay provides freshness and lift. Flavors of peach, black cherry, blackberry, Meyer lemon and toasted pastry develop across the palate, leading to a persistent, dry and mineral-driven finish.
Approachable enough to serve as an aperitif but structured enough for the table. Pairs beautifully with oysters, shrimp, smoked salmon, sushi, roast chicken, pork, charcuterie, fried appetizers, mushroom dishes and moderately aged cheeses. Serve well chilled at 46–50°F in a white wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass.
-
Producer: Gaston Chiquet
-
Cuvée: Tradition
-
Classification: Premier Cru Brut
-
Appellation: Champagne, France
-
Region: Vallée de la Marne
-
Villages: Dizy, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Ay and Ay
-
Grape Varieties: 40% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir
-
Base Vintage: 68% 2021 harvest
-
Reserve Wines: 32%, from 2018–2020
-
Farming: Sustainable
-
Soils: Clay and limestone over chalk
-
Vinification: Stainless steel
-
Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
-
Lees Aging: 48+ months
-
Dosage: ~6 g/L
-
Alcohol: ~12.5% ABV
-
Bottle Size: 750ml
As 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 cuvée.
< Show Less
