Alain Thiénot
About Alain Thiénot
Alain Thiénot is a relatively young Champagne house with a focus on single crus sourced from highly skilled and trusted growers. Alain Thiénot spent a highly successful 20 years as one of Reims’ numerous wine brokers, before seizing his dream and founding the eponymous house currently helmed by his talented and industrious children, Stanislas and Garance.
Two decades sourcing the greatest expressions of the region amongst both the vines and the wineries gave Alain a formidable network of growers and vignerons through which to craft exceptional Champagne. The pinnacle of Thiénot’s range is undoubtedly La Vigne Aux Gamins, and the pinnacle of this cuvée must be the iteration from this legendary Champagne vintage.
Viniculture
Produced exclusively from a parcel of vines in the Grand Cru of Avize, the Chardonnay vines from which this stunning cuvée is sourced are over 60 years old. Avize in particular is notable for its extremely pure chalk soils, which impart breath-taking minerality to fruit grown in the greatest sites. Ripeness can be one of the greatest struggles in this Grand Cru, given its cool climate alongside the soil type – Chardonnay can be aggressively acidic and lack generosity when handled by lesser growers.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Champagne | 1 | 97 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£441.62 |
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Decanter (97)Racy and thrilling, this hits the spot in terms of direct and punchy yellow fruit flavours - lemon, grapefruit, orange and quince with a crisp texture and fine bubbles that fill the mouth. Such tension and precision. It has a sharp yet also mouthwatering acidity giving you a push pull of intensity and generosity. It's super dry and gives a raciness to the overall impression with very tiny hints of sweetness providing the round feel that's so appealing. Shines brightly and still feels so youthful, such a long ageing potential yet. I like the energy and the persistence here, it's clean and finessed. Not trying too hard but so easy to drink. 100% Chardonnay of white 90% comes from grands crus vineyards. Dosage 4g/L. Disgorged February 2022. |
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|
Champagne | 17 | 97 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£355.22 |
|||||
Decanter (97)The second vintage released on the Place de Bordeaux, a 100% Chardonnay from Avize made with no malolactic fermented and aged only in stainless steel tanks. A beautiful light, white gold colour in the glass, belying its 12 year age. So lifted, fresh and lively on the nose, pure and precise with citrus fruit and green orchard fruit aromatics - lemon and lime zest. Clean and clear on the palate, a true and transparent expression of succulent Chardonnay with energy, focus and interest. Balanced and harmonious, nothing out of place, not too sharp or too intense - a dosage of 2g/l 'was sufficient' says winemaker Nicolas Uriel and it really works to give a generous but controlled mouthfeel with lift, brightness and cool freshness all the way through, especially on the finish. Satisfying and extremely drinkable. From vines averaging 80 years old on pure limestone. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Champagne | 1 | 97 (DC) |
In Bond
£360.00 |
|||||
Decanter (97)Racy and thrilling, this hits the spot in terms of direct and punchy yellow fruit flavours - lemon, grapefruit, orange and quince with a crisp texture and fine bubbles that fill the mouth. Such tension and precision. It has a sharp yet also mouthwatering acidity giving you a push pull of intensity and generosity. It's super dry and gives a raciness to the overall impression with very tiny hints of sweetness providing the round feel that's so appealing. Shines brightly and still feels so youthful, such a long ageing potential yet. I like the energy and the persistence here, it's clean and finessed. Not trying too hard but so easy to drink. 100% Chardonnay of white 90% comes from grands crus vineyards. Dosage 4g/L. Disgorged February 2022. |
|||||||||
|
Champagne | 17 | 97 (DC) |
In Bond
£288.00 |
|||||
Decanter (97)The second vintage released on the Place de Bordeaux, a 100% Chardonnay from Avize made with no malolactic fermented and aged only in stainless steel tanks. A beautiful light, white gold colour in the glass, belying its 12 year age. So lifted, fresh and lively on the nose, pure and precise with citrus fruit and green orchard fruit aromatics - lemon and lime zest. Clean and clear on the palate, a true and transparent expression of succulent Chardonnay with energy, focus and interest. Balanced and harmonious, nothing out of place, not too sharp or too intense - a dosage of 2g/l 'was sufficient' says winemaker Nicolas Uriel and it really works to give a generous but controlled mouthfeel with lift, brightness and cool freshness all the way through, especially on the finish. Satisfying and extremely drinkable. From vines averaging 80 years old on pure limestone. |