R.H. Coutier: Beloved and Bold from Ambonnay 4-9-24

On Sale Now
 
The Coutier family has called the Grand Cru Champagne village of Ambonnay home for over four hundred years. Their Champagnes display the power and richness of the village—and at prices so low it might make you second guess their quality. But that would be a mistake: the wines of R.H. Coutier are perpetually some of the most loved and admired Champagnes in the shop. The volume we can offer is a bold statement for a producer that only releases around 5,000 cases total each vintage. We sell dozens of cases of their “Tradition,” Blanc de Blancs, and even vintage bottlings every year. And plenty makes it to our personal cellars.
 
What makes this particular Champagne so admired? Aside from the affordability and history, the farming and style contribute to their fame chez Vinopolis. These are true Grower Champagnes: the family works exclusively with estate holdings all within the village of Ambonnay. Vines in their holdings average around 40 years of age and, as of 2023, are now certified organic (though the family has never used herbicides).
 
Stylistically, the wines have the natural power of Ambonnay offset the lighter, lacier textures imparted by their remarkably high amounts of Chardonnay. Only 2/3s of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, imparting a brightness to the wine and a balance to its opulence. These are wines that manage to fuse contradictory features in a thrilling, crowd-pleasing way—at a very crowd-pleasing price.
 
Their single-vineyard wine, La Pierre Aux Larrons, is barrel fermented, adding richness and nuance. It is 100% Chardonnay from a vineyard planted by Henri Coutier in 1948. That was only two years after he became the first person to plant Chardonnay in the village. The 2016 vintage on offer is glorious and impactful, while retaining the distinctly charming nature of all of their Champagnes.
 
As a Grower producer, they’ve flown under the radar with professional reviewers and Champagne aficionados. On the plus side, that means the wines are undervalued. On the negative? The wines are woefully underappreciated, but we’re here to correct that error with our three-day sale. With a ton of complexity and class for the money, it’s one to stock up on for your next celebration… or maybe just your average Tuesday.
 
5% off any 3-8 in-stock bottles of Coutier
10% off any 9 or more in-stock bottles of Coutier
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Sale ends Friday, April 12th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer five wines from Coutier in stock and on sale now, including:
 
R.H. Coutier Cuvee Tradition Grand Cru Brut NV 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 33 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 91 points
“[Review for 2022 disgorgement] The Coutier family blends 20 percent chardonnay into the pinot noir for this cuvée, all of it estate grown in the grand cru village of Ambonnay. The wine balances tart lemon and lime scents with notes of sourdough starter and rhubarb. Almost cakey in its richness, this has the limestone acidity to cut through rich foods, whether seared foie gras or braised short ribs.”
Importer note “Disgorged February 2022, base 2017 60% + 40% reserves.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
R.H. Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut NV 750ml Displayed Price: $41.90, that’s $39.81 at 5% off and $37.71 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points
“[Review for 2022 release] The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is fabulous. Rich and quite dense, the Blanc de Blancs is decidedly powerful, maybe a bit more than usual. This release is based on 2018, and the richness of the year really comes through in the wine’s layered, expansive feel. Tangerine oil, lemon confit, white flowers, spice and chamomile build effortlessly. This is an especially heady, vinous Champagne with all the elements very much in balance.”
Importer note “Disgorged December 2022, base vintage 2019 60% + 40% reserves.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $49
 
R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Brut Rosé NV 750ml Displayed Price: $43.50, that’s $41.33 at 5% off and $39.15 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points
“[Reviewed in 2020 for a prior disgorgement] A pure note of macerated cherry is backed by a firm acidity in this lively rosé Champagne, while a subtle, smoky underpinning and hints of pink grapefruit peel and grated ginger ride the creamy bead.”
Importer note “Disgorged February 2023, base vintage 2019 60% + 40% reserves.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Extra Brut Cuvée Millésime 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points
“From the 2015 vintage, the Extra Brut Cuvée Millésime Grand Cru is a very good wine for the year. Bright and sculpted, the 2015 impresses with its energy and cut. Citrus peel, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks all race across the palate. This cuvée, only produced in the best vintages, is a blend of 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir, with the Chardonnay very much in the driver’s seat. Aged for 96 months sur latte. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. (Drink between 2023-2030).”
Importer notes “75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay. Golden yellow color with a very “pinot” nose (read cherry). Rich and full in the mouth, with plenty of creaminess. Nice acidity and structure enhanced by the Chardonnay finishes very fresh and long. Wonderful balance with ripe fruit aromatics makes this a very seductive bubbly.” “This area consists of pure Belemnite chalk originating from Bouzy and continuing throughout most of Champagne. This unique soil allows the vines to root deeply, retaining the ideal amount of moisture while allowing the excess to drain away thoroughly. Produced only the best years. It is the reflection of the harvest from the vintage in our terroir. This wine show complexity and the best expression of the vintage it represents. The time on lees adds an extra dimension to the wine thus achieving what we think is a perfect balance.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
R.H. Coutier Cuvee la Pierre aux Larrons Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points
“The 2016 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Pierre Aux Larrons Grand Cru is a powerful wine showing Chardonnay’s savory, phenolic side. Dried flowers, herbs, chamomile and a discreet touch of oak all grace this wonderfully expressive, vinous Champagne. This is sourced from the very first plot of Chardonnay ever planted by the Courier family in 1948. Zero dosage. (Drink between 2024-2031).”
Importer note “In 1948, Henri Coutier was one of if not THE first to plant chardonnay in Ambonnay, a Grand Cru villages normally devoted to Pinot Noir. He planted this varietal in a single-vineyard plot called Pierre aux Larrons, and this plot has become the source of all massale selection chardonnay cuttings that the winery uses. In 2015, his grandson Antoine returned to the estate to vinify his first vintage and the decision was made to make the first single-vineyard chardonnay bottling for the estate.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $101

Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
 
Faiveley Four Day Sale
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock wines from Faiveley
10% off any 6 or more in-stock wines from Faiveley

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Faiveley sale ends Friday, April 12th at 9 am Pacific.