Champagne has a reputation as refined, elegant, and delicate. While this reputation fits much of the wine from the heart of the Champagne region, today’s wine is another story. Domaine Jacques Robin is a small grower producer in the Côtes des Bar, a satellite sub-region of Champagne an hour to the south.
The Côtes des Bar is less fussy and more friendly, and the wines match this shift. Robin’s cozy family domaine is a far cry from the glossy brochures and glitzy tasting rooms of the Côtes des Blancs. Their 100% Pinot Noir cuvées sport a broader, richer palate than many Champagnes from further north – gourmand rather than gourmet — rich, welcoming, and mouthfilling.
They’re also a comparative bargain. At under $50 we think their Secret de Sorbée cuvée is among the best values of any wine in our portfolio, with a complexity that easily outpaces $100 bottles from the big name houses. It’s fermented partially in barrel and left on the lees for over two years. The resulting wine is toasty and fresh with lovely apple fruit and floral notes.
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Robin Secret de Sorbée NV
bottle price: $49
