Our Growers:

René Coutier

Champagne R.H. Coutier

The Coutiers have been in Ambonnay since 1619. René's father was the first to plant Chardonnay in the village; his 9-hectare vineyard is made up of one-third Chardonnay and two-thirds Pinot Noir. The domaine produces 50,000 bottles each year. Ambonnay's terroir, with a fair amount of siliceous-clay soil, is famous for making wine of great finesse, fruit and suppleness. Coutier's champagnes are very characteristic: long, pure, rich but beautifully well-balanced, with no rough edges. They are given extremely low dosages. René does not use wood to age his wines except for the Cuvée Henri III because, with the rich Ambonnay soil, he doesn't need to.

Coutier's pure Blanc de Blancs is testimony to the terroir here. Lovely "signature" aroma of just barely cooked apple alongside what appears to be almost a "Pinot" character. The Coutier's old vines chardonnay, planted in 1946, are the oldest chardonnay in Ambonnay. Current assemblage is based on the 2004 harvest plus reserve wines going back several years. This is a single-vineyard Blanc de Blancs which combines the elegance of its grape with the substance of its soil. It makes a perfect apéritif.

The Brut Tradition is lovely-- rich, fine, and very long; its combination of finesse and length is enchanting. The current assemblage is

based on the 2004 harvest and several years of reserve wines; twenty-five percent of the grapes are Chardonnay and the rest are Pinot Noir. This wine is very lively and delicate, with mineral and citrus flavors married to a vivid structure and frothy texture. The finish is powerful.

The Rosé is made with Chardonnay (50%) and Pinot Noir (50%), and it is currently based on the 2004 harvest with reserve wines from several years. With an exceptionally low dosage, it is elegant and delicious. Try with lobster, shrimp or scallops or as an apéritif.

Cuvée Henri III is 100% Pinot Noir. Based on the 1999 harvest, the current Cuvée Henri III aged in the cave for more than 4 years just as their grandparents aged the wine. This wine is full, round, fruity, well-structured, high in alcohol content, and has a beautiful aromatic finish. Why Henri III? It was King Henri III who gave the right to the community of Ambonnay to hold an annual wine fair in 1578. This is a wine to be drunk with a meal.

Millésime 1998 is made of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay and was aged only in stainless steel vats. The nose is typical Pinot-- fruity and complex; in the mouth it is fresh and opulent. This is a rich wine with a beautiful finish.



	Our Growers: René Coutier Champagne R.H. Coutier
	The Coutiers have been in Ambonnay since 1619. René's father was the first to plant Chardonnay in the village; his 9-hectare vineyard is made up of one-third Chardonnay and two-thirds Pinot Noir. The domaine produces 50,000 bottles each year. Ambonnay's terroir, with a fair amount of siliceous-clay soil, is famous for making wine of great finesse, fruit and suppleness. Coutier's champagnes are very characteristic: long, pure, rich but beautifully well-balanced, with no rough edges. They are given extremely low dosages. René does not use wood to age his wines except for the Cuvée Henri III because, with the rich Ambonnay soil, he doesn't need to. Coutier's pure Blanc de Blancs is testimony to the terroir here. Lovely "signature" aroma of just barely cooked apple alongside what appears to be almost a "Pinot" character. The Coutier's old vines chardonnay, planted in 1946, are the oldest chardonnay in Ambonnay. Current assemblage is based on the 2004 harvest plus reserve wines going back several years. This is a single-vineyard Blanc de Blancs which combines the elegance of its grape with the substance of its soil. It makes a perfect apéritif. The Brut Tradition is lovely-- rich, fine, and very long; its combination of finesse and length is enchanting. The current assemblage is
	based on the 2004 harvest and several years of reserve wines; twenty-five percent of the grapes are Chardonnay and the rest are Pinot Noir. This wine is very lively and delicate, with mineral and citrus flavors married to a vivid structure and frothy texture. The finish is powerful. The Rosé is made with Chardonnay (50%) and Pinot Noir (50%), and it is currently based on the 2004 harvest with reserve wines from several years. With an exceptionally low dosage, it is elegant and delicious. Try with lobster, shrimp or scallops or as an apéritif. Cuvée Henri III is 100% Pinot Noir. Based on the 1999 harvest, the current Cuvée Henri III aged in the cave for more than 4 years just as their grandparents aged the wine. This wine is full, round, fruity, well-structured, high in alcohol content, and has a beautiful aromatic finish. Why Henri III? It was King Henri III who gave the right to the community of Ambonnay to hold an annual wine fair in 1578. This is a wine to be drunk with a meal. Millésime 1998 is made of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay and was aged only in stainless steel vats. The nose is typical Pinot-- fruity and complex; in the mouth it is fresh and opulent. This is a rich wine with a beautiful finish.