Coquillette's Cuvee Inflorescence shows a glorious coppery-rose gold color in the glass, with bountiful aromas of cherries, raspberries, cut flowers, warm spice (think vetiver and cardamom), and Stéphane’s trademark lean-and-mean streak of mineral-driven cut and definition. This all contributes to an almost paradoxical combination of richness, lush body, and searingly, tongue-tingling minerality. Simply, utterly, fantastically delicious!

Stéphane Coquillette is a fourth-generation winemaker in Champagne. His father, Christian, has been running the Saint Chamant Champagne house since 1950, and he lovingly sent his son out to start his own estate when Stéphane was 25. Though mentored by his father, Stéphane developed a very different style of expression at his own house, creating leaner, drier Champagnes, primarily from Chouilly (Grand Cru), Cuis (1er Cru 99%) for Chardonnay, and d’Aÿ (Grand Cru) and Mareuil/Aÿ (1er Cru 99%) for Pinot Noir. Meticulously committed to organic practices, Stéphane avoids herbicides at all costs. Everything is done by hand, including trellising and pruning, which helps avoid disease and allows for a healthy crop. All of his wines are small production, characteristically precise, fresh and lively.