Bright, dry, and deeply expressive, this Champagne opens with a delicate nose of toasted brioche, lemon zest, and spring flowers like peony and buttercup. It's a zero-dosage style that delivers impressive clarity and finesse. On the palate, there’s a subtle whisper of oak framing creamy tropical fruit - think pineapple and papaya - lifted by a clean, mineral finish. Elegant and precise, it’s a beautifully textured grower Champagne with both charm and structure.

Champagne Gounel-Lassalle is a family-run gem tucked away in the Premier Cru village of Chigny-les-Roses, in the Montagne de Reims. With deep roots dating back to 1870, this estate is now helmed by fourth-generation Arnaud Gounel and his wife, Sophie Lassalle. The duo farms five hectares of chalky soils, primarily planted to Pinot Meunier, with smaller plots of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. For decades, the family’s fruit went to the local cooperative, but in 2018, Arnaud and Sophie made the bold move to vinify under their own label - finally giving their fruit, and family story, a voice of its own. Their signature cuvée, Le Haut Bélai (a Pinot Noir - Chardonnay blend), has already caught the eye of critics, with 96 points from James Suckling. The story of Gounel-Lassalle is one of quiet evolution, shaped by patience, perseverance, and pride in place. From Arnaud’s great-grandparents making wine in Ludes, to his grandmother Hélène's early involvement with the local coop, every generation has built on the last, laying the groundwork for what the estate is today. Arnaud’s father, Pierre, grew the holdings in the 1970s, and Arnaud himself brought the estate full circle - returning to independent winemaking. Today, the wines feel grounded and confident - driven by chalky terroir, old vines, and a family that has always understood the value of letting things unfold in their own time.