Sometimes, most times actually, we look far and wide to find the best discoveries that offer unparalleled quality and value. But every once in a while a perfect wine finds us, almost falls onto our tasting table so to speak, and that is pretty much how I discovered the Champagne of Alexandra Sainz. The backstory of Alexandra and her family winery is full of surprises (the name “Clouet” factors in big time here!), but first let’s focus on today’s feature because it’s a true gem: Vintage dated, decade plus year old, Grand Cru Bouzy fruit, and extremely long lees aging, all for a crazy good price. Many Grower-Producers in Champagne are now charging similar prices for their entry level, non-vintage wines, so to have a wine of this pedigree, from a tiny family estate, offering the much value is downright shocking. And the fact that Alexandra herself came to us, instead of us hunting her wines down (like we should have), truly blows my mind–and it will blow your mind too, if you act fast, only 200 cases were made and we have the last few!
Long time readers of our daily offers should be quite familiar with Bouzy. This Grand Cru village in the heart of the Montagne des Reims region of Champagne is widely considered to be the premier spot for red wine grapes: Mesnil is the Chardonnay queen, and Bouzy is the prince of Pinot. It is this famous village that Alexandra Sainz hails from, and her ancestors have been farming grapes here for almost 300 years (just wait, the Clouet connection is coming!). As with many growers in the region, and Champagne generally, they made their living selling the fruit to the large negociants and more recently the bigger, Grande Marque houses (the ones whose famous labels are at every big liquor store and retail wine chains), and bottling only small amounts of their own wine for local consumption. But in 2021 Alexandra and her brother, Jean-François, decided it was time to launch their own label and begin to sell “Alexandra Sainz” Champagne to the commercial market. They had been fine-tuning the art of winemaking in the old family cellars for years, and they had a nice stock of wine ready to sell–including the soaring, vintage masterpiece that I have for you today.
Alexandra and Jean-François are both classically trained and educated viticulturists, but a twist of fate led to J-F becoming the lead winemaker and Alexandra the “global” ambassador. That twist was that she met, and eventually married an American, and they both now live with their children in the East Bay area of Northern California. That just happens to be an hour or so away from our office, which is how Alexandra was able to cold call one day with a simple proposition: “Would you like to taste my Champagne?” Now here’s the real kicker, Alexandra’s brother’s full name is Jean-François Clouet–yes, that Clouet, the man responsible for crafting our all-time-favorite value Champagne. Now that you’re up to date, allow us to pose our own question: Have you fallen for André Clouet’s “Dream Vintages” over the years? If the answer is yes, then Alexandra Sainz’s longer-aged, more-complex, minimally produced “Millisime” will send you over the moon.
While one can certainly draw several parallels to André Clouet’s Bouzy champagnes, there’s no arguing that Alexandra Sainz’ 2013 “Millesime” contains an extra dimension of depth and texture given the (1) small blending role of Grand Cru Chardonnay and (2) and astounding 10 years of sur lie aging! The wine spills into a flared tulip stem with a resplendent straw-yellow core that moves out to coppery silver hues and quickly returns rich aromas of red and yellow apple, white peach, red plum, creamy hazelnut, brioche, honeysuckle, fruitcake, crushed chalk, and exotic spices. The palate is wonderfully lush and precise, unafraid to flaunt the broad, intoxicating flavors of Grand Cru Bouzy with substantial lees aging. This is high-quality, luxurious champagne, and we’re thrilled to be introducing it into America. Quantities are limited, enjoy while it lasts.
