Dhondt-Grellet Les Terres Fines 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs NV (750ML)

94 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Les Terres Fines offers a striking expression of Chardonnay from Cuis. Smoke, slate, crushed rocks, white pepper and lemon confit are all vivid in this striking, wonderfully nuanced Champagne. Dosage of just two grams per liter is expertly judged in a Blanc de Blancs that really sizzles with energy. This release is 70% 2016 and 30% perpetual reserve going back to 1986. Disgorged: December, 2018." 11/19

95+ Points, Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com: "The bright yellow NV Champagne Blanc De Blancs Les Terres Fines Extra Brut comes almost entirely from old vines (around 50 years old), grown in a mosaic of 0.4-hectare plots, with each bringing its own personality to the blend. The palate has notes of lemon custard, preserved apples, golden fruit, salinity, and sapidity. Medium to full-bodied, it has a more straight feel compared to the Roc Solare, but it also has more length and a long, savory profile, with a frothy mousse and a note of white pepper spice. 2.5 grams per liter dosage.Adrien Dhondt took over the winemaking duties at this estate from his father in 2012 and has been joined by his sister. He aims to achieve very ripe, concentrated grapes with lower alcohol. 2021 was a difficult season, with very low yields and a late harvest, but he was pleased with the quality of the grapes. The vines are massale selection going back to the 1960s, and some noble rot was present. In the cellar, he has transitioned from Burgundy barrels to 3,000-liter barrels to achieve less lees contact and a rounder, more integrated profile" 12/25

94 Points, Tom Hewson, Decanter: "Dhondt's second non-vintage cuvée focuses on the cool, north-facing villages of Cuis and Grauves on the back face of the Côte des Blancs, and is accordingly a little stricter and narrower than the Roc Solare cuvée. This is certainly evident in the cool 2021 season, although the domaine's characteristically expressive style means the end result is beautifully focused rather than angular, as the year can sometimes prove. Two-thirds of the wine sees oak vinification (the other third comes from a perpetual reserve), and this adds a heady nutmeg spice to deep tangerine, grapefruit, dried lime and tangy apricot fruit, packed with flavour, driving length and chalky bitterness. It's a slight step up in detail and drive over Roc Solare, and a high point in terms of value in the range." 09/25