Au Bout du Chemin – Premier Cru
47,90 €
A Vertus Premier Cru Chardonnay whose style is defined by fresh citrus, green apple and the chalky minerality of the Côte des Blancs, held together by a precise, energetic acid structure.
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The wine's story:
Au Bout du Chemin means in French “at the end of the road” and refers to the Vertus Premier Cru plots from which the grapes for this cuvée come. Vertus lies in the southern Côte des Blancs and is known for Chardonnay that combines the region's characteristic chalky minerality with a slightly riper fruit profile.
Girard-Bonnet uses this cuvée for its as an introduction to the house style. While their Grand Cru wines focus on expressing a single village or even a single vineyard, Au Bout du Chemin shows the freshness and balance of the Vertus terroir in an easy-drinking form.
The soil in Vertus consists of chalk and limestone, but compared with Le Mesnil or Avize the topsoil is often slightly deeper. This gives the wine a slightly riper fruit profile and a rounder texture, while retaining the precise acidity characteristic of the Côte des Blancs.
Winemaking:
The grapes come from from Vertus Premier Cru vineyards, where mainly Chardonnay is grown. Harvesting is done by hand to preserve the integrity of the grapes and optimal ripeness.
Pressing is gentle and fermentation takes place partly in stainless steel and partly in neutral oak barrels. This preserves the purity of the fruit while adding a little texture. Whether malolactic fermentation is used depends on the vintage.
After the primary fermentation, the wine matures for a long time on the lees, which gives the Champagne additional structure and complexity before recorking.
Technical details
Grape: Chardonnay
Origin: Vertus Premier Cru – Voipreux
Composition: 2023 base wine + reserve wines
Vinification: Stainless steel + oak barrels
Dosage: 2 g/l (Extra Brut)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Re-corking: 8 December 2025
Tasting notes:
The nose opens with lemon zest, lime and green apple a fresh combination, joined by white blossom, a touch of almond and a nuance of brioche maturation on the lees. As the wine develops, chalky minerality, a light marine salinity and a delicate note of toasted hazelnut.
On the palate, the wine is with a straight, energetic structure. Citrusy acidity gives the wine freshness and tension, while maturation on the lees adds a fine texture and a slightly creamy mid-palate. The finish is dry, mineral and long, with citrus freshness and chalky salinity lingering for a long time.
Food pairing:
Au Bout du Chemin pairs well with dishes where what matters is freshness, salinity and a light texture. Classic pairings are oysters, prawns, scallops and fresh white fish, whose natural sweetness and marine character highlight the wine’s citrus acid structure and minerality.
It also works well with lighter starters, such as lemon-dressed ceviche, tartare or simple seafood salads. The wine’s straight-lined acidity and clean style also balance slightly creamier dishes, such as butter-baked fish or seafood in a light cream sauce.
Thanks to its fresh, precise structure, this Champagne also pairs well as an aperitif, especially in situations where you want a wine that whets the appetite and prepares the palate for the dishes to follow.
Ageing potential:
Although the wine is enjoyable young thanks to its freshness and pure fruit profile, it develops well in bottle 5–8 years. With age, the aromas deepen slightly and bring out ripe apple, roasted nuts and brioche tones, while the mineral structure remains clearly perceptible.
Ratings & accolades:
Vinous – 93/100
Robert Parker Wine Advocate – 90/100
Jeb Dunnuck – 90/100
Jancis Robinson – 16.5/20
| Weight | 1,7 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 33 × 26 × 3,5 cm |
| Grape variety | Chardonnay |
| Region | Champagne |
| Food pairing | Asian cuisine and spicy dishes, Oysters and seafood, White fish |
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