R Geoffroy, Champagne Expression Brut, NV (1.5L)

Grower Champagne from one of the Marne Valley's masters of Pinot Meunier, now in a magnum made for a crowd. Geoffroy farms in and around Cumieres, a south-facing village famous for ripening grapes early, and Expression is their flagship brut, a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay drawn from a mosaic of estate parcels and a deep reserve. The result is generous and harmonious, with orchard fruit, a touch of nuttiness, and a clean, savory finish. The magnum format ages gracefully and turns any gathering into an occasion. A friendly, characterful introduction to one of Champagne's great grower estates.