NV Alfred Gratien Cuvee Paradis

The NV (2005) Brut Cuvee Paradis is soft, inviting and quite pretty. The aromas and flavors are all nicely nuanced, but also a bit forward, suggesting the wine needs to be enjoyed sooner rather than later. Sweet floral notes and a hint of citrus add some brightness on the finish. Even though not indicated on the label, the Paradis has always been a single-vintage wine. Future releases will be formally vintage-designated, which will be a great help to consumers. The Paradis is 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir. This is Lot 1116, disgorged January 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. I was quite impressed with the wines I tasted from Gratien this year. It’s great to see Gratien making the move to add disgorgement dates to their labels. Importer: Domaine Select, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799