Offered AUG 2nd, 2017

“The Gerbais family has been growing vines in Celles-sur-Ource for eight generations, and making wine since 1930. After the Second World War, Pierre Gerbais began investing heavily in vineyard land: while he started with just 40 ares of vines, the domaine has grown to nearly eighteen hectares today. His son Pascal is now at the helm of the estate, and since 2009, Pascal’s son Aurélien has been working together with the family as well. 

Apart from one parcel in the neighboring village of Landreville, all of Gerbais’s vineyards are in Celles-sur-Ource. Roughly half of the estate’s 17.5 hectares are planted with pinot noir, while the rest are split between chardonnay and pinot blanc—with over four hectares of pinot blanc, Gerbais is Champagne’s most important producer of this variety. Average vine age is 30 years across the estate, with the oldest pinot noir vines over 50 years and the oldest pinot blanc vines up to 80 years old.”

– Peter Liem, Champagne Guide

Pierre Gerbais Brut Cuvee Reserve NV
18 bottles available
$39 per bottle

92 points Burghound: “The pinot blanc is evident on the reserved but elegant nose that offers up plenty of yeast and green apple scents where a touch of white flowers adds elegance. There is good detail and precision to the quietly robust citrus-tinged flavors that possess excellent depth and intensity, all wrapped in a clean and notably dry finish that just manages to avoid being overtly austere. This understated effort is supported by a firm effervescence with a moderate bead. While this could easily be enjoyed now I would be inclined to allow it another 3 to 5 years of cellar time.”

Pierre Gerbais Blanc des Blancs Prestige NV
6 bottles available
$45 per bottle

93 points Burghound: “This is really quite pretty and elegant with its cool and airy nose where the yeast nuances play hide-and-seek on the baked apple, floral and discreet citrus peel scents. The sense of refinement continues onto the polished and nicely intense flavors that are shaped by a fine mousse before culminating in a moderately dry but not austere finish. This is a lovely, indeed almost delicate Champagne and I very much like the delivery.”

Pierre Gerbais Brut Rose de Saignee NV
24 bottles available
$49 per bottle

92 points Burghound: “Quite deeply colored. An exuberantly fresh and softly yeasty nose is comprised mainly by cherry and raspberry aromas though there are background whispers of strawberry and rose petal. The firm and relatively structured flavors are utterly delicious but this is truth in advertising as it’s clear this is made via a saignée due to the noticeable finishing tannins. While this could certainly be served as an aperitif I would suggest using it to enjoy with various appetizers to buffer the structure. In sum, this is not a wine of refinement but I like the bold character.”

Pierre Gerbais Extra Brut L’Originale NV
24 bottles available
$59 per bottle

91 points View From the Cellar: “The current release of this Pinot Blanc only cuvée is base year 2011 and was finished off with a dosage of three grams per liter. This is a lovely bottle, wafting from the glass in a complex blend of peach, pear, spring flowers, chalky minerality and bread dough. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, crisp and tightly-knit, with a good core, frothy mousse and good, but not great length on the focused and well-balanced finish. Tasted after the l’Audace cuvée, this is more youthfully structured and not quite as long on the finish, but equally complex and classy. I would give it a couple of years in the cellar to soften up on the palate.”