⏱ 1 min read
The Short Version
A rare 2018 Champagne Goustan NV, Val Frison, resurfaces with a bold, raw profile and a fraction of the price of top-tier champagnes. It’s hailed as a landmark natural champagne, defying expectations with depth and authenticity.
In This Article
This bottle is a rare find. Disgorged in 2021, it bears the RN18 code—a subtle nod to its 2018 vintage, now maturing in the quiet aftermath of its prime. Unearthed in a warehouse bin, it’s among the final bottles bearing the Val Frison label, a name once synonymous with Val’s father before he passed the torch. Now, it’s under the stewardship of Thomas de Marne, who has reimagined the brand with a modern sensibility.
This is a landmark natural champagne to try.
A Vintage on the Brink
The nose presents a layered profile of green apple, lemon, and wet gravel, with an unexpected note of cheap steel teaspoon—a fleeting echo of childhood. It’s not sentimentality, but a tactile quality that anchors the experience. The palate balances acidity and richness, with lemon, wet gravel, and that steel edge evolving into creamy apple and pear, then shifting to pink grapefruit before settling into a moment of French toast with strawberries and cream.
Tasting Notes That Defy Time
Aaron Ayscough’s praise for this as a landmark natural champagne isn’t hyperbole. It’s a bottle that challenges expectations, delivering depth without artifice. The price? A fraction of storied names like Vouette & Sorbée. It’s rare, it’s raw, and it’s still finding its voice. This is a landmark natural champagne to try. What’s your go-to natural champagne?
Questions & Answers
What makes the Champagne Goustan NV, Val Frison a landmark natural champagne?
The Champagne Goustan NV, Val Frison is a landmark natural champagne due to its layered profile of green apple, lemon, and wet gravel, with a distinctive steel edge. It balances acidity and richness, evolving into creamy apple and pink grapefruit, offering depth without artifice.
How did the Val Frison label come to be under new stewardship?
The Val Frison label is now under Thomas de Marne, who has reimagined the brand with a modern sensibility. Previously associated with Val’s father, the label is now being revived under de Marne’s guidance, bringing a fresh approach to its heritage.
When was the Champagne Goustan NV, Val Frison disgorged?
The Champagne Goustan NV, Val Frison was disgorged in 2021, marked by the RN18 code, indicating its 2018 vintage. This disgorging date places it in the quiet aftermath of its prime, allowing it to mature and develop its unique character.
Why is the Champagne Goustan NV, Val Frison considered rare?
The Champagne Goustan NV, Val Frison is rare because it is among the final bottles bearing the Val Frison label. Its scarcity, combined with its unique flavor profile and modern reimagining under Thomas de Marne, makes it a sought-after find in the world of natural champagne.
Originally reported by Reddit Natural Wine.
