Summer of Champagne: Thatcher's Wine

We're excited to help support this exciting portfolio and while new to the Illinois market, Thatcher's Wine has quickly established itself as an exciting importer focused on thoughtful, grower driven producers from many of the world's great wine regions. Founded by veteran sommelier Thatcher Baker-Briggs after a career spanning Michelin starred restaurants in San Francisco and Tokyo, the company reflects a restaurant style philosophy, emphasizing authenticity, craftsmanship, and wines with a strong sense of place. Rather than building an enormous portfolio, Thatcher's has concentrated on representing distinctive estates that appeal to both collectors and everyday wine lovers alike.

Leading the Illinois market is a familiar face to many in Chicago's wine community, Kristin Uchwat.

A Certified Sommelier whose career includes Lettuce Entertain You, RPM Seafood, RPM Steak, and Andros Taverna, Kristin brings years of experience on the restaurant floor to her role with Thatcher's. Her deep understanding of both producers and the needs of retailers and restaurants has made her a valuable resource throughout the Chicagoland wine scene. We're excited to welcome Kristin and introduce many of these outstanding producers to our customers.

One of the first producers that captured our eye in the portfolio is Julien Prélat. A third generation grower in the village of Celles sur Ource, Julien and his wife Karine became the first members of their family to bottle Champagne under the Prélat name, beginning with the 2010 vintage. Inspired by his time studying in Alsace and Burgundy, Julien takes a distinctly terroir driven approach, crafting single vineyard, single variety, single vintage Champagnes. Farming seven hectares of Kimmeridgian limestone soils, much like neighboring Chablis, the Prélats produce wines that are energetic, mineral, and unmistakably expressive of the Aube. Rather than following trends or rigid winemaking philosophies, every decision is guided by one principle: balance above all else.

NV Julien Prelat, Chantemerle Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne [2023 Base]

1. Produced exclusively from Pinot Noir planted in 1982 in the Chantemerle vineyard, one of Julien's flagship sites.
2. Fermented in stainless steel to emphasize fruit purity and site expression before receiving a restrained 4 g/L dosage.

NV Julien Prelat, Chantemerle Gourmandise Rose, Champagne [2023 Base]

1. A distinctive rosé made entirely from Pinot Noir, with its beautiful color achieved through the addition of 10% estate produced Coteaux Champenois, the traditional still wine of Champagne.
2. Just under 2,000 bottles produced, it is one of Julien's rarest cuvées and a wonderful example of the elegance and freshness that define his style.

NV Julien Prelat, Presle Blanc de Blancs [2023 Base]

1. A single vineyard Blanc de Blancs from Presle, crafted entirely from Chardonnay grown on the Aube's famed Kimmeridgian limestone soils.
2. Fermented in stainless steel to preserve purity and precision, then bottled with just 3 g/L dosage, allowing the vineyard's chalky minerality to take center stage.

2021 Julien Prelat, Millesime Blanc de Noirs, Champagne

1. Julien's flagship vintage Champagne, produced only in exceptional years and limited to just 1,377 bottles.
2. Sourced entirely from the Chantemerle vineyard, this 100% Pinot Noir is fermented and aged in used Burgundy barrels, adding texture and complexity without masking the fruit.