"Structured around chalky extract and electric acidity"
Ulysse Collin Le Jardin d'Ulysse (2017 Base, 72 Months)

Ulysse Collin is known for producing Champagnes of epic scale and riveting minerality.

In short, these are some of the most attention-grabbing and compelling champagnes you'll ever encounter. 

Having said that, the 72-month bottlings are even more special. Something magical happens to the wines with extended aging. 

Today, I'm happy to offer the 2017 base of Le Jardin d'Ulysse, the newest and rarest of Collin's wines. 

Le Jardin d'Ulysse's first vintage was 2015. It is sourced from a parcel directly behind the winery in the village of Congy. The vineyards mainly face north, and this is the last site that Collin harvests. Le Jardin d'Ulysse is typically a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, which serves as a counterpoint to Collin's other bottlings, which are single varietals. 

The 2017 edition is interesting because it is mainly Chardonnay with tiny amounts of the two Pinots added.  Collin didn't feel that either of the Pinots was successful enough in 2017 to include them in any significant way.  The resulting wine is mindblowing. The Wine Advocate's Kristaps Karklins gives you a good idea of it when he writes, "it’s medium-bodied and chiseled, structured around chalky extract and electric acidity." 

I'll wrap this up. I feel very lucky to have landed this small parcel. I should warn you that quantities are seriously limited. I'm expecting a fast sell-out. Please give us your ideal order, and we'll try our best. 

To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare
Crush Wine & Spirits

Kristaps Karklins, The Wine Advocate: "Readers may have wondered about the delay in releasing Le Jardin d'Ulysse, but the long wait since the 2016-base release has been worth it. Ulysse Collin's new NV Le Jardin d'Ulysse (2017 base) was disgorged in February 2024 after 72 months on the lees, adding an extra year of aging compared to previous renditions, resulting in a more complete wine. Based on the 2017 vintage, it’s a rather unique version of this cuvée, as it’s produced almost entirely from Chardonnay (almost, because there are small percentages of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in the 10% reserve wines from 2016). The decision came from issues with rot and damage affecting both Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir in 2017, so Collin decided to harvest only Chardonnay to preserve the quality. The result is indeed impressive, as the wine opens in the glass with a deep bouquet of crisp orchard fruit, beeswax and pine resin. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and chiseled, structured around chalky extract and electric acidity, concluding with a long, saline finish. Olivier Collin has delivered a brilliant third rendition of Le Jardin d'Ulysse, the most seamless and coherent in relation to the rest of the range. As always, it derives from a mostly north-facing site (with 30% facing south) next to the winery in Congy, and it is the last plot they harvest."