Grand Cru Millésime 2015 Blanc de Noirs
BLEND:
This Blanc de Noirs Champagne is made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes carefully selected from Grand Cru villages in the Montagne de Reims. It draws its character from the soils, gaining balance and frehness from the gentle slopes of Verzy and Verzenay, and delicated spices, body and minerality from the chalky soils on the southern slopes of Bouzy.
Aged at least 6 years in the cellars.
TASTING NOTE:
Appearance: Bronze-tinged, straw-yellow in colour. A fine bead forms a lively column of bubbles in the glass.
Nose: Intensely fruity primary notes reminiscent of late summer fruits - plums and greengages - followed by spices, mild curry and white pepper.
Palate: The champagne reveals impressive structure from the outset. Surprising mineral freshness from the first taste, expressing the terroir in all its true glory. Appealing notes of redcurrant, cranberry and raspberry caress the palate, paving the way for lemon verbena and Darjeeling tea. As the wine gains in body, notes of hawthorn, brambles and cedar bark come to the fore.
In a surprising finishing touch, the intense wave of flavours subsides to show off its refreshing, saline dimension.
DRINKING OCCASIONS:
As an aperitif: best served at 7-8°C
With food: best served at 10-12°C
PAIRINGS:
Grand Cru 2015 Blanc de Noirs is well-balanced and full-bodied, with all the distinguished elegance of a Grand Cru champagne. Excellent with food, it would make a great partner to risotto Milanaise, roast goose, spicy guineafowl terrine, or even delicately smoky fish such as trout or red mullet.
2015 IN CHAMPAGNE
After 1976 and 2003, 2015 was right up there as France’s third hottest year since 1951. From mid-May, drought conditions went from bad to worse and lasted until the second half of August. For three long months, Champagne was marked by unprecedented temperatures which only marginally slowed development in the grapes. Quite unexpectedly, from 15 August torrential rain lashed the vineyards for two whole weeks. At the same time, thankfully, the temperatures dropped markedly and reduced the risk of disease. The grapes were then able to flourish without affecting ripening or disrupting the harvest.
Erring on the side of caution, harvesting was scrupulously monitored across the entire region in order to ensure perfect ripeness and adequate sugar levels (potential alcohol). The grapes were in perfect health and the ripe grape must promised full, rounded wines.
BLANC DE NOIRS CHAMPAGNE
3 main grape varieties are used in the composition of champagne: Chardonnay, a grape with white skin and white juice, Pinot Noir and Meunier, two grapes with black skin and white juice.
Our Blanc de Noirs champagne is 100% Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noir is the grape variety that gives body, power, texture and structure to Champagne. Its red fruit aromas are one of its main characteristics. Over the years, it develops notes of undergrowth: violet, gingerbread, truffle, liquorice, blackcurrant, etc.
Pinot Noir plays a fundamental role in the aromatic complexity of Champagnes as they evolve.
