Grand Cru 2014 Blanc de Noirs
Well-balanced and fruity
This Blanc de Noirs Champagne is made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes selected in Grand Cru villages in the Montagne de Reims. It draws its character from the soils, gaining balance and freshness from the gentle slopes of Verzy to the north of the region, and delicate spice, body and minerality from the chalk-based soils on the southern slopes of Bouzy.
Aged at least 6 years in the cellars.
TASTING NOTE:
Appearance: Bright, clear gold and flecked with amber. Fine bead forming a lively column of bubbles in the glass.
Nose: Primary intensely fruity notes, reminiscent of yellow summer fruits, juicy Bergeron apricot, peach and nectarine.
Palate: Powerful on the attack, yet beautifully poised. The fruity tonality and structure of the Pinot Noir is exquisitely balanced. Spicy white pepper and cinnamon notes enhance the almond and honey character. Generous and flavoursome on the finish, culminating in pear and mango notes.
PAIRINGS:
Carrots with cumin;
Quail with grapes;
Duck with peaches;
Chicken basquaise;
Guineafowl terrine and Espelette pepper;
Sweet and sour prawns with sesame seeds;
Hard cheeses such as Emmental, Comté, Beaufort and Ossau-Iraty
2014 in Champagne
Rain, rain and more rain! The start of the year was marked by significant downpours, with January notching up a total of 27 rain days. Spring was mild and thankfully saw an end to the rain, with the tables turning entirely and the region experiencing rainfall deficit until June. Given such weather conditions, the vine showed signs of early growth.
Ripening was tricky, stricken by disease in parts, and though leaf growth progressed well, for the growers, lack of water was a major cause for concern until the end of July. The rain returned at the height of summer, in the event keeping the vineyard lush and verdant.
Commencing 8th September, the harvest was completed in ideal conditions and record time - less than two weeks for the Grand Cru Pinot Noir in Montagne de Reims - with great, warm weather yielding weighty bunches and quality grape juice full of character.
The 2014 vintage reveals relatively uniform potential alcohol, acidity levels of real quality and promising aromas for the Pinot Noir in particular.
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.
