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Laurent & Michelle are grower Champagne located in Mareuil-Sur-Ay in the Valley of the Marne. They are the fourth generation. After a sickness due to contact with chemicals, Laurent along with his wife Michelle decided in the mid 2000's to start a new label called Champagne Laurent Benard. The new winery will focus on farming in biodynamie, craft vintage designated and long solera non vintage with little no added sulfites sparkling wines. They started with 2.5ha out of the 8ha they own. The soil is predominantly chalky. The vines are on average 35 years old and planted with Pinot Meunier, then Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Laurent is a well known researcher in the microcosme of wine, he has done extensive studies about yeasts at the C.N.R.S. (National Scientific Research Center). Therefore, the first fermentation is carried out with wild yeasts in oak. The wine is bottled 10 months later and the second fermentation is done with in-house cultured yeasts from Laurent’s vineyards. The wines age on the lees for a period of 3 years minimum. Depending on the vintage, the cuvees and the balance, Laurent decides of his dosage. Each one is different but never goes above Extra-Brut level.
The blend of Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir shines in this Mareuil-sur-Ay chalky terroir. The wines of Laurent and Michelle are with definite personality, ripe flavors leaning on the oxidative sides, firm and persistent texture, saline finishes. Since 2020, Charles, their son, has joined the team and been step by step in charge of the biodynamic farming and winemaking.
Laurent makes four eaux-de-vie: – two from rare, almost extinct grape varieties: Prunelard and Mauzac Rose – a Pear Williams – a Greengage Each eau-de-vie is made from organic fruits, harvested ripe then dried on mats to concentrate sugars/flavors. The dried fruits are then pealed one by one, cut in half, the pit/seeds/stalk are removed as to keep only the flesh of the ripe fruit. Only then are they crushed into a juice and fermented. On average the wine obtained is about 11% alc./ vol.
This wine is distilled in a pot still to 66% alc./vol. Laurent bottles each eau-de-vie at 45% alc./vol after reducing the proof slowly by adjunction of demineralized water.
An indigenous grape to the Tarn region of Southwest France, the Laurent Cazottes Goutte de Mauzac Rose Eau-de-vie is one of Laurent Cazottes’ true passions. This is not a fine nor a marc, but the wine and the pomace are left together during the distillation.
Hence, this is an Eau de Vie de Raisin. Laurent Cazottes is committed to reviving these heritage varietals and the resulting spirits are pure expressions of the fruit from which they are made. Biodynamic and organic viticulture are practiced.
Laurent Cazottes is considered the king of artisan distillation in France when it comes to eau de vie and liqueurs. Every part of the production process is focused on quality. His fruits are grown biodynamically, they're all hand-picked, they only use the finest parts of the fruit, and their products maintain more freshness and purity than perhaps any other producer in the business.
For this reason they are not inexpensive. They are proudly displayed on the menus of the finest restaurants in France and have become almost mythical in their status. When our pal Nicolas Palazzi decided to be the American importer for Cazottes, he was in a bit of a pickle.
On one hand he had the chance to represent one of his true heroes for artisan spirits. On the other hand, the Cazottes products are nearly triple the price of their American counterparts. Always up for a challenge, Nicolas decided to make it his duty to spread the word.
Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | Reflecting this producer’s predilection for dry Champagnes, this wine is crisp, with minerality and tight citrus fruits. The wine is beautifully textured, needing a few more months in bottle.
The Wine Advocate 93 Points | The latest release of this new cuvée, the NV Blanc de Blancs Nature from Laurent-Perrier offers up aromas of white fruits, flowers, confit citron and baked bread. It has a medium to full-bodied, tense and perfectly balanced palate with bright acids and a delicate vinous core of fruit, segueing into a long, saline and chalky finish. Based on the 2014 vintage (60%) complemented with the 2012, it is derived from vines planted in the communes of Avize, Cramant and Chouilly.
Wine Spectator 92 Points | This racy Champagne is driven as much by its crackling acidity as it is by the very fine, vivid mousse, which offers a layered framework for the rich mesh of pastry cream, lemon curd, poached apricot and almond biscotti flavors. Lightly toasty on the satiny finish. Drink now.
The wine has a white gold color with a fine sparkle.The nose displays minerality and hints of citrus.On the palate the wine is balanced and sustained with a finish that is fresh with notes of lemon.
The Blanc de Blancs is a true wine for gastronomy pairing well with the finest fish: sea bass with salt crust, scallops, grilled marinated squid with lemon, thyme, olive oil as well white meats such as veal tartare with ginger and lemon.
Audrey Frick writes: (Tasted November 7, 2022) The NV Champagne La Cuvée Brut Rosé is entirely Pinot Noir from 10 crus in the Montagne de Reims. It is forward in the glass with ripe currants, fresh herbs, and smoky perfume. This continues to the palate, with notes of ripe wild raspberry and tangerine, and it has a medium to full-bodied texture that is pure and lightly savory on the finish. Fantastically paired with beef tartar and other richer raw preparations, this is a wonderful and food-friendly expression. Drink 2022-2032. - Jeb Dunnuck 92
A white gold in color with delicate and persistent bubbles, Grand Siecle No. 26 offers a very complex nose which mixes honeysuckle, lemon, clementine and fresh butter aromas, followed by notes of hazelnut and a touch of honey. The feel in the mouth is very delicate and fresh with candied lemon and fresh hazelnut aromas. The palate is silky and mineral with notes of honeysuckle, flaked almonds and clementine.
It pairs with high quality produce and refined dishes, including shellfish, noble fish and white meats such as Thai style langoustine tartare and fine roasted poultry.
100 James Suckling James Suckling's #1 Wine of 2023 | This is really something. Electric on the palate. The aromas are so complex with sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel. Toasted bread, too. Always subtle. The palate is full- to medium-bodied yet hemmed-in with a freshness and balance that draws you back. Savory and vibrant. It's full of energy. Spectacular. Fascinating. Symphonic blend of 2012, 2008 and 2007. 65% of the 2012, 25% of the 2008 and 10% of the 2007. Eight grand cru. Chardonnay 58% and 42% pinot noir. Disgorged February 2023. 10 years on the lees. 7g/L dosage.
97 Points Wine Enthusiast | Tautly textured, the Champagne is delicious with a poise between white and citrus fruits along with touches of maturity coming through. Drink this magnificent wine now for its great balance and intensity.
96 Points Decanter | This iteration of Grand Siècle is almost entirely composed of two of Champagne's greatest recent vintages, so expectations are high. The wine more than meets them, tempering the generosity of 2012's fruit – ripe apricots, white peach, clementines and sunny, zesty citrus – with a pitch-perfect streak of 2008 tautness and structure. There are some fleshy, creamy notes of papaya and toasted white sourdough, but everything is as delicately rendered as expected and impeccably shaped, with a sleek, silky mousse. A little more approachable than Itération No. 25, it will welcome extended bottle age rather than demand it. The blend is 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir from eight grand cru vineyards. 65% is from the 2012 vintage, 35% from 2008 and 10% from 2007.
96 Points Robert Parker | Unfurling in the glass with scents of crisp nectarine, pear and honeyed citrus fruit that mingle with notions of fresh mint, blanched almonds and iodine, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated and tightly wound, with broad structural shoulders, tangy acids and a long, intense finish. It's a great Grand Siècle in the making.
95 Points Wine Spectator | A graceful Champagne, with flavors of boysenberry and black cherry fruit, toast, blanched almond and grapefruit pith, graphite and fleur de sel gliding across the satiny mousse. Reveals racy acidity that sculpts fine definition, allowing the detailed profile to expand on the palate, while minerally hints of chalk and oyster shell linger on the finish.
Lettie Teague writes: The de Nonancourt family, which took over Champagne Laurent-Perrier in 1939, holds majority shares of this very large Champagne house. (The rest are publicly traded; Laurent-Perrier is listed on the Euronext stock exchange.) Interestingly enough, though one of Laurent Perrier’s greatest claims to fame is its lush, 100% Pinot Noir cuvée rosé, the non-vintage La Cuvée brut is produced from a high proportion of Chardonnay. The result is a round, relatively soft and approachable, medium-bodied Champagne with a fresh acidity. Not every Champagne is substantial enough to serve with food, but this one certainly proved to be so, pairing perfectly with a piece of grilled fish. - Wall St. Journal, Dec 16-17, 2023
Lettie Teague writes: Champagne Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Brut | The de Nonancourt family, which took over Champagne Laurent-Perrier in 1939, holds majority shares of this very large Champagne house. (The rest are publicly traded; Laurent-Perrier is listed on the Euronext stock exchange.) Interestingly enough, though one of Laurent Perrier’s greatest claims to fame is its lush, 100% Pinot Noir cuvée rosé, the non-vintage La Cuvée brut is produced from a high proportion of Chardonnay. The result is a round, relatively soft and approachable, medium-bodied Champagne with a fresh acidity. Not every Champagne is substantial enough to serve with food, but this one certainly proved to be so, pairing perfectly with a piece of grilled fish. - Wall St. Journal December 16-17, 2023
Big, brooding, black fruit with a slight hint of cherry, earthy truffles and dark cocoa are at the front. The Sea of Stones vineyard is at its core, always evident with the thread of minerality that the deep alluvial cobblestones lend. This wine is elegant in the mouth with fresh-picked blackberries, simmering chocolate sauce on the stove, and somewhere someone’s cooking bacon…so many layers, so little time.
Pair this medium-bodied wine with medium-bodied dishes, highlight rich earthy and fruit flavors with beets, truffles, and dark berries, or enjoy with traditional Argentinian BBQ.
Sélection achieves this harmony by combining the sharp freshness of perry pears with the smoothness of cider apples. The ciders and perries are distilled in a column still and then aged in old, often used casks that preserve the subtle balance of this Calvados with its appetizing fragrance of fresh fruit.
Recommended to those who appreciate Calvados as a long drink at aperitif time, it is also well suited to the preparation of cocktails, and for gourmet recipes.
Deep purple colour with intense aromas of red and black fruits, crushed violets and a touch of mocha. The palate has generous ripe fruits and a plush, velvety texture supported by vibrant acidity, with fruits and spices that linger on the finish. Extreme refinement.
Jeb Dunnuck writes: The 2019 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou is also Merlot-dominated and includes 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. It offers classic Saint-Julien elegance and purity in its darker currant and cherry fruits as well as notes of tobacco, violets, and lead pencil. With medium-bodied richness on the palate, it has wonderful tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It needs air to show at its best and is just a charming, elegant, layered 2019 to enjoy over any time over the coming decade. Drinking 2022 to 3032. - Jeb Dunnuck 91
Georgina Hindle writes: Lovely, fresh, delicate and fruity nose; smells quite rich and ripe. Good push of plush fruit, bright cherry straight away then darkens to something more serious and sensual. Tannins are overpowering, just so abundant, covering the tongue and cheeks but they're soft - you need that structure to give it life. Feels sculpted if a little excessive right now, but good freshness and drive, and round on the mid-palate with no angles. Some spice at the end. From the western part of the appellation, a parcel of about 25ha purchased in the 1970s. 10ha in the process of being replanted - so 15ha in production. This is the third wine and receives declassified fruit from the higher wines, although produced with the same philosophy. Drinking 2023 to 2031 - Decanter 90
Antonio Galloni writes: The 2019 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou is plush, creamy and open-knit, all of which give it considerable immediacy, not to mention tons of charm. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha and licorice lend nuance in this racy, Merlot-based blend. The Petit Ducru is a new wine meant to be the third selection from the château. Drinking 2025 to 2029. - Vinous 92
The wine is a crimson-hued garnet red. The nose reveals red berry fruit aromas combined with delicate floral notes of peony and fresh mint. A dense and muscular attack leads into a full-bodied mid-palate whose juicy and expressive substance is underlined by well-rounded, silky tannins. The long and balanced finish lingers on notes of spice, especially white pepper.
James Suckling 95 Points | This is surprisingly full-bodied and round, reflecting the warmth and sunny exposure of the vineyard around the chateau. Tangy and vivid with currants, fresh flowers and plenty of energy and length. Delicate yet ripe. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 19.5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 0.5% petit verdot. Needs two or three years to come together completely. Drink after 2027.
Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 Points | The second wine of this great estate, the 2021 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild checks in as 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new barrels. It has plenty of class and charm, with pure Cabernet notes of cassis, graphite, tobacco, and damp earth. These carry to a medium-bodied, balanced, elegant, seamless wine with fine tannins, integrated oak, and a great finish.
Vinous 90-92 Points | Representing 40% of the total volume, a little more than usual, the 2021 Le Petit-Mouton, is aged in 50% new oak. A very Cabernet nose with conspicuous graphite scents infusing the black fruit, a little Earl Grey in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy opening, not amazingly complex but well balanced with fine tannins and just a pinch of black pepper on the finish. Classic in style, it should give 15-20 years of drinking pleasure.
Decanter 92 Points | Beautifully fragrant strawberries and red cherries, just so perfumed and appealing, really a very lovely nose drawing you in. An excellent Petit Mouton in 2021; serious intensity here but also such a liveliness as well as creaminess. It has weight and layers while having fruit intensity and a core of aromatics. There's a softness and delicacy in terms of the tannins and frame - beguiling - but a real base of concentrated blue, red and black fruits - strawberries, red cherries and blackcurrants. You get the stony tones and the clove on the finish but this feels round, expansive and approachable. It's uber glamorous, still with freshness and lift. A gorgeous wine with lots going on! 0.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.73pH. 14% press wine.
Wine Advocate 89-91 Points | Since Mouton-Rothschild itself this year derives exclusively from the two plateaus that always make up the core of the blend, the 2021 Le Petit Mouton benefits from the inclusion of parcels that often make it into the grand vin. Exhibiting aromas of crème de cassis, mint, cigar wrapper, violets and espresso roast, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy, with a rich core of fruit, powdery tannins, succulent acids and a persistent finish. Characterful and beautifully made, I wonder if I'm being a little severe with my score?
Malbec in the Loire Valley is called Cot as it is in Cahor. This is an inky dark wine that is dense, mouthfilling, with black fruit, raspberry, pepper, and rustic flavors. This big red calls out barbecue! We heartily recommend this special wine that rarely comes to the U.S.
The nose on the powerfully built organic Malbec offers notes sweet and sour cherry, fresh blackberry, and country herbs. Concentrated and intense, presenting a silky texture and an elegant finish. A gorgeous Malbec from the banks of the Loire river.
Super-concentrated and mineral. Release always trails the regular Sancerre Blanc by a year so it has extra time in both tank and bottle.
An understated charm on the nose, revealing elegant aromas of yellow fruits like apricot and mirabelle plum, along with hints of anise and marzipan. A touch of green pepper adds a light and airy quality. On the palate, it offers a crisp and delightful experience, with flavors of plum and orange wedge, culminating in a chalky, saline finish.
The vineyards are planted in Terroir of Kimmeridgian marls (calcareous clay with encrustation of oyster and mussel fossils) from the Jurassic time. Trellised vines are averaged around 30 years old and have a planting density of 8000 vines/ha. Tillage takes place in the rows until the bud burst, the rest of the year to natural grass covers. The Côte des Monts Damnés is located in Chavignol. Steep hillsides (declivity up to 70%), facing south, with an altitude that ranges from 650 to 980 feet.
The grapes matured in cooler temperatures than in recent years, so the 2021 vintage is in line with other vintages that conform to the temperate climate of the Centre-Loire wine region.
The grapes were handpicked and had a light cold static settling to eliminate the coarsest lees. Fermentation and aging took place in stainless steel tanks (88%) and 10 years old wooden vats (12%). After, the wine was aged on fine fermentation lees for 9 months.
Made from old-vines planted on sandy soils in the coastal region of Apulia, this full-bodied, blackberry-perfumed, exotic Primitivo displays unexpected complexity for the price, and will please consumers in search for a juicy, hedonistic everyday house red.
Cantine Due Palme, is a cooperative founded in 1989 in Cellino San Marco, in the province of Brindisi in the high part of Salento. It is a project of Angelo Maci, third generation of winemakers/ grape growers, who with steadiness and dedication has made Cantine Due Palme one of the most active cooperatives in the South of Italy.
A full bodied, full flavored Primitivo guaranteed to please! Perfumed aromas and flavors of rich blackberry, juicy black cherry, spice and dark chocolate fill the nose and fill the mouth with rich texture and soft tannins on the surprisingly complex finish.
Bart Hopkins
Made from old-vines planted on sandy soils in the coastal region of Apulia, this full-bodied, blackberry-perfumed, exotic Primitivo displays unexpected complexity for the price, and will please consumers in search for a juicy, hedonistic everyday house red.
Cantine Due Palme, is a cooperative founded in 1989 in Cellino San Marco, in the province of Brindisi in the high part of Salento. It is a project of Angelo Maci, third generation of winemakers/ grape growers, who with steadiness and dedication has made Cantine Due Palme one of the most active cooperatives in the South of Italy.
The product of a vintage that has proven to be high calibre and deeply satisfying, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2021 allows the tannin qualities and balanced concentration to shine through. The wine displays a bright ruby red with the usual purple highlights in the glass. Refreshing on the nose with pink pepper and cypress berries aromas, which are reminiscent of the Mediterranean shrub. On tasting, the wine is elegant with a lovely acidity and an enduring and savory finish, which entices further enjoyment.
Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | This is one of the great vintages for this cuvée and would be a wine for lovers of Bordeaux. The 2021 Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia sports a saturated red hue and opens to a great layered and harmonious nose, with aromas of kirsch, leather, fresh Mediterranean herbs, and crushed flowers that all resonate together with wonderful purity and depth. It’s open and generous on the palate, with refined, polished tannins, outstanding length, and refreshing acidity that’s seamlessly woven into the wine. Boy, is this hard to resist now and is a truly stunning wine from recently departed winemaker Olga Fusari. Bravo. Stash as much of this as you can away – it’s one for the ages. A great feather in the cap for Axel Heinz as well, it can only increase anticipation of the house’s top label for next year. Bravo tutti. (2021).
Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | On the nose, hot, meaty, umami aromas hold court, but dark fruit and a sanguine, tangy metallic component prevent those notes of smoke, pepper and tar from becoming overpowering. Undertones of vanilla and chocolate lift the fruit on the palate, but unyielding tannins and energetic acid ensure the spicy earthiness endures. (2021).
James Suckling 94 Points | A firm and linear red with currant, berry, chocolate and cedar character. It’s medium- to full-bodied. Fine tannins that run the length of the wine. It’s tight and focused. Energetic and bright. 50% merlot and 28% cabernet sauvignon and the rest split equally between petit verdot and cabernet franc. Better after 2026. (2021).
Wine Spectator 93 Points | A polished red, complex and perfumed, featuring black currant, blackberry, plum, violet and iron aromas and flavors. Builds nicely, showing off its poise and releasing the dense tannins at the end. This should evolve well. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2040. 3,252 cases imported. (2021).
Robert Parker 93 Points | The 2021 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is a nicely extracted and rich blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This vintage is very generous, even opulent, with dark fruit that is framed by exotic spice, baking chocolate and softly toasted tones from French oak. The wine ends on a creamy note with vanilla and cinnamon. The oak needs a few more years to integrate. (2021).
This beautifully crafted Super Tuscan will impress everyone at the table with its succulent fruit, plush texture and savory complexity. Aromas of cherries, plums and blackberries on the nose with some lovely spice and floral notes. Full and robust in the mouth with ripe tannins and terrific balance, this delicious red will grace the table with flavor and food friendly panache. - Bart, 67 Wine Buyer
Antonio Galloni writes: The 2020 Le Sughere di Frassinello is pliant and expressive right out of the gate. Succulent red cherry, plum, new leather, rose petal and mint are all kicked up in this tasty second wine from Rocca di Frassinello. Pretty floral notes brighten up the finish nicely. Drinking 2022 to 2029. - Vinous 92
James Suckling writes: Medium-bodied red with aromas of dark plums, chocolate, walnuts, dried herbs and bell peppers. Rich and fruity with a firm, ripe-tannin frame and a fleshy texture. Sangioveto, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold. - James Suckling 91
Bruce Sanderson writes: A lush yet solidly built red highlighted by cherry and blackberry flavors. Shows eucalyptus, rosemary and menthol accents that lend complexity, along with a mineral underpinning. Offers fine balance and fre
Deep ruby color, with a broad bouquet of red fruits. It has great substance in the mouth, with soft and round tannins and a long and enveloping finish.
It pairs well with full-flavored pasta and rice dishes, and game such as deer, wild boar, hare. Also recommended with birds such as wild duck.
Kristen Bieler of the Wine Spectator writes 92 Points | This offers real aromatic beauty, with incense, violets and red currant flavors melded with a layer of finely crushed graphite. Chalk-fine tannins guide the medium-length finish, adding nice chewiness. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2032.
Stuart Pigott of JamesSuckling.com writes 93 Points | This generous and well-structured 2021 Chateauneuf has excellent raspberry and strawberry aromas for the challenging vintage, plus notes of floral aromas. Surprisingly fine tannins, too. Still very youthful and in need of a bit of time in bottle to reach ideal harmony, but the freshness at the finish is already delightful. A cuvee 75% grenache, 10% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 5% cinsault that were co-fermented, then matured in foudre. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.
Jeb Dunnuck writes 92 Points | The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a solid effort in the vintage. A normal blend of mostly Grenache with 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with a splash of Cinsault, it has a beautiful perfume of ripe cherries, fresh strawberries, sappy green flowers, and peppery garrigue. This carries to a medium-bodied, layered, elegant Châteauneuf with fine tannins, a beautiful overall sense of balance, and outstanding length. It shows the fresh, pretty, nuanced style of the vintage and is a beautiful wine to enjoy over the coming decade. It's in the same ballpark as the 2008. Drinking 2023 to 2033.
Nicolas Greinacher of Vinous writes 91 Points | Checking in at 14.83% alcohol, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a refined and predominately red-fruited beauty. Licorice and herbaceous components add more dimension. Framed by gentle tannins and more medium- than full-bodied, the 2021 ends with a bright finish. Drinking 2025 to 2036.
Matt Walls of Decanter writes 93 Points | A smoky style that’s a touch herbal and meaty. Towards full-bodied, with good weight and texture. Quite a saline expression, ending on crisp raspberry acidity and quite strict tannins. Will always be a lean style, but should make interesting old bones. Drinking 2025 to 2034. -
James Suckling 93 Points | Very aromatic, with raspberry, orange peel and floral aromas. Nice transparency. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a crisp, crunchy finish.
Danielle Callegari of the Wine Enthusiast writes 93 Points | The nose is fresh and balanced, with aromas of bing cherries, wild strawberries, fresh coffee and number 2 pencil. The palate stays balanced, with more cherries, strawberries and coffee, as well as denser notes of soil and dark chocolate, plus a compelling interplay between chalky tannins and electric acid. Always a great deal.
Wine Spectator 92 Points | A fresh, expressive red, this also exhibits tension, lending energy to its black currant, cherry, licorice and cedar flavors. Graphite and salty accents add detail on the long, tightly wound finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2033. 15,000 cases imported. -
Yohan Castaing writes: A blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay, the NV Réserve Brut from Champagne Leclerc Briant is showing well today, evoking a lively, fresh bouquet of pear, verbena, lime tree, herbs and menthol. Moderately weighted and tense, it's vinous and energetic with an incisive mid-palate and a mouthwatering, fresh finish. Based on the 2020 vintage with only 5% vins de réserve, it was disgorged in October 2023 with 4.5 grams per liter dosage. Drinking 2024 to 2030. - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 90
Alison Napjus writes: A lithe and graceful Champagne, with sleek acidity animating flavors of chopped raspberry, nectarine, preserved lemon and oyster shell. Fine and satiny in texture, offering a persistent, lightly spiced finish. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Disgorged February 2024. Drink now through 2029. - Wine Spectator 92
Audrey Frick writes: Pouring a bright pale yellow hue, the NV Champagne Reserve Brut is from 2019, with 40% each Pinot Noir and Meunier and 20% Chardonnay. It opens to reveal notes of wet asphalt, ripe white peach, and fresh redcurrant. Medium-bodied and approachable, it has a rounded mid-palate, a chalky and pithy texture with a lively yet fine mousse, and a light note of brûléed grapefruit rind on the finish. It’s an attractive and balanced wine with a clean finish. Drink 2023 to 2030. Disgorged March of 2023. 4.5 grams per liter dosage. - Jeb Dunnuck 92
Jancis Robinson writes: Really quite mature nose with a suggestion of wild flowers (the biodynamic effect?). No shortage of acidity! The palate seems more youthful than the nose. 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay, from organic and biodynamic vineyards. Apparently this is actually Extra Brut, though labelled Brut. Drinking 2023 to 2026. - Jancis Robinson 16.5+
Brut Rosé is racy and high-toned, due to its high percentage of Chardonnay (95%). 5% Pinot Noir provides a pale melon color. Natural malolactic fermentation. Aged in stainless steel tanks with a small percentage of Pinot Noir in oak barrels. Aged over 2 years on the lees in bottle (sur lattes). Dosage is kept below 3 grams per liter and the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
91 Points Wine & Spirits | A fruit-for-ward sweetness infuses this wine with scents of golden peach and passion fruit, though the wine remains tight, with a grapefruit and mineral acidity. It’s big enough to take on a tuna steak.
90 Points Wine Spectator | A delicate rosé Champagne, displaying a fresh and tangy range of white cherry, star fruit and pink grapefruit zest layered with a subtle chalky underpinning. Lively.
Leclerc Briant was an early adopter of organic practices beginning in the 1960’s and pioneered the concept of single-vineyard Champagne starting in the 1970’s. Fifth generation vigneron, Pascal Leclerc began to follow biodynamic principles in 1988, with part of the production Demeter certified since 2003.
Wine Advocate 94 Points | The 2018 Les Monts Ferrés Blanc de Blancs derives from vines planted in the eponymous parcel in the 1er cru village of Vertus. It reveals a delicate, fine bouquet with aromas of fresh bread, acacia, spring flowers and ripe orchard fruits. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced, it’s enveloping and structured with both racy and bright acidity. This is a tension-filled, ethereal Champagne with a dosage of 1.4 grams per liter.
An open-knit nose of wild plum, almond and orange with underlying notes of salted bread. On the palate, the wine shows considerable body and a complex array of flavors including lemongrass, peppermint and quince. As the wine breathes scents of orange blossom and honeysuckle come to the fore and mingle with the soft, spicy accents of cumin and nutmeg.
The wine has bright tropical fruit, peach, watermelon, fresh apricot and notes of mango Hi-Chews that go into a long, mineral and citrus-driven finish. With less than 3 g/L sugar, this is a dry and acid driven style of gris that can be enjoyed on its own on a hot day – or better still, at the dinner table!
Tikka was Eric Lemelson’s Great Pyrenees dog who loved to patrol the perimeter of our Pinot gris vineyards this wine is a tribute to her. Tikka’s Run Pinot gris is sourced from Chestnut Hill Vineyard, our higher elevation site. At over 1,000 ft of elevation, natural acidity and freshness are preserved.
