| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Champagne |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Sparkling |
Coming from Verzy and Chouilly, the 2018 Champagne Vintage Brut has 80% Pinot Noir from Verzy and is the last vintage to include Chardonnay from Chouilly. Historically, the Chardonnay was included in the blend to soften the austerity of the Pinot Noir; however, with these recent vintages and warming conditions, this is no longer necessary, as the Pinot Noir is fully ripe and appealing on its own. In the glass, it offers aromas of pure red cherries, fresh flowers, bright spice, and wild raspberries. Medium to full-bodied, it has compact definition, a pillowy mousse, a chalky texture, and mouthwatering tangerine notes on the finish. While I am eagerly anticipating the 2019 release, this holds a fantastic place in the range to enjoy now or over the next 15 or so years.
Full bottle 1,602 g. Early harvest from 27 August to 8 September. The main component, 80% of the blend, is Pinot Noir from Verzy, supplemented by 20% Chardonnay from Chouilly. 28% of the base wine saw oak, 20% of it went through malo. The 2018 is described as ‘the end of an era’ because the Pinot Noir on north-facing vines in Verzy now achieves such phenolic ripeness that it is possible to make a wine entirely from these grapes. The 2019 vintage is a Blanc de Noirs, something Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon has wanted to do for many years. ‘La Montagne’ is cited on the back label, a reference to the fact that all the grapes came from their vineyards on the Montagne de Reims (as opposed to ‘La Côte’ for the Côte des Blancs vineyards and ‘La Rivière’ for their vineyards in the Vallée de la Marne). Dosage 7 g/l.
Extremely intense nose with an explosion of life. Light smokiness and crème patissière. By no means bone dry, in fact the fruit is positively exuberant. Like a rich lemon mousse. I like it! Drink: 2025-2035
Louis Roederer's vintage cuvée is 80% hailing from the northern Montagne de Reims in Pinot Noir in the ripe, approachable 2018 vintage, with the remaining 20% in Chardonnay from Chouilly. The inherent freshness of these northern slopes really benefits the style in such a vintage, with a little more precision and restraint than is sometimes present in 2018 even if the sunny cherry, sweet apple and clementine fruit is still aromatically very ripe. This is polished, silken and gently warmed-up with almond macaron richness and toasted brown bread notes, persistent rather than hugely intense but still standing to benefit from further ageing and integration of the brut dosage.
Drink: 2026-2040
