| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Sparkling |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Ulysse Collin
Disgorged in March 2021 after 36 months sur lattes, Collin's NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Pierrières (2017) is based on the 2017 vintage, complemented by fully 70% reserve wines. Wafting from the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp green orchard fruit, white flowers and wet stones that are framed by a deft patina from its élevage, it's a full-bodied, vinous Champagne with a satiny attack that segues into a deep, concentrated mid-palate. Chalky and incisive, it concludes with a long, saline finish. As ever, this cuvée—which takes its name from the black flints that abound in the chalk in this area—is worth a special effort to seek out.
This is based on the 2012 vintage and was disgorged in February 2016. 12.5% alcohol. Concentrated and intense with fine, expressive citrus fruits and a touch of herbiness, as well as some apple and pear richness. Focused, with nice bright lemony notes. Very fine and expressive, showing real intensity. Pristine and fine with lovely acidity.
Collin elected to retain some 4,000 bottles of the NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Pierrières (2015) for additional maturation on the lees, disgorging them after 48 months in March 2020 with the usual 1.7 grams per liter dosage. Mingling aromas of citrus oil, fresh bread, macadamia nuts, crushed chalk and white flowers, it's full-bodied, multidimensional and tightly wound, with a deep and layered mid-palate, racy acids and a long, intensely chalky finish. As usual, it's the most chiseled, mineral wine in the range, but the additional time on lees has given the wine another dimension.
Disgorged in March 2019 with 1.7 grams per liter dosage, the NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Pierrières (2015) is based on the 2015 vintage and contains fully 60% reserve wines from 2014. It's still a touch shut down after its recent disgorgement, unwinding in the glass with scents of lemon oil, pomelo and crisp white peach that mingle with nuances of lily pollen and freshly baked bread. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated on the palate, it's searingly intense, with a racy spine of acidity that lends the wine incredible cut and energy, despite its unquestionable breadth and concentration. The finish is long, mouthwatering and electric. This is another brilliant Pierrières from Collin, but at least a year's patience is warmly recommended. 2020 - 2035
The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Pierrières (2014) contains fully 50% reserve wines matured in foudre from the 2013 vintage, and it was disgorged in February 2017 with 1.7 grams per liter dosage after 36 months sur lattes. As I reported earlier this years, this is a superb release from Collin, and having followed the 2013 reserve wines from their infancy—I remember them reminding me of a young Raveneau Montée de Tonnerre!—it's fascinating to see their influence in this release. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of crisp yellow apples, citrus oil, oyster shells and warm bread, the wine is full-bodied, elegantly textural and incisive, with a deep, concentrated and chiseled core, racy but ripe acids and chalky dry extract. This vineyard, defined by flinty chalk, is located some six kilometers from Collin's base in Congy, and from it one can see the Côte de Blancs: ironically, in view of the quality of the wines Collin produces here, it isn't even classed as a premier cru.
