Prestige Tradition

Jacques Dupont - Le Point : 17,5 /20
Guide GaultMillau 2010 : 16 /20
Guide La revue du vin de France 2010 : 15,5 /20

Emblem of the House, representing tradition and quality. Made with the heart of the first pressing of the three types of Champagne grapes.

A great Champagne in an exclusive prestige bottle.

Cuvée Brut Prestige Tradition:

Origin: 7 villages (including one classified Grand Cru) in the Marne Valley - rigth bank - and in the Montagne de Reims. Vignobles Raymond Boulard.

Varietals:

White grape: Chardonnay 50 %,

Red grapes: Pinot Noir 30 % and Pinot Meunier 20%.

Soil type, chalky clay and sandy chalky clay.
Rootstocks: mainly 41 B, also SO 4 and 3309
Average age of the vines: 30 years

Pruning: Short,
- Pinot Meunier : Marne valley system
- Pinot Noir : Royat system
- Chardonnay : Chablis system

Harvesting: Manual. Severe & successive selection on the plant.
"Late" harvesting to obtain optimum ripeness, a naturally raised alcohol level and to let the aromas blossom.

Pressing: 4000 kg pneumatic press to give a refined, delicate and precise choice of juice. Only the first 10 Hectolitres of the batch "The heart of the first pressing" is chosen to make up the wines in our subtle and refined Tradition-Prestige.

Vinification: classic and traditional. Partly in small (25 Hectolitre - 450 galls) stainless steel vats and partly in 225 litre oak barrels. Chilling, no malo-lactic fermentation.

Dosages: Brut 6g. /litre or Brut Nature 0 g./litre.
Blending: 10 to 20% of reserve wines aged in oak barrels is used to make up our Prestige blend.

Tasting notes.
Colour: Crystal clear straw gold.
Nose: Very fine, delicately fruity (white flowers and discreet citrus fruits)
Mouth: Fine and discreet bouquet, all is in subtle lacy harmony, full of lively, fresh and elegant finesse.

Serving Temperature: 10°C. (50°F)
Marriage with foods: Perfect aperitif wine, with a starter such as a fine fish (sea bass, pike-perch) as a contrast with foie gras or with very refined and subtle dishes.

Read the press reviews (in french)...