Cuvée Réserve

Guide GaultMillau 2010 : 17 /20
Guide Hachette : 1-star
Guide La revue du vin de France 2010 : 14 /20
Prix des Vinalies - Oenologues de France - 2002

A subtle blend of 75% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir and some old reserved wine. Taste: fragrant, floral, classic structure and richness. For all the most special occasions, an intimate dinner or a gala evening.

Excellent value and always scores well at blind tastings.

Soil type, chalky clay and sandy chalky clay (Chardonnay).
Rootstocks: SO4 for the chardonnay, 41 B et 3309 for the Pinots.
Average age of the vines: 30 years

Pruning: Short,
- Pinot Meunier : Marne valley system
- Pinot Noir : Royat 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 part of the first pressing is used to make up the Cuvée Réserve.

Vinification. Classic - in small (50 to 100 hectolitre - 1000 to 2000 gallons) - stainless steel vats, and traditional - in oak barrels for 10 to 15% of the aged "reserve" wines.
Chilling and malolactic fermentation are carried out.
Bottle fermentation in half bottles, bottles, magnums, jeroboams and methusalems.

Dosages:
Brut : 6 g. / L.
Brut Nature (=not dosed): 0 g/L.

Blending: The proportion of old reserve wines, vinified in oak barrels, varies, depending on the year, from 10 to 15%.

Tasting notes
Colour: Star bright pale gold.
Nose: ample bouquet, fruity and floral.
Palate: balanced structure, harmonious, supple and fresh.
Serving Temperature: 10°C (50°F)

Marriage with food
Brut: everywhere. As an aperitif, with starters, fish, savoury tarts and pates, poultry, delicate white meats...
Demi-Sec: an agreeable accompaniment to desserts

Read the press reviews (in french)...

Bottle sizes available for the Champagne Brut Réserve:

Methuselah
    = 8 bottles = 6 litres
Jeroboam
    = 4 bottles = 3 litres
Magnum
    = 2 bottles = 1.5 L.
Bottle = 75 cl
Half-bottle = 37.5 cl

In the purest tradition of the Champagne region, and to maintain the highest quality, the wine undergoes its second fermentation - that which gives the mousse - in the bottles. They are not rebottled after fermentation.