Classification | |
Type | Effervescent |
Marque | Cedric Bouchard |
Millésime | 2017 |
Pays | France |
Région | Champagne |
Raisin | Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier |
Volume | |
État | Parfait |
Étiquette | Parfait |
Consommable | -2040 |
Stock | 0 |
Bouchard's newly released NV Blanc de Noirs Côte de Val Vilaine (2017) has turned out brilliantly, offering up a deep bouquet of green pear, freshly baked bread, honeycomb and citrus oil. Medium to full-bodied, enveloping but incisive, it's built around a bright spine of acidity and a concentrated core of ripe but beautifully vibrant fruit. The 2017 is a bit racier but also a touch less concentrated than the 2016 rendition, a wine that would get my nod as the best Val Vilaine to date.
Roses de Jeanne is the range made from Cédric Bouchard's own, particularly low-yielding vines, rather than his father's vineyards, which he also manages. The vineyards are farmed biodynamically by hand and horse. The soils here in the Côte des Bar, richer in clay in a slightly warmer climate than further north. This is a single-vineyard champagne from the 1.5-ha Val Vilaine lieu-dit with vines aged 35+ years. Only 300 to 500 cases are produced annually. Cédric Bouchard created his own Champagne house as recently as 2000. 100% Pinot Noir aged for three years on the lees. Disgorged April 2019. Zero dosage.
Engaging and intense mature aroma soared out of the bottle as soon as it was opened. Remarkably little mousse. But an intense perfume in the floral spectrum of Pinot Noir. Nice, neat, rather rich palate – amazing since this is relatively young and there is zero dosage! Testament to how ripe these grapes get. Perhaps this is a champagne to savour during or even after a meal rather than as a zesty aperitif. Bone-dry, long finish. Very Pinot and rather flirtatious.