Leclerc Briant was an early adopter of organic practices beginning in the 1960’s and pioneered the concept of single-vineyard Champagne starting in the 1970’s. Fifth generation vigneron, Pascal Leclerc began to follow biodynamic principles in 1988, with part of the production Demeter certified since 2003. Today, enologist Hervé Jestin continues the legacy of this visionary house. Ten hectares are divided between the Premier Cru villages of Cumières, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Bisseuil in the Vallée de la Marne, Villers-Allerand and Rilly la Montagne in Montagne de Reims and the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil Sur Oger in the Côte des Blancs. Leclerc Briant also holds long-term contracts with another 8 hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards. Vintage 2010 is produced from 40% Chardonnay; 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier from the Premier Cru village of Cumières. Fermentation and aging for 7-8 months in stainless steel and cement tanks followed by 80-100 months aging in bottle sur lattes. The wine received a low dosage and is bone dry with just 4 grams per liter of residual sugar.

Green tea, chamomile, and orchard fruits aplenty, there is a tension and salinity that makes this is a perfect aperitif style wine that although has layers of detail, keeps you coming back for more and is the perfect ‘business card’ for the wines that Adrien is seeking to produce.

Cuvée 4·5 is a unique blend from Maison Mumm that brings together Chardonnay (40%) & Pinot Noir (60%), all coming from Grand Cru vineyards. Mineral & lively, Verzenay’s Pinot Noir brings to the wine generous & fruity aromas, while Pinot Noir from South-facing vineyards Aÿ & Bouzy add strength & vinosity to the blend. Chardonnay from Cramant offers delicate & tangy citrus notes, well-balanced by the incisive & sharp Chardonnay from Avize. Pressed & vinified separately, those five Grand Cru are then blended while adding reserve wines (20%). The expedition liqueur, produced exclusively from the same Grand Cru, is the final touch of this Cuvée. Aged in cellars for 4 years and made from five Grand Cru, the name of the wine stems from those characteristics: Cuvée 4·5.

Reserved for a circle of insiders since 1838, Maison Mumm’s exceptional champagnes epitomize the excellence of its terroir and savoir-faire. True to this heritage, RSRV represents the only collection of five 100% Grand Cru cuvées. RSRV Rosé Foujita is a champagne appreciated for its elegance, fullness and power. The artist Léonard Foujita, a friend of the House, drew the rose motif which has decorated the bottle of Mumm rosé champagne since 1958. RSRV Rosé Foujita is a blend of six Grand Cru terroirs, bringing together Pinot Noir from Verzenay, Aÿ and Bouzy, and Chardonnay from Cramant and Avize. Red wine from Ambonnay, another Grand Cru village, is added to the blend, lending fullness and intensity on the palate, as well as aromas of red and black fruit. The grapes are pressed and vinified separately before being blended with reserve wines. The wine is aged for four years in the cellars, before the dosage liqueur, sourced from Grand Cru terroirs and matured in oak barrels, adds final notes of pastry and vanilla. The specific shape of the bottle, with its slender neck, enhances the evolution and conservation of the wine.

Louis Roederer Brut Nature Deluxe Rosé 2015 exemplifies innovative craftsmanship and terroir expression in Champagne. This cuvée is crafted from Premier Cru fruit in Cumières, blending 50% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier, and stands out as a collaboration with designer Philippe Starck. A portion of the ripest Pinot Noir is cold-infused and blended with the Brut Nature base, then co-fermented for complexity. The wine is bottle-aged for six years on lees and finished with zero dosage, resulting in extraordinary purity and depth.

A whiff of peat smoke lends mature expression to this mainly Pinot Noir bottling. Notes of toast and stone fruit conjure up impressions of woodland spice, framed by a more profound sense of vinosity. The palate shows wonderful depth: citrus on entry, with plenty of firmness on the mid palate and the wine’s vibrant fruit character showing through. The very low dosage contributes to the sense of invigorating harmony.