NV Veuve Fourny & Fils Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France (750ml)
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A Quarterly Sparkling Wine Club Selection
Champagne Veuve Fourny & Fils has been an active family domaine since 1856. The estate is located in the prestigious Côte des Blancs, in the premier cru village of Vertus, an appellation that gives them the rare opportunity to grow Pinot Noir as well as Chardonnay. Brothers Charles-Henry and Emmanuel Fourny sustainably farm nearly nine hectares of vineyards and have been carrying on the family winegrowing tradition since 1993.
Their “Clos Faubourg Notre Dame” is a rare jewel in Champagne, primarily due to the fact that there are few existing clos parcels left in the region. In this walled plot of vineyard, their older vines benefit from a unique microclimate with deep, chalky subsoil and clay and limestone deposits. Southeastern sun exposure optimizes grape maturity in an area of France where ripe grapes are a precious commodity. Their other vineyards share the soil composition of the Clos Faubourg and get east, southeast and southern sun exposure.
Veuve Fourny produces fine grower Champagne, raising pedigreed fruit, adhering to high standards, and hand-crafting wines that showcase the chalky terroir of Vertus. All of the Fournys’ vineyards are farmed according to the same meticulous practices and principles, and each parcel is vinified individually. The Brut ages in their cellars for two and a half years before release. The house style at Veuve Fourny is best characterized as traditional Côte des Blancs: a fine bead, rich, complex aromatics, and a prominent minerality emphasizing freshness and purity. The Fournys believe in minimal dosage for all of their Champagnes, preferring to let the individual terroirs express themselves more clearly. This technique, in addition to their dedication to partial malolactic fermentations in their overall blends, and their decision to age most base wine partially in barrel, all contribute to their unique style.
The Grande Réserve Brut 1er Cru is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir from 30-year-old vines. One quarter of the cuvée goes through malolactic fermentation and is aged for 24 months on lees. The current disgorgement was June 2018 and the blend is assembled from 60% 2015 vintage with reserve wines from 2014, 2013 and 2012 vintages. Dosage: 6 grams/liter.
Pale golden hue. Lively aromatics of fresh-baked pasty, green apple and honeycomb. Delightful flavors of Granny Smith apple, pear, Meyer lemon and brioche. Fine bead and a lively, effervescent mouthfeel with a persistent, flavorful finish.