Champagne Lebrun de Neuville "Authentique" Blanc de Blancs
Region: Champagne - Côte de Sézanne
Variety: Chardonnay
Lebrun de Neuville unites 170 growers over 150ha in the “Côte de Sézanne”. Most of the crop is sold to large negociants but they keep their best parcels to produce less than 500,000 bottles of Champagne Lebrun de Neuville. Chardonnay is the hero grape of the region and it represents 90% of their whole production.
Only 7,000 bottles of the Authentique Blanc de Blancs are made. 8% is fermented in oak to add some complexity, the rest in stainless steel vessels. 70% of the assemblage is vintage wine with 30% reserve wine, adding so much character.
Most importantly, this wine is aged in the underground chalk cellars, in bottle for 4 years under cork. This slow, oxidative ageing process is normally the feature of the best Prestige Cuvées from Champagne. The result is delicious vanilla and nougat characters on the nose with apple crunch and tangy length. You will want more.