"Petraea" Brut Nature (Sparkling) 2013

A blanc de noirs 100% Pinot Noir of intense complexity, thanks to the blending of many vintages. The nose is intense and generous. Scents of fruits, of white flowers with spicy hints. In the mouth the champagne is broad and rich, powerful though still possessing good freshness. The most gastronomic cuvée of the domaine, it`s favoured by many fine restaurants and has a style described by Delphine as “cosy”.

Story: Delphine Boulard now heads the estate she co-founded in 2009 with her father Francis. She is especially proud of this unique cuvée, created using a method called Réserve Perpétuelle, which similar to that of the Solera system used in sherry-making, Each year, the previous year`s wine is added in the proportion of 50% to a constantly ageing blend. This means that that each new wine contains some of the earlier vintages in decreasing proportions. The reserve was started in 1997 and restarted in 2012 as a fully organic blend. The reserve is aged in large foudres that were created for the domaine specifically for the production of this cuvée. This is different for other multi-vintage or solera champagnes as all the wines are always from the same parcel.

Vinification: Petraea III is 100% Pinot Noir from a plot called Le Murtet- a sandy limestone terroir on the Massif de Saint-Thierry. This release is made from 50% of the wine from the 2014 harvest, plus reserves from 2012 and 2013. Only the first juice from the first pressing is used. Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Vinified on fine lees in 25 hl oak casks with batonnage and malolactic fermentation. Aged for 4-5 years. No dosage added and only the same wine is added to replace what is lost in disgorgement. Allowed to settle for 6