Bérêche & Fils Brut Réserve L:20BSA-06/23

This fantastic NV bottle is just entering its drinking window and is already delightful. It presents an expressive and charming bouquet of bruised apples, toast, damp cellar, and buttered croissant. Vinous with a wonderful texture and the allure of candied fruit, it boasts an intense, foamy mousse. The long aftertaste finishes dry, with intriguing hints of iodine and chalk.

Brut Reserve is the house's NV anchor - the wine the brothers use to express the breadth of the domaine in a single bottle. Roughly equal thirds Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, drawn from the patchwork of plots across Ludes, Ormes, Mareuil-le-Port and Trepail. About 70% of the blend is base-vintage fruit; the remaining ~30% comes from the perpetual reserve Reflet d'Antan, which Jean-Pierre Berêche started in 1985 and has grown ever since (it's the same reserve that feeds the cuvee of the same name when it's released on its own - see Reflet d'Antan (2016)).

This bottling: lot L:20BSA-06/23, base vintage 2020, disgorged June 2023, around two-and-a-half to three years on lees, finished as Brut. Bottled under cork (no crown cap on the prise de mousse), hand-disgorged, no filtration.

Served blind, I managed to identify the wine (after a few failed tries haha), though I initially mistook it for an older release. It's a testament to the remarkable quality of this entry-level bottle, which displays an (un)expected complexity and depth. The aroma profile is rich with buttered croissant, bruised apple, crushed apple seeds, honey, and a hint of cider, creating a compelling bouquet. Its texture is equally impressive, being both round and prolonged. Truly a magnificent find.

The latest release has truly exceeded expectations, presenting an incredible richness and depth. The bouquet is a sophisticated ensemble of red apple, buttered croissant, crushed apple seeds, and subtle touches of honey. Its texture is luxurious, with a roundness that envelops the palate in deliciousness, culminating in a prolonged finish. This bottle is nothing short of wonderful, showcasing the meticulous craft behind its creation.

Brut Réserve L:20BSA-06/23

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