Reflet d'Antan (2016)
NV
Region
France › Champagne › Champagne AOC
Type
white · sparkling · brut
Grapes
Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir
Alcohol
12%
Volume
750 mL
Sugar
6 g/L
Tasting Notes
This wine impresses with its generous, ripe, multilayered and charmingly oxidized bouquet. It exudes an alluring array of baked apples sweetened with honey, complemented by refreshing menthol and healing propolis. A medley of spices and ginger adds warmth, while a pleasant Jerez and cider notes with a hint of cinnamon further enhance its complexity.
The balance achieved in this wine is near perfect, creating a seamless integration of flavours. Evocative of freshly baked bread and further layers of baked apples, its palate is as inviting as it is delicious.
About
This exquisite wine is cultivated on a 0.60-hectare vineyard with vines over 30 years old. It showcases a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims (specifically from Ludes 1er Cru, Trépail, and Ormes), and Meunier and Chardonnay from the Vallée de la Marne (Mareuil-le-port). The terroir is characterized by lean, highly chalky soil with prominent chalk outcrops. The blend comprises 30% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 35% Meunier, selectively chosen with two-thirds of the best barrels forming a perpetual reserve maintained across three generations. Vinification involves a slow fermentation process in barrels and small vats, maturing on lees with corking, and an extended 36 months of aging on laths. The wine was disgorged in December 2020, with a dosage of 6 g/L, balancing richness with finesse.
